The Role of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Acute Cholecystitis in Guinea Pig Gallbladder

Background/Aims: Acute cholecystitis is common in gallbladder motility disorder. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the gallbladder are involved in the regulation of gallbladder motility. The aim of this study was to explore the change of gallbladder ICCs in acute cholecystitis. Methods: Thirty adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups: a sham-operated group (healthy controls) and 2 study groups. The animals in the study group were subjected to bile duct ligation and then to laparotomy and cholecystectomy at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. Immunohistochemistry, immunohistofluorescence, and laser confocal microscopy were performed to observe the shape, size, morphology, and density of gallbladder ICCs. Western blot and real-time PCR were performed to detect stem cell factor and c-kit protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Results: There were no differences in the shape, size, and morphology of the gallbladder ICCs in the control and the two acute cholecystitis groups. Density of gallbladder ICCs, SCF level, and c-kit protein and mRNA expression all decreased in the acute cholecystitis groups. Further, SCF level and c-kit protein and mRNA expression decreased with progress of acute cholecystitis (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Acute cholecystitis can decrease ICCs through repression of SCF and c-kit expression and that ICCs loss play a role in acute cholecystitis.

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Acute Cholecystitis Reduces Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Porcine Gallbladder Through Decreased mRNA Synthesis

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000489987 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 535-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zhen-peng Huang ◽

Hu Qiu ◽

Bao-ping Yu

Keyword(s):

Acute Cholecystitis ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Motility Disorder ◽

Gallbladder Motility ◽

Control Group ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Duct Ligation ◽

Cells Of Cajal

Background/Aims: Acute cholecystitis is a common gastrointestinal disorder, often characterized by acute cholecystitis with gallbladder motility disorder. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of gut motility in the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of ICC function is related to motility disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ICCs in acute cholecystitis and after the resolution of acute inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fifty adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups: a sham-administered group (control group); two groups that were intraperitoneally administered an anti-polyclonal neutrophil (PMN) antibody 24 h before common bile duct ligation (CBDL); and two groups of guinea pigs that were subjected to CBDL without receiving the PMN antibody. Guinea pigs that underwent CBDL were held for 24 h or 48 h after surgery before being subjected to laparotomy and cholecystectomy. Immunohistochemistry, TUNEL assays, western blotting, and real-time PCR were performed to determine ICC morphology and density, to detect ICC apoptosis, and to examine stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit protein expression and SCF and c-kit mRNA levels, respectively. Results: Both hematoxylin-eosin staining and histological inflammation scores in the PMN groups were lower than those in the control groups (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in ICC morphology between groups. During acute cholecystitis, ICCs numbers were reduced. Conversely, the density of ICCs increased after inflammation was relieved (P < 0.01). In addition, SCF and c-kit protein and mRNA expression levels decreased during acute cholecystitis (P < 0.05) and increased after inflammation was relieved (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ICC apoptosis increased during acute cholecystitis and decreased after resolution of acute cholecystitis (P < 0.01). Conclusions: In acute cholecystitis, ICC injury may be related to gallbladder motility disorder.

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Role of perinuclear mitochondria in the spatiotemporal dynamics of spontaneous Ca2+ waves in interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells of the rabbit urethra

British Journal of Pharmacology ◽

10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00902.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 161 (3) ◽

pp. 680-694 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Hikaru Hashiatni ◽

Richard J Lang ◽

Hikaru Suzuki

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Spatiotemporal Dynamics ◽

Rabbit Urethra ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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Neuromuscular structures in opossum esophagus: role of interstitial cells of Cajal

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.1984.246.3.g305 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 246 (3) ◽

pp. G305-G315 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

E. E. Daniel ◽

V. Posey-Daniel

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Circular Muscle ◽

Muscle Cells ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Complete Relaxation ◽

Granular Vesicles ◽

Cells Of Cajal

The structures of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and body circular muscle (BCM) from opossum were compared as to neural and muscular structures and the structural relations of interstitial cells of Cajal to nerves and muscle cells. Both LES and BCM were densely innervated by nerves with varicosities containing many small agranular vesicles and a few large granular vesicles. These nerves were more closely related structurally to the interstitial cells of Cajal than to smooth muscle cells. More gap junctions were observed between smooth muscle cells and between interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells in BCM than in LES. Those between smooth muscle cells were larger in BCM. Complete relaxation of the LES strip by isoproterenol reduced these differences but did not eliminate them. The finding that interstitial cells of Cajal often had gap-junction contacts to smooth muscle and close associations with nerves is consistent with the hypothesis that interstitial cells are intercalated between the nerves and muscles and may mediate nerve responses. These findings also suggest that LES muscle cells may be less well coupled electrically than BCM muscle cells.

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Role of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Motility Disorders of the Bowel

The American Journal of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07295.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 618-624 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

Dhanpat Jain ◽

Khalid Moussa ◽

Manish Tandon ◽

Joan Culpepper-Morgan ◽

Deborah D. Proctor

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Motility Disorders ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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The presence and role of interstitial cells of Cajal in the proximal intestine of shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius)

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.141523 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 220 (3) ◽

pp. 347-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jeroen Brijs ◽

Grant W. Hennig ◽

Anna-Maria Kellermann ◽

Michael Axelsson ◽

Catharina Olsson

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Shorthorn Sculpin ◽

Myoxocephalus Scorpius ◽

Proximal Intestine ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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Local presentation of Steel factor increases expression of c-kit immunoreactive interstitial cells of Cajal in culture

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.00093.2002 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 284 (2) ◽

pp. G313-G320 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Adam Rich ◽

Steven M. Miller ◽

Simon J. Gibbons ◽

John Malysz ◽

Joseph H. Szurszewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Fibroblast Cell ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Physical Separation ◽

Steel Factor ◽

Membrane Bound ◽

Cells Of Cajal ◽

Cell Culture Conditions

The binding of Steel factor (SF) to c-kit initiates a signaling pathway essential for development and maintenance of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Soluble and membrane-bound isoforms of SF are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, but the role for either isoform in supporting ICC development is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of SF in supporting ICC in culture. ICC were cultured from dissociated mouse jejunum and grown with fibroblast cell lines that produced either soluble, membrane-bound or membrane-restricted SF. ICC were identified and counted by c-kit immunoreactivity. The number of c-kit immunoreactive cells was greater in the coculture system compared with cultures grown without SF-producing fibroblasts. All forms of SF-producing fibroblasts increased ICC number in culture but physical separation of the fibroblasts from the c-kit immunoreactive cells, the addition of exogenous SF to the culture medium, or fibroblast-conditioned media did not. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the membrane-bound form of SF preferentially contributes to expression of c-kit-positive ICC under cell culture conditions.

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