Publication: ldentification of the interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors
Komuro, T. ; Tokui, K. ; Zhou, D.S.
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Observation of whole-mount stretch
preparations using the zinc-iodide-osmic acid method
reveals a wide variety of interstitial cells in different
tissue layers of the guinea-pig small intestine. And a
subsequent electron microscopic exarnination and survey
of references makes clear that the interstitial cells of
Cajal (ICC) depicted in original drawings of Cajal are
heterogeneous and correspond to different types of
interstitial cells. The myenteric ICC are characterized by
long dichotomous branching processes which constitute
cellular networks independent from the nerve plexus and
form many gap junctions at their tips. Their
ultrastructure is similar to that of fibroblasts and they
have no basal lamina. The myenteric ICC show strong
immunoreactivity for vimentin and the c-kit receptor,
and probably correspond to the intestinal pacemaker
cells.
Within the circular muscle layer, ICC are
represented by the cells that are closely associated with
fine nerve bundles. The ICC have various shapes,
ranging from bipolar to stellate, depending on the
running pattern of the nerve fibers that they are
associated with. They show fibroblast-like ultrastnicture
and have no basal lamina. They form gap junctions with
smooth muscle cells and are immunoreactive for
vimentin.
On the other hand, ICC associated with the deep
muscular plexus described in the guinea-pig by Cajal
could not be clearly identified. However, it is suggested
that the ICC in this location may correspond to
glycogen-rich cells possessing a basal lamina. Although
they show a fairly well-developed rough endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi apparatus and immunoreactivity for
vimentin, ICC of the deep muscular plexus are probably
specialized smooth muscle cells in nature.
Citation
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Sin licencia Creative Commons.