TY - JOUR
T1 - Pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract
T2 - interstitial cells of Cajal
AU - Rumessen, J J
AU - Thuneberg, L
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were described a century ago as primitive neurons in the intestines. Through the years, ICC have been mistaken for neurons, glial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. We identified ICC in the musculature of mouse small intestine by their characteristic morphology and topography, and we analysed the relation between ICC, autonomic nerves, and smooth muscle. Subsequent morphological and electrophysiological evidence has strongly supported our hypotheses that some ICC populations are gut pacemakers and may hold other fundamental regulatory functions (coordinative, mechanoreceptive, mediating nervous input). Recognition of common principles of ICC organization (confinement to specific locations in relation to smooth muscle layers; formation of extensive cellular networks through tight coupling of overlapping thin processes; innervation patterns; characteristic patterns of contact with smooth muscle cells) and ultrastructure (myoid features: basal lamina, caveolae, rich in sER and mitochondria, often prominent filament bundles and dense bands/bodies) has allowed the identification of ICC in the GI musculature of all species investigated. However, variation in organization and ultrastructure is significant, between both species and regions of the GI tract. Our studies of ICC in human intestine permit an extension of the above hypotheses to man and provide a basis for further studies of ICC pathology and pathophysiology. The latter may become a fruitful area of research in the coming decades.
AB - Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were described a century ago as primitive neurons in the intestines. Through the years, ICC have been mistaken for neurons, glial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. We identified ICC in the musculature of mouse small intestine by their characteristic morphology and topography, and we analysed the relation between ICC, autonomic nerves, and smooth muscle. Subsequent morphological and electrophysiological evidence has strongly supported our hypotheses that some ICC populations are gut pacemakers and may hold other fundamental regulatory functions (coordinative, mechanoreceptive, mediating nervous input). Recognition of common principles of ICC organization (confinement to specific locations in relation to smooth muscle layers; formation of extensive cellular networks through tight coupling of overlapping thin processes; innervation patterns; characteristic patterns of contact with smooth muscle cells) and ultrastructure (myoid features: basal lamina, caveolae, rich in sER and mitochondria, often prominent filament bundles and dense bands/bodies) has allowed the identification of ICC in the GI musculature of all species investigated. However, variation in organization and ultrastructure is significant, between both species and regions of the GI tract. Our studies of ICC in human intestine permit an extension of the above hypotheses to man and provide a basis for further studies of ICC pathology and pathophysiology. The latter may become a fruitful area of research in the coming decades.
KW - Animals
KW - Denmark
KW - Digestive System
KW - Enteric Nervous System
KW - Gastrointestinal Motility
KW - Humans
KW - Microscopy, Electron
KW - Muscle, Smooth
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 8726282
VL - 216
SP - 82
EP - 94
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, Supplement
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, Supplement
SN - 0085-5928
ER -