Search results for "Interstitial cell of Cajal"
showing 6 items of 6 documents
Reduction of Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) Associated With Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (n-NOS) in Patients With Achalasia
2007
The etiology of achalasia is still unknown. The current theories of chronic inflammation leading to autoimmune response with destruction and loss of the inhibitory myenteric ganglion cells enlighten its pathogenesis in a limited way only. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be involved in nitrergic neurotransmission of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).To investigate the significance of ICC and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (n-NOS) in esophageal wall tissue of patients undergoing surgery for achalasia.In 53 patients with a median age of 45 (6-78) yr undergoing surgery for achalasia, the immunoreactivity of ICC (CD117/c-kit) and n-NOS was assessed. In 42 patients, biopsi…
Gene Signatures in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
2011
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute a rare heterogeneous group of the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of gastrointestinal tract (GI). GISTs have emerged during the recent years as a distinct sarcoma entity due to advances in the understanding of molecular mechanism of their pathogenesis. They are believed to originate from precursors shared with interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) – the pacemaker cells of the gut (for which CD117 antigen is the immunohistochemical marker), and they may arise along all GI (most commonly in the stomach or the small bowel) or rarely elsewhere. Their biological behavior is difficult to predict, ranging from clinically benign to malignant. The trea…
Achalasie im Kindesalter: Eine separate Entität?
2007
Background Achalasia in childhood is rare, also the etiology and the pathogenesis of the early onset ort he disease is practically unknown. Little is known about the neuropathological changes in structure of the esophageal wall in non-hereditary, sporadic achalasia in children and ist differentiation to that in adults. The aim of our study was to examine the morphological properties or high-pressure zone of the lower esophageal sphincter in children who had undergone a Heller myotomy because of achalasia as well as to compare them with the pathological findings in adults. Methods Muscle biopsies of the smooth musculature, a 20 x 10 mm long segment of the myenteric of the distal esophagus (l…
Ultrastructural changes in the interstitial cells of Cajal and gastric dysrhythmias in mice lacking full-length dystrophin (mdxmice)
2003
At least two populations of c-kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) lie in the gastric wall, one located at the myenteric plexus level has a pace-making function and the other located intramuscularly is intermediary in the neurotransmission and regenerates the slow waves. Both of these ICC sub-types express full-length dystrophin. Mdx mice, an animal model lacking in full-length dystrophin and used to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), show gastric dismotilities. The aim of the present study was to verify in mdx mice whether: (i) gastric ICC undergo morphological changes, through immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses; and (ii) there are alterations in the electrica…
GLP-2 receptor expression in excitatory and inhibitory enteric neurons and its role in mouse duodenum contractility
2011
Background Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), a nutrient-responsive hormone, exerts various actions in the gastrointestinal tract that are mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor called GLP-2R. A little information is available on GLP-2R expression in enteric neurons and nothing on the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Methods We investigated presence and distribution of the GLP-2R in the mouse duodenum by immunohistochemistry and the potential motor effects of GLP-2 on the spontaneous and neurally evoked mechanical activity. Key Results The GLP-2R was expressed by the myenteric and submucosal neurons. Labelling was also present in nerve varicosities within the circular muscular layer an…
Murine genetic deficiency of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS-/-) and interstitial cells of Cajal (W/Wv): Implications for achalasia?
2014
Background and aim Nitric oxide (NO) is an important inhibitory mediator of esophageal function, and its lack leads to typical features of achalasia. In contrast, the role of intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function is still controversial. Therefore, we examined the function and morphology of the LES in vivo in NO-deficient (nNOS(-/-) ), ICC-IM-deficient (W/W(v) )-, and wild-type (WT) mice. Methods Esophageal manometry was performed with a micro-sized transducer catheter to quantify LES pressure, swallow evoked LES relaxation, and esophageal body motility. The LES morphology was examined by semiqu…