Journal of Gastroenterology

, Volume 43, Issue 8, pp 626–631 | Cite as

Phenotypic alteration of interstitial cells of Cajal in idiopathic sigmoid megacolon

  • Yasushi Adachi
  • Yoshifumi Ishii
  • Mitsuru Yoshimoto
  • Yukinari Yoshida
  • Takao Endo
  • Hiroyuki Yamamoto
  • Hirofumi Akashi
  • Kohzoh Imai
  • Yasuhisa Shinomura
  • Yasuo Kato
Article

Abstract

Background

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are detected as a pacemaker of gastrointestinal movement and express c-kit and CD34. Recently, ICCs have implicated pathogenesis in several human diseases presenting gastrointestinal motor dysfunction. This study was performed to clarify the role of ICCs in idiopathic sigmoid megacolon using histological and immunohistochemical examinations.

Methods

Four adult patients with idiopathic sigmoid megacolon and 11 controls were studied. Histology and immunocytochemistry using NSE, S100, c-kit, and CD34 were performed in conjunction with quantitative analysis using the public domain NIH image program.

Results

Little histological change in neuromuscular structures in megacolon was observed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated remarkable decrease of c-kit expressing ICCs without reduction of CD34 expression in the similar interstitial cell population. This observation was further supported by quantitative assessment using public domain NIH image program.

Conclusions

A specific downregulation of c-kit in ICCs may be a cause of idiopathic sigmoid megacolon in adults.

Key words

c-kit interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) sigmoid megacolon CD34 

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Copyright information

© Springer Japan 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Yasushi Adachi
    • 1
    • 3
  • Yoshifumi Ishii
    • 2
  • Mitsuru Yoshimoto
    • 4
  • Yukinari Yoshida
    • 5
  • Takao Endo
    • 1
  • Hiroyuki Yamamoto
    • 3
  • Hirofumi Akashi
    • 3
  • Kohzoh Imai
    • 3
  • Yasuhisa Shinomura
    • 3
  • Yasuo Kato
    • 1
  1. 1.Internal MedicineSapporo Shirakabadai HospitalSapporoJapan
  2. 2.Pathology, Sapporo Shirakabadai HospitalSapporoJapan
  3. 3.First Department of Internal MedicineSapporo Medical UniversitySapporoJapan
  4. 4.Second Department of Internal MedicineTenshi HospitalSapporoJapan
  5. 5.Internal MedicineDoto HospitalSapporoJapan

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