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Interstitial Cajal-like cells in human gallbladder

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Abstract

We describe here an interstitial Cajal-like cell type (ICLC) in human gallbladder, resembling the archetypal enteric interstitial cells of Cajal. Gallbladder ICLC were demonstrated in fresh preparations (tissue cryosections) using methylene-blue, and fixed specimens in Epon semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The positive diagnosis of gallbladder ICLC was further verified by immunohistochemistry: CD117/c-kit, CD34, and another 16 antigens: vimentin, desmin, nestin, α-smooth muscle actin, NK-1, S-100, PGP-9.5, tau protein, chromogranin A, NSE, GFAP, CD1a, CD62-P, CD68, estrogen and progesterone receptors. Double immunostaining was performed for CD117, CD34 and CD117 and nestin, respectively. In fresh specimens, the spatial density of gallbladder ICLC was 100–110 cells/mm2. ICLC mainly appeared beneath the epithelium and in muscularis (about 7%, and ∼5%, respectively). In toto, ICLC represent in gallbladder ∼5.5% of subepithelial cells. TEM showed that diagnostic criteria were fulfilled by ICLC. Moreover, TEM indicated that the main ultrastructural distinctive feature for ICLC, the cell processes, develop into the characteristic shape at a relatively early stage of development. It remains to be established if, in humans, ICLC are involved in gallbladder (dis)functions (e.g. pace-making, secretion (auto-, juxta- and/or paracrine), intercellular signaling, or stone formation).

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Acknowledgements

Supported by CEEX 111/2006, CEEX 112/2006 and ‘Program Nucleu’ 06.26.01.02./2006, MCT Grants to ‘Victor Babes’ Institute of Pathology and “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. We gratefully acknowlegde Mrs. Christine Lewis Radu for critical reading the manuscript and Dr. Dragos Cretoiu for experimental help and advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, P.O. Box 35-29, Bucharest 35, Romania

    Mihail E. Hinescu & Laurentziu M. Popescu

  2. “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania

    Mihail E. Hinescu, Carmen Ardeleanu, Mihaela Gherghiceanu & Laurentziu M. Popescu

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  1. Mihail E. Hinescu
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  2. Carmen Ardeleanu
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  3. Mihaela Gherghiceanu
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  4. Laurentziu M. Popescu
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Correspondence to Laurentziu M. Popescu.

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M. E. Hinescu and C. Ardeleanu contributed equally to this study.

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Hinescu, M.E., Ardeleanu, C., Gherghiceanu, M. et al. Interstitial Cajal-like cells in human gallbladder. J Mol Hist 38, 275–284 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-007-9099-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-007-9099-0

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