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Interstitial Cells of Cajal: Update on Basic and Clinical Science

  • Neuromuscular Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract (S Rao, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Gastroenterology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The basic science and clinical interest in the networks of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) keep growing, and here, research from 2010 to mid-2013 is highlighted. High-resolution gastrointestinal manometry and spatiotemporal mapping are bringing exciting new insights into motor patterns, their function and their myogenic and neurogenic origins, as well as the role of ICC. Critically important knowledge is emerging on the partaking of PDGFRα+ cells in ICC pacemaker networks. Evidence is emerging that ICC and PDGFRα+ cells have unique direct roles in muscle innervation. Chronic constipation is associated with loss and injury to ICC, which is stimulating extensive research into maintenance and repair of ICC after injury. In gastroparesis, high-resolution electrical and mechanical studies are beginning to elucidate the pathophysiological role of ICC and the pacemaker system in this condition. Receptors and ion channels that play a role in ICC function are being discovered and characterized, which paves the way for pharmacological interventions in gut motility disorders through ICC.

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Abbreviations

ICC:

interstitial cells of Cajal

ICC-MP:

ICC associated with the myenteric plexus (also called ICC-MY and ICC-AP)

ICC-DMP:

ICC associated with the deep muscular plexus (small intestine)

ICC-SMP:

ICC associated with the submuscular plexus (colon)

ICC-IM:

Intramuscular ICC

c-Kit:

tyrosine-protein kinase Kit or CD117

Ano1:

Anoctamin-1

ENS:

Enteric nervous system

PDGFRα+ cells:

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha positive cells (specialized fibroblast-like cells)

LDC:

Long Distance Contraction (colon)

RPMC:

Rhythmic Propulsive Motor Complex (colon)

HAPC:

High Amplitude Propulsive Contraction (an RPMC identified in human colon with amplitude > 100 mm Hg)

5HT:

5-hydroxy tryptamine

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance, •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

The study was financially supported by Grant 81170249 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and by Grant MOP12874 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). As always, we appreciate the discussions with Dr. Xuan-Yu Wang.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Huizinga states that this work was possible due to ongoing research support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. Chen declares that this work was possible due to ongoing research support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, HSC-3N8, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8N 3Z5

    Jan D. Huizinga

  2. Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, People’s Republic of China

    Ji-Hong Chen

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  1. Jan D. Huizinga
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Correspondence to Jan D. Huizinga.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neuromuscular Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Huizinga, J.D., Chen, JH. Interstitial Cells of Cajal: Update on Basic and Clinical Science. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 16, 363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-013-0363-z

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