| [ Summary ] |
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were named after the famous neuroscientist Cajal SR. Recently it was found that ICC expressed proto-oncogene c-kit, needed for the growth and development of these cell. After that c-kit has become a good tool for both morphological and physiological studies of ICC. There are two types of ICC. One works as a pacemaker for the spontaneous contraction of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells generate a pacemaker current and propagate to the smooth muscle through gap junctions to raise slow waves, and produce rhythmic contractions. The other ICC group is considered to be the neuro-modulators intercalated between enteric neurons and smooth muscles. These cells amplify nitrinergic and cholinergic neurotransmissions. Those ICC have several receptors of neurotransmitters such as neurokinin 1, somatostatin 2A, etc. In relation to the development of ICC, enteric neurons also show an close relationship to ICC inproducing stem cell factors, a ligand for c-Kit. |