title: [Evaluation of intersitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the large intestine of humans].
abstract: Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemaker cells of the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are binding these muscle with the enterous nervous system and play an important role in the regulation of motility of the GI tract. Disturbiud in activity of those cells were observed in many functional diseases of the GI tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the localization and morphological differences of the ICC between some region of the human colon. In this work we have performed the immunohistochemical method, using the monoclonal and policlonal specific antibodies against c-kit receptor (CD117) in paraffin embedded block. We find the ICC in the wall of colon in the muscle layers, mainly localized in the region of the myenteric plexus. No difference of the ICC between other region of the colon were observed in our specimen. In some cases of patients with diverticulosis we have observed less of ICC according to the control group. It's only early result, but let us know, that ICC play an important role in the pathogenesis of the motility disturbances of the GI tract.
authors.affiliation: Katedra Patofizjologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego ul. Czysta 18, 31-121 Kraków.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Piotr J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thor
authors.forename: Roman Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zieba
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000166:cytology*