Interstitial cells of Cajal, enteric nerves, and glial cells in colonic diverticular disease.
BACKGROUND
Colonic diverticular disease (diverticulosis) is a common disorder in Western countries. Although its pathogenesis is probably multifactorial, motor abnormalities of the large bowel are thought to play an important role. However, little is known about the basic mechanism that may underlie abnormal colon motility in diverticulosis.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the interstitial cells of Cajal (the gut pacemaker cells), together with myenteric and submucosal ganglion and glial cells, in patients with diverticulosis.


METHODS
Full thickness colonic samples were obtained from 39 patients undergoing surgery for diverticulosis. Specimens from tumour free areas of the colon in 10 age matched subjects undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer served as controls.


METHODS
Interstitial cells of Cajal were assessed using anti-Kit antibodies; submucosal and myenteric plexus neurones and glial cells were assessed by means of anti-PGP 9.5 and anti-S-100 monoclonal antibodies, respectively.


RESULTS
Patients with diverticulosis had normal numbers of myenteric and submucosal plexus neurones compared with controls (p = 0.103 and p = 0.516, respectively). All subtypes of interstitial cells of Cajal were significantly (p = 0.0003) reduced compared with controls, as were glial cells (p = 0.0041).


CONCLUSIONS
Interstitial cells of Cajal and glial cells are decreased in colonic diverticular disease, whereas enteric neurones appear to be normally represented. This finding might explain some of the large bowel motor abnormalities reported to occur in this condition.
Bassotti
G
G
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico Dal Pozzo, Padiglione W., 06100 Perugia, Italy. gabassot@tin.it
Battaglia
E
E
Bellone
G
G
Dughera
L
L
Fisogni
S
S
Zambelli
C
C
Morelli
A
A
Mioli
P
P
Emanuelli
G
G
Villanacci
V
V
D000368:Aged; D001683:Biological Clocks; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000378:metabolism
D009418:S100 Proteins; C482860:UCHL1 protein, human; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase