Loss of interstitial cells of Cajal network in severe idiopathic gastroparesis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of severe idiopathic gastroparesis in complete absence of Kit-positive gastric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).


METHODS
Gastric tissue from a patient with severe idiopathic gastroparesis unresponsive to medical treatment and requiring surgery was analyzed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Gastric pacemaker cells expressing Kit receptor had completely disappeared while the local level of stem cell factor, the essential ligand for its development and maintenance, was increased. No signs of cell death were observed in the pacemaker region.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a lack of Kit expression may lead to impaired functioning of ICC. Total gastrectomy proves to be curative.
Battaglia
Edda
E
Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, University of Torino, Italy.
Bassotti
Gabrio
G
Bellone
Graziella
G
Dughera
Luca
L
Serra
Anna-Maria
AM
Chiusa
Luigi
L
Repici
Alessandro
A
Mioli
Pierroberto
P
Emanuelli
Giorgio
G
D000328:Adult; D001683:Biological Clocks; D005260:Female; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit