Interstitial cells of Cajal network in primary obstructive megaureter.
OBJECTIVE
Recent reports showed an altered density of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and of peripherin immunoreactive nerve fibres in obstructed uretero-pelvic junction. Our aim was to investigate ICCs immunoexpression and ureteral innervation in primary obstructive megaureter (POM).


METHODS
8 specimens of POM were obtained during tailoring. Restricted segments of ureters were divided from the dilated ones. C-kit and peripherin immunohistochemistry were performed.


RESULTS
A normal distribution of ICCs was documented in both circular and longitudinal muscular layers of dilated segments. Marked muscular hypoplasia and a sparse or absent ICCs occurred in longitudinal muscular layer of restricted ureteral segments. A normal distribution of peripherin positive fibres was present in both dilated and restricted segments.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data confirmed a defective muscolarization in restricted, aperistaltic POM. The lacking of ICCs in the longitudinal muscular layer is, probably, due to the absence of c-kit positive muscular embryological precursors. No alteration of peripherin immunoreactive nerve fibres network was observed in both dilated and restricted ureteral segments.
Arena
E
E
Dipartimento di Scienze Pediatriche Mediche e Chirurgiche, Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Pediatrica, Università di Messina. arenaf@unime.it
Nicòtina
P A
PA
Arena
S
S
Romeo
C
C
Zuccarello
B
B
Romeo
G
G
D020541:Coiled Bodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000276:immunology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000276:immunology; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit