title: [Expression of c-kit and Cx43 in neonates with spontaneous gastric perforation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical significance of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) in spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation by examining the expression of c-kit and Cx43 in neonates with this disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gastric specimens of 19 cases of neonatal gastric perforation from 2001 to 2010 and 8 cases of accidental death without digestive tract malformations (control) were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to examine the expression of c-kit and Cx43 (immunomarkers of ICCs) in gastric tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The muscular layer of the stomach wall became thinner or deficient in the gastric perforation group. C-kit and Cx43 positive cells in gastric tissues decreased significantly in the gastric perforation group compared with those in the control group (P＜0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The development of spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation is associated with the decreased quantity of ICCs and damaged gap junction structure of the stomach wall.
authors: Department of Pathology, Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Li-Na
authors: LN
authors: Xia
authors: Zhi-Qiang
authors: ZQ
authors: Wang
authors: Zong-Min
authors: ZM
authors: Wang
authors: Pu
authors: P
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013270:Stomach / Q000737:chemistry*; D013275:Stomach Rupture / Q000151:congenital / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit