title: Interstitial cells of Cajal are decreased in patients with gastroschisis associated intestinal dysmotility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroschisis associated intestinal dysmotility (GAID) is poorly understood. Animal experiments suggest that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), play an important role.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants with gastroschisis (GS) and GAID (time to full feed >42days) were selected. Age matched GS and control (NEC, ileal atresia, malrotation, and volvulus) samples from primary (T1) and secondary (T2) time points underwent standard histopathology and immunohistochemistry for identification of ICC, followed by evaluation of ICC numbers, distribution, morphology, relation to ganglion cells, and myenteric plexus architecture. Groups were compared using parametric and nonparametric tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients had samples available for histopathological evaluation. GAID patients had a significantly lower total number of ICCs than controls (3 vs. 8, P<0.0029). ICC number at T1 was 2.5 vs. 6 (P=0.0629) and significantly lower at T2. (3.5 vs. 11, P=0.0124). GAID patients did not show a significant increase of ICC from T1 to T2. Controls showed a significant increase of ICC over time (6 vs. 11, P=0.0408).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intestinal samples from infants with GAID who underwent stoma formation demonstrated fewer ICC than controls. There was no improvement or cell recovery during the study period. The ability to modulate ICC may have significant implications for the management of GAID.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zani-Ruttenstock
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zani
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diaz-Cano
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK. Electronic address: niyi.adeajayi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Niyi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ade-Ajayi
mesh_terms: D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000473:pathology*; D007409:Intestinal Atresia / Q000473:pathology*; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000473:pathology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Cajal cells; Gastroschisis; Intestinal dysmotility; Outcome; Peristalsis