Effect of Neutrophils on Gallbladder Interstitial Cajal-Like Cells in Guinea Pig Model of Acute Cholecystitis.
BACKGROUND
Acute cholecystitis is a common condition in gallbladder motility disorder. Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) in the gallbladder are known as one of the players in the complex motility mechanisms affecting gallbladder motility.


OBJECTIVE
This study explored morphological symptoms and molecular mechanisms underlying gallbladder ICLC changes induced by acute cholecystitis.


METHODS
Fifteen adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group (healthy controls) and 2 experimental groups wherein these guinea pigs were subjected to common bile duct ligation to induce acute cholecystitis. Neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of sham-operated animals and from the experimental animals at 24 and 48 h after surgery, and co-cultured with gallbladder ICLCs. The morphology of gallbladder ICLCs was examined by laser confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis, and western blot and real-time PCR were performed to detect stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit protein and mRNA expression, respectively.


RESULTS
No morphological differences in the gallbladder ICLCs were observed between single-culture and co-culture with healthy control neutrophil groups. However, the ICLCs in all co-culture groups with acute inflammation were impaired. In the co-culture groups, the rate of ICLC apoptosis was significantly higher than that in the single-culture group. SCF and c-kit protein and mRNA expression levels decreased in all co-culture groups as well.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that the neutrophils are involved in gallbladder ICLC injury in acute cholecystitis cases and associated with gallbladder motility disorder.
Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P.R.China.
Zhen-Peng
ZP
Huang
Hu
H
Qiu
Yan
Y
Yang
Bao-Ping
BP
Yu
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002450:Cell Communication; D002452:Cell Count; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit