Cajal间质细胞的研究进展

Cajal间质细胞(interstitial cells of Cajal,ICC)是一类主要分布于胃肠道的间质细胞,是胃肠道的起搏细胞(pacemaker cell)和信号传导细胞,与肌细胞以及末梢神经元有着紧密的关系,具有激发和促进胃肠蠕动的作用.借助于电子显微镜技术,清楚观察到了ICC位置分布和内部精细结构;应用免疫荧光等生化技术,发现了其特殊表达的C-kit蛋白;利用电生理技术,得知多种胃肠动力障碍疾病也与其异常有关.多年来,学者逐渐在胃肠道、胆道、膀胱、子宫等部位发现了ICC的踪迹,并试图阐述其与某些疾病的发生机制.本文就ICC的起源、形态学、受体和功能、以及与其相关的疾病等作一综述.

Progress in research of interstitial cells of Cajal

Interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs) are a kind of cells mainly found in the gastrointestinal tract as pacemaker and signal transduction cells.They have a close connection with muscular cells and terminal neurons and can stimulate and promote gastrointestinal motility.With the help of electron microscopes,we can clearly recognize their distribution and inner structure.C-kit protein is expressed by ICCs.Besides,many disorders of gastrointestinal motility are related to ICCs.In recent years,many scholars have found the trace of ICCs in different organs such as the gastrointestinal tract,biliary tract,bladder,and uterus,and they have tried to state the relation-ship between abnormal ICCs and some diseases.This article will review the progress in research of ICCs in terms of their origin,morphology,receptors,function,and related diseases.