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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Visualization of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) Network in Mice
Published on: July 27, 2011
Ulcerative colitis: ultrastructure of interstitial cells in myenteric plexus
J J Rumessen1, J-M Vanderwinden, T Horn
1Department of Gastroenterology F, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark. juru@geh.regionh.dk
Abstract:
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are key regulatory cells in the gut. In the colon of patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC), myenteric ICC had myoid ultrastructural features and were in close contact with nerve terminals. In all patients as opposed to controls, some ICC profiles showed degenerative changes, such as lipid droplets and irregular vacuoles. Nerve terminals often appeared swollen and empty. Glial cells, muscle cells, and fibroblast-like cells (FLC) showed no alterations. FLC enclosed macrophages (MLC), which were in close contact with naked axon terminals. The organization and cytological changes may be of pathophysiological significance in patients with UC.
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