Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Visualization of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) Network in Mice
09:45

Visualization of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) Network in Mice

Published on: July 27, 2011

Interstitial cells of Cajal in the normal human gut and in Hirschsprung disease

Stefan Gfroerer1, Udo Rolle

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt/M, 60596 Frankfurt/M, Germany, Stefan.Gfroerer@kgu.de

Pediatric Surgery International
|August 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hirschsprung disease (HD) involves impaired gut innervation. This review explores how interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) dysfunction contributes to motility issues in HD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Hirschsprung disease (HD) is the most common congenital gastrointestinal motility disorder.
  • It results from defective intrinsic innervation of the distal bowel, causing functional intestinal obstruction.
  • Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are crucial for gastrointestinal peristalsis and motility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the distribution and functions of ICCs in the normal gut.
  • To examine the role of ICCs in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the role of ICCs in gastrointestinal motility.
  • Analysis of studies detailing ICC distribution and function in both healthy and HD conditions.

Main Results:

  • ICCs are specialized pacemaker cells generating slow waves essential for peristalsis.
  • ICCs regulate mechanical activity and neurotransmission in the gut.
  • Impairments in ICCs are implicated in motility dysfunction, including in Hirschsprung disease.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding ICCs' role is vital for elucidating Hirschsprung disease pathogenesis.
  • Defects in ICCs likely contribute significantly to the motility dysfunction observed in HD.
  • Further research into ICCs may reveal new therapeutic targets for HD.

More Related Videos

Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.505:45

Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.5

Published on: April 26, 2019

Applications of Spatio-temporal Mapping and Particle Analysis Techniques to Quantify Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling In Situ09:34

Applications of Spatio-temporal Mapping and Particle Analysis Techniques to Quantify Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling In Situ

Published on: January 7, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells01:23

Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the goblet,...
Adult Stem Cells01:33

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...
Histology of the Small Intestine01:27

Histology of the Small Intestine

The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Histology of the Large Intestine01:26

Histology of the Large Intestine

The large intestine, a vital component of the gastrointestinal tract, is structured with four main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Each layer performs a distinct role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the large intestine.
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
Microtubules in Signaling01:22

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...