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Interstitial cells in the urinary bladder--localization and function

Karen D McCloskey1

  • 1School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. k.mccloskey@qub.ac.uk

Neurourology and Urodynamics
|December 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are found in the urinary bladder wall, playing a key role in bladder activity modulation. Their presence and function are increasingly recognized in bladder physiology and pathophysiology.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Cell Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are a novel cell group within the urinary bladder.
  • Their localization and functions are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on the localization and proposed functions of bladder interstitial cells.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the urinary bladder.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed using keywords: bladder, c-Kit, ICC, interstitial cell, myofibroblast.
  • Review of studies identifying and characterizing bladder ICC populations.

Main Results:

  • Multiple ICC subpopulations exist in the mammalian urinary bladder wall (lamina propria and detrusor).
  • Bladder ICC are identified via electron microscopy or c-Kit immunohistochemistry.
  • ICC exhibit spontaneous electrical activity, Ca2+-signaling, and neurotransmitter responses, associating with nerves and smooth muscle.

Conclusions:

  • Specialized ICC are confirmed in the urinary bladder.
  • Bladder ICC are integral to bladder wall function and modulate bladder activity.
  • ICC expression may be upregulated in conditions like overactive bladder.
Abstract

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