The neurovegetative periphery of the gut. A revaluation with conventional technics in the light of modern knowledge

Dupont, Jean-René; Sprinz, Helmuth

doi:10.1002/aja.1001140304

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…Interstitial cells of Cajal are star-like or spindle-shaped cells with long, irregularly dilated processes; they are devoid of neurofibrils and Nissl bodies and do not contact fibers of the enteric plexus. In spite of these morphological features, Cajal (1889) and several other authors (Taxi, 1952; Meyling, 1953; Honjin, 1956; Dupont and Sprinz, 1964) proposed a neural nature for these cells, whereas other authors argued that these cells are connective tissue cells (Kölliker, 1894; Dogiel, 1895, 1898; Huber, 1913; Kuntz, 1923; Johnson, 1925; Ottaviani and Cavazzana, 1940; Knoche, 1952; Weber, 1952). Interstitial cells of Cajal do not react for cholinesterase (Coupland and Holmes, 1958; Leaming and Cauna, 1961) and hence cannot belong to the cholinergic innervation system, nor has any evidence ever been found that they would be a type of neuroglia intercalated between postganglionic nerve fibers and smooth muscle cells, as proposed some time ago (Lawrentjew, 1926; van Esveld, 1928; Boeke, 1933, 1949; Schabadasch, 1934; Stöhr, 1935).…”

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confidence: 96%

The ultrastructure of the muscle coat of human gastro-oesophageal junction, with special reference to “interstitial cells of Cajal”†

Faussone–Pellegrini¹,

Cortesini²,

Romagnoli³

2013

Front. Neurosci.

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The muscle coat of the human lower oesophageal sphincter and stomach was studied 5 cm above and 4 cm below the gastro-oesophageal junction. Four subjects were operated on for motility disorders of the esophagus, two for a hypertensive lower oesophageal sphincter and two for an epiphrenic diverticulum; six subjects were operated on for oesophageal or gastric carcinomas. Specimens were fixed in phosphate-buffered OsO4, embedded in Epon, contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed under a Siemens Elmiskop Ia electron microscope. Both the oesophageal and gastric muscle cells, which showed features typical of this cell type, were innervated by multiple varicosities that were rich in synaptic vesicles; these varicosities were generally rarely encountered at distances less than 1000 Å from muscle cells. Only a very few, close neuromuscular junctions were detected. Special cells, which correspond to the “interstitial cells of Cajal” as reported by other authors, were discerned at the periphery of muscle cell bundles. These cells were characterized by an elongated cell body with many thin branches and an oval, sometimes indented nucleus. Some pinocytotic vesicles were located at the cell periphery. These cells were surrounded by a discontinuous basal lamina and were seen in close contact with each other and with muscle cells; the close contact areas were often very wide. The cytoplasm contained variable amounts of mitochondria, a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a Golgi complex. As a characteristic feature, bundles of thin filaments were located at the cell periphery and were attached to electron-dense areas of the cell membrane. Morphologically, these filaments resembled myofilaments; they were present in variable amounts and were sometimes very numerous. The observation that the cytoplasmic organelles and filaments varied in number, is probably related to the different functional properties of these cells. Interstitial cells were richly innervated by varicose nerve fibers that were densely packed with synaptic vesicles; many close junctions to nerve endings were also detected. These morphological data lead us to assume that the interstitial cells demonstrated by the electron microscope do not correspond to the cells initially identified by Cajal and cannot even be considered connective tissue cells. We propose that they are specialized smooth muscle cells that are involved in generating spontaneous, myogenic electrical activity in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

The ultrastructure of the muscle coat of human gastro-oesophageal junction, with special reference to “interstitial cells of Cajal”†

Faussone–Pellegrini¹,

Cortesini²,

Romagnoli³

2013

Front. Neurosci.

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The interstitial cell and its place in the concept of the autonomic ground plexus

Rogers

Burnstock

1966

J of Comparative Neurology

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1. The autonomic interstitial cells have been studied in the toad small and large intestine and guinea‐pig taenia coli by means of both the light and electron microscopes. The guinea‐pig superior cervical ganglion has also been examined. 2. Apart from muscle cells, neurons and Schwann cells, at least one other cell type has been observed. These cells have been designated connective tissue cells on the basis of their gross form, fine structure and relation to other cells. In many respects they resemble fibroblasts and macrophages. 3. These cells are in close relation to nerve fiber bundles and smooth muscle cells. They often form a complete sheath around bundles of axons and Schwann cells. Many of the processes of the connective tissue cells lie in grooves on the surface of the muscle cells; the distance between apposing cell membranes is about 200 Ä. 4. The processes of the connective tissue cells often interdigitate with each other in a most complex manner, the opposing cell membranes being about 200 Ä apart. Such a close relationship would appear with the light microscope to be a fusion forming a syncytium. 5. Observation with the light microscope on the terminal ramifications of the autonomic nervous system where small bundles of fine axons are enclosed by connective tissue cells could give rise to the impression that they contained “neurofibrils.” 6. It is suggested that the term autonomic interstitial cell covers a number of cell types which have been confused. The cells designated connective tissue cells along with Schwann cells have between them the characteristics of the autonomic interstitial cells as described by previous workers. Cajal's original description of sympathetic interstitial cells was actually a description of connective tissue cells.

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Ätiologie und Pathogenese

Müller-Wieland¹

1982

Dickdarm

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The neurovegetative periphery of the gut. A revaluation with conventional technics in the light of modern knowledge

Cited by 11 publications

References 13 publications

The ultrastructure of the muscle coat of human gastro-oesophageal junction, with special reference to “interstitial cells of Cajal”†

The ultrastructure of the muscle coat of human gastro-oesophageal junction, with special reference to “interstitial cells of Cajal”†

The interstitial cell and its place in the concept of the autonomic ground plexus

Ätiologie und Pathogenese

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