Interstitial cells of Cajal, enteric nerves, and glial cells in colonic diverticular disease

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 58; no. 9; pp. 973 - 977
• Main Authors: Bassotti, G, Battaglia, E, Bellone, G, Dughera, L, Fisogni, S, Zambelli, C, Morelli, A, Mioli, P, Emanuelli, G, Villanacci, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.09.2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2005 Journal of Clinical Pathology
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Clocks; colonic diverticulosis; Diverticulosis, Colonic - metabolism; Diverticulosis, Colonic - pathology; Diverticulosis, Colonic - physiopathology; Enteric Nervous System - pathology; Female; Gastrointestinal Transit; Humans; IC-IM; IC-MY; IC-SM; ICC; Immunoenzyme Techniques; interstitial cells of Cajal; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; muscle fibre interstitial cells of Cajal; Myenteric Plexus - pathology; myenteric region interstitial cells of Cajal; Neuroglia - pathology; Original; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; PGP 9.5; protein gene product 9.5; S100 Proteins - metabolism; submucosal interstitial cells of Cajal; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - metabolism; Colonic disease; Nerve; Interstitial cell; Anatomic pathology; Glial cell; Neuroglia; Cajal cell; Digestive diseases
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2005.026112

Background: Colonic diverticular disease (diverticulosis) is a common disorder in Western countries. Although its pathogenesis is probably multifactorial, motor abnormalities of the large bowel are thought to play an important role. However, little is known about the basic mechanism that may underlie abnormal colon motility in diverticulosis. Aims: To investigate the interstitial cells of Cajal (the gut pacemaker cells), together with myenteric and submucosal ganglion and glial cells, in patients with diverticulosis. Patients: Full thickness colonic samples were obtained from 39 patients undergoing surgery for diverticulosis. Specimens from tumour free areas of the colon in 10 age matched subjects undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer served as controls. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were assessed using anti-Kit antibodies; submucosal and myenteric plexus neurones and glial cells were assessed by means of anti-PGP 9.5 and anti-S-100 monoclonal antibodies, respectively. Results: Patients with diverticulosis had normal numbers of myenteric and submucosal plexus neurones compared with controls (p  =  0.103 and p  =  0.516, respectively). All subtypes of interstitial cells of Cajal were significantly (p  =  0.0003) reduced compared with controls, as were glial cells (p  =  0.0041). Conclusions: Interstitial cells of Cajal and glial cells are decreased in colonic diverticular disease, whereas enteric neurones appear to be normally represented. This finding might explain some of the large bowel motor abnormalities reported to occur in this condition.