胆囊收缩素对胆固醇结石豚鼠离体胆囊肌条的影响

Interstitial cells of Cajal and biliary system diseases

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) were first identified using histological staining techniques and best described in the gastrointestinal tract by Santiago Rarnon Cajal, who was a Spanish neuroanatomist, in 1893. Over the past about 100 years, studies have demonstrated that ICCs mainly exist in the esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum wall, small and large bowel, ileum, appendix, colon and so on. They generate electrical pacemaker activity in gastrointestinal smooth muscles, propagating digestive tract slow wave, mediating and regulating gastrointestinal tract neurotransmitters. In recent years, ICCs have also been found and confirmed to be present in the biliary system, including the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary duct, the cystic duct and the common bile duct, both in the guinea pigs and humans. Recent studies have confirmed that ICCs in the biliary system are closely related with producing and spreading the gallbladder spontaneous rhythm, adjusting the gallbladder contraction and gallbladder movement. Besides, ICCs play an important role in a variety of diseases of the biliary system, such as cholelithiasis and biliary system malignant tumors. This paper reviews ICCs in the biliary system in terms of their distribution, morphology, ultrastructure, and role in pathophysiology of biliary system diseases.