The interstitial cells of Cajal are mesenchymal cells closely apposed to neural and smooth muscle cells of the gut. They form a heterogeneous group with differing ultrastructure and functions.
One cell type has an ancillary neural function as a gastrointestinal pacemaker, generating electrical slow waves that drive rhythmic smooth muscle contraction; peristalsis for propulsion and segmentation for mixing. Failure of this network causes gastroparesis and intestinal pseudo-obstruction.
History and etymology
These cells are named after S Ramon y Cajal, an eminent Spanish neuroanatomist in the 19th century who described the fibroblast-type interstitial cells of Cajal.
Related pathology
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gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): a heterogeneous family of submucosal tumors derived from interstitial cells of Cajal or common progenitor cells
the oncogenic mutations (80% c-KIT and 20% PDGFRA genes) produce abnormal receptor tyrosine kinase proteins that are always activated, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation
extra-gastrointestinal GISTs arise from interstitial cells of Cajal in other organs
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