Interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC)

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are specialized mesenchymal cells within the muscular layers of the gastrointestinal tract. These cells function as pacemakers, generating electrical slow waves that synchronize and regulate the rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle necessary for proper motility. ICC modulate signals from the enteric nervous system and are morphologically characterized by their small cell bodies and multiple branching processes that contact both smooth muscle and neural cells. ICCs can be identified by their expression of the c-KIT protein and form syncytial networks via gap junctions. Dysfunction or loss of ICC is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal motility disorders, and oncogenic transformation gives rise to gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Because ICC are cells (not molecules or receptors), they are not considered canonical therapeutic targets as commonly defined, though their molecular features (such as KIT) have clinical relevance in GIST.

Other names

ICCCajal cellCajal'sche zellenGI pacemaker cell

In the case of GIST: inhibition of KIT tyrosine kinase activity by small molecule inhibitors such as imatinib