Interstitial cell of Cajal

Intramuscular Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) are involved in mediating responses to neurotransmission.

[7] All ICC in the gastrointestinal tract express calcium-activated chloride channels encoded by the gene ANO1.

Electrical slow waves spread from ICC to smooth muscle cells and the resulting depolarization initiates calcium ion entry and contraction.

Animals lacking ICC have greatly reduced responses to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, released from excitatory motor neurons, and to the transmitter nitric oxide, released from inhibitory motor neurons.

[medical citation needed] ICC also express mechano-sensitive mechanisms that cause these cells to respond to stretch.

[medical citation needed] ICCs are thought to be the cells from which gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) arise.

An isolated Interstitial cell of Cajal from the myenteric plexus of the mouse small intestine grown in a primary cell culture.