One hundred years of interstitial cells of Cajal.

摘要: This review is a portrayal of the evolution ideas involving interstitial cells Cajal in changing disguises as dull fibroblasts, not very exciting Schwann cells, or perhaps quite important, though primitive neurons. However, today unmasked (we believe), they reveal themselves myoid role that, judging by current interest, far more than former ones. Close to 500 publications from 1860–1999 have contributed discussion one way other. literature contains wealth correct observations but obviously also wrong interpretations, which are seen result too blind belief specificities visualization methods, combined with desire interpret even hidden detail. It has been my objective attempt trace origins viable ideas, and I therefore focused on relatively few authors. The most recent development 1980 until so well covered easily accessible reviews that resorted mere, hopefully complete, list them. Modern ICC'ists caught external muscle gut kept their hands off its internal affairs. while working through it struck me number studies may provide elements plausible model for villous contraction mechanism. In present context, an important point first published “neurons” Cajal's hand—of intestinal villus, 1889—may achieve new significance possible correlate regulatory ICC muscularis. Partly make this point, taken liberty giving short account results our lab. Microsc. Res. Tech. 47:223–238, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.