Journal of Vector Borne Diseases (Jun 2007)
The distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in the ileum is not altered by infection with Schistosoma mansoni
Abstract
Background & objectives: The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) act as pacemakers that generate slowwaves and function as a relay between smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Recentreports indicate the crucial role played by the ICC in defining GI motility during human diseasestatus like pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Experimental data showedthat Nippostrongylus infection in the rat caused an altered GI motility pattern accompanied by acomplete loss of ICC-deep muscular plexus. The aim of the present study was to delineate if ICCwere similarly affected during Schistosoma mansoni infections, thereby responsible for the disturbedGI motility patterns triggered in the afflicted mammalian host.Methods & results: Immunohistochemistry was done using whole mounts and sections from naïveand S. mansoni infected mice ileum. Primary antibodies detected Kit-immunoreactivity (Kit-irrepresenting ICC), PGP-9.5 (protein gene product 9.5 representing a neuronal marker), SK3 (ionicchannel marker for non-Kit fibroblast like cells), and Cx43 (gap junction protein representing amuscle marker). Single/double immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy depicted thatmuscle thickness (Cx43-ir) and inflammatory infiltrate increased with infection. Kit-ir ICC andSK3-ir fibroblast like cells (FLC) were present at all normal locations as seen in controls and duringacute and chronic stages of infection.Interpretation & conclusion: No disappearance of either ICC population was noted. A preferential(although not exclusive) location of inflammatory infiltrate in contact with SK3-ir FLC in the musclelayer was observed. The present study thus delineated that ICC are not affected during S. mansoniinfections, and thereby may not be responsible for mediating the disturbed GI motility patternscaused by schistosomiasis.
