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Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in equine colic: an immunohistochemical study of horses with obstructive disorders of the small and large intestines.
Abstract: The gastrointestinal pacemaker cells, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), have been implicated in several human gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes. Recently, the involvement of these cells in equine gastrointestinal diseases has been investigated in cases of equine grass sickness where a significant reduction in ICC density was observed. Objective: To investigate ICC density in equine obstructive gastrointestinal disorders using immunohistochemical labelling methods. Methods: Intestinal samples were analysed from 44 horses undergoing exploratory surgery for colic and from 11 control animals subjected to euthanasia for conditions not related to the gastrointestinal tract. Immunohistochemical labelling of ICC was carried out using an anti-c-Kit antibody. Two independent observers assessed ICC density using a semiquantitative grading system. Results: There was a significant reduction in ICC density in horses with large colon disorders compared to the controls (P<0.01). Horses with strangulating lesions of the small intestine showed no difference when compared to the controls. Conclusions: There was a reduction in ICC density in horses with large intestinal disorders. Conclusions: The reduction in ICC density may be associated with the clinical findings as well as recurrent colic episodes observed in a number of these cases. This immunohistochemical study provides a basis for future functional electrophysiological investigations to determine the precise effect of ICC reduction on equine intestinal motility.
Publication Date: 2004-10-06 PubMed ID: 15460070DOI: 10.2746/0425164044877314Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores the role of gastrointestinal pacemaker cells, known as Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), in horses with obstructive disorders in their digestive systems. The focus is on the ICC density in occurrence, specifically in large intestinal disorders, evidence by a significant decrease in the presence of these cells when compared to control samples.
Objective and Methods
The aim of the research was to explore the density of ICC (Gastrointestinal pacemaker cells) in horses with obstructive gastrointestinal disorders. The method employed for the investigation involved:
- Immunohistochemical labeling: This was used to label and identify ICC in the animal samples. An anti-c-Kit antibody, which responds specifically to ICC, was employed in this process.
- Collection of Samples: Samples were collected from two sets of horses, 44 undergoing exploratory surgery for colic (a severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by the spasmodic contraction of the intestines) and 11 control animals euthanized for non-digestive conditions.
- Density Assessment: Two independent observers assessed the density of ICC in these samples using a semiquantitative grading system.
Results and Conclusion
The results of the study demonstrated a distinct difference in ICC density between horses with large colon disorders and the control group. Specifically:
- In horses with large colon disorders, the density of ICC was significantly reduced compared to the control group. The changes in ICC density were statistically relevant (P<0.01).
- No significant variation in ICC density was observed in horses with strangulating lesions of the small intestine when compared to the control group.
The conclusions drawn from the results suggested a correlation between the reduction in ICC density and the clinical symptoms in addition to recurrent colic episodes noted in several cases. The results of this immunohistochemical study offer a starting point for additional functional electrophysiological studies to pinpoint the exact impact of ICC reduction on the movement function of the horse’s intestines.
Cite This Article
APA
Fintl C, Hudson NP, Mayhew IG, Edwards GB, Proudman CJ, Pearson GT.
(2004).
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in equine colic: an immunohistochemical study of horses with obstructive disorders of the small and large intestines.
Equine Vet J, 36(6), 474-479.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044877314 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Gastrointestinal Motility and Disease Laboratory, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Colic / pathology
- Colic / veterinary
- Colon / cytology
- Colon / pathology
- Digestive System / cytology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Intestinal Obstruction / pathology
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Male
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Bardell D, Rocchigiani G, Ressel L, Milner P. Histological Evaluation of Resected Tissue as a Predictor of Survival in Horses with Strangulating Small Intestinal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 26;13(17).
- Talbot SE, Tallon R, Dunkel B. Clinical presentation and outcome of gastric impactions with or without concurrent intestinal lesions in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1544-1551.
- Wang Q, Zang J, Huang X, Lu H, Xu W, Chen J. Colonic Dysmotility in Murine Partial Colonic Obstruction Due to Functional Changes in Interstitial Cells. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019 Oct 30;25(4):589-601.
- Whyard JM, Brounts SH. Complications and survival in horses with surgically confirmed right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Can Vet J 2019 Apr;60(4):381-385.
- Jin Z, Ding Y, Xue R, Jia Z, Huang Z, Ding Y, Gu C, Yang J. Involvement of interstitial cells of Cajal in bladder dysfunction in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Int Urol Nephrol 2017 Aug;49(8):1353-1359.
- Winfield LS, Dechant JE. Primary gastric rupture in 47 horses (1995-2011). Can Vet J 2015 Sep;56(9):953-8.
- Mostafa RM, Moustafa YM, Hamdy H. Interstitial cells of Cajal, the Maestro in health and disease. World J Gastroenterol 2010 Jul 14;16(26):3239-48.
- Cox R, Proudman CJ, Trawford AF, Burden F, Pinchbeck GL. Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK. BMC Vet Res 2007 Feb 2;3:1.
- Koenig J, Cote N. Equine gastrointestinal motility--ileus and pharmacological modification. Can Vet J 2006 Jun;47(6):551-9.
- Hudson NP, Dunlop MG. Horses for courses. Comparative gastroenterology: common ground and collaborative potential. BMJ 2005 Nov 26;331(7527):1248-51.
- Munsterman AS, Dias Moreira AS, Kottwitz J. Evaluation of the Effects of Detomidine on Equine Myoelectrical Activity Using Electrointestinography. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2025 Mar-Apr;35(2):120-130.
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