ROLE OF THE INTERSTITIAL-CELLS OF CAJAL IN THE CONTROL OF GUT MOTILITY

Background The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are a population of cells in the gastrointestinal tract which have a role in the control o f gut motility. Method A comprehensive review of the scientific litera ture was undertaken to assess current understanding of the morphology, structure, identification, distribution, development and function of these cells. Results and conclusions ICCs have an important role in th e control of gut motility. Experimental evidence from animal studies s uggests roles as pacemakers and coordinators of gut motor activity, an d as intermediaries in the neural control of motility. With an increas ing understanding of the distribution and behaviour of these cells in the healthy or diseased human gastrointestinal tract, there is the pot ential to develop novel therapeutic approaches to diseases that have g ut dysmotility as a contributory factor.