Interstitial cells of Cajal in chagasic megaesophagus

Lima, Marcus Aurelho de; Cabrine-Santos, Marlene; Tavares, Marcelo Garcia; Gerolin, Gustavo Pacheco; Lages‐Silva, Eliane; Ramı́rez, Luı́s Eduardo

doi:10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2007.12.002

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Regarding the analyses of the ICCs, reduced CD117-immunostained areas were observed in the inner muscular layer of the esophagus from infected individuals with megaesophagus, confirming the results from a previous study [23]. One novel finding was the observed decrease in CD117 immuno-staining in individuals infected without megaesophagus.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…It is well known that, like other cells, the number of ICCs is controlled by several factors that regulate proliferation and death and that ICCs continuously undergo apoptosis in the GI tract of healthy individuals [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Because neurons produce Stem Cell Factor (SCF), which activates the c-kit receptor and stimulates the proliferation, survival…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Decreased nitrergic innervation and loss of ICCs have been observed in idiopathic achalasia and those factors, in conjunction, have been considered to be implicated in such pathological process [21,22]. Previous studies of individuals with the digestive form of Chagas disease, have reported a decrease of ICCs density in the esophagus and colon that were associated with megaesophagus and megacolon, respectively [23,24]. Other study has demonstrated rel- calculated as follows: nNOS-IR area/PGP 9.5-IR area × 100.…”

Section: Patients and Tissue Samplesmentioning

confidence: 95%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Decrease of Nitrergic Innervation in the Esophagus of Patients with Chagas Disease: Correlation with Loss of Interstitial Cells of Cajal

Nascimento¹,

Martins²,

Duarte³

et al. 2017

Int J Pathol Clin Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The pathogenesis of megaesophagus in chronic Chagas disease, which is caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is compelling. Individuals with megaesophagus often present achalasia and disturbances of peristalsis and neuronal loss. Esophageal samples were obtained from 6 T. cruzi infected individuals with megaesophagus, 6 T. cruzi infected individuals without megaesophagus, and 6 noninfected individuals who underwent necropsy procedures. Using one antibody specific for neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS) and another specific for Protein Gene Product 9.5 (PGP-9.5), which is a pan-neuronal marker, we demonstrated the relative area of nitrergic innervation. Additionally, we analysed the area occupied by Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICCs) with antibody specific anti-CD117. The analyses presented here show that the relative area of nitrergic innervation is reduced in T. cruzi infected individuals with megaesophagus. Furthermore, we demonstrated reduced CD117-immunostained areas in the esophagus of T. cruzi infected individuals. Statistical analyses revealed a positive correlation between the relative area of nitrergic innervation and the density of ICCs in the same infected individuals. Considering data from the literature, we raised the hypothesis that the loss of nitrergic nerve fibers and ICCs could be view as an interdependent phenomenon occurring in the esophagus of T. cruzi infected individuals and that it could contribute to peristalsis disturbances, to achalasia and to megaesophagus development.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Patients and Tissue Samplesmentioning

confidence: 95%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Decrease of Nitrergic Innervation in the Esophagus of Patients with Chagas Disease: Correlation with Loss of Interstitial Cells of Cajal

Nascimento¹,

Martins²,

Duarte³

et al. 2017

Int J Pathol Clin Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, altered distribution of the interstitial cells of Cajal has been demonstrated in chagasic megaesophagus and in chagasic megacolon 27,28,30…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Chronic Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Chagas Disease

Matsuda

Miller

Evora

2009

Clinics

139

112

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease mainly affects the nervous system, digestive system and heart. The objective of this review is to revise the literature and summarize the main chronic gastrointestinal manifestations of Chagas disease. The chronic gastrointestinal manifestations of Chagas disease are mainly a result of enteric nervous system impairment caused by T. cruzi infection. The anatomical locations most commonly described to be affected by Chagas disease are salivary glands, esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, small intestine, colon, gallbladder and biliary tree. Chagas disease has also been studied in association with Helicobacter pylori infection, interstitial cells of Cajal and the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer.

show abstract

“…32 In cases of megacolon and megaoesophagus, an important reduction in the number of interstitial cells of Cajal has also been demonstrated 33,34 These cells play an important role in the modulation of digestive tube motility; as a result, their destruction could constitute a key element in the pathogenesis of the digestive changes of Chagas disease.…”

Section: Pathogenesis Of Digestive Involvement In Chagas Diseasementioning

confidence: 96%