Smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells and neurons in the gallbladder (GB): Functional syncytium of electrical rhythmicity and GB motility (Review)

Abstract

The motility of the gallbladder (GB) involves the storage, concentration and delivery of bile. GB motor functions are controlled by multiple complex factors, such as extrinsic and intrinsic innervation, humoral factors and neuropeptides. GB emptying results from coordinated contractions of the muscular layers of the GB wall. Depolarization of GB smooth muscle (GBSM) depends on the activation of the regular depolarization-repolarization potential, referred to as slow waves (SWs). These rhythmic SWs of GBSM contraction are mediated by several cell types, including smooth muscle cells (SMCs), GB neurons, telocytes (TC) and specialized pacemaker cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The present article introduced a new GB motor unit, the SMC-TC-ICC-neuron (STIN) syncytium. In GB, STIN cells provide pacemaker activity, propagation pathways for SWs, transduction of inputs from motor and sensory neurons and mechanosensitivity. The present review provided an overview of STIN cells, mechanisms generating GBSM contractile behavior and GB motility, and discussed alterations of STIN cell function under different disease conditions.

Environmental and Metabolic Risk Factors Linked to Gallbladder Dysplasia

“…TCs are characterized by their small cell body, typically measuring between 9 and 15 µm, and possess one to five extremely long and slender telopodes (Tps). Telopodes consist of alternating segments known as podomers (~80 nm) and podoms (250-300 nm) and are interconnected through homo-and heterocellular junctions, forming intricate three-dimensional networks [54]. Previous research has revealed a significant decrease in the density of c-Kit positive TCs in the gallbladder wall among patients with cholelithiasis.…”

How traditional Chinese medicine can prevent recurrence of common bile duct stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

“…For example, in guinea pigs with cholesterol cholelithiasis, the density and ultrastructure of ICCs in the gallbladder are altered (Huang et al, 2021). Chronic inflammatory response of the gallbladder also leads to ultrastructural damage of the ICCs which in turn affects the normal physiological function of the gallbladder smooth muscle, resulting in abnormal gallbladder activity (Zhang et al, 2022;Ding et al, 2023).…”

Telocytes and inflammation: A review

“…TCs are widespread in a variety of tissues and organs, such as cardiac tissues, [5,6] vessels, [7] the trachea and lungs, [8,9] gallbladder, [10] liver, [11] Intestinal tissues, [12] duodenum, [13] colon, [14] and spleen, [15] and they are also found in the male genitals including the testis, [16] and epididymis, [17] as well as the female genital organs and the uterus, [18,19] oviduct, [20] and placenta. [21] In addition, TCs are also found in the pleura, [22] skin, [1] parotid glands, [23] skeletal muscle, [24,25] and epithelium.…”