Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-1-24
pubmed:abstractText
The mechanism underlying spontaneous pacemaker potential in the uterus is not clearly understood. Several spontaneously active smooth muscles have interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) or ICC-like cells. We therefore examined cells from freshly dispersed uterine muscle strips (from pregnant human and rat myometrium) and in situ uterine preparations to determine the cell types present. Both preparations revealed numerous ICC-like cells; they were multipolar, with spider-like projections and enlarged central regions. These cells were readily distinguished from uterine myocytes by their morphology and ultrastructure, i.e., no myofilaments, numerous mitochondria, caveolae, and filaments. In addition, the ICC-like cells were noncontractile. These cells were negative to c-kit, a classic marker for ICCs. They stained positive for the intermediate filament, vimentin, a marker for cells of mesenchymal origin but not differentiated myocytes. The ICC-like cells had a more or less stable resting membrane potential of -58+/-7 mV compared with smooth-muscle cells, -65+/-13 mV, and produced outward current in response to voltage clamp pulses. However, in contrast with uterine myocytes, inward currents were not observed. This is the first description of ICC-like cells in myometrium and their role in the uterus is discussed, as possible inhibitors of intrinsic smooth-muscle activity.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0006-3363
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
72
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
276-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Vimentin-positive, c-kit-negative interstitial cells in human and rat uterus: a role in pacemaking?
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Physiology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't