Embryological origin of interstitial cells of Cajal

Abstract

Until recently, the embryological origin of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) within the intestine was unclear. An origin from the neural crest or from the mesenchyme was considered possible because ICC possess some characteristics in common with neural crest-derived cells, and some characteristics in common with cells derived from the mesenchyme. Experiments in both mammalian and avian species, in which segments of embryonic gut were removed prior to the arrival of neural crest cells and grown in organ culture, have now shown that ICC do not arise from the neural crest. It appears that ICC and smooth muscle cells arise from common mesenchymal precursor cells. From mid-embryonic stages, ..