BACKGROUND: Pacemakers in upper urinary tract (UUT) are still under study. AIM: We reviewed the role of some cells that seem to be involved in the propulsion of urinary bolus from UUT to the bladder. MATERIALS & METHODS: We focuses on evaluating studies on the mechanisms by which the UUT propels urine to the bladder via pacemaker cells. RESULTS: Electric active pacemaker cells generate pyeloureteric autorhythmicity driving adjacent smooth muscle cells (SMCs); it emphasizes the role of the interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) localized in the UUT. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are now thought to cooperate in conducting and amplifying pacemaker activity in the UUT. These cells produce electrical slow-wave potentials and determine the propagation of peristaltic activity. Identification of ICC-LCs is facilitated by use of c-kit antibodies. Contraction waves arising from the UUT and the propagation of these waves may require the direct involvement of ICC-LCs, as c-kit immunoreactivity appears developmentally at the same time as coordinated unidirectional peristaltic contraction. ICC-LCs observed in the UUT have morphological features similar to those of c-kitpositive ICCs in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to gastrointestinal motility, ICCs may also play a significant role in the propagation, coordination, and modulation of ureteropelvic peristalsis. DISCUSSION: Alterations in ICC-LCs are closely associated with a variety of motility disorders and many congenital urological diseases of the UUT such as primary obstructive megaureter, congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and vesicoureteral reflux. CONCLUSION: These observations open the way for further investigations of this cell type.
BACKGROUND: Pacemakers in upper urinary tract (UUT) are still under study. AIM: We reviewed the role of some cells that seem to be involved in the propulsion of urinary bolus from UUT to the bladder. MATERIALS & METHODS: We focuses on evaluating studies on the mechanisms by which the UUT propels urine to the bladder via pacemaker cells. RESULTS: Electric active pacemaker cells generate pyeloureteric autorhythmicity driving adjacent smooth muscle cells (SMCs); it emphasizes the role of the interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) localized in the UUT. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are now thought to cooperate in conducting and amplifying pacemaker activity in the UUT. These cells produce electrical slow-wave potentials and determine the propagation of peristaltic activity. Identification of ICC-LCs is facilitated by use of c-kit antibodies. Contraction waves arising from the UUT and the propagation of these waves may require the direct involvement of ICC-LCs, as c-kit immunoreactivity appears developmentally at the same time as coordinated unidirectional peristaltic contraction. ICC-LCs observed in the UUT have morphological features similar to those of c-kitpositive ICCs in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to gastrointestinal motility, ICCs may also play a significant role in the propagation, coordination, and modulation of ureteropelvic peristalsis. DISCUSSION: Alterations in ICC-LCs are closely associated with a variety of motility disorders and many congenital urological diseases of the UUT such as primary obstructive megaureter, congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and vesicoureteral reflux. CONCLUSION: These observations open the way for further investigations of this cell type.
Authors: Nathan Grainger; Ryan S Freeman; Cameron C Shonnard; Bernard T Drumm; Sang Don Koh; Sean M Ward; Kenton M Sanders Journal: J Physiol Date: 2020-06-08 Impact factor: 5.182
Authors: Vítor S Fernandes; Ana S F Ribeiro; Pilar Martínez; María Elvira López-Oliva; María Victoria Barahona; Luis M Orensanz; Ana Martínez-Sáenz; Paz Recio; Sara Benedito; Salvador Bustamante; Albino García-Sacristán; Dolores Prieto; Medardo Hernández Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-11-21 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Beatrice Mihaela Radu; Adela Banciu; Daniel Dumitru Banciu; Mihai Radu; Dragos Cretoiu; Sanda Maria Cretoiu Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2017-02-13 Impact factor: 5.923