Telocytes and interstitial cells of Cajal in the biliary system |
| |
| Authors: | Lei Chen Baoping Yu |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China;2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Digestive System Disease, Wuhan, China |
| |
| Abstract: | A novel type of interstitial tissue cells in the biliary tree termed telocytes (TCs), formerly known as interstitial Cajal‐like cells (ICLCs), exhibits very particular features which unequivocally distinguish these cells from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and other interstitial cell types. Current research substantiates the existence of TCs and ICCs in the biliary system (gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, cystic duct, common bile duct and sphincter of Oddi). Here, we review the distribution, morphology and ultrastructure of TCs and ICCs in the biliary tree, with emphasis on their presumptive roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. |
| |
| Keywords: | biliary system extrahepatic bile ducts gallbladder interstitial cells of Cajal telocytes |
|
|
