Cholesterol gallstones: Focusing on the role of interstitial Cajal-like cells

Abstract

Cholesterol gallstone (CG) is a common, frequent biliary system disease in China, with a complex and multifactorial etiology. Declined gallbladder motility reportedly contributes to CG pathogenesis. Furthermore, interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) are reportedly present in human and guinea pig gallbladder tissue. ICLCs potentially contribute to the regulation of gallbladder motility, and aberrant conditions involving the loss of ICLCs and/or a reduction in its pacing potential and reactivity to cholecystokinin may promote CG pathogenesis. This review discusses the association between ICLCs and CG pathogenesis and provides a basis for further studies on the functions of ICLCs and the etiologies of CG.

Keywords: Interstitial Cajal-like cells; Cholesterol gallstones; Gallbladder motility; Biliary system disease; Gallstones

Core Tip: Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) in the gallbladder have been reported to play an important role in the regulation of gallbladder motility. Loss and/or dysfunction of ICLCs may contribute to motion abnormality of the gallbladder and promote cholesterol gallstone (CG) formation. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. This mini-review highlights recent findings on the association between gallbladder ICLCs and CG formation.