Involvement of interstitial cells of Cajal in experimental severe acute pancreatitis in rats

Figure 5 Ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal. A-C: Control. A: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with fusiform nuclear morphology show an elongated nucleus with scarce perinuclear cytoplasm, and are situated between the smooth muscle (SM) and the enteric nerve (N). The cytoplasmic processes surround the external contours of the enteric nerve; B: Caveolae are lining cytoplasmic membrane (arrows); C: The processes of some ICC have characteristically numerous mitochondria (M); D-F: Severe acute pancreatitis. D: Vacuoles (V) are present in the ICC; E: The density of desmosome-like junction between ICC and smooth muscle is lower (arrows); F: Vacuolated mitochondria are present in the processes of ICC.