Impact of interstitial cells of Cajal on slow wave and gallbladder contractility in a guinea pig model of acute cholecystitis

Figure 5 Transmission electron microscopy results of interstitial cells of Cajal of the guinea pig gallbladder in the normal control and acute cholecystitis groups. A: The normal interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) had ovoid or triangular bodies, one to three cytoplasmic processes, large nuclei, abundant mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and caveolae; B: ICCs from the AC12h group presented swollen cell bodies with enlarged mitochondria; C: The impaired ICCs from the AC24h group had more swollen cytoplasm. The distance between ICCs and other cells (mainly smooth muscle cells) was increased; D: The isolated ICCs in loose gallbladder tissue was significant swollen with ruptures in the cytoplasm membrane, and processes diminished. TEM: Transmission electron microscopy; ICCs: Interstitial cells of Cajal; NC: Normal control; AC: Acute cholecystitis; SMCs: Smooth muscle cells; ER: Endoplasmic reticulum. Bar: 10 μm.