'New Cells' may be involved in Cardiovascular Disease

Arterial Interstitial Cells of Cajal are possibly not the best known human cell type.  In fact, many anatomists and cell biologists are not yet aware of their existance.  However, these cells exist within one of the most important tissues of the body - the arteries themselves.  

Anyone who has been reading the popular press is in no doubt that heart disease is a problem.  It is, according to recent studies, the biggest killer in the western world.  This means that the prospect of new mechanisms within the arteries may advance the understanding of vascular disease and possibly lead to more effective treatments.

Interstitial Cells of Cajal are thought to be related to myocytes

Arterial Interstitial Cells of Cajal are very similar to another cell, the Interstitial Cells of Cajal resident within the intestinal tract.  The role of these cells is thought to be related to a pacemaker function, precisely governing the tiny pulsations which help the digestive system.  The arterial system is driven by the heart and according to A J Michael (Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia), leading to questions over the precise role of these cells within the cardiovasculature.

Dr. Yuri Bobryshev, who recently published a paper in the Journal of Cell Tissue Research which moves understanding of these cells one step forward, writes "Further investigations might have important implications for understanding the contribution of AICC in a variety of vascular diseases." within comments published in HeartZine today.

Further Information and Contacts

http://www.heartzine.com/anatomy-physiology/196-Arterial+Interstitial+Cells+of+Cajal.html

http://www.heartzine.com/199-bobryshev-interstitial-cells-cajal.html

Bobryshev YV. 2005. Subset of cells immunopositive for neurokinin-1 receptor identified as arterial interstitial cells of Cajal in human large arteries. Cell Tissue Res (in press)