Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P10721 (c-kit)
 6,575 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

It is postulated that the propagated electric activity of the gut is generated by the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). We investigated the hypothesis of the presence of ICCs in the Fallopian tube (FT) as initiators of the tubal electric activity. Specimens from various parts of the FT were obtained from 21 female cadavers (mean age 38.2 +/-10.9 years) from the PostMortem Department of the Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine. Fixed sections were prepared and stained for c-kit. Controls for antisera specificity consisted of tissue incubated with normal rabbit serum substituted for the primary antiserum. Dendritic, c-kit-positive, ICC-like cells were detected in the tubal musculature of the studied specimens. They were distinguishable from the c-kit-positive nonbranching mast cells and from the c-kit-negative smooth muscle cells (SMC). Immunoreactivity was absent in the negative controls. We have for the first time identified cells in the FT with morphologic and immunologic phenotypes similar to the ICCs of the gut. These cells may be responsible for initiating the slow waves (SWs) recorded from the SMC of the FT. This is a preliminary study, and further studies are needed to investigate the functional role of these cells.
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PMID:Specialized pacemaking cells in the human Fallopian tube. 1612 78

Prostaglandins are associated with several reproductive processes in addition to their effects on the vascular system and muscular contractility. The aim of this study was to gain information about the localization of the receptors for PGE(2) (EP1-EP4) and PGF(2alpha) (FP) in the human Fallopian tube and their regulation following treatment with mifepristone. Sixteen healthy fertile women received a single dose of 200 mg mifepristone or placebo immediately after ovulation (LH+2). Laparoscopic sterilization was performed on days LH+4 to LH+6. Biopsies were taken from the Fallopian tubes bilaterally. The expression of EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4 and FP was analysed using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The co-localization of prostaglandin receptors and c-kit or e-nos was analysed using confocal microscopy. The effect of progesterone, mifepristone and prostaglandin on tubal contractility was studied. The presence of EP1-EP4 and FP in the Fallopian tube was detected using immunostaining. The receptors were expressed in serosal cells, luminal epithelial cells, and the muscular wall and vessels of the Fallopian tube. Co-localization studies showed that the endothelial cells stained positive for EP1-EP4 and FP and that co-localization was seen for EP4 and c-kit. Decreased contractility was seen after progesterone treatment, whereas increased contractility was seen after PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2) treatment. These data suggest that both the transport of the embryo and the communication between the embryo and the Fallopian tube involve the action of prostaglandins through EP and FP receptors in addition to the effect of prostaglandins on the vascular system and muscular contractility.
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PMID:Prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha receptors in the human Fallopian tube before and after mifepristone treatment. 1682 Apr 3

Cells of the female reproductive tract are subject to hormonal control via sex steroid genomic receptors expressed at nuclear level. We previously showed that interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLC) of human myometrium expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR). Our aim, based on these results, was to see if ER and/or PR could be found also in tubal ICLC. Indeed, we present here immunohistochemical evidence that ICLC of human Fallopian tube (isthmic region) have such receptors. Stromal ICLC, as well as ICLC among smooth muscle layers, were identified in tissue sections by their morphological features (e.g. several very long, moniliform, prolongations of cell body) as well as by c-kit positivity, vital staining with methylene blue or silver impregnation. Additional evidence was provided by sequential staining for c-kit and for PR on the same cell, by 'sandwich method'. In vitro, the 4th passage cell cultures from Fallopian tube muscularis exhibiting ICLC morphology showed the presence of ER-alpha and/or PR-A by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, our data suggest that ICLC could function as steroid sensors, and might be implicated in Fallopian tube motility (via gap junctions or juxta- and/or paracrine mechanisms).
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PMID:Interstitial Cajal-like cells of human Fallopian tube express estrogen and progesterone receptors. 2006 45