ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the role of Kit signal pathway in the proliferation and spontaneous rhythmic motility of interstitial cells(ICs)in the bladder of guinea pigs.Methods Fourteen Guinea pigs aged 45-60 days were administered with Imatinib intragastrically for 20 and 40 days.Three were fed on normal saline as control.The morph and number of ICs were observed by immunofluorescence,Kit protein expression was detected by Western blot and spontaneous rhythmic motility of bladder were investigated in in vitro organ bath.Results Quite a few ICs were observed in the bladder of controls.After administration of Imatinib,the amount of ICs and the expression of Kit protein decreased gradually,and the spontaneous rhythmic contraction weakened.Conclusion ICs might be the pacemaker of bladder in guinea pigs.Kit protein might play an important role in the survival and functional maintenance of ICs.