The interstitial cells of Cajal of the equine gastrointestinal tract: what we know so far.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) function as the electrical pacemakers of the gastrointestinal tract, generating and coordinating the rhythmic contractions essential for normal motility—a role increasingly recognised as critical to understanding why some horses develop serious colic and dysautonomia. Fintl and Hudson's 2010 review synthesises existing knowledge about ICC distribution, physiology and function specifically in equine species, examining both their normal role in orchestrating intestinal motor patterns and their suspected involvement in pathological states characterised by impaired gut function. The evidence presented implicates ICC dysfunction, either as a primary cause or secondary consequence, in the pathogenesis of large intestinal obstructive colic and grass sickness (equine dysautonomia)—two conditions where motility disturbance is a defining feature. Understanding ICC biology matters clinically because structural or functional damage to these cells may explain motility problems that don't respond to conventional management, and could eventually inform targeted therapeutic approaches beyond current symptomatic treatments. For practitioners involved in colic management and recovery, this work highlights that some intractable cases may reflect underlying pacemaker dysfunction rather than purely mechanical obstruction or primary neurological disease.

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Key Findings

• •Interstitial cells of Cajal function as pacemakers and mediators of neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract
• •ICC dysfunction has been implicated as either primary or secondary pathogenic factor in gastrointestinal disease with prominent motility disturbance
• •ICC involvement is documented in equine large intestinal obstructive colic and grass sickness pathogenesis

Conditions Studied