Isolation, culture and identification of interstitial cells of cajal in adult rat corpus cavernosum

Objective: To study the method of isolation, culture and identification of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in adult rat corpus cavernosum, and offerthe basis to investigate the biologic role of the ICCs. Methods: The corporal tissue of adult rat was obtained from rats. The ICCs was isolated by means of enzyme digestion, and relatively purified through differential attachment technique. The cell suspensions were inoculated onto other culture dishes and cultured in DMEM medium. Morphologic features and attachment of the ICCs were detected by phase contrast microscope. The specific c-kit antibody was applied to label the culture cells, and the ICCs were identified with immunofluorescence. Results: The ICCs, detected by phase contrast microscope, adhered well aftercultured for24 hours, and morphologic features of the ICCs showed that they had fusiform cell bodies with dendritic processes at each pole (bipolar) oralong the side of the cell body (multipolar). Fluorescent staining with c-kit antibody confirmed that the cultured the ICCs was c-kit positive. Conclusions: The ICCs has been isolated and cultured successfully by enzyme digestion method from adult rat corpus cavernosum. The physiologic roles of the ICCs are needed to be studied.