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The distribution and frequency of endocrine cells in the splenic lobe of grass lizard (Takydromus wolteri). An immunohistochemical study.

The regional distribution and frequency of the pancreatic endocrine cells in the splenic lobe of grass lizard, Takydromus wolteri, were studied by immunohistochemical (PAP) method using six types of specific mammalian antisera against bovine Sp-1/chromogranin (bCG), serotonin, insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP). The pancreas was subdivided into two regions--islet kike and exocrine regions. The frequency of each immunoreactive (IR) endocrine cells was calculated as mean number/total 100 islet cells and as mean number/total 1,000 cells (including exocrine and endocrine cells) using automated image analysis process. In addition, the percentage of each IR cell was also calculated. All of six endocrine cells were demonstrated. They were dispersed in the whole pancreatic parenchyma between exocrine acinar cells, or they were also observed as islet like clusters. In islet-like regions, bCG-, insulin- and glucagon-IR cells were detected as one or two cell layer cords and they were located between this cell-cords with 14.30+/-5.62, 61.50+/-9.76 and 26.50+/-9.31/100 cells frequencies, respectively. However, somatostatin-IR cells were mainly located in the peripheral parts not in cell-cords with 12.40+/-4.86/100 cells, and no serotonin- and hPP-IR cells were demonstrated. In exocrine regions, all of bCG-, serotonin-, insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin- and hPP-IR cells were detected and they occurred mainly among the exocrine parenchyma as solitary cells with 10.30+/-2.54, 0.80+/-0.63, 15.50+/-5.30, 5.80+/-2.66, 3.10+/-1.29 and 11.00+/-3.33/1000 cells frequencies, respectively. In addition, serotonin-IR cells were mainly located between epithelia and connective tissue of pancreatic duct. Overall, there were 0.58+/-0.49% serotonin-, 56.44+/-9.35% insulin-, 23.73+/-8.22% glucagon-, 11.28+/-3.03% somatostatin- and 7.97+/-2.02% hPP-IR cells.

Animals↗

An immunohistochemical study of gut endocrine cells in two species of insectivorous vespertilinid bats (Chiroptera: Pipistrellus abramus and Plecotus auritus sacrimontis).

11 endocrine cell types immunoreactive for either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), motilin, secretin, neurotensin, pancreatic glucagon, enteroglucagon or bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP) were found in gastrointestinal tract of 2 species of insectivorous bats. 5 of these 11 types of endocrine cells were located in the stomach and all 11 types of endocrine cells were found in the intestine. However, the distribution and relative frequency of each immunoreactive endocrine cell varied among the cell types and between the 2 species of bats examined. In Brunner's glands, gastrin- and 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were detected very rarely in Pipistrellus and only occasionally in Plecotus. The present results obtained from the insectivorous bats were compared with those of the sanguivorous vampire bats.

Animals↗

Development of the endocrine cells in the rat pancreatic and bile duct system.

Morphological features of the endocrine cells in the duct system of the pancreas and the biliary tract have been recently characterized in the adult animal with respect to their physiological roles. In the present study, we have investigated their chronological appearance as well as their developmental progress at various stages of the rat fetal and postnatal life. On day 12 of gestation, glucagon and insulin, as well as CCK cells, were identified in the pancreatic primordium. On day 14, glucagon and CCK cells were first detected in the epithelial lining of the common hepatic and the hepatic ducts. These cells remained the dominant endocrine type in the duct system during the fetal period. Insulin and pancreatic polypeptide cells were first observed in the common hepatic duct only on days 16 and 18 of gestation respectively. In spite of their presence in the islets, somatostatin cells were not detected in the duct system during fetal life. They started to appear in the accessory pancreatic duct of the neonate, and subsequently in the common hepatic duct as well as in the small pancreatic ones on day 7 after birth. During postnatal development, the endocrine cells showed progressive or retrogressive changes in different portions of the duct system according to the cell type. In general, somatostatin, CCK and pancreatic polypeptide cells showed an increase, while glucagon and insulin cells gradually dwindled in number up to the adult stage. Somatostatin cells exhibited a significant increase in number, becoming the highest population among the duct endocrine cells in the adult. Throughout the developmental progress, the endocrine cells appear to be allocated in regions relevant to their possible influence modulating the exocrine secretion as well as the drainage of the pancreatic and bile fluid.

Aging↗

Proportions of various endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets of wood mice (Apodemus speciosus).

Using wood mice (Apodemus speciosus) captured in the wild in Niigata, we analysed the proportion of various endocrine cells in pancreatic islets for both immunohistochemical and microscopic characteristics. In both the dorsal and ventral portions of the pancreas, the centre of the pancreatic islets was occupied predominantly by insulin-positive (B) cells, surrounded by glucagon-positive (A), somatostatin-positive (D), and pancreatic-polypeptide-positive (PP) cells. Although the proportions of the various endocrine cells in pancreatic islets varied from one mouse to the next, in most animals B cells accounted for more than half of all endocrine cells. Dorsal and ventral portions of the pancreas differed in the proportions of various endocrine cells, specifically, in the A-to-PP cell ratio: the proportion of PP cells higher in the ventral portion. The same tendency is seen in humans, rats and mice. Microscopic examinations revealed morphologically distinct secretory granules in A, B and D cells. The morphology of these granules was similar that of secretory granules found in rats and mice.

Animals↗

Pulmonary endocrine cells of Aymara Indians from the Bolivian Andes.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence to suggest that life at high altitude causes changes in the population of pulmonary endocrine cells, possibly because of exposure to chronic hypoxia. A study was made of the populations of pulmonary endocrine cells in three Aymara Indians and three Mestizos of La Paz (3600 m), Bolivia, which were compared with those in four white lowlanders. METHODS: Pulmonary endocrine cells were immunolabelled for neurone specific enolase and their two major secretory products, gastrin releasing peptide and calcitonin, and their numbers expressed per cm2 of tissue section. RESULTS: No differences in morphology, number, content, or distribution of immunoreactive cells were found when the native highlanders were compared with the lowlanders. CONCLUSIONS: If chronic hypoxia as such exerts an influence on human pulmonary endocrine cells it was not apparent in this morphological study. There was no increase in gastrin releasing peptide containing pulmonary endocrine cells, such as have previously been seen in patients with pulmonary hypertension characterised by plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy. This may be due to the fact that in plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy there is free migration of smooth muscle cells. Although three of the highlanders in this present study showed pulmonary vascular remodelling, this was in contrast only modest.

Adolescent↗

Mitotic activity of the endocrine cells in rat thyroid glands during postnatal life.

This paper presents the results of investigations into the mitotic rates of thyroid endocrine cells in normal postnatal rats, aged 1-120 days. Our study revealed considerable age-dependent shifts in the mean mitotic activity of follicular cells and C-cells. The maximum indices of endocrine cell renewal were reached during the first 10 days of life, decreasing gradually and significantly until 25 days. At 1 month, there was a significant recuperation of the division rate for both cell types, which declined in the adult rat. These results mean that the proliferation of C-cells and follicular cells is inversely proportional to age. The preferential zone of localization of mitoses of both cell types is the central region of the thyroid lobe. The present paper provides new evidence for the postnatal origin of C-cells and follicular cells from the preexisting endocrine cells.

Aging↗

[Endocrine cells of rectal epithelium in health, in nonspecific ulcerative colitis and irritable colon syndrome in the treatment with prednisolone and salofalk and in the absence of treatment].

The arrangement and ultrastructure of rectal intraepithelial endocrine cells in health, in nonspecific ulcerative colitis (NSUC) and in irritable colon syndrome (ICS) were studied with light and electron microscopy. An increase of the amount of these cells was registered at the initial stages of inflammation, whereas chronic and destructive states were accompanied by the cells decrease. A decrease of endocrine cells number in (NSUC) was pronounced more than in ICS. Compared to prednisolone, the treatment with salofalk produced a more positive effect on endocrine cells reproduction within the rectal lining. The endocrine cells ultrastructural changes found by the authors in ulcerative colitis and irritable colon showed similarity to those in other colon diseases.

Adult↗

Neurotensin. Immunohistochemical localization in central and peripheral nervous system and in endocrine cells and its functional role as neurotransmitter and endocrine hormone.

The present study attempts to compile information on the possible physiologic role of the endogenous peptide neurotensin (NT) as a hormone and/or neurotransmitter. The methodological approach is immunohistochemical localization of NT in the entero-endocrine system as well as in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The results found in the three systems are first related to the pharmalogical and physiological findings in the literature. Subsequently their significance is discussed for each organ separately before attempting a final overall interpretation. Briefly, the present study reveals the following essential findings: The occurrence and distribution of NT-IR entero-endocrine cells (N-cells) in different mammals including man, as well as in representative members of all classes of vertebrates and higher invertebrates, are analyzed and evaluated morphometrically. The NT-IR cells in all investigated species are demonstrated to be of the open type. The innervation of paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia by NT-IR fibers is described; at least a portion of these fibers is thought to originate in NT-IR perikarya of the substantia intermedia of the spinal cord. The involvement of these NT-IR fibers in the regulation of systemic blood flow (hypertension) is suggested. The existence of NT-IR innervation of the gastro-intestinal tract is considered to be a general phenomenon. This notion is reaffirmed by phylogenetic investigation of the NT-IR enteric nerves. The pharmacological effects of NT in different portions of the gastro-intestinal tract, reported in the literature are related to the immunohistochemical localization of NT. In light of the present results, some of the effects of NT which were previously considered to be of an endocrine or paracrine nature - such as contraction of the guinea-pig ileum - are interpreted as effects of NT of neuronal origin. The specific NT-IR innervation of target cells in the exocrine pancreas (vascular smooth muscle, acinar cells) is demonstrated, and participation of NT-IR nerve fibers in regulation of the secretion of pancreatic juice is postulated. The innervation of the heart (coronary vasculature, myocardium, conduction system) by NT-IR fibers is demonstrated in various mammals and for the first time also in man. The cardiac NT-IR nerve fibers are thought to be the cytological substrate for different NT effects on heart action (coronary vasoconstriction, positive inotropy and chronotropy) reported in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Abnormal gastrointestinal endocrine cells in patients with diabetes type 1: relationship to gastric emptying and myoelectrical activity.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with diabetes are believed to be caused by gastrointestinal dysmotility and secretion/absorption disturbances, and the gut endocrine cells play an important part in regulating these two functions. Studies on animal models of human diabetes type I revealed abnormality in these cells, but it is unknown whether abnormality also occurs in patients with diabetes. METHODS: Eleven patients with long duration of diabetes type I and organ complications, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms, were studied. Endocrine cells in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract were detected by immunocytochemistry and quantified by computerized image analysis. Gastric emptying was measured by scintigraphy and gastric myoelectric activity was determined by electrogastrography. RESULTS: An abnormal density of gastrointestinal endocrine cells was found in patients with diabetes. This abnormality occurred in all segments of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract investigated, and included most of the endocrine cell types. The patients showed delayed gastric emptying, which correlated closely with the acute glucose level, but did not correlate with HbA1c. Gastric emptying also correlated closely with the density of duodenal serotonin and secretin cells. The patients exhibited bradygastrias and tachygastrias. These dysrhythmias, however, did not differ significantly from controls. CONCLUSIONS: The endocrine cells are the anatomical units responsible for the production of gut hormones, and the change in their density would reflect a change in the capacity of producing these hormones. The abnormality in density of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal dysmotility and the symptoms encountered in patients with diabetes.

Adult↗

A novel endocrine cell type in the guinea-pig gastric mucosa: cellular source of pro-enkephalin-derived peptides. A histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopical characterization.

A novel endocrine cell type has been identified in the guinea-pig gastric mucosa which preferentially occurs in the oxyntic area. Cells of this type exhibit immunoreactivities for bovine adrenal medulla dodecapeptide (BAM-12P) and in many cases for Met-enkephalin and are thus presumed to contain a pro-enkephalin-like precursor protein. Systematic immunohistochemical investigations show that these cells do not contain immunoreactivities for various enteric hormones, neuropeptides and biogenic amines (serotonin, histamine). However, they do contain immunoreactivity for chromogranin A, an acidic glycoprotein which is common to the majority of entero-endocrine cells. Using silver impregnation techniques BAM-12P immunoreactive cells prove to be argyrophil, but fail to react argentaffin. On the electron microscopical level, these cells contain a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and numerous polymorphous secretion granules which measure about 290 nm in diameter. The secretion granules are ovoid or pear-shaped but largely plump compared to those of enterochromaffin cells. Light and electron microscopical findings indicate that BAM-12P immunoreactive cells constitute an endocrine cell population of the gastric epithelium in addition to the "established" endocrine cells hitherto known in this location.

APUD Cells↗

Endocrine cells in renal pelvis and ureter, an immunohistochemical analysis.

A systematic detection of endocrine cells in the renal pelvis and ureter was carried out, using Grimelius stain and immunohistochemical techniques. Ninety specimens of pelvic and ureteral mucosae were investigated. Throughout the pelvic urothelium, endocrine cells were very uncommon, patchily distributed, and serotonin-storing. They have been disclosed in only two cases among normal-appearing transitional epithelium. Whether cells so scanty are normal and permanent inhabitants of this territory is debatable. The material examined did not provide opportunity to demonstrate endocrine cells throughout the normal ureter. Surprisingly, one case of supernumerary ureter with an ectopic distal orifice into the urethra harbored abundant serotonin cells. This remarkable endocrine profile, which departed appreciably from that of normal ureter, showed a close similarity with that of the urethra. This raises the question whether such endocrine differentiation might reflect, for this ectopic ureteric bud, urogenital sinus origin rather than wolffian origin.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗

Are intestinal endocrine cells affected in Hirschsprung's disease? An immunohistochemical study with anti-Leu 7 monoclonal antibody.

Specimens from 15 cases of Hirschsprung's disease and 22 control cases of normal guts were studied by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method with with anti-Leu 7 (Leu 7) monoclonal antibody (MAb). In the normal human gut, some satellite cells in the enteric plexuses and a few nerve fibers and ganglion cells in the intestinal wall were stained with Leu 7 MAb, while endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa showed consistent and intense cytoplasmic Leu 7 positivity. In Hirschsprung's disease, the number of Leu 7-positive endocrine cells was significantly low. The mean value of the number of Leu 7-positive endocrine cells per one microscopic field (X300 magnification) was 4.6 +/- 0.6 (+/- SE) in controls and 0.7 +/- 0.3 (+/- SE) in Hirschsprung's disease (P less than .001 by Student's t test). Our findings suggest that the development of endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa may be closely related to the development of ganglion cells in the enteric plexuses, and that the anti-Leu 7 MAb may be useful for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease when biopsy specimens are limited to the mucosa only.

APUD Cells↗

An immunohistochemical study of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in a nectarivorous marsupial, the honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus).

The distribution and relative frequency of occurrence of gastrointestinal endocrine cells exhibiting immunoreactivity to eleven peptides and one amine were examined immunohistochemically in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the adult honey possum which feeds almost exclusively on nectar and pollen. Seven types of endocrine cells, immunoreactive for serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, motilin, enteroglucagon, neurotensin and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), were detected in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the honey possum. In the cardiac gland region, including the diverticulum, endocrine cells were very scarce, and few serotonin- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were identified in 4 out of 8 honey possums. Moderate numbers of serotonin- and a few somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were found in the fundic glands. In the pyloric glands, moderate numbers of gastrin-immunoreactive cells and a few serotonin- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected. Along the length of the small intestine, serotonin-immunoreactive cells were the dominant endocrine cell type but small numbers of somatostatin-, gastrin-, motilin-, enteroglucagon-, neurotensin- and GIP-immunoreactive cells, all with different distribution patterns and relative frequencies of occurrences, were also found. In the large intestine, a small number of serotonin- and enteroglucagon-immunoreactive cells were found in all animals, but a few somatostatin- and neurotensin-immunoreactive cells were detected in some animals.

Animals↗

The relationship of endocrine cells, dysplasia and carcinoembryonic antigen in Barrett's mucosa to adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and characteristic hormonal profile of endocrine cells in Barrett's mucosa and to determine to what extent this profile was shared by endocrine cells of adenocarcinomas arising therefrom. In addition, lower oesophageal carcinomas, not associated with columnar metaplasia, were examined to see if they exhibited a different hormonal profile. The patients studied comprised 43 who had had multiple oesophageal biopsies. 35 who had had oesophagogastric resection for adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's mucosa and 26 in whom the resection showed no metaplastic epithelium adjacent to tumour. Argyrophil cells were present in 90% of biopsies and resections of Barrett's mucosa combined, irrespective of the histological type of metaplastic epithelium. By immunocytochemistry the most frequently identified substance in mucosal endocrine cells was serotonin (82%) followed by somatostatin (54%), secretin (22%) and pancreatic polypeptide (17%). Gastrin, bombesin, cholecystokinin, ACTH and substance P were not identified in metaplastic mucosa in any case. The difference in expression of serotonin by endocrine cells of tumours arising in Barrett's mucosa (31%) and those not (3.8%) was statistically significant (P less than 0.0186). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was demonstrated in 60% of oesophageal carcinomas, both endocrine positive and endocrine negative. Focal CEA expression was seen in 4.6% of biopsies and 14% of Barrett's mucosa adjacent to tumour. These results indicate a higher prevalence of endocrine cells in Barrett's mucosa than hitherto documented and suggest that serotonin may be a useful marker in distinguishing between primary oesophageal and putative gastric cancers at the gastro-oesophageal junction. The identification of CEA in oesophageal columnar epithelium is of little value in predicting the development of malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Somatostatin-containing and other endocrine cells in the pancreas of the spectacled caiman.

Light-microscopic immunocytochemistry was used to localize 4 major pancreatic hormones in the pancreas of the spectacled caiman, Caiman fuscus. Somatostatin, insulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide were localized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex technique. A relatively large population of somatostatin-containing D cells was present. The D cells were nearly as numerous as the insulin-containing B cells and glucagon-containing A cells which were the most common cell types. All three cell types were commonly intermingled with one another in endocrine cell areas. Pancreatic polypeptide-reactive F cells were absent from some regions of the pancreas, but where present were related to other endocrine cell types. Functional properties of the pancreatic endocrine cells in this anatomical variant remain to be determined.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

Colocalization of amino acid signal molecules in neurons and endocrine cells.

During the last 20 to 30 years, numerous examples have been provided of neurons and endocrine cells that are able to produce, store, and in many cases release more than one type of signal molecule. Recent models propose that neurons often employ an amino acid, an amine, and one or more neuroactive peptides, and that endocrine cells may release more than one peptide hormone. In neurons, the different classes of transmitter convey fast, intermediate, and slow signalling respectively. However, a series of studies demonstrates that neurons may colocalize more than one neuroactive amino acid, and that endocrine cells may contain an amino acid along with their peptide hormone. These forms of colocalization seem to add new levels of complexity to the role of amino acids in cell signalling, suggesting that, in neurons, amino acids may interact at the receptor level, modifying the effect of each other, and that, in endocrine cells, amino acids may act together with or parallel to a peptide hormone in a paracrine or autocrine manner.

Amino Acids↗

[Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of endocrine cells from the pyloric region of the European mole (Talpa europaea)].

The distribution and the morphology of some endocrine cells (gastrin, somatostatin and 5-HT immunoreactive) in the pyloric region were studied in the Talpa europaea, an insectivore representing one of the most primitive living Eutherians. The immunohistochemical studies enabled us to identify and calculate the percentage of each cell type: the most numerous endocrine cells were gastrin immunoreactive; fairly numerous appeared somatostatin immunopositive; less numerous were 5-HT immunoreactive cells. While the ultrastructural observations let us describe four endocrine cell types: G cells producing gastrin, D cells containing somatostatin, EC cells of the gastric type producing 5-HT and D1 cells whose content is still unknown.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical study of endocrine cells in the gut of goldfish Carassius carassius (L.) var. auratus submitted to experimental lead intoxication.

In the present study, the effects of experimental lead pollution on gut endocrine cells have been determined in the goldfish Carassius carassius (L.) var.auratus by immunocytochemical reactions. In the mucosa and submucosa, only vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and 5-HT-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed. Endocrine cells displaying immunoreactivity against gastrin, CCK8, metenkephalin, bombesin, neuropeptide Y, pancreatic polypeptide, substance P, secretin, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide antibodies were detected. No immunoreactivity against glucagon, insulin and 5-HT antibodies was revealed in the endocrine cells. Some modifications appeared evident in the endocrine cells 48-96 h after lead intoxication, and can be summarized as follows: 1) discharge of secretory granules (secretin- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like peptides), up to the extent that the cells appeared to be depleted of secretory material; 2) increase of immunoreactivity in the endocrine cells (met-enkephalin- and pancreatic polypeptide-like peptides) or in the frequency of positive cells (met-enkephalin-like peptide); 3) no variations (gastrin-, CCK8, bombesin-, somatostatin- and substance P-like peptides). The alterations were not enhanced by long term treatment. Nerve fibers did not show modifications.

Animals↗