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Stimulation of proteolytic digestion by intestinal goblet cell mucus.

Intestinal goblet cell mucus (GCM) was added to incubations of casein and trypsin (or chymotrypsin) to discover whether mucus could inhibit proteolysis. Contrary to expectation, GCM stimulated casein hydrolysis, reaching a maximum effect at a GCM to casein ratio (w/w) of 0.083. GCM did not contain proteolytic enzymes or proenzymes as contaminants, nor did GCM serve as a substrate for trypsin. Stimulation was not reduced by removing 85% of the sialic acid from GCM. Harsh physical treatment (boiling and freezing) of casein decreased (50%) the GCM effect, as did partial predigestion of casein by trypsin, and elevation of trypsin concentration beyond 3 mug per ml. Thus the undegraded structure of casein appeared to be important for the stimulation of proteolysis by GCM. GCM also enhanced the hydrolysis by trypsin of intestinal brush border membrane protein, but had no effect on the hydrolysis of hemoglobin, albumin, or benzoyl arginine ethyl ester. These results suggest that GCM reacts with specific substrates, in a fashion which promotes their digestion by trypsin or chymotrypsin.

Albumins↗

Isolation, characterization, and propagation of rat conjunctival goblet cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: To isolate, culture, and characterize goblet cells from the conjunctiva of rats. METHODS: Conjunctival tissue was surgically removed from Sprague-Dawley rats. Goblet cells were then isolated from the nictitating membrane and fornix using explant cultures. Cells derived from the explants were grown and propagated in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. They were characterized using an enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), Western blot analysis, PCR, light and electron microscopy, specialized histochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Goblet cells were successfully isolated from conjunctival explants by scraping nongoblet cells from the culture vessel. To date, cultures have been passaged a minimum of three times without the loss of their specific cellular markers. Cells identified as goblet cells fulfilled the following criteria: positive staining for alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff reagent, cytokeratin (CK)-7, the lectins UEA-I and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), MUC5AC, and M(3) muscarinic receptor; detection of MUC5AC mRNA using RT-PCR; and negative staining for CK-4, M(1) muscarinic receptor, and Banderia simplicifolia lectin. The authors also measured, using the ELLA, substantial amounts of UEA-I-detectable high-molecular-weight glycoproteins and MUC5AC released into the medium. CONCLUSIONS: Cultured goblet cells retain many characteristics of goblet cells in vivo and thus may serve as a useful tool in delineating the pathobiology of the ocular surface.

Animals↗

Localization of nerves adjacent to goblet cells in rat conjunctiva.

Neural stimulation of the cornea induces conjunctival goblet cell mucous secretion. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to determine if nerves are present near conjunctival goblet cells and what types of nerves are present. In euthanized rats, the local anesthetic lidocaine (1%) was placed topically on the ocular surface for 10 min to prevent goblet cell mucous secretion. The ocular surface tissues were removed and either fixed in formaldehyde and then frozen, or frozen first and then post-fixed in formaldehyde. Tissue was sectioned and nerves localized by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, using antibodies to synaptophysin (indicates nerve, independent of type), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, indicates parasympathetic nerves), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, indicates sympathetic nerves), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH, indicates sympathetic nerves), phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT, indicates sympathetic nerves), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, indicates sensory nerves). Goblet cells were identified by phase-contrast microscopy. Synpatophysin-containing nerves were present in the basolateral region of conjunctival goblet cells clusters. Nerve fibers immunoreactive to VIP were found in the conjunctiva along the epithelial-stromal junction and around the basolateral aspect of goblet cell clusters. Nerve fibers immunoreactive to TH and DBH were detected surrounding goblet cells and in the conjunctival stroma. Nerve fibers immunoreactive to CGRP were detected in the epithelium and at the epithelial stromal junction, but were not localized near goblet cell clusters. CGRP-containing nerve fibers were also detected in the conjunctival stroma under the epithelium. We conclude that efferent parasympathetic and sympathetic, but not afferent sensory, nerves appear to be located adjacent to conjunctival goblet cell clusters. Activation of efferent parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves could directly stimulate conjunctival goblet cell mucous secretion. Antidromic activation of afferent sensory nerves releasing neurotransmitters could stimulate goblet cell secretion by a paracrine mechanism.

Animals↗

Goblet cell density in nasal polyps.

The goblet cell density was determined in 29 nasal polyps from 22 patients by use of the periodic acid Schiff-alcian blue whole-mount method. The distribution of goblet cells was found to be extremely irregular, ranging from areas completely devoid of goblet cells to areas with a relatively high density. The median density varied from 280 cells/mm2 to 10,000 cells/mm2. The total median density for all 15 polyps located anteriorly in the nose was 3,450 cells/mm2, compared with 6,050 cells/mm2 for 14 posteriorly located polyps. The density was highest in pseudostratified, cylindric epithelium, although great variations occurred among the different areas with this type of epithelium. The goblet cell density may be influenced by several factors, such as the airflow, type and thickness of the epithelium, and whether the genesis of the nasal polyps is infectious or allergic, in addition to polyp growth, size, and age.

Basement Membrane↗

Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Twenty-two resected goblet cell type adenocarcinomas of the lung were examined clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. The stage and survival curve of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were compared with those of 44 cases of pure or mixed Clara cell and bronchial surface epithelial cell (Clara and BSE) type adenocarcinomas. Each case of goblet cell type was matched with two cases of Clara and BSE type as to sex, age and date of surgery. In goblet cell type adenocarcinomas, lymph node metastasis was less frequently and intrapulmonary metastasis was more frequently detected than in other types of adenocarcinomas (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively). Goblet cell type adenocarcinomas showed better prognoses than Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas. However, the estimated survival curves of those two groups become similar after adjustment of the TNM condition using Cox's proportional-hazard general linear model. This result indicated that the longer survival of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was due to the characteristic distribution of TNM conditions, that is, unique local growth and low incidence of lymph node metastasis. When goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was macroscopically classified into two types, i.e. solitary peripheral nodule type (nodular type) and multifocal nodular type or consolidation of all or part of a lobe (diffuse type), the nodular type had better prognosis than the diffuse type (p less than 0.05). Immunohistochemically, 83%, 11%, and 0% of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were positive for NCC-CO-450, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and surfactant apoprotein, respectively. Most Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas were negative for NCC-CO-450, but positive for CEA and surfactant apoprotein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

Paneth and goblet cell renewal in mouse duodenal crypts.

Proliferation of Paneth and goblet cells of mouse duodenal crypts was studied by high resolution light microscope radioautography. In one group of mice, blood levels of thymidine-(3)H were sustained for up to 12 hr by repeated injections of isotope to facilitate identification of proliferating cells. In these animals, many goblet cell nuclei incorporated thymidine-(3)H whereas only 1 of 6261 tabulated Paneth cells was labeled. Cells intermediate in structure between undifferentiated and goblet cells and between undifferentiated and Paneth cells were identified and their light and electron microscopic features are described. A significant number of these "intermediate" cells incorporated thymidine-(3)H into their nuclei. Another group of mice received a single injection of thymidine-(3)H. These animals were killed 4 hr to 29 days after isotope administration. Goblet cells and intermediate cells with labeled nuclei were identified 4 hr after thymidine-(3)H but could not be seen after 15 days. In contrast, Paneth cells with labeled nuclei were not observed until 24 hr after thymidine-(3)H but were still present at 29 days, long after labeled undifferentiated, goblet, and intermediate cells had disappeared. We conclude that differentiated Paneth cells in mouse duodenum do not normally proliferate, but, instead, arise by differentiation from undifferentiated crypt cells or from intermediate cells. Moreover, once formed, Paneth cells persist in crypts for a prolonged period. In contrast, intermediate cells and crypt goblet cells proliferate actively and are less stable cell populations than differentiated Paneth cells. The precise function of the intermediate cells is not known, but they may represent transition forms between undifferentiated cells and the more matrure secretory cells. Damage of crypt epithelial cells, thought to be due to radiation effects, was evident in both groups of mice.

Animals↗

Goblet cell and mucin gene abnormalities in asthma.

Goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) has been established as a pathologic characteristic of mild, moderate, and severe asthma. Abnormalities in goblet cell number are accompanied by changes in stored and secreted mucin (MUC). The functional consequences of these changes in MUC stores and secretion can contribute to the pathophysiologic mechanisms for multiple clinical abnormalities in patients with asthma, including sputum production, airway narrowing, exacerbations, and accelerated loss in lung function. CD4(+) T cells and their T-helper type-2 cytokine products are important mediators of GCH, and MUC5AC is the dominant MUC gene that is expressed in goblet cells. The mechanism of cytokine-induced GCH, the relationships between MUC gene up-regulation and GCH, and the role of ion channels are all currently being explored. The process of working out the molecular mechanisms of GCH and goblet cell degranulation should provide new targets for novel therapeutic interventions. Such new treatments are urgently needed, because mucus hypersecretion is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with asthma, and no specific treatments are available.

Asthma↗

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoprecipitation studies on anti-goblet cell antibody using a mucin producing cell line in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Circulating anti-goblet cell antibody and its corresponding antigen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease were investigated. Anti-goblet cell antibody in the serum was examined by immunocytochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using a colonic cancer cell line, HT29-18-N2, which differentiates into intestinal goblet cells. The frequencies of anti-goblet cell antibody detected by immunocytochemistry were 14 in 48 patients with ulcerative colitis (29%) and five in 15 patients with Crohn's disease (33%). By ELISA, the frequencies of anti-goblet cell antibody were 38% in ulcerative colitis and 33% in Crohn's disease. This antibody did not relate directly to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), although the serum samples positive for anti-goblet cell antibody were commonly positive for ANCA in ulcerative colitis. Immunoprecipitation and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) study showed that the antibody in the ELISA positive serum samples recognised a > 200 kD goblet cell antigen, which remained unchanged after reduction, indicating that it consists of single chain polypeptides. These results suggest that there is a subgroup of inflammatory bowel disease that has circulating anti-goblet cell antibody reactive with a > 200 kD antigen. The antibody detected by newly established ELISA will be a disease marker for this group and the identification of the corresponding antigens may be important for the understanding of the underlying immune abnormalities.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of conjunctival goblet cell secretion by Ca(2+)and protein kinase C.

Conjunctival goblet cells secrete mucus in response to cholinergic (muscarinic) agonists, but the underlying signaling pathways activated in this tissue are not well understood. Cholinergic agonists usually activate phospholipase C to produce inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. Inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate increases the intracellular Ca(2+)concentration ([Ca2(+)](i)) while diacylglycerol activates protein kinase C (PKC). PKC and Ca(2+), either by itself or with calmodulin, activate cellular functions. Goblet cell glycoprotein secretion, our index of mucin secretion, was measured from pieces of rat conjunctiva with an enzyme-linked lectin assay using the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I). UEA-I selectively recognizes high molecular weight glycoproteins secreted by the goblet cells. Increasing the [Ca(+)](i)with the Ca(2+)ionophore ionomycin stimulated glycoprotein secretion from conjunctival goblet cells. Cholinergic agonist-induced secretion was completely blocked by chelation of extracellular Ca(2+)and by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitors KN93 and W7 as well as their inactive analogs KN92 and W5. Activation of classical and novel PKC isozymes by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate stimulated goblet cell glycoprotein secretion. When ionomycin and PMA were added simultaneously, secretion was additive. PKC isozymes were identified by Western blotting analyses with antibodies specific to nine of the 11 PKC isozymes (PKCgamma and zeta were not tested). All nine PKC isozymes were identified in the conjunctival epithelium. The cellular location of the PKC isozymes was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Goblet cells contained the classical PKC isozymes PKCalpha, -betaI and -betaII, the novel PKC isozymes PKCepsilon, -theta;, and - mu, and the atypical PKC isozyme PKCzeta. We were unable to determine if PKC activation is required for cholinergic-agonist induced secretion because the PKC inhibitors chelerythrine and staurosporine alone greatly increased secretion. We conclude that Ca(2+)plays a major role in cholinergic agonist-induced conjunctival goblet cell secretion, but this agonist appears not to use Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. We also conclude that activated PKC can stimulate goblet cell secretion and that seven different PKC isoforms are present in the goblet cells.

Animals↗

Airway goblet cell mucin: its structure and regulation of secretion.

Mucociliary clearance is a major function of the airway epithelium. This important function depends both on the physicochemical properties of the airway mucus and on the activity of the cilia. The former, in turn, is dependent mainly on the quality and quantity of mucous glycoproteins or mucins, which are produced by two different cell types, namely, goblet cells of the epithelium and mucous cells of the submucosal gland. Neither the structural nor the functional differences of mucins produced by these two cell types are yet known. The availability of primary airway epithelial cell culture systems, however, has made it possible to study the structure and regulation of airway goblet cells to some extent. The epithelial mucins are extremely hydrophobic and are associated with various macromolecules, the quality and quantity of which may also affect the physicochemical properties of the mucus. Secretion of epithelial mucins is stimulated by various factors, including a number of inflammatory agents. The recent progress in mucin molecular biological research will allow us to identify different mucin core proteins produced by those different cell types, and, hopefully, the differential functions of these mucins in health and disease.

Animals↗

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals that air-liquid interface culture promotes goblet cell differentiation and inhibits glycolysis in organoid cell monolayers.

Faithfully recapitulating the cellular heterogeneity of the intestinal epithelium is essential when using organoid models. Air-liquid interface (ALI) culture has been shown to promote secretory cell differentiation, but its impact on gene expression in each epithelial cell type remains unclear. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the cellular heterogeneity of rabbit cecum-derived organoid monolayers grown under immerged or ALI conditions. We then compared these organoid cell type-specific gene expression profiles to a scRNA-seq atlas of the rabbit cecal epithelium in vivo. We selected the rabbit model notably because, unlike mice, it possesses BEST4+ epithelial cells, a newly discovered subset of mature absorptive cells. Our analysis revealed a high degree of transcriptomic similarity between in vivo and organoid-derived stem and transit-amplifying cells. ALI culture markedly enhanced the differentiation of the secretory lineage, especially goblet cells, whose transcriptome closely resembled that of in vivo goblet cells. Furthermore, ALI was the only condition allowing the detection of enteroendocrine cells. BEST4+ cells, however, were absent from organoids in immerged or ALI conditions despite their presence in vivo. In addition, ALI culture led to a consistent downregulation of hypoxia and glycolysis-associated genes across all cell types, which suggests a metabolic shift likely driven by increased oxygen availability in ALI conditions. Cell-cell communication analyses further indicated that ALI more closely mirrored in vivo patterns than immerged condition. Altogether, these results demonstrate that ALI culture allows for better recapitulation of the in vivo cellular heterogeneity and molecular signatures of the intestinal epithelium.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using single-cell RNA sequencing, this study shows that air-liquid interface (ALI) culture enhances secretory lineage differentiation of intestinal organoid cell monolayers and improves transcriptomic similarity to the native epithelium. ALI reduced hypoxia-associated gene expression and better recapitulates in vivo-like cell-cell interactions, supporting its value for modeling intestinal epithelial heterogeneity in organoids.

Animals↗

Lectin binding patterns to plasmalemmal glycoconjugates of goblet cells undergoing differentiation in vitro.

The plasmalemmal glycoconjugates of the HT29-18N2 (N2) cell line were characterized on cells grown as 1) undifferentiated multilayers in glucose-containing culture media and 2) monolayers of columnar cells acquiring the goblet cell phenotype in glucose-free media. Lectins were unable to bind sheets of detached N2 cells in the absence of fixation. Following fixation with aldehydes, a dramatic unmasking of lectin binding sites was seen. When fixed monolayers were stained prior to embedding, biotinylated lectins, visualized by the avidin-biotin-complexed peroxidase technique, were more efficient than collodial gold-coupled lectins. Lectin binding sites could also be detected by using collodial gold-coupled lectins to stain monolayers embedded in LR White, Lowicryl K4M, and Lowicryl HM20. The binding of 5 lectins (wheat germ, Dolichos bifluros, peanut, soybean, and Ulex europeus) was found to be independent of the stage of differentiation; "pre-differentiated" columnar cells which had prominent microvilli and no or few mucous secretory granules had identical staining patterns as well-differentiated goblet cells with large numbers of secretory granules. Ricinus communis I was the only lectin whose binding was influenced by the stage of differentiation; it intensely labeled undifferentiated multilayers of N2 cells but only weakly labeled basolateral membranes of differentiated monolayers. Canavalia ensiformas (ConA) caused a moderate and even labeling of both apical and basolateral membranes of fixed monolayers stained prior to embedding, but post-embedding labeling revealed heavy labeling along the lateral margins of all columnar cells and weak to moderate binding along the apical and basal cell surface.

Acrylic Resins↗

Correlation of goblet cell density and mucosal epithelial membrane mucin expression with rose bengal staining in patients with ocular irritation.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare goblet cell densities and mucosal epithelial membrane mucin (MEM) expression in impression cytology specimens obtained from control subjects and patients with one of the following clinically defined diseases: aqueous tear deficiency (ATD) associated with Sjögren syndrome, ATD not associated with Sjögren syndrome, inflammatory Meibomian gland disease associated with rosacea, and Meibomian gland atrophy. These data were correlated with ocular surface rose Bengal staining scores, Schirmer scores, and HLA-DR antigen staining of conjunctival epithelial cells. METHODS: Goblet cell density and MEM expression were studied by impression imprints with immunohistochemical staining using an anti-mucosal epithelial membrane mucin antibody in the temporal and inferior bulbar and inferior tarsal conjunctiva of study subjects. RESULTS: Goblet cell density adjacent to the temporal limbus was significantly reduced at 3 mm posterior to the temporal limbus in both aqueous tear deficiency groups compared with the other groups and in patients with Sjögren syndrome compared with all other groups. In the inferior tarsus, goblet cell density was significantly reduced in patients with non-Sjögren syndrome ATD as compared with all other groups, except those with inflammatory Meibomian gland disease. Mucosal epithelial membrane mucin expression in the bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva was absent in a greater percentage of patients with Sjögren syndrome compared with all other groups. Total ocular surface rose Bengal staining scores were significantly higher in patients with Sjögren syndrome as compared with all other groups and in patients with non-Sjögren syndrome ATD as compared with control groups. Rose Bengal staining scores and Schirmer I test results (without anesthesia) were inversely correlated with bulbar, but not tarsal, conjunctival goblet cell densities, and with the absence of bulbar conjunctival MEM expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that reduced goblet cell density and mucosal epithelial cell mucin expression could explain increased rose Bengal staining in patients with aqueous tear deficiency. In addition, MEM may be regarded as a marker for normal differentiation of ocular surface epithelia, with its absence signifying the development of squamous metaplasia.

Adult↗

Fate of goblet cells in experimental colitis.

We sought to correlate the characteristic changes in goblet cell morphology in the chronically inflamed large intestine of 1L10-/- mice to specific changes in goblet cell gene expression. In healthy as well as IL10-/- mice, marked differences were found among the large intestinal regions in goblet cell morphology and gene expression. The mucin Muc2, which is a major determinant of goblet cell morphology, was expressed in most goblet cells, yet only in cells staining positive for both Alcian blue and high iron diamine. TFF3 was expressed in only a small subset of goblet cells. Inflamed colon of IL10-/- mice still contained high numbers of small, hypotrophic goblet cells with similar histochemical staining and Muc2 and TFF3 expression patterns, contradicting the often reported "goblet cell depletion" in colitis. Quantitatively, the Muc2 and TFF3 levels remained relatively stabile in IL10-/- mice. Muc2 in distal IL10-/- colon contained significantly less sulfate residues than in controls, which may compromise its protective properties.

Animals↗

[Morphological and histochemical studies on the development of human conjunctival goblet cells].

This report deals with the development of human conjunctival goblet cells. Fifty-six eyes of human embryos and fetus ranging from 5 to 41 weeks of gestational age were used in this study. Glycosaminoglycans in the goblet cells were investigated histochemically using 1% alcian blue staining (pH = 2.5) and PAS reagent staining and sialidase (neuraminidase) digestion. At 8 weeks, goblet cells appeared in the forniceal area, and they extended to the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva. These cells were already similar to adult goblet cells. Alcian blue staining and the enzyme digestion method revealed the existence of sialic acid in the goblet cells from 9 weeks. These results suggest that at the early developmental stage the goblet cells develop from the forniceal area. It is also indicated that the goblet cells in the early developmental stage are already similar to cells in the adult stage because they contain mainly sialic acid as glycosaminoglycans.

Adult↗

The airway goblet cell.

The two principal features of airway goblet cells are rapid secretion of mucin onto the airway surface and increase in number (hyperplasia) with chronic inhaled 'insult'. The first is associated with homeostasis, the latter with pathophysiology. Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase (MARCKS) is a key molecule regulating mucin exocytosis, a process also involving cooperative interaction between protein kinase (PK) C and PKG. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) cascade and calcium activated chloride channels (CLCA) are key signalling molecules involved in development of goblet cell hyperplasia, with Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis, involved in maintenance of hyperplasia. Goblet cell hyperplasia and associated mucus hypersecretion is a pathophysiological feature of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse goblet cell hyperplasia include inhibitors of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase and CLCA, of which viable pharmaceutical molecules are now available for clinical trial in hypersecretory conditions of the airways.

Animals↗

Regulation of goblet cell degranulation in isolated pancreatic ducts.

Neurohumoral control of goblet cell degranulation in isolated segments of the guinea pig main pancreatic duct was examined using morphometric procedures. Goblet cells represent 25-30% of the epithelial cell population at the head of the main pancreatic duct, a percentage that decreases to 5-10% as the distance from the ampulla increases. Carbachol, bombesin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) each stimulated degranulation of duct goblet cells, although cholecystokinin octapeptide, secretin, and histamine did not. The stimulatory effects of carbachol on goblet cell degranulation in isolated pancreatic ducts were blocked by atropine and enhanced by simultaneous exposure to VIP. These observations indicate that goblet cells in guinea pig pancreatic ducts express bombesin, VIP, and muscarinic cholinergic receptors and that multiple intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of goblet cell degranulation.

Animals↗

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: histochemical changes in the composition of mucins in goblet cells during infection in rats.

Changes in the quality of mucins in jejunal goblet cells were investigated during an infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in rats. At 10 days after infection, when proliferative activity in the crypts is excessive and both crypts and villi are characterized by hyperplasia of goblet cells, the histochemical composition of the population of goblet cells in comparison with controls shows a marked increase in crypt and villous goblet cells containing neutral mucins. At 15 days after infection both crypts and villi display a significant increase in goblet cells containing acid mucin and decrease in goblet cells containing neutral mucin. The acid mucins in crypt and villous goblet cells on day 15 appear to be sulphomucins predominantly, whereas in controls sialomucin-containing goblet cells dominate both in the crypts and on the villi. These experiments establish that the explusion of N. brasiliensis from the intestine of the rat coincides not only with quantitative, but also with remarkable qualitative changes in the histochemical composition of mucins in goblet cells.

Animals↗