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Histopathological changes in the epithelial cells of rat duodenum following chronic dietary exposure to cadmium, with particular reference to Paneth cells.

Male and female rats 8 weeks old were exposed for 360 days to a sole source of drinking water containing 0.2 g/l cadmium as the chloride salt. Control rats were exposed for the same period to deionized water. At 90, 180, 270 and 360 day intervals a proportion of the rats from both test and control groups were killed and the duodenums removed. The histopathology was assessed by both light and electron microscopy. In cadmium treated rats the duodenums were enlarged and there was a significant reduction in the percentage of crypts containing Paneth cells. Remaining Paneth cells appeared vacuolated. By both light and electron microscopy changes were noted in the epithelial cells covering the villus tips. These were swollen and protruded towards the duodenal lumen to give a 'cobblestone' appearance by scanning electron microscopy. It is suggested that these histopathological appearances will be seen in chronic dietary exposure to cadmium.

Animals↗

Paneth cell alpha-defensins: peptide mediators of innate immunity in the small intestine.

Epithelial cells contribute to innate immunity by releasing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) onto mucosal surfaces. In the small bowel, Paneth cells at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn secrete alpha-defensins and additional AMPs at high levels in response to cholinergic stimulation and when exposed to bacterial antigens. The release of Paneth cell products into the crypt lumen is inferred to protect mitotically active crypt cells that renew the epithelial cell monolayer from colonization by potentially pathogenic microbes and to confer protection from enteric infection. The most compelling evidence for a Paneth cell role in enteric resistance to infection is evident from studies of mice transgenic for a human Paneth cell alpha-defensin, HD-5, which are completely immune to infection and systemic disease from orally administered Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium. Cystic fibrosis mice are subject to small bowel bacterial overgrowth that is associated with impaired dissolution of released Paneth cell granules in the crypt lumen. Mutations that cause defects in the activation, secretion, dissolution, and bactericidal effects of Paneth cell AMPs may alter crypt innate immunity and contribute to immunopathology.

Animals↗

Primate paneth cell degeneration following methylmercury hydroxide ingestion.

The effects of methylmercury on the intestinal epithelium were studied in 14 adolescent male Macaca mulatta monkeys weighing 3 to 5 kg. They were divided into three groups: two controls received daily applesauce vehicle without methylmercury. Nine chronic low-dose animals received 0.2 to 1.0 mg of methylmercury per day for 80 to 491 days. Three acute high-dose animals received 2.0 mg methylmercury for 17 to 18 days, when they became terminally ill. Light and electron microscopic observations were made on samples of duodenum and ileum following perfusion and immersion fixation in a glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde fixative. Numerous uniquely structured inclusions were prominent in the Paneth cells of the chronic low-dose animals and some necrotic Paneth cells were seen, especially in the most chronic and higher dosed animals of the group. Acute high-dose treatment produced some inclusions in the Paneth cells similar to those of the chronic low-dose group, but degenerative and necrotic cells were more frequently seen. These alterations were not seen in other intestinal epithelial cells. Paneth cells are selectively altered. These findings suggest that a function of Paneth cells may be to eliminate metals from the body.

Animals↗

Cellular inheritance of a Cre-activated reporter gene to determine Paneth cell longevity in the murine small intestine.

Here, we exploit an absolute differential between stem and progeny cells in their ability to express Cre from a somatically inducible transgene to determine the longevity of intestinal Paneth cells. In the Ahcre transgenic line induction of Cre recombinase allows constitutive activation of a Cre-activated reporter in intestinal precursors but not in Paneth cells. The time taken for Paneth cells to inherit the reporter (EYFP) was measured in adult Ahcre/R26R-EYFP animals. Using confocal microscopy of TOPRO-3-stained sections, both precursors and Paneth cells were identified and subsequently scored for EYFP expression. It takes up to 57 days for Paneth cells to inherit the reporter, making them three times longer-lived than previously indicated using nucleotide incorporation and suggesting that such determinations of cell turnover may be significant underestimates.

Animals↗

Incidence and significance of argentaffin and paneth cells in some tumours of the large intestine.

The incidence of argentaffin and Paneth cells in epithelial tumours of the large intestine was investigated. Argentaffin cells were found in adenomatous polyps, villus adenomas, polyposis coli, Peutz-Jehgers' polyps, juvenile polyposis, and adenocarcinomas. Paneth cells were not found in metaplastic or juvenile polyps. The crypt unit was destroyed in neoplasia and argentaffin and Paneth cells occurred either as a result of sequestration or were taking part in the neoplastic process. The crypt unit was retained in the disorders of epithelial growth. The identification of argentaffin and Paneth cells enabled the crypt to be defined and thus provided a useful, practical aid in the differentiation between neoplasms and disorders of epithelial growth.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Incidence of Paneth cells in colorectal adenomas of Japanese descendants in Hawaii.

The main purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the incidence of Paneth cells in colorectal tubular adenomas of Japanese descendants in Hawaii. Paneth cells were found in 73 of 322 adenomas (22.7%) of Japanese descendants in Hawaii. The incidence of Paneth cells in adenomas located from the caecum to the transverse colon was significantly higher than that of adenomas from the descending colon to the rectum. The same trend of a higher incidence of Paneth cells in adenomas from the caecum to the transverse colon was observed in Japanese descendants and Caucasian residents in Hawaii and in native Japanese. The incidence of Paneth cells in adenomas of Japanese descendants in Hawaii was higher than that of native Japanese, and also that of Caucasian residents was higher than that of native Japanese.

Adenoma↗

Immunoglobulins within human small-intestinal Paneth cells.

Human duodenal, jejunal, and ileal samples obtained at necropsy and by peroral and surgical biopsy, were studied by light microscopy using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method for imunocytochemical staining of lysozyme and immunoglobulins. Paneth cells contained IgA and IgG, but not IgD IgE, or IgM. Staining intensity indicated that IgA and IgG were present in amounts greater than in other epithelial cells. There was pronounced variation in the immunoglobulin content of Paneth cells. Rat Paneth cell containing IgA and lysozyme and are capable of the phagocytosis and degradation of microorganisms. These observations suggest that human Paneth cells may have similar functional capabilities.

Duodenum↗

Immunohistochemical observations of immunoglobulin A in the Paneth cells of germ-free and formerly-germ-free rats.

The localization of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) in Paneth cells was immunohistochemically studied in germ-free (Gf) and ex-Gf rats that had been injected with feces obtained from specific-pathogen-free (SPF) rats. In Gf as well as SPF rats, the secretory granules of Paneth cells and the brush borders of crypt cells exhibited IgA immunoreactivity. At 12 and 24 h after inoculation, it was found that, concomitant with the occurrence of considerable degranulation, the IgA immunoreactivity in Paneth cells disappeared, except of the margin of supranuclear vacuoles. In contrast, the IgA immunoreactivity of the crypt-cell brush borders was unchanged. Four days after inoculation, secretory granules exhibiting IgA immunoreactivity reaccumulated in Paneth cells. The present study suggests that Paneth cells regulate the bacterial milieu in the intestine by releasing secretory granules containing IgA into the crypt lumen.

Animals↗

A family of defensin-like genes codes for diverse cysteine-rich peptides in mouse Paneth cells.

Cryptdins constitute a diverse population of defensins in Paneth cells of intestinal crypts. In mice, certain intestinal mRNAs, termed "CRSIC" and "CRS4C," are considered to be cryptdin-related sequences, because their prepro-coding sequences are 94% identical to those of cryptdin-1 mRNA; however, their predicted products, which are cationic, cysteine-rich peptides are not defensins (A. J. Ouellette and J. C. Lualdi, J. Biol. Chem. 265: 9831-9837, 1990). Here we describe several mouse small intestinal mRNAs and genes that code for CRS4C prepropeptides. The 10-kDa deduced CRS4C proteins consist of a prepro sequence, potential monobasic or dibasic peptide cleavage sites, a predicted 3.7-kDa peptide that contains 7 [C]-[X]-[Y] repeats, and a C(N/K)CNPK carboxyl-terminal consensus sequence. In situ hybridization experiments showed that CRS4C mRNAs are found in Paneth cells of adult small bowel. The CRS4C genes closely resemble cryptdin genes, having a two-exon structure with highly conserved transcription start sites, intron-exon junctions, and a single intron of approximately 550 bp. Like the cryptdin genes, exon 1 of CRS4C genes consists of 5' untranslated sequences (UTS) and the prepro-coding region, and exon 2 codes for the predicted mature peptide and 3' UTS. Despite the similarity of first exons in CRS4C and cryptdin genes, their introns exhibit very little homology, and their second exons code for unrelated peptides. Analysis of introns suggests that the ancestral cryptdin and CRS4C genes may have diverged from a common ancestor in the distant past and expanded only recently. We speculate that the cryptdin/CRS genes evolved so that prepro regions encoded by exon 1 were conserved to allow the varied peptides coded by exon 2 to be directed into Paneth cell secretory granules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Paneth cell metaplasia in colonic adenocarcinoms.

The junctional mucosa of 49 colorectal carcinomas were studied for Paneth cell metaplasia. Twenty two cases (44.89%) showed Paneth cells in the junctional mucosa. The carcinomas were seen mainly in the age range of 51 to 60 years (38.4%) The occurrence of Paneth cell metaplasia was higher in the vicinity of tumours of ascending colon and in well differentiated grades of adenocarcinomas. This probably indicates the reactive host response in the junctional mucosa which is of better prognostic significance.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Crystalloid lysozyme inclusions in Paneth cells of vitamin A-deficient rats.

The effect of vitamin A-deficiency on jejunal Paneth cells in rats was investigated. Crystalloid particles were observed in secretion granules of Paneth cells from 6 out of 8 rats with vitamin A-deficiency. The particles were similar to those found in Paneth cells under other experimental conditions. Using an immuno-electron-microscopic technique we demonstrated a clear lysozyme immunoreactivity of these particles. In 2 vitamin A-deficient rats tubular structures have been detected in addition to the crystalloid particles. Crystalloid particles or tubular structures were not detectable in a control group of 8 vitamin A-supplemented rats. The morphological alterations of Paneth cells may be correlated to an impaired local immunity of the intestine during vitamin A-deficiency.

Animals↗

Enumeration of Paneth cells in coeliac disease: comparison of conventional light microscopy and immunofluorescence staining for lysozyme.

By conventional light microscopy, a reduced number of Paneth cells per intestinal crypt was found in the jejunal mucosa of patients with untreated or gluten-challenged coeliac disease as compared with histologically normal control specimens. A much better detection sensitivity was obtained when Paneth cells were counted by fluorescence microscopy after immunostaining for lysozyme with a rhodamine-labelled rabbit IgG conjugate. This method showed that there was no numerical reduction of Paneth cells in coeliac disease, but that the proportion of cells with a low lysozyme content was increased. Most of these cells were probably missed by conventional microscopy in which identification of Paneth cells is principally based on a substantial cellular complement of acidophilic granules. A reduced number of lysozyme-containing granules in coeliac disease may reflect increased discharge enhanced secretory activity, or a raised turnover of the Paneth cells.

Adolescent↗

Ultrastructural alterations of Paneth cells in infants associated with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Paneth cells containing abundant and large inclusion bodies found in patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica have been considered as a consistent and characteristic abnormality of this disease. We examined 34 children with gastrointestinal symptoms due to a wide variety of basic diseases and found similar abnormal Paneth cells in most of them, particularly in infants under the age of one year. This abnormality, according to our findings, is attributed to the secondary effect of zinc deficiency due to malnutrition.

Acrodermatitis↗

Atrophy of villi with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Paneth cells in isolated (thiry-Vella) ileal loops in rabbits. Light-microscopic studies.

Thiry-Vella loops in rabbit ileum were prepared by a new technique and were studied 18 hr to 49 days postisolation. The loops became grossly shortened after 14 days. Histologically, some shortening and blunting of villi was detectable as early as 4 days postisolation, and with prolonged isolation the changes became marked. Reduction in epithelial cell height and in brush border thickness were noted, and goblet cells were increased somewhat in size and prominence. Yet there was only slightly increased chronic inflammation in the mucosa and acute inflammation was uncommon, suggesting that mucosal injury was minimal. Furthermore, mean epithelial mitotic indices for the crypts did not rise and were generally reduced. Striking hyperplasia and hypertrophy of Paneth cells associated with mitotic figures in Paneth cells accompanied the atrophic changes in the villi. Reimplantation of loops into the bowel 3 weeks after isolation led to complete reversal of all changes, including hyperplasia of Paneth cells. On the other hand, regular perfusion of loops with a solution containing a large variety of nutrient substances failed to reverse the mucosal changes. It was concluded that atrophy of villi in isolated ileum of the rabbit occurred mainly because one or more substances contained in the chyme are needed to maintain normal mucosal architecture. These substances probably help regulate epithelial cell turnover and may well be endogenous in origin. Loss of substances in the chyme after loop isolation may also have led to Paneth cell hyperplasia. Alternatively, the Paneth cell changes and atrophy of villi might have been related in a cause and effect way.

Animals↗

Zinc-secreting Paneth cells studied by ZP fluorescence.

We have used a new family of zinc-specific-responsive fluorescent dyes (ZPs) to study the sequestration and secretion of zinc from Paneth cells, which are located in the bases of the crypts of Lieberkühn within the rat small intestine. Vivid ZP fluorescence zinc staining of Paneth cell secretory granules is seen in both cryostat sections and isolated crypts, providing firm evidence for a pool of labile (rapidly exchangeable) zinc within these cells. We further demonstrate that this ionic zinc pool is secreted under physiological conditions. In vivo stimulation of the small intestine by IP injection of the secretagogue pilocarpine results in discrete zinc staining within the lumens of subsequently isolated crypts, concomitant with a decrease in the zinc staining of Paneth cell granules located within the same crypts. In contrast, the secretion of zinc into the lumens of isolated crypts stimulated in vitro with either carbachol or LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is not observed. However, a distinct change in Paneth cell morphology, suggesting attempted secretion, is seen in response to the direct application of cholinergics but not LPS. These findings suggest that zinc is coreleased with other Paneth cell anti-microbials, and that the intact intestine is necessary for secretion into the crypt lumen.

Animals↗

Cationic colloidal gold staining of acidic glycoconjugates in mouse Paneth cells.

The acidic glycoconjugates of mouse ileum Paneth cells were examined with the aid of light and electron microscopy, using cationic colloidal gold (CCG) as a probe. Specimens of mouse ilea were fixed in half-strength Karnovsky's fixative and embedded in Lowicryl K4M resin. Semithin and ultrathin sections were cut of examination with light and electron microscopy, respectively. Examination of the sections using light microscopy revealed the positive staining of CCG at pH 1.0 and pH 2.5, which was detected at the rim of secretory granules and at the supranuclear regions of the Paneth cells. At pH 4.0, in addition to staining of the secretory granule rim, weak staining was observed in the granule core. At pH 7.2, the cytoplasm other than secretory granules exhibited positive CCG staining. Examination of the sections using electron microscopy, at pH 1.0, the trans lamellae of the Golgi apparatus, the rim of the secretory granules, and lysosomes were labeled selectively by CCG. At pH 2.5, labeling was also discernible over the same structures in the cells. However, at this pH, the labeling intensity was stronger than that at pH 1.0, due to the dual labeling of sulfated and sialylated glycoconjugates in these structures. At pH 4.0, the Golgi apparatus, rims and cores of secretory granules and ribosomes were labeled. Lysosomes and nuclei were also positively stained. At pH 7.2, the rims of secretory granules were not stained. The present results indicate that the CCG method gives good resolution and contrast when applied to staining, and therefore is useful for the specific staining of glycoconjugates such as sulfated, sialylated and phosphated glycoconjugates for light and electron microscopy.

Animals↗

Macrophage LRRK2 hyperactivity impairs autophagy and induces Paneth cell dysfunction.

LRRK2 polymorphisms (G2019S/N2081D) that increase susceptibility to Parkinson's disease and Crohn's disease (CD) lead to LRRK2 kinase hyperactivity and suppress autophagy. This connection suggests that LRRK2 kinase inhibition, a therapeutic strategy being explored for Parkinson's disease, may also benefit patients with CD. Paneth cell homeostasis is tightly regulated by autophagy, and their dysfunction is a precursor to gut inflammation in CD. Here, we found that patients with CD and mice carrying hyperactive LRRK2 polymorphisms developed Paneth cell dysfunction. We also found that LRRK2 kinase can be activated in the context of interactions between genes (genetic autophagy deficiency) and the environment (cigarette smoking). Unexpectedly, lamina propria immune cells were the main intestinal cell types that express LRRK2, instead of Paneth cells as previously suggested. We showed that LRRK2-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine release from phagocytes impaired Paneth cell function, which was rescued by LRRK2 kinase inhibition through activation of autophagy. Together, these data suggest that LRRK2 kinase inhibitors maintain Paneth cell homeostasis by restoring autophagy and may represent a therapeutic strategy for CD.

Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinas↗

Detection of deoxyribonuclease I along the secretory pathway in Paneth cells of human small intestine.

The expression and distribution of deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) in human duodenum, jejunum and ileum were examined by DNase I activity assay and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemical ultrastructural analyses. High levels of DNase I were detected in the cytoplasm of Paneth cells in human small intestine. A tissue homogenate fraction rich in Paneth cells showed strong DNase I-specific enzymatic activity. Immunofluorescence analysis using several specific anti-human DNase I antibodies showed very strong immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of every Paneth cell. In situ hybridization demonstrated high levels of DNase I mRNA in Paneth cells. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed gold particles localized along the secretory pathway, with the exocrine secretory granules mostly labeled. Our findings strongly suggest that Paneth cells synthesize and secrete DNase I into the intestinal lumen.

Adult↗