Schistosoma mansoni: histological localization of gelatinase in the preacetabular glands of cercariae

Proteolytic activity was demonstrated in secretions from the preacetabular glands of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Thin gelatin film substrates were lysed by living cercariae stimulated to penetrate by application on the films of skin surface lipid. Lysis was directly related to number of cercariae, time, and temperature of incubation and pH of the medium. Gelatinase activity in unfixed frozen sections of cercariae incubated on the gelatin films was in the preacetabular glands which are the source of the secretion emptied into skin during penetration. Protease activity, therefore, appears to be related to penetration. The schistosome larvae which made the penetration attempt satisfied the accepted criteria for schistosomules, and therefore appeared to have transformed into schistosomules even though they did not successfully penetrate anything.     

Short term retinol treatment in vitro induces stable transdifferentiation of chick epidermal cells into mucus-secreting cells

Summary Epidermal mucous metaplasia of cultured skin can be induced by treatment with excess retinol for several days (Fell 1957). In the induction of mucous metaplasia, retinol primarily affects the dermal cells and retinol-pretreated dermis can alter epidermal differentiation towards secretory epithelium (Obinata et al. 1987). In this work, we found that mucous metaplasia could be induced by culturing 13-day-old chick embryonic tarsometatarsal skin in medium containing retinol (20 M) for only 8–24 h, followed by culture in a chemically defined medium (BGJb) without retinol or serum for 6 days. The application of cycloheximide together with retinol during the first 8 h of culture inhibited epidermal mucous metaplasia during subsequent culture for 6 days in BGJb, indicating that induction of a signal(s) in the dermis by excess retinol requires protein synthesis. However, the presence of 20 nM hydrocortisone (Takata et al. 1981) throughout the culture period did not inhibit retinol-induced epidermal mucous metaplasia of the epidermis. This indicates that a brief treatment of the skin with excess retinol determines the direction of epithelial differentiation toward secretory epithelium; this is a simpler in vitro system for the induction of epidermal mucous metaplasia than those established before. Offprint requests to: A. Obinata     

Cellular responses of the skin and changes in plasma cortisol levels of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to acidified water

The skin structure and the plasma cortisol levels of trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were examined during 7 days of exposure to water of pH 5. By day-4 and-7, the thickness of the epidermis was significantly (P<0.05) less in acid exposed fish than in controls, and degenerative cells were common in the upper epidermal layers. Many epidermal cells exhibited signs of necrosis, and by day-7 many apoptotic cells were also present. Secretory vesicles of high electron density were abundant in the filament cells of the 3–4 outermost layers of epidermis, and intercellular spaces had increased. Mitotic figures occureed throughout the epidermis, with the exception of the outermost cell layer. Mucous cells became elongated after day-1, and later, newly differentiating mucous cells could be seen close to the skin surface, and many mucocytes contained mucosomes of high electron density. Rodlet cells were occasionally seen. Chloride cells appeared similar to those of control fish. Many leucocytes, mainly macrophages and lymphocytes, had penetrated the epidermis via the highly undulating basal lamina, and at day-7, numerous apoptotic lymphocytes were found. In the dermis, melanosomes became dispersed in the cytoplasmic extensions of melanocytes which were present in the epidermis of all acid-exposed fish. Iridocytes were rate after day-4, while fibroblasts were abundant and secreted large amounts of collagen. After 1 day of exposure to acidified water, a significant (P<0.05) elevation of the plasma cortisol level had occurred, but this subsequently declined, and had returned to control values by day-7. The changes in skin structure, however, remained throughout the whole exposure period.     

Peristaltic transport of multilayered power-law fluids with distinct viscosities: a mathematical model for intestinal flows

This paper is concerned with the theoretical study of two-dimensional peristaltic flow of power-law fluids in three layers with different viscosities. The analysis is carried out under low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximations. The shapes of the interfaces are described by a system of non-linear algebraic equations which are solved numerically as streamlines. It is found that the non-uniformity in the intermediate and peripheral layers diminishes when the viscosity of the intermediate layer is increased and that of the outermost layer is kept unaltered for both the pseudo-plastic and dilatant fluids. Similar are the observations when the viscosity of the outermost layer is increased and that of the intermediate layer is kept fixed. The flow rate increases with the viscosities of the peripheral and the intermediate layers but the viscosity of the outermost layer is more effective. However, the knowledge of the effect of the viscosity of the intermediate layer facilitates us to achieve the required flow rate without disturbing the outermost layer. An increase in the flow behaviour index too favours larger flow rates. The trapping limits increase with the viscosity of the intermediate layer but decrease with the viscosity of the outermost layer and the flow behaviour index. Thus, a medicinal intervention that creates a more viscous intermediate layer and reduces pseudo plasticity may reduce constipation.     

Trout gill cells in primary culture on solid and permeable supports

Trout gill cells in primary culture on solid and permeable supports were compared. Cultures were carried out by directly seeding cells on each support after gill dissociation. Most of the cell types present in culture were similar, regardless of culture support (pavement cells, mucous cells (3–4%), but no mitochondria-rich cells). However, insertion of mucous cells in cultured epithelium on permeable support presented a morphology more similar to gills in situ. Gene expression of ion transporters and hormonal receptors indicated similar mRNA levels in both systems. Cortisol inhibited cell proliferation on both supports and maintained or increased the total cell number on solid and permeable membranes, respectively. This inhibition of mitosis associated with an increase or maintenance of total gill cells suggests that cortisol reduced cell degeneration. In the presence of cortisol, transepithelial resistance of cultured gill cells on permeable membranes was increased and maintained for a longer time in culture. In conclusion, gill cells in primary culture on permeable support present: (i) a morphology more similar to epithelium in situ; and (ii) specific responses to cortisol treatment. New findings and differences with previous studies on primary cultures of trout gill cells on permeable membrane are discussed.     

The epidermis of Timarete filigera (Polychaeta, Cirratulidae): histochemical and ultrastructural analysis of the gland cells

The aim of this study was to verify whether different living conditions of Polychaeta are correlated with morphological and functional differences in the organization of the integument. For this purpose, we decided to study the epidermis of Timarete filigera, a non-tubicolous polychaete. With this objective in mind, we have identified the various cellular types responsible for mucous secretion in the epidermis of this species and defined the histochemical composition of the mucus produced by different types of gland cells. Three types of gland cells have been identified by histochemical and ultrastructural studies in the epidermis of this polychaete. The histochemistry was carried out using standard techniques and peroxidase-labelled lectins. In type 1 cells, the secretory granules contain neutral glycoproteins with glucosidic residues of GalNAc, Galbeta 1,3 GalNAc, glucosidic and/or mannosidic residues. In type 2 cells, the secretory granules contain acid glycoproteins mainly sulphated with glucosidic residues of GalNAc, Galbeta 1,3 GalNAc, glucosidic and/or mannosidic residues, and some terminal sialic acid. In type 3 cells, the residual granules have the same chemical composition as that of granules present in type 2 cells. The secretion of these glandular mucous cells consists of mainly sulphated acidic glycoproteins and GAG resistant to testis jaluronidase. In these cells, the residual granules have the same chemical composition as that of their secretion. The heterogeneity of mucus composition may be correlated with its different functions.     

Isolation,identification and quantitative evaluation of specific cell types from the mammalian gastric mucosa

Functional in vitro studies with isolated gastric mucosal cells require cytological identification of different cell types in suspension or primary culture. Since suitable techniques have not been well established, different staining methods for the discrimination of dispersed pig and guinea pig gastric cells have been developed on the basis of modified previous protocols for enzymatic cell dispersion. Chief and parietal cells were visualized by combined periodic acid-Schiff stains. Surface mucous and mucous neck cells were identified by affinity-labelling, using lectins with selective staining properties in situ. Two of the lectins were found to be specific markers for gastric polymorphonuclear cells. The following vital tests were found to be useful: succinic dehydrogenase for parietal cells, Nile blue/brilliant cresyl blue stains for chief cells, and different phagocytosis assays for endothelial cells and gastric phagocytes. Endocrine cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry using specific antibodies against gastrin, somatostatin, histamine and serotonin. The same technique using a vimentin antibody was performed for the identification of fibroblasts. Proliferation of mucosal cells in primary culture was monitored by the incorporation of bromo-deoxyuridine, which was subsequently detected by a monoclonal antibody.Some of these results were presented at the 7th International Conference on Experimental Ulcer, Berlin, Germany 1991 (see Giebel and Schwenk 1991)     

Ultrastructural study of the epithelial mucous cells in lizards (Lacertilia)

Summary An ultrastructural study of the mucous cells of the intestinal epithelium of four lacertilian species (Lacerta lepida, Lacerta hispanica, Psammodromus algirus and Acanthodactylus erythrurus) is here reported. Two types of mucous cells have been found in these species: common mucous cells and granular mucous cells. Immature and mature forms of both types have been observed. The common mucous cells or typical goblet cells have the same characteristics in all four species. The granules of the granular mucous cells of the two species of Lacerta are similar but differ from those of the other two species.     

The effects of osmotic experiments and prolactin on the mucous cells in the skin and the ionocytes in the gills of the teleost Cichlasoma biocellatum

Summary Adult Cichlasoma biocellatum were kept in deionized water, 25% sea-water and tap-water. The mucous cells in the epithelium of the gills and the buccal floor were not affected by the osmotic experiments. In animals kept in deionized water the mucous cells in the skin remained unaffected, but the ionocytes (chloride cells) in the gills were strongly stimulated. Keeping the animals in salt water led to a strong regression of the epidermis including the mucous cells, and of the ionocytes. The regression could be counteracted by prolactin injections. The changes in the skin and the ionocytes could be correlated with the activity of the prolactin producing cells in the adenohypophysis. It is suggested that the epidermis and its mucous cells as well as the ionocytes are under prolactin control.The authors gratefully acknowledge the interest and helpful suggestions of Prof. Dr. P. G. W. J. van Oordt. Thanks are also due to Mr. H. van Kooten for making the photographs, to Dr. L. Boomgaart for correcting the english, and to the N. I. H., Bethesda, Maryland (U.S.A.) for presenting the ovine prolactin.