Pentose phosphate pathway in rat colonic epithelium

The colonic cells of the large intestine are one of the most proliferative tissues of the animal body. The pentose pathway has an essential role in cell division and growth being the only pathway forming ribose 5-P necessary for all nucleotide and nucleic acid sunthesis. The pentose pathway may also provide reducing potential as NADPH for biosynthesis and C-3- C-8 glycolyl compounds. The maximum catalytic capacities of the reactions of the non-oxidative pentose pathway for the conversion of ribose 5-P to hexose and triose phosphates by the proximal and distal colon under feeding and starvation regimes are among the highest in the animal body. The qualitative presence of the oxidative pentose pathway was assessed by measurement of the C-1/C-6 ratio value of 1.67-1.82. Enzymes of the F-type and L-type pentose pathways are present in colonocytes and their maximum catalytic activities in colonocyte cytosol are reported. The contribution of the F-type pentose cycle to the total glucose metabolism of colonocytes, measured by the specific yield method, is negligibly low (approximately 1.5%). Colonic epithelial cells use glucose at a high rate (7.1 +/- 0.33 mumol min-1g-1 dry wt) and 79% of the glucose is converted to lactate. Arabinose 5-P has an intermediary role in the formation of keto pentose, sedoheptulose and hexose phosphates from ribose 5-P by colonocyte cytosol. The intermediary and reaction products of [1-13C] ribose 5-P dissimilation by colonocytes is investigated by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The 13C positional isotope distributions show labelling of C-1 and C-3 of hexose 6-phosphates consistent with either the theoretical predictions of the F-type pentose pathway or of the activities of exchange reactions catalysed by transketolase and/or transaldolase. Measurements of exchange reactions showed that the C-1/C-3 labelling of these compounds is mostly, if not wholly, attributable to exchange catalysis by these group transferring enzymes. The results suggest that the F-type PC has little role in the glucose metabolism of colonocytes and pentose phosphate formation may thus occur by a contribution (approx 20% of the total glucose metabolism) by the alternate L-type pathway.     

Immunoloealization of integrins in the normal and neoplastic colonic epithelium

Cryosections of normal colon (NC), tubular and villous adenomas (TA, VA), and variably differentiated colon adenocarcinomas (CA) were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to α₁₋₆ and α_v, and β₁₋₄ integrin subunits; select samples were stained for cytokeratin (Ck) 20 and villin. In NC, α₂ staining was strongest in crypt cells; α_1,3 and α_v, and β_1,3 and β₄, and Ck 20 and villin predominated in superficial enterocytes. In TA and VA, monolayered glands showed integrin, Ck 20 and villin patterns that differed slightly from both crypt and superficial enterocytes. Complex glands in VA showed decreased integrin staining and basal polarization; Ck 20 and villin were strong only in luminal cells. CA showed overall weaker integrin staining than adenomas. Regardless of invasion depth, well formed malignant glands mimicked TA; pleomorphic glands mimicked VA with focal basal integrin polarization and solid clusters displayed scanty integrins, uneven Ck 20, and villin in occasional cells. Diverse integrins in crypt compared with superficial enterocytes reflect changing adhesive requirements as cells migrate and terminally differentiate. Decreasing expression and altered distribution of integrins, Ck 20 and villin noted in TA, VA, and in CA of increasing grade indicate that certain adhesive and cytoskeletal features more closely relate to glandular architecture than to depth of invasion.     

The histochemistry of glycoconjugates in the colonic epithelium of the chicken

In the colonic epithelium of the chicken, glycoconjugates have been studied by means of selected histochemical methods of light and electron microscopy. According to the results obtained, most of the colonic goblet cells contained acidic and neutral glycoconjugates with sulphate and vicinal diol groupings, alpha-D-mannose and alpha-D-glucose residues and sialic acid-galactose dimers. These goblet cells were found to undergo changes in histochemical reactivity during upward migration along the crypts; alpha-D-mannose and alpha-D-glucose residues and terminal sialic acid-galactose dimers increased in amount. The striated border of the colonic columnar cells has, likewise, been found to contain such glycoconjugates as were similar in reactivity to those of the goblet cells. The histophysiological significances of glycoconjugates involved in the chicken colonic epithelium have been discussed with special reference to the functional activities of the carbohydrates.     

Endothelin-3 stimulates survival of goblet cells in organotypic cultures of fetal human colonic epithelium

Cells within the normal human colonic epithelium undergo a dynamic cycle of growth, differentiation, and death. The organotypic culture system of human fetal colonic epithelial cells seeded on top of collagen gels with embedded colonic fibroblasts allowed prolonged culture of the colonic epithelial cells (Kalabis J, Patterson MJ, Enders GM, Marian B, Iozzo RV, Rogler G, Gimotty PA, Herlyn M. FASEB J 17: 1115-1117, 2003). Herein, we have evaluated the role of endothelin-3 (ET3) and both cognate endothelin receptors (ETRA, ETRB) for human colonic epithelial cell growth and survival. ET3 was produced continuously by the fibroblasts as a result of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. The presence and function of the endothelin receptors (ETRs) in epithelial cells was evaluated by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation using primary epithelial cells in monoculture and by immunohistochemistry on human fetal and adult paraffin-embedded tissues. In organotypic culture, ET3 increased the number of goblet cells but not of enteroendocrine cells. The increase in goblet cells was caused by prolonged cell survival and differentiation. The inhibition of both ETRA and ETRB significantly decreased the number of goblet cells and proliferation in epithelial cells, whereas the number of enteroendocrine cells remained unchanged. ET3 induced activation of IkappaB and MAPK in the epithelial cells, suggesting that these signaling pathways mediate its proproliferation and prosurvival activities. Our results demonstrate that ET3 is involved in regulating human colonic epithelial cell proliferation and survival, particularly for goblet cells, and may be an important component of colonic homeostasis.     

Antimicrobial activity of human islet amyloid polypeptides: an insight into amyloid peptides' connection with antimicrobial peptides

Abstract Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) shows an antimicrobial activity towards two types of clinically relevant bacteria. The potency of hIAPP varies with its aggregation states. Circular dichroism was employed to determine the interaction between hIAPP and bacteria lipid membrane mimic. The antimicrobial activity of each aggregate species is associated with their ability to induce membrane disruption. Our findings provide new evidence revealing the antimicrobial activity of amyloid peptide, which suggest a possible connection between amyloid peptides and antimicrobial peptides.     

The molecular configuration and ultrastructural locations of an IgG Fc binding site in human colonic epithelium

Previously, we discovered a binding site for the Fc region of IgG in human small intestinal and colonic mucosa. The binding site (Fc gamma IBS) appeared to be primarily associated with goblet cells, to consist of greater than 200,000 Da and 78,000 Da components, and to be distinct from leukocyte FcR. In the present work, we used mAb made to colonocyte IgG-binding material to more accurately define the molecular structure and cellular locations of the Fc gamma IBS. In immunoblot and fast protein liquid chromatography analysis, the mAb revealed that the Fc gamma IBS consists of a 110,000- to 140,000-Da component in addition to the two components previously recognized. The greater than 200,000 component may be the critical component for IgG binding, inasmuch as mAb to it but not to the other two components inhibited binding of IgG to colonic sections in vitro. Used in immunoelectron microscopy, the mAb documented that the Fc gamma IBS is present in the endoplasmic reticulum of goblet cells, in the cytoplasmic matrix separating secretory granules of goblet cells, and within the granules themselves; occasionally it has the appearance of being secreted into the intestinal lumen with mucus. The Fc gamma IBS could not be solubilized from colonocyte homogenates by three different detergents, which suggests that it exists in complex with cytoskeletal elements. We speculate that the Fc gamma IBS aids in immunologic protection of the intestine by facilitating interaction between intestinal mucus and antigenic material in the lumen.     

Vanadium ion stimulation of chloride secretion by rabbit colonic epithelium

Ionized forms of vanadium are known to exert diverse biological activities. Of particular interest in the inhibitory action of the vanadium ion on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. This report describes another action of the vanadium ion on the rabbit colonic epithelium. Micromolar quantities of vanadate, applied to the serosal side of the isolated rabbit colonic epithelium, result in a stimulation of electrogenic chloride secretion by this epithelium. Sodium transport is unaffected by the vanadium ion in the concentrations used in this study. It is proposed that the vanadyl ion activates adenylate cyclase and thereby initiates subsequent secretory events.     

Antimicrobial peptide modulation in a differentiated reconstructed gingival epithelium

Gingival innate immunity has been studied by using biopsies and normal or transformed epithelial cell monolayers. To overcome individual biological variabilities and as a physiological alternative, we have proposed using a reconstructed tissue equivalent. In this study, we investigated the functionality and the stage of differentiation of a reconstructed human gingival epithelium. We also characterized this epithelium at the molecular level to investigate its differentiation stage compared with native human gingival epithelium. The expression levels and localization of markers related to proteins and lipids of well-differentiated stratified epithelium, such as cytokeratins, cornified envelope proteins and enzymes, or to factors in lipid synthesis and trafficking were examined. Immunohistochemistry revealed similar localization patterns in both types of epithelia and mRNA quantification showed a close resemblance of their expression profiles. We further revealed that, like native gingiva, reconstructed gingival epithelium was able to respond to pro-inflammatory or lipopolysaccharide stimuli by producing antimicrobial peptides hβD-2, hβD-3 or LL-37. Finally, we demonstrated that reconstructed human gingival epithelium, as a model, was good enough to be proposed as a functional equivalent for native human gingival epithelium in order to study the regulation of gingival innate immunity against periodontal infections. This investigation was supported by a grant from Pierre Fabre Oral Care.     

Cytology of the human seminiferous epithelium

The appearances in cytologic specimens of the principal cell types in the normal human seminiferous epithelium are described and illustrated. Sertoli cells, which are larger than spermatogenic cells, are characterized by a slightly basophilic, ill-defined cytoplasm of triangular, elongated or columnar shape; the cytoplasm may be vacuolated and may contain spermatozoa. The nuclei of Sertoli cells are round, with a uniformly finely granulated chromatin and a single nucleolus. Spermatogenic cells are round or oval and show scanty cytoplasm with deeper basophilia and well-defined cytoplasmic borders. Multinucleation is common in spermatogenic cells. The Sertoli cells constitute a very homogeneous cell population as compared to the spermatogenic cells, which show several distinct cell types (spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa) whose nuclear structures depend on the stage of meiosis. Both cell types may occur as naked nuclei. Some problems of cell classification are discussed.     

Pyruvate sparing by butyrate and propionate in proliferating colonic epithelium

1. The effects of fasting and fasting followed by refeeding on the relative activities of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in isolated rat colonocytes were estimated by the rate of production of 14CO2 from [1-14C]pyruvate and [3-14C]pyruvate, respectively. 2. Decarboxylation of pyruvate by the PDH complex exceeded that by the TCA cycle in both fasted and fasted/refed colonocytes, was higher in distal than in proximal colon, and was stimulated by refeeding following a fast. 3. Oxidation of pyruvate by both the PDH complex and the TCA cycle was inhibited by butyrate. 4. Propionate alone had no effect, but synergized with butyrate to further reduce pyruvate decarboxylation by the TCA cycle. 5. Preferential utilization of butyrate by proliferating colonic epithelial cells is postulated to maximize the energy yield and spare pyruvate and its precursors for alternative synthetic roles necessary for active cell division.     

Effects of amino acid-derived luminal metabolites on the colonic epithelium and physiopathological consequences

Summary. Depending on the amount of alimentary proteins, between 6 and 18 g nitrogenous material per day enter the large intestine lumen through the ileocaecal junction. This material is used as substrates by the flora resulting eventually in the presence of a complex mixture of metabolites including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, short and branched-chain fatty acids, amines; phenolic, indolic and N-nitroso compounds. The beneficial versus deleterious effects of these compounds on the colonic epithelium depend on parameters such as their luminal concentrations, the duration of the colonic stasis, the detoxication capacity of epithelial cells in response to increase of metabolite concentrations, the cellular metabolic utilization of these metabolites as well as their effects on colonocyte intermediary and oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, the effects of metabolites on electrolyte movements through the colonic epithelium must as well be taken into consideration for such an evaluation. The situation is further complicated by the fact that other non-nitrogenous compounds are believed to interfere with these various phenomenons. Finally, the pathological consequences of the presence of excessive concentrations of these compounds are related to the short- and, most important, long-term effects of these compounds on the rapid colonic epithelium renewing and homeostasis.     

Porcine colonic lymphoglandular complex: distribution, structure, and epithelium

Lymphoepithelium and cells specialized for uptake and transport of foreign matter are characteristic of antigen sampling organs, including lymphoglandular complexes (LGCs). Distribution, histologic structure, and epithelial ultrastructure of colonic lymphoglandular complexes were determined in 5- to 13-week-old pigs. LGCs averaged 1,231 in number per colon, displayed a characteristic distribution pattern, and were most evenly distributed in colons of older pigs. LGCs consisted of well-defined submucosal masses composed of lymphatic nodules and internodular lymphoid tissue penetrated by radially branching extensions of mucosal glands. Epithelial diverticula of each LGC entered the submucosa as a group through a circular collar derived from the muscularis mucosae. LGC epithelium contained goblet cells, cuboidal and columnar enterocytes, enteroendocrine cells, individual and clustered intraepithelial leukocytes, and cells morphologically compatible with follicle-associated epithelial cells/M cells. We regard the colonic LGC as a distinct mucosal lymphoid organ and suggest a significant role for it in local and systemic immune responses. The porcine colonic LGC may serve as a model for the human LGC.     

Potassium conductances in isolated single cells from Xenopus laevis colonic epithelium

The patch-clamp technique was employed in whole cells to analyze K⁺ conductances of amphibian colonic cells. Xenopus laevis colonic epithelium was dissected, and single epithelial cells were isolated using Ca²⁺-free solution and mild enzyme treatment. Vital epithelial cells had a round shape, and a distinction between apical and basolateral poles was no longer possible. Their epithelial origin was, however, verified by antibodies against keratin. The average resting potential of the colonocytes was −37.6 ± 1 mV (n = 220) and the resulting membrane current was strongly potassium selective. Further characterization of this conductance was achieved by current-voltage relationship in the presence and absence of various K⁺ channel blockers. Barium and cesium showed pronounced voltage-dependent blockage, with interaction at about 35% inside the pores. Lidocain, as well as quinine and quinidine also blocked, but with different kinetics and binding characteristics. Both TEA and verapamil were ineffective. We also explored the effects of extra- (pH_o) and intracellular pH (pH_i) on the K⁺ conductance. An increase of pH_o, as well as pH_i, caused membrane hyperpolarization, and the shift of the current-voltage relationship indicates a stimulation of K⁺ channels by decreasing external and/or internal H⁺ concentration. The results provide the first whole-cell measurements on isolated amphibian colonic epithelial cells and demonstrate the presence of various K⁺ channel types in this preparation. Accepted: 15 January 1999     

Biopsies of human olfactory epithelium

It has been shown that olfactory epithelium can be safely biopsied from the living, intact human being. Observations of the ultrastructure of this epithelium shows changes that can then be correlated with the etiology and degree of olfactory loss, allowing a greater understanding of both normal transduction and of the pathology of dysfunction. Examples of the common forms of olfactory dysfunction are presented and discussed. Additionally, the technique will allow additional immuno-histochemical and molecular study of the tissue, will increase the understanding of both normal and pathological function and should translate to new therapeutic regimens.