Dynamic histology of the antral epithelium in the mouse stomach: III. Ultrastructure and renewal of pit cells

The pit (foveola) of typical mucous units of the pyloric antrum was investigated in 3- to 4-month-old CD1 mice, using light and electron microscopy, sometimes combined with 3H-thymidine radioautography. Reconstruction of units from serial sections revealed that, on the average, the pit measured 151 microns in length and was lined by 184 mucus-containing pit cells. Of these, 164 were located along the wall of the pit, whereas 20 surrounded its opening on the free surface. For ultrastructural examination the pit was divided into equal thirds. The proximal third, located next to the isthmus and referred to as pit base, was composed of cells showing electron-dense mucous granules greater in number but similar in density and diameter to those of isthmal dense granule cells. Nucleoli were rather large, irregular, and reticulated; these and other features were indicative of partial differentiation. The appearance of the cells gradually changed with the distance from the isthmus. In the middle third or mid pit, cells had small, fairly rounded nucleoli, while mucous granules were more numerous than in the pit base but similar in appearance and size; these cells were considered to be mature. In the distal third or pit top-surface, granules became elongated and nucleoli shrank, and lysosomes and vacuoles greatly increased in number, indicating that cells were at a terminal stage. Indeed, some of the cells were extruded into the stomach lumen while others were phagocytosed by adjacent cells. Following a single injection of 3H-thymidine, labeling was found only in a small cohort of cells in the pit base. At the end of 1 day of continuous infusion, the cohort of labeled cells had reached the mid pit; by 2 days, the pit top; and by 3 days, the free surface, where cells were eventually lost. The renewal time of pit cells was assessed at 2.98 days (t1/2 = 1.8 days), giving a turnover rate of 33.5% per day. It is estimated that the divisions of pit base cells provide two-thirds of the cells needed daily for pit-cell renewal, while the other third is supplied by an influx of dense granule cells from the isthmus. These cells enter the pit and continuously migrate toward the gastric lumen, while differentiating in the pit base, maturing in the mid pit, and reaching a terminal stage at the pit top-surface. The progressive and orderly migration of pit cells is described as a "pipeline pattern" of renewal. It is completed in about 3 days when terminal cells are lost at the pit top-surface.     

Core formation and the acquisition of fusion competence are linked during secretory granule maturation in Tetrahymena

The formation of dense core secretory granules is a multistage process beginning in the trans Golgi network and continuing during a period of granule maturation. Direct interactions between proteins in the membrane and those in the forming dense core may be important for sorting during this process, as well as for organizing membrane proteins in mature granules. We have isolated two mutants in dense core granule formation in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, an organism in which this pathway is genetically accessible. The mutants lie in two distinct genes but have similar phenotypes, marked by accumulation of a set of granule cargo markers in intracellular vesicles resembling immature secretory granules. Sorting to these vesicles appears specific, since they do not contain detectable levels of an extraneous secretory marker. The mutants were initially identified on the basis of aberrant proprotein processing, but also showed defects in the docking of the immature granules. These defects, in core assembly and docking, were similarly conditional with respect to growth conditions, and therefore are likely to be tightly linked. In starved cells, the processing defect was less severe, and the immature granules could dock but still did not undergo stimulated exocytosis. We identified a lumenal protein that localizes to the docking-competent end of wildtype granules, but which is delocalized in the mutants. Our results suggest that dense cores have functionally distinct domains that may be important for organizing membrane proteins involved in docking and fusion.     

Presence of cells combining features of two different cell types in the colonic crypts and pyloric glands of the mouse.

A small number of epithelial cells which combine features of two cell types were observed in the descending colon and pyloric stomach of the mouse. In the descending colon, where the base of the crypts is mainly composed of poorly differentiated "vacuolated" cells, a few of these cells contain, besides the characteristic "vacuoles," mucous globules identical to those in mucous cells or, less frequently, dense granules such as are found in entero-endocrine cells. Because there is evidence that the poorly differentiated vacuolated cells give rise to the other cells of the epithelium, those which also contain mucous globules or dense granules are likely to be differentiating into mucous cells or entero-endocrine cells respectively. In the pyloric stomach, where the glands are mainly composed of mucous cells, some of which are poorly differentiated, a few of the latter exhibit, besides the mucous globules, entero-endocrine type granules or features of caveolated cells. It is likely that the poorly differentiated mucous cells give rise to the other gland cells; and, therefore, those mucous-containing cells which also display dense granules or caveolated cell features are taken to be differentiating into entero-endocrine or caveolated cells respectively. Most of the cells containing two kinds of secretory materials are believed to be stem cells which initially contain a few vacuoles (colon) or mucous globules (pylorus) but are differentiating into a cell containing a different type of secretion. Rare observations of two kinds of secretory materials in a mature cell suggest that the transitional period may be prolonged, perhaps indefinitely.     

Radioautographic comparison of RNA synthesis patterns in the epithelial cells of mouse pyloric antrum following 3H-uridine and 3H-orotic acid injections

RNA synthesis was examined in the epithelial cells of the mouse pyloric antrum using radioautography 20 min after injection of either 3H-uridine or 3H-orotic acid. The epithelium of the mouse antrum was known to invaginate into blind tubular units composed of mucous cells arranged from base to top into a gland, an isthmus, and a pit. These were subdivided into segments and, after radioautography, silver grains were counted over cell nuclei in each segment. Following 3H-uridine injection, silver grains were present over all nuclei but were more abundant over those of the isthmus than of the gland or the pit. When nuclei were examined in the electron microscope, nucleoplasmic as well as nucleolar silver grains were more numerous in the isthmus than in the pit or gland. Following 3H-orotic acid injection, silver grains were again present over all nuclei; but maximal incorporation appeared to be in pit cell nuclei where, by electron microscopy, it was mainly assigned to the nucleoplasm. When the incorporation was calculated per whole nucleus, however, it was less in pit cell than in isthmal cell nuclei. Even so, the proportion of label in pit cell nuclei was much greater than after 3H-uridine injection. The interpretation of these findings is based on the fact that isthmal cells are immature, whereas cells migrating from the isthmus to become gland or pit cells show increasing differentiation. The immature cells of the isthmus incorporate both uridine and orotic acid more effectively than do the differentiated cells of pit and gland. Since silver grain counts over nuclei provide an index of the rate of RNA synthesis, this synthesis proceeds more actively in the isthmus than in the pit or gland. This is true of ribosomal RNA synthesis, as shown by nucleolar grain counts, and of other RNA's synthesis, as shown by nucleoplasmic grain counts. It seems, however, that while uridine is involved in the synthesis of all types of RNA, orotic acid is mainly implicated in the synthesis of the heterogeneous RNA from which the messenger RNA arises.     

Electron immunocytochemical co-localization of prochymosin and pepsinogen in chief cells, mucous neck cells and transitional mucous neck/chief cells of the calf fundic glands

The electron immunocytochemical co-localization of prochymosin and pepsinogen in chief cells, mucous neck cells and transitional mucous neck/chief cells of calf fundic glands was studied using specific antisera for prochymosin and pepsinogen with a protein A-gold method. Prochymosin and pepsinogen immunoreactivities were detected in the same secretory granules of the chief, mucous neck and transitional cells, simultaneously using small and large colloidal gold particles. In chief cells, both immunoreactivities were distributed uniformly over the same zymogen granules showing a round, large, homogeneous and electron-dense appearance. In mucous neck cells, both immunoreactivities were found exclusively on the same electron-dense core located eccentrically in the mucous granule showing light or moderate electron density. In transitional mucous neck/chief cells, electron-dense cores became larger in size and some granules were occupied by the electron-dense core without a halo between the core and the limiting membrane. Both immunoreactivities were found uniformly over the electron-dense core. The granules having no halo in the transitional cells could not be distinguished from the typical zymogen granules in the chief cells.     

The effect of fixation conditions on the ultrastructural appearance of gastrin cell granules in the rat gastric pyloric antrum

The ultrastructural appearance of gastrin cell (G cell) granules was studied after different fixation procedures. When the pH of prefixation was varied there was greater preservation of the electron density of granule cores after acidic (pH 5.0 and 6.0) than after neutral or alkaline (pH 7.0 and 8.0) prefixation. Increasing duration of prefixation at pH 7.3 resulted in progressive loss of electron density of the granule core with swelling and occasional rupture of the limiting membrane. In tissues where most granules had been rendered electron lucent by fixation, those granules remaining dense cored were preferentially located close to the Golgi zone. These findings indicate that the electron density of G cell granules is profoundly affected by conditions of fixation, and that immature granules are more resistant to loss of core density than mature granules. They also suggest that the gastrin granule in vivo, like other polypeptide granules, may have a "solid", osmotically inactive core.     

Ultrastructure of the gut neurotensin cell

Summary In mammals, neurotensin cells occur scattered in the epithelium of the jejunum-ileum. In chicken, neurotensin cells are abundant in the region of the gizzard-duodenal junction (antrum) where they occur intermingled with numerous somatostatin and gastrin cells. The neurotensin cells in chicken, dog and man were identified at the electron microscopic level by immunocytochemistry, using the consecutive semithin/ultrathin section technique. They contain numerous electron dense cytoplasmic granules, predominantly in the basal portion of the cell. It was shown that these granules are the storage site for neurotensin. The neurotensin granules are round, highly electron dense and of about the same size in the different species examined (mean diameter 260–290 nm). in dog and man the granules have a tightly applied surrounding membrane while in the chicken a relatively electron lucent zone separates the electron dense core from the granule membrane. The ultrastructure of the neurotensin granules in chicken is some-what reminiscent of that of the gastrin granules. The mean diameter of the gastrin granules in chicken antrum is 230 nm; for the somatostatin granules the mean diameter is 305 nm.     

Ultrastructure of the gut neurotensin cell.

In mammals, neurotensin cells occur scattered in the epithelium of the jejunum-ileum. In chicken, neurotensin cells are abundant in the region of the gizzard-duodenal junction (antrum) where they occur intermingled with numerous somatostatin and gastrin cells. The neurotensin cells in chicken, dog and man were identified at the electron microscopic level by immunocytochemistry, using the consecutive semithin/ultrathin section technique. They contain numerous electron dense cytoplasmic granules, pre-dominantly in the basal portion of the cell. It was shown that these granules are the storage site for neurotensin. The neurotensin granules are round, highly electron dense and of about the same size in the different species examined (mean diameter 260--290 nm). In dog and man the granules have a tightly applied surrounding membrane while in the chicken a relatively electron lucent zone separates the electron dense core from the granule membrane. The ultrastructure of the neurotensin granules in chicken is somewhat reminiscent of that of the gastrin granules. The mean diameter of the gastrin granules in chicken antrum is 230 nm; for the somatostatin granules the mean diameter is 305 nm.     

Endocrine cells of mucosal epithelium in the distal part of the intestine of Lacerta vivipara

The epithelium of the distal part of intestine of the lizard Lacerta vivipara has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The total number of endocrinocytes (argyrophilic cells) was found to increase from small bowel (57 +/- cell/mm2) to colon (9 +/- 69), and cloaca (99 +/- 8). Although the number of argentaffin cells increases from the small bowel to colon, cell decrease occurs from colon (42 +/- 6 cell/mm2) to cloaca (65 +/- 10 cell/mm2). On electronograms of the colon mucosal epithelium four types of endocrinocytes were identified. Type I--with secretory granules polymorphic for the size and form, with a high electron density core, and average size 206 +/- 31 nm. Type II--with secretory granules 265 +/- 20 nm in size, having spherical form and highly electronic dense contents. Type III--contains largest (350 +/- 12 nm), spherical, oval or irregularly-shaped secretory granules, with contents of various electronic density. Type IV--endocrine cells having small (176 +/- 5 nm) spherical or oval secretory granules with a highly electronic dense core. Besides, "mixed" cells were identified, whose cytoplasm contained simultaneously mucous and endocrinous granules.     

Sorting during transport to the surface of PC12 cells: divergence of synaptic vesicle and secretory granule proteins

PC12 cells, a cell line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma, have both regulated and constitutive secretory pathways. Regulated secretion occurs via large dense core granules, which are related to chromaffin granules and are abundant in these cells. In addition, PC12 cells also contain small electron-lucent vesicles, whose numbers increase in response to nerve growth factor and which may be related to cholinergic synaptic vesicles. These could characterize a second regulated secretory pathway. We have investigated the trafficking of protein markers for both these organelles. We have purified and characterized the large dense core granules from these cells using sequential velocity and equilibrium gradients. We demonstrate the copurification of the major PC12 soluble regulated secretory protein (secretogranin II) with this organelle. As a marker for the synaptic vesicle-like organelles in this system, we have used the integral membrane glycoprotein p38 or synaptophysin. We show that the p38-enriched fraction of PC12 cells comigrates with rat brain synaptic vesicles on an equilibrium gradient. We also demonstrate that p38 purifies away from the dense core granules; less than 5% of this protein is found in our dense granule fraction. Finally we show that p38 does not pass through the dense granule fraction in pulse-chase experiments. These results rule out the possibility of p38 reaching the small clear vesicles via mature dense granules and imply that these cells may have two independently derived regulated pathways.     

Chromogranin B-induced secretory granule biogenesis: comparison with the similar role of chromogranin A

The two major proteins of secretory granules of secretory cells, chromogranins A (CGA) and B (CGB), have previously been proposed to play key roles in secretory granule biogenesis. Recently, CGA was reported to play an on/off switch role for secretory granule biogenesis. In the present study we found CGB being more effective than CGA in inducing secretory granule formation in non-neuroendocrine NIH3T3 and COS-7 cells. The mean number of dense core granules formed/cell of CGA-transfected NIH3T3 cells was 2.51, whereas that of CGB-transfected cells was 4.02, indicating the formation of 60% more granules in the CGB-transfected cells. Similarly, there were 55% more dense core granules formed in the CGB-transfected COS-7 cells than in the CGA-transfected cells. Moreover, transfection of CGA- and CGB-short interfering RNA (siRNA) into neuroendocrine PC12 cells not only decreased the amount of CGA and CGB expressed but also reduced the number of secretory granules by 41 and 78%, respectively, further suggesting the importance of CGB expression in secretory granule formation.     

Endocrine secretory granules and neuronal synaptic vesicles have three integral membrane proteins in common

In response to an external stimulus, neuronal cells release neurotransmitters from small synaptic vesicles and endocrine cells release secretory proteins from large dense core granules. Despite these differences, endocrine cells express three proteins known to be components of synaptic vesicle membranes. To determine if all three proteins, p38, p65, and SV2, are present in endocrine dense core granule membranes, monoclonal antibodies bound to beads were used to immunoisolate organelles containing the synaptic vesicle antigens. [3H]norepinephrine was used to label both chromaffin granules purified from the bovine adrenal medulla and rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Up to 80% of the vesicular [3H]norepinephrine was immunoisolated from both labeled purified bovine chromaffin granules and PC12 postnuclear supernatants. In PC12 cells transfected with DNA encoding human growth hormone, the hormone was packaged and released with norepinephrine. 90% of the sedimentable hormone was also immunoisolated by antibodies to all three proteins. Stimulated secretion of PC12 cells via depolarization with 50 mM KCl decreased the amount of [3H]norepinephrine or human growth hormone immunoisolated. Electron microscopy of the immunoisolated fractions revealed large (greater than 100 nm diameter) dense core vesicles adherent to the beads. Thus, large dense core vesicles containing secretory proteins possess all three of the known synaptic vesicle membrane proteins.     

Ultrastructure of neurosecretory cells in the frontal ganglion of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta(L)

Ultrastructural evidence is presented to indicate the synthesis, storage, and packaging of neurosecretory material in the frontal ganglion of Mandaca sera. Two morphologically distinct stages in the development of NSG were observed in the NSC. The immature granule contains granular electron dense material and arises from dilations of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In diapause pupae the immature granules accumulate, whereas in developing larvae and pupae, they fuse with the proximal face of the Golgi apparatus. The mature granule contains opaque electron dense material and is seen in close association with the distal cisternae of the Golgi apparatus in developing pupae and larvae. The mature granules presumably contain the material from the immature granules which has been chemically altered and condensed by the Golgi apparatus and probably represent the mature NSG.The second process in neurosecretory cells of developing larvae is cyclic and the various stages are described. A comparison of neurosecretion in photoperiodically induced diapause and developing (non-diapause) larvae and pupae is presented.     

Electron microscopic study of teleost (Pimelodus maculatus) pancreatic islet cells

The endocrine pancreas of the freshwater teleost Pimelodus maculatus was studied by electron microscopy. Based on the granule morphology 2 cell types were described: Secretory granules of type I cells are rounded, nearly completely filling the limiting membranous sac which measures from 120 to 150 nm in diameter; the type II granules are also rounded and measure from 220 to 270 nm in diameter; they consist of an eccentrical electron dense core separated from the limiting membrane by a wide electron lucent halo. These characteristics are correlated with those found in other teleosts.     

Precocious loss of cortical granules during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation and correlation with an egg-induced modification of the zona pellucida

Fertilization results in cortical granule exocytosis, which is thought to be involved in modifications of the zona pellucida that constitute the zona pellucida block to polyspermy. A previous report demonstrated that a decrease in the number of Lens culinaris agglutinin-staining granules, which are likely to be cortical granules, occurred during in vivo mouse oocyte maturation with arrest at metaphase II, as well as the formation of a cortical granule-free domain in the area of the metaphase II spindle (T. Ducibella, E. Anderson, D.F. Albertini, J. Aalberg, and S. Rangarajan, 1988, Dev. Biol. 130, 184-197). We extend these observations by reporting here that germinal vesicle-intact oocytes matured in vitro to metaphase II in either the absence or the presence of serum develop a cortical granule-free domain and have reduced numbers of cortical granules when compared to germinal vesicle-intact oocytes; these changes are similar to those of oocytes matured in vivo. The reduction in the number of cortical granules requires germinal vesicle breakdown, since it is prevented by dibutyryl cAMP, which inhibits germinal vesicle breakdown in vitro. The ability of oocytes to respond to the calcium ionophore A23187 with a reduction in the number of cortical granules is also associated with meiotic maturation and develops between 7 and 12 hr after initiation of maturation. The maturation-associated reduction in the number of cortical granules is likely to represent cortical granule exocytosis, since this reduction is accompanied by the formation of a cortical granule-free domain and a conversion of ZP2 to ZP2f when the oocytes are matured in vitro in serum-free medium; this zona pellucida modification occurs following fertilization and is thought to be due to cortical granule exocytosis. In contrast, the loss of cortical granules and development of the cortical granule-free domain of oocytes matured in vitro in the presence of serum is not accompanied by the modification of ZP2. The inhibitory effect of serum on the ZP2 modification may afford in vivo a physiological mechanism to prevent a precocious modification of the zona pellucida that could result in a premature block to polyspermy and hence inhibit fertilization.     

The cells of the rat gastric groove and cardia

The distal wall of the groove between the rat forestomach and glandular stomach is lined with a special type of columnar cells (CCGG) and with fibrillovesicular cells (FVC). The cardiac glands contain cardiac mucosa (CMC) and serous cells (CSC). The CCGG contain small mucous granules and special vesicles and tubules. The CMC are filled with large mucous granules and resemble mucous neck cells. The CSC are filled with large proteinaceous granules. The FVC are characterized by long microvilli, apical bundles of microfilaments and a complex "tubulovesicular system". The pattern of 3H-thymidine incorporation and the presence of immature and transitional forms indicate a possible origin of all the cell types concerned from a common undifferentiated precursor. The membranes of the tubulovesicular system of FVC as well as the apical cell membrane were reactive to Thiéry's carbohydrate stain. However, lanthanum tracing of the extracellular space and ultrastructural stereoscopy did not reveal a permanent continuity between both membrane systems. The absence of 3H-thymidine label showed that FVC were not proliferative. The structural characteristics of FVC do not account for a secretory, resorptive or receptive function. The special arrangement of microfilaments and the tubulovesicular system suggests an ability to fast changes in surface area.     

The endocrine cells of the pyloric glands of adult ox

As part of a project to identify the endocrine cells ("EC" and "APUD" series) of the gastroenteric apparatus of ruminants, the ultrastructure of the mucosa of the pyloric glands of adult ox was studied morphologically and cytochemically, in parallel with a light microscope histochemical analysis. The results show that: the "EC" cells (producing 5-HT) are recognizable by their secretory granules which are heavily osmiophilic, argentaffin ("Masson") and argyrophilic ("Grimelius"). A further distinction is possible on the basis of their morphological features: the "EC" cells of the gastric type (which belong to the "ECn" group) contain granules fairly homogeneous in shape and size, while the "EC" cells of the intestinal type (or "EC1") show granules which are more pleiomorphic and variable in size. Of particular interest is the presence in some cells of granules typical of the "EC" cells of the intestinal type, in the vicinity of a few others, which appear quite similar to those of the adjoining exocrine cells; the "G" cells (gastrin producing) contain medium sized granules, which are unreactive to "Masson" and poorly argyrophilic. Their morphology is rather diverse; some of them (these are the "typical" cells) have a granular and weakly electron dense content, others (which we consider "atypical") show a homogeneous and heavily osmiophilic core, with an eccentrical empty area. Also present are granules whose appearance is intermediate and empty vesicles; the "D cells" (somatostatin producting) show round, medium sized granules which have a granular, moderately osmiophilic core, tightly encircled by the membrane. These granules are unreactive to "Masson" and to "Grimelius"; the "D1" cells (whose function is yet unclear) contain small, round granules whose core is variously but discretely electron dense and not always homogeneous; they are unreactive to "Masson" and fairly argyrophilic. These granules may be numerous and packed, or scarce; in this latter instance the few granules are intermingled with variously running tufts of parallel filaments, thus resembling the "P" cells, whose function is still undefined. These data show therefore that the types of endocrine cells we have identified in the pyloric glands of adult ox correspond to those described in other mammals; "X" and "F" or "PP" cell appear to be lacking.     

Ultrastructural Study of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate Granules from Bacillus cereus

The freeze-etching technique was used to examine the effects of fracturing and etching on the appearance of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate granules from Bacillus cereus. These granules were examined in extracts isolated by hypochlorite or by sonic treatment, and also in fixed and unfixed intact cells; in the latter case they were compared with granules in thin sections of intact cells. After freeze-fracturing, the diameter of the granules in intact cells was between 240 and 720 nm. The granules consisted of a central core, of diameter between 140 and 370 nm, which occupied less than 50% of the volume of the granule and which was either stretched or removed on fracturing; the core was surrounded by an outer coat which may be bounded by a membrane.     

Granule matrix property and rapid "kiss-and-run" exocytosis contribute to the different kinetics of catecholamine release from carotid glomus and adrenal chromaffin cells at matched quantal size

Catecholamine-containing small dense core granules (SDCGs, vesicular diameter of ~100 nm) are prominent in carotid glomus (chemosensory) cells and some neurons, but the release kinetics from individual SDCGs has not been studied in detail. In this study, we compared the amperometric signals from glomus cells with those from adrenal chromaffin cells, which also secrete catecholamine but via large dense core granules (LDCGs, vesicular diameter of ~200-250 nm). When exocytosis was triggered by whole-cell dialysis (which raised the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) to ~0.5 μmol/L), the proportion of the type of signal that represents a flickering fusion pore was 9-fold higher for glomus cells. Yet, at the same range of quantal size (Q, the total amount of catecholamine that can be released from a granule), the kinetics of every phase of the amperometric spike signals from glomus cells was faster. Our data indicate that the last phenomenon involved at least 2 mechanisms: (i) the granule matrix of glomus cells can supply a higher concentration of free catecholamine during exocytosis; (ii) a modest elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) triggers a form of rapid "kiss-and-run" exocytosis, which is very prevalent among glomus SDCGs and leads to incomplete release of their catecholamine content (and underestimation of their Q value).