Uptake and storage of indolamines in the ultimobranchial body of the fetal murine thyroid. 1-Autoradiographic histological study]

Incorporation of 3H-5 HTP is studied in ultimobranchial cells and thyroid cells of the mouse foetus from the 13th day to the 18th day of gestation. The APUD characteristics of these cells are first observed on the 14th day when the U.B. bodies are included in the thyroid anlage. The silver granules are then localized on the parafollicular cell cords from which C cells of the adult thyroid arize.     

Cytochemical demonstration of cholinesterase in follicle cells and parafollicular (C-) cells of the rat thyroid gland

Summary The localization of cholinesterase in rat thyroid gland has been studied light- and electron-microscopically after incubation in an acetyl-thiocholin medium.The enzyme, a pseudocholinesterase, is found in follicle cells as well as in parafollicular (C-) cells.The distribution and volume of cholinesterase-containing cells have been investigated under normal conditions by means of a point count method. The results indicate some constancy in the pattern of distribution and in volume.This work was supported by a grant (A 1/65) from the Danish State Research Foundation.     

Distribution,ontogeny and ultrastructure of somatostatin immunoreactive cells in the pancreas and gut

Summary Somatostatin cells are numerous in the pancreas and digestive tract of mammals as well as birds. In the pancreas of chicken, cat and dog they occur in both the exocrine parenchyma and in the islets. In the rat and rabbit, somatostatin cells have a peripheral location in the islets, whereas in the cat, dog and man the cells are usually more randomly distributed. In the stomach of rabbits and pigs, somatostatin cells are more numerous in the oxyntic gland area than in the pyloric gland area, whereas the reverse is true for the cat, dog and man. In the cat, pig and man, somatostatin cells are fairly numerous in the duodenum, whereas in the rat, rabbit and dog they are few in this location. In the remainder of the intestines somatostatin cells are few but regularly observed. Somatostatin cells are numerous in the human fetal pancreas and gut. In the fetal rat, somatostatin cells first appear in the pancreas and duodenum (at about the 16–17th day of gestation) and subsequently in the remainder of the intestine. Somatostatin cells do not appear in the gastric mucosa until after birth. Three weeks after birth, somatostatin cells show the adult frequency of occurrence and pattern of distribution. In the chicken, somatostatin cells are numerous in the proventriculus, absent from the gizzard, abundant in the gizzard-duodenal junction (antrum), infrequent in the duodenum and virtually absent from the remainder of the intestines. No immunoreactive cells can be observed in the thyroid of any species nor in the ultimobranchial gland of the chicken. In the chick embryo, somatostatin cells are first detected in the pancreas and proventriculus (at about the 12th day of incubation). They appear in the remainder of the gut much later, in the duodenum at the 16th day, in the antrum at about the 19th day and still later in the lower small intestine. The ultrastructure of the somatostatin cells was studied in the chicken, rat, cat and man; the cells were identified by the consecutive semithin/ultrathin section technique. The somatostatin cells display the properties of the D cell. There was no difference in granule ultrastructure between somatostatin cells in the gut and the pancreas. The granules, which are the storage site of the peptide, are round, supplied with a tightly fitting membrane and have a moderately electron-dense, fine-granulated core. The mean diameter of the somatostatin granules is smallest in rat (155–170 nm) and largest in the chicken (270–290 nm).     

Ontogeny and distribution of certain endocrine cells in the human fetal large intestine

Summary In 9 fetuses, 9 to 24 weeks-old, the occurrence and relative distribution of argentaffin cells, as well as of cells immunoreactive to somatostatin (SRIF), glucagon-like polypeptide (GLI), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and substance P (SP) were studied in five segments of the colon (appendix, cecum, ascending colon, descending colon, and rectosigmoid). For each colonic segment, data concerned with the occurrence of endocrine cells were expressed either as mean absolute numbers of specific cells per entire mucosal section, or as cell densities per mm³ of mucosa after calculation of the mucosal volume of the sections. Argentaffin, GLI, SRIF and PP immunoreactive cells are all present in relatively large numbers, scattered along the entire length of the colonic mucosa as early as the 9th–10th week of gestation, whereas substance P-containing cells occur sporadically and first appear during the 14th–17th week. Until the 20th week, with progressing embryonic development, an increase was determined in absolute numbers per section of all types of endocrine cells in all segments of the colon. This observation is clearly related to the general growth of the colonic mucosa, since cell densities per mm³ of mucosa do not greatly change or even decrease during gestation. However, it is possible that densities of argentaffin, GLI and BPP cells increase in the appendix around the 14th–17th week of gestation. Between the 20th and 24th week, absolute numbers of cells per section remain stable or slightly increase, while cell densities tend rather to decrease in all segments. These data demonstrate that some endocrine cells are present very early in the human fetal colon, but their functional significance remains to be elucidated.This work was supported by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)     

Fine structure of the fetal rat thyroid and parathyroid glands at term and during prolonged gestation

Summary The fine structure of the fetal rat thyroid and parathyroid glands was studied at term and during prolonged gestation, which was induced by subcutaneous injections of progesterone to the mothers from gestational days 20 through 24. At term, the follicular and parafollicular cells of the thyroid as well as cells of the parathyroid exhibited well developed cytoplasmic organelles. Morphological changes were not detected in either of the endocrine glands during prolonged gestation. The results are discussed in relationship to 1) thyroid follicular cell activity during stress and 2) the function of thyroid parafollicular and parathyroid cells in calcium homeostasis.Supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada Grant No. MA4740.     

Origine embryonnaire et différenciation sécrétoire des cellules à calcitonine (cellules C) dans la thyroïde foetale du rat

Résumé Nos observations confirment l'origine ultimobranchiale des cellules C de la thyroïde du rat. L'évolution des corps ultimobranchiaux (C.U.B.) a été étudiée à partir du 16ème jour de gestation, stade où ils fusionnent avec l'ébauche thyroïdienne. Dès le 17ème jour, les premières cellules C se différencient dans le C.U.B. inclus dans la thyroïde. Au 18ème jour, elles sont plus nombreuses et commencent à se disperser dans les cordons thyroïdiens. La migration des cellules C est particulièrement importante au 19ème jour. A partir du 20ème jour, les signes d'activité sécrétoire s'intensifient très nettement. A la fin de la vie foetale, les cellules C sont comparables aux cellules C adultes. La differenciation des cellules parathyroïdiennes précède nettement celle des cellules C.

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Embryonic origin and secretory differentiation of the C cells in foetal rat thyroidElectron-microscopic study

Summary Our observations confirm the ultimobranchial origin of the C cells of the rat thyroid. We studied the development of the ultimobranchial body from the 16th day of pregnancy, when there is fusion with the thyroidian anlage, onwards. As early as the 17th day, the first C cells differentiate in the ultimobranchial body which is included into the thyroid. On the 18th day, they are more numerous and start to scatter throughout the thyroidian cords. The migration of the C cells is especially obvious on the 19th day. From the 20th day onwards, there is marked increase in secretory activity. At the end of the foetal life, the C cells resemble those of the adult. The differentiation of the parathyroid cells significantly precedes that of the C cells.

     

Chronology of Development in the Starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asterina pectinifera</Emphasis> from Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

The development of the starfish Asterina (= Patiria) pectinifera (Muller et Troschel) from fertilization to metamorphosis took 27–28 days at 22°C and a salinity of 33–33.4‰. The embryonic development was completed by the release of swimming ciliary blastula from egg envelopes 13 h after fertilization. The larvae passed into the stage of gastrula and reached the stage of dipleurula in 35 h and the stage of bipinnaria in 3.5 days. At the stage of brachiolaria, by the 12th day of development, two lateral brachioles and one medioventral brachiole with papillae developed in the larvae. The attachment disk and the primordia of five radial canals of the juvenile starfish became visible by the 15th and 18th days, respectively. By the 24th–25th day, a differentiated primordium of a juvenile starfish had developed in the brachiolaria. The size of the larvae prior to settlement was 1765.4 ± 51.5 µm. Metamorphosis was completed one day after settlement.Original Russian Text Copyright ¢ 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Kashenko.     

Monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin

Summary Twenty-seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to synthetic human calcitonin (CT) were characterized for their reactivities with human CT peptide fragments by dotblot analysis on nitrocellulose paper. Most of the antibodies bound to the C-terminus and fewer to the mid-region of CT. We have studied thyroid tissue specimens from several animal species after fixation in paraformaldehyde-, glutaraldehyde-or picric acid-containing mixtures and cryostat sectioning or embedment in paraffin or plastic (Epon 812 or Lowicryl 4KM) using this panel of MAbs. The site of antigen-antibody reaction was revealed either by immunoperoxidase, immunoalkaline phosphatase or by silver-enhanced immunogold staining methods. All MAbs were able to localize CT in human, rat and mouse thyroid C cells. Nineteen MAbs recognizing synthetic salmon CT and synthetic [Asu^1,7]-eel CT by bot-blot, reacted with chicken ultimobranchial body C cells. One MAb recognizing native porcine CT by dot-blot, stained C cells in hog thyroid. Immunopositivity was confined to the cytoplasm and ultrastructural immunogold labelling demonstrated that cytoplasmic secretory granules were stained. Surgical specimens from human medullary thyroid carcinoma were also analysed for the presence of CT and a variable number of positive cells was found. Furthermore, Congo red-positive areas were shown to react with the MAbs. All conventional staining and immunoabsorption controls were negative. Hence, these MAbs may be suitable for use in routine immunopathological diagnosis of CT-producing tumors and for immunocytochemical localization of the three major CT variants in different animal species.Presented in part at the International Symposium on Biotechnology in Clinical Medicine, BIOTECH RIA '87, 13th–15th April, 1987, Rome, Italy     

Occurrence of lysosomes and the differentiation of rat liver cells

Summary The occurrence of lysosomes has been investigated electron microscopically and cytochemically in cells of rat liver in the course of ontogenesis.It has been found that primary lysosomes occur during the whole period under investigation and that they originate from the Golgi complex. Some of them assume the appearance of multivesicular bodies. Acid phosphatase activity is lower at the prenatal stage than after the birth. The occurrence of secondary lysosomes proceeds in two stages. Secondary lysosomes appear in a high number at the beginning of differentiation of the liver diverticulum (10–12 day of embryonic life). On the subsequent days they are, with few exceptions, no more present. At the end of the embryonic period (starting with the 20th day) and especially after the birth, they progressively grow in number and move from the region of central cytoplasm peripherally towards the bile capillary.Differences in occurrence of secondary lysosomes are in connexion with reconstruction of the liver primordium at the beginning of liver development and with the change in metabolism of the liver cell after the birth.     

Cell differentiation of the fetal rat anterior pituitary in vitro

Summary Adenohypophysial primordia of rat embryos at 13 to 15 days gestation were cultured in Parker 199 synthetic medium for 2 to 11 days. At the end of the culture period their fine structure and the presence of immunoreactive trophic hormones using the peroxidase-labeled antibody technique were investigated. The degree of differentiation in the glands depends largely on the age of the embryos furnishing the explants. Cultured pituitaries explanted on the 13th day of gestation contain only ACTH-positive cells and about 15% of the cells are granular. The granules are 50–100 nm in diameter in some cells, while in other cells they range from 50 to 200 nm. In cultivated adenohypophysial primordia of embryos on the 15th day of intrauterine life ACTH, prolactin, LH and TSH cells are evident, but only the same two kinds of granular cells can be observed with the electron microscope. The extent of cytodifferentiation in the glands explanted on the 14th day of gestation is intermediate between the two other groups. The data suggest that the fetal rat pituitary has the capacity of self-differentiation but to a lesser extent than that of the in situ hypophysis.Dedicated to Professor W. Bargmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of neuron-specific enolase in parafollicular cells of the rat thyroid

Summary Using pre- and post-embedding procedures, neuron-specific enolase and calcitonin were localized in rat thyroid parafollicular cells by light and electron microscopy. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), biotin-avidin (ABC) and protein A — colloidal gold techniques were used. In paraffin sections neuron-specific enolase was demonstrated in all calcitonin-storing parafollicular cells in rats aging 1 to 180 days. The post-embedding procedure failed to detect neuron-specific enolase in ultrathin sections, but the enzyme could be demonstrated using a preembedding procedure. Neuron-specific enolase was localized exclusively within the cytosol of parafollicular cells, while calcitonin was localized within secretory granules applying either post- or pre-embedding incubation techniques.Supported by Sonderforschungsbereich 232     

Eya1 is required for the morphogenesis of mammalian thymus,parathyroid and thyroid

Eyes absent (Eya) genes regulate organogenesis in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Mutations in human EYA1 cause congenital Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) syndrome, while targeted inactivation of murine Eya1 impairs early developmental processes in multiple organs, including ear, kidney and skeletal system. We have now examined the role of Eya1 during the morphogenesis of organs derived from the pharyngeal region, including thymus, parathyroid and thyroid. The thymus and parathyroid are derived from 3rd pharyngeal pouches and their development is initiated via inductive interactions between neural crest-derived arch mesenchyme, pouch endoderm, and possibly the surface ectoderm of 3rd pharyngeal clefts. Eya1 is expressed in all three cell types during thymus and parathyroid development from E9.5 and the organ primordia for both of these structures failed to form in Eya1(-/-) embryos. These results indicate that Eya1 is required for the initiation of thymus and parathyroid gland formation. Eya1 is also expressed in the 4th pharyngeal region and ultimobranchial bodies. Eya1(-/-) mice show thyroid hypoplasia, with severe reduction in the number of parafollicular cells and the size of the thyroid lobes and lack of fusion between the ultimobranchial bodies and the thyroid lobe. These data indicate that Eya1 also regulates mature thyroid gland formation. Furthermore, we show that Six1 expression is markedly reduced in the arch mesenchyme, pouch endoderm and surface ectoderm in the pharyngeal region of Eya1(-/-) embryos, indicating that Six1 expression in those structures is Eya1 dependent. In addition, we show that in Eya1(-/-) embryos, the expression of Gcm2 in the 3rd pouch endoderm is undetectable at E10.5, however, the expression of Hox and Pax genes in the pouch endoderm is preserved at E9.5-10.5. Finally, we found that the surface ectoderm of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal region show increased cell death at E10.5 in Eya1(-/-) embryos. Our results indicate that Eya1 controls critical early inductive events involved in the morphogenesis of thymus, parathyroid and thyroid.     

Development and cytodifferentiation of C cell complexes in dog fetal thyroids

Summary The development of C-cell complexes was investigated in dog fetuses by an immunoperoxidase method with three specific antisera: anti-calcitonin, anti-C-thyroglobulin (C-Tg), and anti-19S thyroglobulin. Ultimobranchial bodies joined with the thyroid anlage and then dispersed into the parenchyma to form large C cell groups. Sparse reaction products of C-Tg initially appeared in C cells with small amounts of cytoplasm. Later at about day 39 of gestation, when the immunoreactivity of calcitonin and 19S thyroglobulin appeared weakly in C cells and follicular cells, C-cell complexes were identified as large cell masses containing numerous undifferentiated cells without no immunoreactivity for any of the antisera. As development proceeded, the undifferentiated cells developed progressively the morphology of C cells. In addition, the undifferentiated cells developed 19S thyroglobulin immunoreactivity, that is, within some of the complexes small clusters of cells filled with material immunoreactive for 19S thyroglobulin. They were not organized into follicles during the fetal period, and were very slow in development. Depending on the degree of development of the undifferentiated cells, several features of the complexes were noted. The present study indicates that not only C cells but also follicular thyroid cells appear to be derived from the ultimobranchial bodies.     

Quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography on the mouse thyroid gland after administration of 3H-L-DOPA

Summary The cellular and subcellular distribution of radioactivity in the mouse thyroid gland different times (20 min — 8 hours) after intravenous administration of ³H-L-DOPA was studied by means of quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography.High concentrations of autoradiographic silver grains occur over parafollicular cells and adrenergic nerves while the labelling of follicular cells and lumina is low or absent and similar to the labelling of connective tissue cells at all observation times.Over the parafollicular cells high levels of radioactivity can be recorded already 20 min after administration of the labelled amino acid. The grain counts are highest at 1 hour and decrease then at 2.5 and 8 hours.The intracellular distribution of label is similar at all observation times; thus, the concentration of silver grains over the typical cytoplasmic granules of the parafollicular cells is 4–5 times higher compared to the concentration over the remainder of the cytoplasm and the nucleus.Treatment with a decarboxylase inhibitor prior to the injection of ³H-L-DOPA results in a low and uniform labelling of all thyroid cells. This finding, taken together with the observation that also pretreatment with reserpine abolishes the autoradiographic reaction over the cytoplasmic granules, gives strong support to the idea that the great majority of silver grains observed over parafollicular cells represents dopamine formed by decarboxylation of the labelled precursor.This study was supported by grant K71-12X-3352-01 from the Swedish Medical Research Council. The author wishes to express his gratitude to Mrs. Gunnel Bokhede and Miss Dala Sjögren for expert technical assistance.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in normal thyroid parafollicular cells

The rat TRH gene encodes a 255-amino-acid precursor polypeptide, preproTRH, containing five copies of TRH and seven non-TRH peptides. Expression of this gene is well documented in the central nervous system, particularly in the hypothalamus. Thyroids also contain TRH immunoreactivity, but it is unknown whether this immunoreactivity results from expression of the TRH gene or from other genes encoding TRH-like products. Since the CA77 neoplastic parafollicular cell line expresses the TRH gene, we investigated whether TRH gene expression also occurs in normal thyroid parafollicular cells. Northern analysis of total thyroid RNA with a preproTRH-specific RNA probe identified a single hybridizing band the same size as authentic TRH mRNA found in hypothalamus and CA77 cells. Gel filtration analysis of thyroid extracts identified the same 7-kilodalton and 3-kilodalton species of immunoreactive preproTRH53-74 previously identified in hypothalamus and CA77 cells. Immunoreactive preproTRH115-151, not previously identified, was found in all three tissues. Part of this immunoreactivity comigrated with the synthetic preproTRH115-151 standard on gel filtration and reversed-phase HPLC. PreproTRH53-74 was localized to thyroid parafollicular cells by immunostaining. These findings demonstrate authentic TRH gene expression by normal rat thyroid parafollicular cells and establish the CA77 cell line as the only model system of a normal TRH-producing tissue. In addition to expanding the range of neuroendocrine peptides known to be produced by parafollicular cells, these results also suggest a potential paracrine regulatory role for TRH gene products within the thyroid.     

Immunolocalization of albumin and transferrin in germ cells and Sertoli cells during rat gonadal morphogenesis and postnatal development of the testis

The localization of albumin and transferrin was examined immunohistochemically in germ cells and Sertoli cells during rat gonadal morphogenesis and postnatal development of the testis. These proteins appeared as early as the 13th day of gestation in migrating primordial germ cells before Sertoli cell differentiation. In the fetal testis, strong immunoreactivity was only detected in the gonocytes. In the prepubertal testis, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and some Sertoli cells accumulate albumin and transferrin. At puberty, different patterns of immunostaining of the germ cells were observed at the various stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Diplotene spermatocytes at stage XIII, spermatocytes in division at stage XIV, and round spermatids at stages IV–VIII showed maximal staining. Labeling was evident in the cytoplasm of adult Sertoli cells. Albumin and transferrin staining patterns paralleled each other during ontogenesis.     

Autoradiographic studies with 3H 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 in thyroid and associated tissues of the neck region

Rats and mice fed a vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D-complete diet were injected with 3H 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3. Autoradiograms prepared from cross sections through the neck region revealed nuclear concentration of radioactivity strongest in parathyroid chief cells, occasionally in thyroid follicular epithelial and interfollicular cells, in the epithelium of tubular remnants of the ultimobranchial body, in epithelium of the esophagus, in chondrocytes of tracheal cartilage, and in myoepithelial cells of tracheal glands. In the thyroid, most of the follicle epithelial cells did not show nuclear concentration of radioactivity which occurred only occasionally and predominantly in follicles located in marginal positions. Thyroglobulin in lumina of thyroid follicles contained varying amounts of radioactivity that correspond to the diameter of the follicles, with relatively high amounts in large follicles and little or no radioactivity in small follicles. Competition with excess of unlabeled 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 abolished nuclear radioactivity, but not the radioactivity in the colloid, while 25 (OH) vitamin D3 did not affect either. When a combination of autoradiography and immunohistochemistry was applied, follicular and parafollicular C-cells positive for calcitonin antibodies, did not show nuclear concentration of radioactivity. Tubular remnants of ultimobranchial bodies, however, showed distinct nuclear labeling, but did not stain, or only weakly stain, with antibodies to calcitonin. When 3H 25 (OH) vitamin D3 was injected, no nuclear concentration of radioactivity was noted in any of the tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Occurrence of the neurosecretory substance during the embryonic development of the guinea pig

Summary The time and place of occurrence of the neurosecretory substance in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system of the guinea pig during embryogenesis have been investigated. Use is made of the luminiscence of neurosecretion stained with paraldehydefuchsin when observed in a dark field. It is established that the neurosecretory material occurs first in some cells of the supraoptic nucleus about the 39th–40th day of intrauterine development. In the paraventricular nucleus it is observed about the 44th–45th day. At that time it is seen also in Eminentia mediana and in the neurohypophysis. In the latter, however, it is in a smaller amount than in the areas situated above it. These results are discussed in connection with the transport theory of Bargmann and Scharrer.     

Laminin ultrastructural immunolocalization in rat testis during ontogenesis

Summary The synthesis of one of the main glycoproteins of the basement membrane, the laminin, was demonstrated by ultrastructural immunolocalization during rat foetal (16th day to 20th day of gestation) and postnatal development of the testis. The lamina densa, part of seminiferous tubular basement membrane, is labeled uniformly at all studied stages. The lamina lucida is not well defined before the postnatal stages, at which times discrete immunostaining extends from the lamina densa to the adjacent seminiferous epithelial cells (spermatogonia and Sertoli cells). The extracellular matrix around the peritubular cells is not labeled before birth. Intracellular immunostaining was detected as early as the 16th day of gestation in both Sertoli cells and cells around the seminiferous tubules which will transform later into peritubular cells. It was located in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae and secretory vesicles. After 18–20 days of postnatal life, the immunostaining faints progressively. Some positive material is seen in the RER of the gonocytes at all studied stages.Sertoli cells and peritubular cells are the main producing cells of laminin after the 16th of gestation. The laminin secreted by gonocytes may play an important role in adhesion of gonocytes to the lamina densa and adjacent Sertoli cells before their transition from basal compartment to adluminal compartment.     

Immunohistochemical study on the development of CRF-containing neurons in the hypothalamus of the rat

Summary Appearance of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons was studied in developing hypothalamus of the rat by use of antisera against rat- and ovine CRF. These neurons were first recognized in the lateral and paraventricular nuclei on days 15.5 and 16.5 of gestation, respectively, when antiserum against rat CRF was employed. Antiserum against ovine CRF revealed the cells two days later exclusively in the latter nucleus. In both nuclei, the neurons increased in number with development. The neurons in the paraventricular nucleus appeared to project their immunoreactive processes to the median eminence via the periventricular and lateral pathways. In the median eminence, the immunoreaction with antiserum to rat CRF was first recognized in its anterior portion in the form of dots on day 16.5 of gestation but as beaded fibers in the external layer on day 17.5; these structures increased in amount with development in rostro-caudal direction. Although antiserum to ovine CRF was less potent in immunostainability than antiserum to rat CRF, it also revealed the beaded fibers in the median eminence on day 17.5 of gestation. Since evidence is available that the paraventricular nucleus is involved in corticotropin release, it is concluded that, in rats, the hypothalamic regulatory mechanism controlling the release of corticotropin initially appears on days 16.5–17.5 of gestation.