Sample records for epithelium modifications intracellulaires

  1. Epithelium

    MedlinePlus

    The term "epithelium" refers to layers of cells that line hollow organs and glands. It is also those cells that make ... Kierszenbaum AL, Tres LL. Epithelium. In: Kierszenbaum AL, Tres LL, ... to Pathology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; ...

  2. The junctional epithelium originates from the odontogenic epithelium of an erupted tooth.

    PubMed

    Yajima-Himuro, Sara; Oshima, Masamitsu; Yamamoto, Gou; Ogawa, Miho; Furuya, Madoka; Tanaka, Junichi; Nishii, Kousuke; Mishima, Kenji; Tachikawa, Tetsuhiko; Tsuji, Takashi; Yamamoto, Matsuo

    2014-05-02

    The junctional epithelium (JE) is an epithelial component that is directly attached to the tooth surface and has a protective function against periodontal diseases. In this study, we determined the origin of the JE using a bioengineered tooth technique. We transplanted the bioengineered tooth germ into the alveolar bone with an epithelial component that expressed green fluorescence protein. The reduced enamel epithelium from the bioengineered tooth fused with the oral epithelium, and the JE was apparently formed around the bioengineered tooth 50 days after transplantation. Importantly, the JE exhibited green fluorescence for at least 140 days after transplantation, suggesting that the JE was not replaced by oral epithelium. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the origin of the JE was the odontogenic epithelium, and odontogenic epithelium-derived JE was maintained for a relatively long period.

  3. The junctional epithelium originates from the odontogenic epithelium of an erupted tooth

    PubMed Central

    Yajima-Himuro, Sara; Oshima, Masamitsu; Yamamoto, Gou; Ogawa, Miho; Furuya, Madoka; Tanaka, Junichi; Nishii, Kousuke; Mishima, Kenji; Tachikawa, Tetsuhiko; Tsuji, Takashi; Yamamoto, Matsuo

    2014-01-01

    The junctional epithelium (JE) is an epithelial component that is directly attached to the tooth surface and has a protective function against periodontal diseases. In this study, we determined the origin of the JE using a bioengineered tooth technique. We transplanted the bioengineered tooth germ into the alveolar bone with an epithelial component that expressed green fluorescence protein. The reduced enamel epithelium from the bioengineered tooth fused with the oral epithelium, and the JE was apparently formed around the bioengineered tooth 50 days after transplantation. Importantly, the JE exhibited green fluorescence for at least 140 days after transplantation, suggesting that the JE was not replaced by oral epithelium. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the origin of the JE was the odontogenic epithelium, and odontogenic epithelium-derived JE was maintained for a relatively long period. PMID:24785116

  4. The skin of fish as a transport epithelium: a review.

    PubMed

    Glover, Chris N; Bucking, Carol; Wood, Chris M

    2013-10-01

    The primary function of fish skin is to act as a barrier. It provides protection against physical damage and assists with the maintenance of homoeostasis by minimising exchange between the animal and the environment. However in some fish, the skin may play a more active physiological role. This is particularly true in species that inhabit specialised environmental niches (e.g. amphibious and air-breathing fish such as the lungfish), those with physiological characteristics that may subvert the need for the integument as a barrier (e.g. the osmoconforming hagfish), and/or fish with anatomical modifications of the epidermis (e.g. reduced epithelial thickness). Using examples from different fish groups (e.g. hagfishes, elasmobranchs and teleosts), the importance of fish skin as a transport epithelium for gases, ions, nitrogenous waste products, and nutrients was reviewed. The role of the skin in larval fish was also examined, with early life stages often utilising the skin as a surrogate gill, prior to the development of a functional branchial epithelium.

  5. The genetic and epigenetic landscapes of the epithelium in asthma.

    PubMed

    Moheimani, Fatemeh; Hsu, Alan C-Y; Reid, Andrew T; Williams, Teresa; Kicic, Anthony; Stick, Stephen M; Hansbro, Philip M; Wark, Peter A B; Knight, Darryl A

    2016-09-22

    Asthma is a global health problem with increasing prevalence. The airway epithelium is the initial barrier against inhaled noxious agents or aeroallergens. In asthma, the airway epithelium suffers from structural and functional abnormalities and as such, is more susceptible to normally innocuous environmental stimuli. The epithelial structural and functional impairments are now recognised as a significant contributing factor to asthma pathogenesis. Both genetic and environmental risk factors play important roles in the development of asthma with an increasing number of genes associated with asthma susceptibility being expressed in airway epithelium. Epigenetic factors that regulate airway epithelial structure and function are also an attractive area for assessment of susceptibility to asthma. In this review we provide a comprehensive discussion on genetic factors; from using linkage designs and candidate gene association studies to genome-wide association studies and whole genome sequencing, and epigenetic factors; DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (especially microRNAs), in airway epithelial cells that are functionally associated with asthma pathogenesis. Our aims were to introduce potential predictors or therapeutic targets for asthma in airway epithelium. Overall, we found very small overlap in asthma susceptibility genes identified with different technologies. Some potential biomarkers are IRAKM, PCDH1, ORMDL3/GSDMB, IL-33, CDHR3 and CST1 in airway epithelial cells. Recent studies on epigenetic regulatory factors have further provided novel insights to the field, particularly their effect on regulation of some of the asthma susceptibility genes (e.g. methylation of ADAM33). Among the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, microRNA networks have been shown to regulate a major portion of post-transcriptional gene regulation. Particularly, miR-19a may have some therapeutic potential.

  6. LYSOSOMAL FRACTIONS FROM TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

    PubMed Central

    Kanczak, Norbert M.; Krall, Joseph I.; Hayes, E. Russell; Elliott, Willard B.

    1965-01-01

    Histochemical data suggested that the so called lipoid granules of transitional epithelium in some species are equivalent to lysosomes. Scrapings of bovine and canine transitional epithelium were subjected to differential centrifugation to confirm this identification biochemically. Fractions of rat liver, the classic source of lysosomes, were also prepared by the same methods to compare with the fractions obtained from urinary epithelium. In contrast to rat liver, uroepithelial fractions with a high relative specific activity for hydrolases were sedimented before the heavy mitochondria. Microscopically, these fractions contained the highest proportion of lipoid granules. The size and sedimentation characteristics of lysosomes from transitional epithelium more closely resembled those of lysosomes derived from rat kidney than those isolated from liver. PMID:14326111

  7. Progenitor Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Marty-Santos, Leilani

    2015-01-01

    Insulin-producing β cells within the vertebrate fetal pancreas acquire their fate in a step-wise manner. Whereas the intrinsic factors dictating the transcriptional or epigenetic status of pancreatic lineages have been intensely examined, less is known about cell–cell interactions that might constitute a niche for the developing β cell lineage. It is becoming increasingly clear that understanding and recapitulating these steps may instruct in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells and/or therapeutic regeneration. Indeed, directed differentiation techniques have improved since transitioning from 2D to 3D cultures, suggesting that the 3D microenvironment in which β cells are born is critical. However, to date, it remains unknown whether the changing architecture of the pancreatic epithelium impacts the fate of cells therein. An emerging challenge in the field is to elucidate how progenitors are allocated during key events, such as the stratification and subsequent resolution of the pre-pancreatic epithelium, as well as the formation of lumens and branches. Here, we assess the progenitor epithelium and examine how it might influence the emergence of pancreatic multipotent progenitors (MPCs), which give rise to β cells and other pancreatic lineages. PMID:26216134

  8. Unscheduled DNA synthesis in human bronchial epithelium treated with various chemical carcinogens in vitro

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ishikawa, T.; Ide, F.; Kodama, K.

    1984-07-01

    A system was developed in which organ culture of human bronchial epithelium was used in combination with autoradiography for quantitative measurement of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in bronchial epithelial cells. Human bronchi obtained at surgery were cut into small sections and treated with various carcinogens plus (methyl-/sup 3/H)thymidine in short-term organ culture. Significant numbers of silver grains, indicating UDS, were detected on the nuclei of epithelial cells of human bronchi treated with carcinogens, and the numbers were proportional to the concentrations of carcinogens. In this system seven representative carcinogens induced UDS. Four active metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene, and benz(a)anthracene also weremore » found to induce very active UDS in human bronchial epithelium. These findings suggest that human bronchial epithelial cells can repair different types of DNA modification induced by chemical carcinogens.« less

  9. A Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Anal Canal Epithelium in Humans and Swine, Focusing on the Anal Transitional Zone Epithelium and the Anal Glands.

    PubMed

    Muranaka, Futoshi; Nakajima, Tomoyuki; Iwaya, Mai; Ishii, Keiko; Higuchi, Kayoko; Ogiwara, Naoko; Miyagawa, Shinichi; Ota, Hiroyoshi

    2018-05-01

    To better understand the cellular origins and differentiation of anal canal epithelial neoplasms, the immunohistochemical profiles of the anal canal epithelium in humans and swine were evaluated. Formalin-fixed tissue sections were immunostained for mucin (MUC: MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B), desmoglein 3 (DGS3), p63, CDX2, SOX2, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The anal transitional zone (ATZ) epithelium covered the anal sinus and consisted of a stratified epithelium with mucous cells interspersed within the surface lining. Anal glands opened into the anal sinus. Ducts and acini of intraepithelial or periepithelial mucous type were the main structures of human anal glands, whereas those of swine were compound tubuloacinar mixed glands. Distal to the ATZ epithelium, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium merged with the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the perianal skin. MUC5AC expression predominated over MUC5B expression in the ATZ epithelium, while MUC5B expression was higher in the anal glands. SOX2 was positive in the ATZ epithelium, anal glands, and squamous epithelium except in the perianal skin. In humans, DGS3 was expressed in the ATZ epithelium, anal gland ducts, and squamous epithelium. p63 was detected in the ATZ epithelium, anal glands, and squamous epithelium. Myoepithelial cells positive for α-SMA and p63 were present in the anal glands of swine. Colorectal columnar cells were MUC5B + /MUC2 + /CDX2 + /MUC5AC - /SOX2 - . The ATZ epithelium seems to be a distinctive epithelium, with morphological and functional features allowing smooth defecation. The MUC5AC + /SOX2 + /MUC2 - /CDX2 - profile of the ATZ epithelium and anal glands is a useful feature for diagnosing adenocarcinoma arising from these regions. Anat Rec, 301:796-805, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Challenges and opportunities for tissue-engineering polarized epithelium.

    PubMed

    Paz, Ana C; Soleas, John; Poon, James C H; Trieu, Dennis; Waddell, Thomas K; McGuigan, Alison P

    2014-02-01

    The epithelium is one of the most important tissue types in the body and the specific organization of the epithelial cells in these tissues is important for achieving appropriate function. Since many tissues contain an epithelial component, engineering functional epithelium and understanding the factors that control epithelial maturation and organization are important for generating whole artificial organ replacements. Furthermore, disruption of the cellular organization leads to tissue malfunction and disease; therefore, engineered epithelium could provide a valuable in vitro model to study disease phenotypes. Despite the importance of epithelial tissues, a surprisingly limited amount of effort has been focused on organizing epithelial cells into artificial polarized epithelium with an appropriate structure that resembles that seen in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of epithelial tissue organization and highlight the importance of cell polarization to achieve appropriate epithelium function. We next describe the in vitro models that exist to create polarized epithelium and summarize attempts to engineer artificial epithelium for clinical use. Finally, we highlight the opportunities that exist to translate strategies from tissue engineering other tissues to generate polarized epithelium with a functional structure.

  11. Olfactory epithelium changes in germfree mice

    PubMed Central

    François, Adrien; Grebert, Denise; Rhimi, Moez; Mariadassou, Mahendra; Naudon, Laurent; Rabot, Sylvie; Meunier, Nicolas

    2016-01-01

    Intestinal epithelium development is dramatically impaired in germfree rodents, but the consequences of the absence of microbiota have been overlooked in other epithelia. In the present study, we present the first description of the bacterial communities associated with the olfactory epithelium and explored differences in olfactory epithelium characteristics between germfree and conventional, specific pathogen-free, mice. While the anatomy of the olfactory epithelium was not significantly different, we observed a thinner olfactory cilia layer along with a decreased cellular turn-over in germfree mice. Using electro-olfactogram, we recorded the responses of olfactory sensitive neuronal populations to various odorant stimulations. We observed a global increase in the amplitude of responses to odorants in germfree mice as well as altered responses kinetics. These changes were associated with a decreased transcription of most olfactory transduction actors and of olfactory xenobiotic metabolising enzymes. Overall, we present here the first evidence that the microbiota modulates the physiology of olfactory epithelium. As olfaction is a major sensory modality for most animal species, the microbiota may have an important impact on animal physiology and behaviour through olfaction alteration. PMID:27089944

  12. Cytokeratin expression in mouse lacrimal gland germ epithelium.

    PubMed

    Hirayama, Masatoshi; Liu, Ying; Kawakita, Tetsuya; Shimmura, Shigeto; Tsubota, Kazuo

    2016-05-01

    The lacrimal gland secretes tear fluids that protect the ocular surface epithelium, and its dysfunction leads to dry eye disease (DED). The functional restoration of the lacrimal gland by engraftment of a bioengineered lacrimal gland using lacrimal gland germ epithelial cells has been proposed to cure DED in mice. Here, we investigate the expression profile of cytokeratins in the lacrimal gland germ epithelium to clarify their unique characteristics. We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis to clarify the expression profile of cytokeratin in the lacrimal gland germ epithelium. The mRNA expression of keratin (KRT) 5, KRT8, KRT14, KRT15, and KRT18 in the lacrimal gland germ epithelium was increased compared with that in mouse embryonic stem cells and the lacrimal gland germ mesenchyme, as analyzed by Q-PCR. The expression level of KRT15 increased in the transition from stem cells to lacrimal gland germ epithelium, then decreased as the lacrimal gland matured. IHC revealed that the expression set of these cytokeratins in the lacrimal gland germ epithelium was different from that in the adult lacrimal gland. The expression of KRT15 was observed in the lacrimal gland germ epithelium, and it segmentalized into some of the basal cells in the intercanulated duct in mature gland. We determined the expression profile of cytokeratins in the lacrimal gland epithelium, and identified KRT15 as a candidate unique cellular marker for the lacrimal gland germ epithelium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Cyclosporine a inhibits apoptosis of rat gingival epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ma, Su; Liu, Peihong; Li, Yanwu; Hou, Lin; Chen, Li; Qin, Chunlin

    2014-08-01

    The use of cyclosporine A (CsA) induces hyperplasia of the gingival epithelium in a site-specific response manner, but the molecular mechanism via which the lesion occurs is unclear. The present research aims to investigate the site-specific effect of CsA on the apoptosis of gingival epithelium associated with gingival hyperplasia. Forty Wistar rats were divided into CsA-treated and non-treated groups. Paraffin-embedded sections of mandibular first molars were selected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry analyses of bcl-2 and caspase-3, and the staining of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The area of the whole gingival epithelium and the length of rete pegs were measured, and the number of bcl-2- and caspase-3-positive cells in the longest rete peg were counted. The analysis of variance for factorial designs and Fisher least significant difference test for post hoc analysis were used to determine the significance levels. In CsA-treated rats, bcl-2 expression was significantly upregulated, whereas caspase-3 expression was downregulated, along with a reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells. The site-specific distribution of bcl-2 was consistent with the site-specific hyperplasia of the gingival epithelium in CsA-treated rats. CsA inhibited gingival epithelial apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and common pathway. The antiapoptotic protein bcl-2 might play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the site-specific hyperplasia of gingival epithelium induced by CsA. There were mechanistic differences in the regulation of apoptosis for cells in the attached gingival epithelium, free gingival epithelium, and junctional epithelium.

  14. Corneal epithelium and UV-protection of the eye.

    PubMed

    Ringvold, A

    1998-04-01

    To study UV-absorption and UV-induced fluorescence in the bovine corneal epithelium. Spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry. The corneal epithelium absorbs UV-B radiation mainly owing to its content of protein, RNA, and ascorbate. Some of the absorbed energy is transformed to the less biotoxic UV-A radiation by fluorescence. RNA and ascorbate reduce tissue fluorescence. The corneal epithelium acts as a UV-filter, protecting internal eye structures through three different mechanisms: (1) Absorption of UV-B roughly below 310 nm wavelength. (2) Fluorescence-mediated ray transformation to longer wavelengths. (3) Fluorescence reduction. The extremely high ascorbate concentration in the corneal epithelium has a key role in two of these processes.

  15. THE PERMEABILITY OF RAT TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM

    PubMed Central

    Hicks, R. M.

    1966-01-01

    Permeability barriers must exist in transitional epithelium to prevent the free flow of water from underlying blood capillaries through the epithelium into the hypertonic urine, and such a barrier has now been demonstrated in isolated bladders. This barrier is passive in function and can be destroyed by damaging the luminal surface of the transitional epithelium with sodium hydroxide and 8 M urea solutions, by digesting it with trypsin, lecithinase C, and lecithinase D, or by treating it with lipid solvents such as Triton x 100 and saponin. From this it is concluded that the barrier depends on the integrity of lipoprotein cell membranes. The barrier function is also destroyed by sodium thioglycollate solutions, and electron microscope investigations show that sodium thioglycollate damages the thick asymmetric membrane which limits the luminal face of the superficial squamous cell. Cytochemical staining shows the epithelium to contain disulfide and thiol groups and to have a concentration of these groups at the luminal margin of the superficial cells. It thus appears that the permeability barrier also depends on the presence of disulfide bridges in the epithelium, and it is presumed that these links are located in keratin. Because of the effect of thioglycollates, both on the barrier function and on the morphology of the membrane, it is suggested that keratin may be incorporated in the thick barrier membrane. It is proposed that the cells lining the urinary bladder and ureters should be regarded as a keratinizing epitheluim. PMID:5901498

  16. Corneal epithelium, visual acuity, and laser refractive keratectomy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Simon, Gabriel; Parel, Jean-Marie A.; Kervick, Gerard N.; Rol, Pascal O.; Hanna, Khalil; Thompson, Keith P.

    1991-06-01

    Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using an argon fluoride excimer laser for photoablation of the cornea shows potential for the precise correction of refractive errors in patients. Usually, the epithelium is mechanically removed, and Bowman's layer and stromal tissue are photoablated to precomputed depths and shapes that are based on known ablation rates for these tissues. After four day's time, the epithelium has regrown. Assuming the epithelium to be preoperatively uniform in thickness across the central optical zone, and assuming that it regrows to the same thickness, a theoretical precision of +/- 0.05 diopters is achievable with PRK. Keratometric measurements of the epithelium and of Bowman's layer were made at the 2.0 and 3.6 mm optical zones on 10 fresh cadaver eyes (<21 hours postmortem). In the eyes studied, the epithelium thickness was found to vary across the central optical zone, accounting for the measured refractive differences of 0.5 to 1.8 diopters. Bowman's layer was found to be more prolated than the epithelial surface (ratios: 1.005 compared to 1.033). In addition, the surface of Bowman's layer had a larger degree of astigmatism. Other studies have shown that the epithelium regrowth is a function of the newly exposed corneal topography as the wing cells compensate for irregularities in Bowman's surface. As the preoperative topography of the epithelium cannot be used as a reference surface when computing photoablation depth, intraoperative keratometry of Bowman's surface becomes a necessity in PRK.

  17. Prevalence of ciliated epithelium in apical periodontitis lesions.

    PubMed

    Ricucci, Domenico; Loghin, Simona; Siqueira, José F; Abdelsayed, Rafik A

    2014-04-01

    This article reports on the morphologic features and the frequency of ciliated epithelium in apical cysts and discusses its origin. The study material consisted of 167 human apical periodontitis lesions obtained consecutively from patients presenting for treatment during a period of 12 years in a dental practice operated by one of the authors. All of the lesions were obtained still attached to the root apices of teeth with untreated (93 lesions) or treated canals (74 lesions). The former were obtained by extraction and the latter by extraction or apical surgery. Specimens were processed for histopathologic and histobacteriologic analyses. Lesions were classified, and the type of epithelium, if present, was recorded. Of the lesions analyzed, 49 (29%) were diagnosed as cysts. Of these, 26 (53%) were found in untreated teeth, and 23 (47%) related to root canal-treated teeth. Ciliated columnar epithelium was observed partially or completely lining the cyst wall in 4 cysts, and all of them occurred in untreated maxillary molars. Three of these lesions were categorized as pocket cysts, and the other was a true cyst. Ciliated columnar epithelium-lined cysts corresponded to approximately 2% of the apical periodontitis lesions and 8% of the cysts of endodontic origin in the population studied. This epithelium is highly likely to have a sinus origin in the majority of cases. However, the possibility of prosoplasia or upgraded differentiation into ciliated epithelium from the typical cystic lining squamous epithelium may also be considered. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Transport across the choroid plexus epithelium.

    PubMed

    Praetorius, Jeppe; Damkier, Helle Hasager

    2017-06-01

    The choroid plexus epithelium is a secretory epithelium par excellence. However, this is perhaps not the most prominent reason for the massive interest in this modest-sized tissue residing inside the brain ventricles. Most likely, the dominant reason for extensive studies of the choroid plexus is the identification of this epithelium as the source of the majority of intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid. This finding has direct relevance for studies of diseases and conditions with deranged central fluid volume or ionic balance. While the concept is supported by the vast majority of the literature, the implication of the choroid plexus in secretion of the cerebrospinal fluid was recently challenged once again. Three newer and promising areas of current choroid plexus-related investigations are as follows: 1 ) the choroid plexus epithelium as the source of mediators necessary for central nervous system development, 2 ) the choroid plexus as a route for microorganisms and immune cells into the central nervous system, and 3 ) the choroid plexus as a potential route for drug delivery into the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight current active areas of research in the choroid plexus physiology and a few matters of continuous controversy. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  19. Hair cell regeneration in the avian auditory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Stone, Jennifer S; Cotanche, Douglas A

    2007-01-01

    Regeneration of sensory hair cells in the mature avian inner ear was first described just over 20 years ago. Since then, it has been shown that many other non-mammalian species either continually produce new hair cells or regenerate them in response to trauma. However, mammals exhibit limited hair cell regeneration, particularly in the auditory epithelium. In birds and other non-mammals, regenerated hair cells arise from adjacent non-sensory (supporting) cells. Hair cell regeneration was initially described as a proliferative response whereby supporting cells re-enter the mitotic cycle, forming daughter cells that differentiate into either hair cells or supporting cells and thereby restore cytoarchitecture and function in the sensory epithelium. However, further analyses of the avian auditory epithelium (and amphibian vestibular epithelium) revealed a second regenerative mechanism, direct transdifferentiation, during which supporting cells change their gene expression and convert into hair cells without dividing. In the chicken auditory epithelium, these two distinct mechanisms show unique spatial and temporal patterns, suggesting they are differentially regulated. Current efforts are aimed at identifying signals that maintain supporting cells in a quiescent state or direct them to undergo direct transdifferentiation or cell division. Here, we review current knowledge about supporting cell properties and discuss candidate signaling molecules for regulating supporting cell behavior, in quiescence and after damage. While significant advances have been made in understanding regeneration in non-mammals over the last 20 years, we have yet to determine why the mammalian auditory epithelium lacks the ability to regenerate hair cells spontaneously and whether it is even capable of significant regeneration under additional circumstances. The continued study of mechanisms controlling regeneration in the avian auditory epithelium may lead to strategies for inducing

  20. Objectivity in the classification of tumours of the nasal epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Michaels, L.; Hyams, V. J.

    1975-01-01

    A survey of tumours derived from each of the four cell types of nasal epithelium is presented. Criticism is levelled at the adoption of additional terms for tissue types such as lympho-epithelium and transitional cell epithelium and tumours said to be derived from them. Electron microscopy is of assistance in classification particularly in the detection of evidence of keratin synthesis. The proposed classification of tumours of the nasal epithelium is: (1) Pseudostratified columnar epithelium: (a) papillary adenoma, (b) papillary carcinoma. (2) Squamous epithelium: (a) everted squamous papilloma, (b) inverted papilloma, (c) squamous carcinoma of any grade of differentiation from well differentiated to undifferentiated. (3) Melanocyte: malignant melanoma. (4) Olfactory neuroepithelium: olfactory neuroblastoma. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 7Fig. 8Fig. 9Fig. 10Fig. 11Fig. 12Fig. 13Fig. 14Fig. 15Fig. 16Fig. 17Fig. 18Fig. 19Fig. 21Fig. 20 PMID:1197175

  1. Developmental origin of the posterior pigmented epithelium of iris.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiaobing; Xiong, Kai; Lu, Lei; Gu, Dandan; Wang, Songtao; Chen, Jing; Xiao, Honglei; Zhou, Guomin

    2015-03-01

    Iris epithelium is a double-layered pigmented cuboidal epithelium. According to the current model, the neural retina and the posterior iris pigment epithelium (IPE) are derived from the inner wall of the optic cup, while the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the anterior IPE are derived from the outer wall of the optic cup during development. Our current study shows evidence, contradicting this model of fetal iris development. We demonstrate that human fetal iris expression patterns of Otx2 and Mitf transcription factors are similar, while the expressions of Otx2 and Sox2 are complementary. Furthermore, IPE and RPE exhibit identical morphologic development during the early embryonic period. Our results suggest that the outer layer of the optic cup forms two layers of the iris epithelium, and the posterior IPE is the inward-curling anterior rim of the outer layer of the optic cup. These findings provide a reasonable explanation of how IPE cells can be used as an appropriate substitute for RPE cells.

  2. Epithelium percentage estimation facilitates epithelial quantitative protein measurement in tissue specimens.

    PubMed

    Chen, Jing; Toghi Eshghi, Shadi; Bova, George Steven; Li, Qing Kay; Li, Xingde; Zhang, Hui

    2013-12-01

    The rapid advancement of high-throughput tools for quantitative measurement of proteins has demonstrated the potential for the identification of proteins associated with cancer. However, the quantitative results on cancer tissue specimens are usually confounded by tissue heterogeneity, e.g. regions with cancer usually have significantly higher epithelium content yet lower stromal content. It is therefore necessary to develop a tool to facilitate the interpretation of the results of protein measurements in tissue specimens. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and cathepsin L (CTSL) are two epithelial proteins whose expressions in normal and tumorous prostate tissues were confirmed by measuring staining intensity with immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The expressions of these proteins were measured by ELISA in protein extracts from OCT embedded frozen prostate tissues. To eliminate the influence of tissue heterogeneity on epithelial protein quantification measured by ELISA, a color-based segmentation method was developed in-house for estimation of epithelium content using H&E histology slides from the same prostate tissues and the estimated epithelium percentage was used to normalize the ELISA results. The epithelium contents of the same slides were also estimated by a pathologist and used to normalize the ELISA results. The computer based results were compared with the pathologist's reading. We found that both EpCAM and CTSL levels, measured by ELISA assays itself, were greatly affected by epithelium content in the tissue specimens. Without adjusting for epithelium percentage, both EpCAM and CTSL levels appeared significantly higher in tumor tissues than normal tissues with a p value less than 0.001. However, after normalization by the epithelium percentage, ELISA measurements of both EpCAM and CTSL were in agreement with IHC staining results, showing a significant increase only in EpCAM with no difference in CTSL expression in cancer tissues. These results

  3. Endocrine cells in ectocervical epithelium. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

    PubMed

    Fetissof, F; Arbeille, B; Boivin, F; Sam-Giao, M; Henrion, C; Lansac, J

    1987-01-01

    A systematic study of endocrine cells in the ectocervix was carried out using histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Serotonin and calcitonin immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in this site. Serotonin and calcitonin immunoreactivities were coexpressed in the same endocrine cell. These distinctive cells were encountered in two main morphological varieties of ectocervical epithelium. Normal-appearing stratified squamous epithelium contained only very rare serotonin and calcitonin cells. In contrast, endocrine cells were fairly abundant in a specific epithelium termed "transitional-like". This type of epithelium was not only confined to the transformation zone but could also extend onto the portio as far as the vaginal cut margin. In some cases, transitional-like epithelium bore morphological resemblance to urothelium. In other cases, it could be regarded as basal cell hyperplasia or immature squamous metaplasia. Of interest, serotonin and calcitonin cells have been well-documented as normal inhabitants of some other non-squamous epithelia, such as urothelium or pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Therefore, it is suggested that certain ectocervical epithelia show some similarities to urothelium, in respect of their morphological appearance and endocrine profile. Further investigations using more objective and specific markers of urothelial cells are needed to assess the exact degree of homology connecting all these types of epithelium.

  4. Morphological studies of the developing human esophageal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ménard, D

    1995-06-15

    This article focusses on the structural development of human esophageal ciliated epithelium. A combination of transmission electron microscopic (TEM), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), radioautographic, and light microscopic (LM) analyses were carried out using intact fetal tissues between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation as well as cultured esophageal explants. Up to the age of 10 weeks, the stratified esophageal epithelium consisted of two longitudinal primary folds. The surface cells were undifferentiated and contained large glycogen aggregates. Between 11 and 16 weeks, the primary folds (now up to four) had developed secondary folds. The thickness of the epithelium drastically increased (123%) in concomittance with a differentiation of surface columnar ciliated cells. These highly specialized surface cells exhibited junctional complexes and well-developed organelles with numerous microvilli interspersed among the cilia. Transverse sections revealed the internal structure of the cilia with a consistent pattern of nine doublet microtubules surrounding a central pair of single microtubules. Freeze-fracture studies illustrated the presence of a ciliary necklace composed of 6 ring-like rows of intramembranous particles. They also revealed the structure of ciliary cell tight junctions consisting of up to nine anastomosing strands (P-face) or complementary grooves (E-face). Ultrastructural studies (LM, TEM, SEM) of the esophageal squamous epithelium obtained after 15 days of culture showed that the newly formed epithelium was similar to adult human epithelium. Finally LM and SEM observations established that the esophagogastric junction was not yet well delineated, consisting of a transitional area composed of a mixture of esophageal ciliated cells and gastric columnar mucous cells.

  5. Expression pattern of adhesion molecules in junctional epithelium differs from that in other gingival epithelia.

    PubMed

    Hatakeyama, S; Yaegashi, T; Oikawa, Y; Fujiwara, H; Mikami, T; Takeda, Y; Satoh, M

    2006-08-01

    The gingival epithelium is the physiologically important interface between the bacterially colonized gingival sulcus and periodontal soft and mineralized connective tissues, requiring protection from exposure to bacteria and their products. However, of the three epithelia comprising the gingival epithelium, the junctional epithelium has much wider intercellular spaces than the sulcular epithelium and oral gingival epithelium. Hence, the aim of the present study was to characterize the cell adhesion structure in the junctional epithelium compared with the other two epithelia. Gingival epithelia excised at therapeutic flap surgery from patients with periodontitis were examined for expression of adhesion molecules by immunofluorescence. In the oral gingival epithelium and sulcular epithelium, but not in the junctional epithelium, desmoglein 1 and 2 in cell-cell contact sites were more abundant in the upper than the suprabasal layers. E-cadherin, the main transmembranous molecule of adherens junctions, was present in spinous layers of the oral gingival epithelium and sulcular epithelium, but was scarce in the junctional epithelium. In contrast, desmoglein 3 and P-cadherin were present in all layers of the junctional epithelium as well as the oral gingival epithelium and sulcular epithelium. Connexin 43 was clearly localized to spinous layers of the oral gingival epithelium, sulcular epithelium and parts of the junctional epithelium. Claudin-1 and occludin were expressed in the cell membranes of a few superficial layers of the oral gingival epithelium. These findings indicated that the junctional epithelium contains only a few desmosomes, composed of only desmoglein 3; adherens junctions are probably absent because of defective E-cadherin. Thus, the anchoring junctions connecting junctional epithelium cells are lax, causing widened intercellular spaces. In contrast, the oral gingival epithelium, which has a few tight junctions, functions as a barrier.

  6. Unusual epithelium in a subpubic sinus.

    PubMed

    Chao, Hong-Ming; Chuang, Chia-Jueng; Chen, Ke-Chi; Chu, Chih-Chun; Chou, Jung-Mao

    2002-09-01

    A 5-year-old male presented with the history of whitish discharge from a midline sinus opening just above the pubis for 2 months. Attempted radiography of the sinus revealed a blind fistula and voiding cystourethrography was normal. The fistula was excised deep to the subpubic space without any evidence of connection to the lower urinary tract. Pathologic evaluation of the lesion revealed a ciliated-columnar lining with stratified-squamous and transitional epithelium. To our knowledge, a subpubic sinus with this unique presentation of epithelium has not been reported previously.

  7. Coelomic epithelium-derived cells in visceral morphogenesis.

    PubMed

    Ariza, Laura; Carmona, Rita; Cañete, Ana; Cano, Elena; Muñoz-Chápuli, Ramón

    2016-03-01

    Coelomic cavities of vertebrates are lined by a mesothelium which develops from the lateral plate mesoderm. During development, the coelomic epithelium is a highly active cell layer, which locally is able to supply mesenchymal cells that contribute to the mesodermal elements of many organs and provide signals which are necessary for their development. The relevance of this process of mesenchymal cell supply to the developing organs is becoming clearer because genetic lineage tracing techniques have been developed in recent years. Body wall, heart, liver, lungs, gonads, and gastrointestinal tract are populated by cells derived from the coelomic epithelium which contribute to their connective and vascular tissues, and sometimes to specialized cell types such as the stellate cells of the liver, the Cajal interstitial cells of the gut or the Sertoli cells of the testicle. In this review we collect information about the contribution of coelomic epithelium derived cells to visceral development, their developmental fates and signaling functions. The common features displayed by all these processes suggest that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the embryonic coelomic epithelium is an underestimated but key event of vertebrate development, and probably it is shared by all the coelomate metazoans. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Dynamics of Bovine Sperm Interaction with Epithelium Differ Between Oviductal Isthmus and Ampulla.

    PubMed

    Ardon, Florencia; Markello, Ross D; Hu, Lian; Deutsch, Zarah I; Tung, Chih-Kuan; Wu, Mingming; Suarez, Susan S

    2016-10-01

    In mammals, many sperm that reach the oviduct are held in a reservoir by binding to epithelium. To leave the reservoir, sperm detach from the epithelium; however, they may bind and detach again as they ascend into the ampulla toward oocytes. In order to elucidate the nature of binding interactions along the oviduct, we compared the effects of bursts of strong fluid flow (as would be caused by oviductal contractions), heparin, and hyperactivation on detachment of bovine sperm bound in vitro to epithelium on intact folds of isthmic and ampullar mucosa. Intact folds of oviductal mucosa were used to represent the strong attachments of epithelial cells to each other and to underlying connective tissue that exist in vivo. Effects of heparin on binding were tested because heparin binds to the Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins that attach sperm to oviductal epithelium. Sperm bound by their heads to beating cilia on both isthmic and ampullar epithelia and could not be detached by strong bursts of fluid flow. Addition of heparin immediately detached sperm from isthmic epithelium but not ampullar epithelium. Addition of 4-aminopyridine immediately stimulated hyperactivation of sperm but did not detach them from isthmic or ampullar epithelium unless added with heparin. These observations indicate that the nature of binding of sperm to ampullar epithelium differs from that of binding to isthmic epithelium; specifically, sperm bound to isthmic epithelium can be detached by heparin alone, while sperm bound to ampullar epithelium requires both heparin and hyperactivation to detach from the epithelium. © 2016 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

  9. Nose-to-Brain Delivery: Investigation of the Transport of Nanoparticles with Different Surface Characteristics and Sizes in Excised Porcine Olfactory Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Mistry, Alpesh; Stolnik, Snjezana; Illum, Lisbeth

    2015-08-03

    The ability to deliver therapeutically relevant amounts of drugs directly from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system to treat neurological diseases is dependent on the availability of efficient drug delivery systems. Increased delivery and/or therapeutic effect has been shown for drugs encapsulated in nanoparticles; however, the factors governing the transport of the drugs and/or the nanoparticles from the nasal cavity to the brain are not clear. The present study evaluates the potential transport of nanoparticles across the olfactory epithelium in relation to nanoparticle characteristics. Model systems, 20, 100, and 200 nm fluorescent carboxylated polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles that were nonmodified or surface modified with polysorbate 80 (P80-PS) or chitosan (C-PS), were assessed for transport across excised porcine olfactory epithelium mounted in a vertical Franz diffusion cell. Assessment of the nanoparticle content in the donor chamber of the diffusion cell, accompanied by fluorescence microscopy of dismounted tissues, revealed a loss of nanoparticle content from the donor suspension and their association with the excised tissue, depending on the surface properties and particle size. Chitosan surface modification of PS nanoparticles resulted in the highest tissue association among the tested systems, with the associated nanoparticles primarily located in the mucus, whereas the polysorbate 80-modified nanoparticles showed some penetration into the epithelial cell layer. Assessment of the bioelectrical properties, metabolic activity, and histology of the excised olfactory epithelium showed that C-PS nanoparticles applied in pH 6.0 buffer produced a damaging effect on the epithelial cell layer in a size-dependent manner, with fine 20 nm sized nanoparticles causing substantial tissue damage relative to that with the 100 and 200 nm counterparts. Although histology showed that the olfactory tissue was affected by the application of citrate buffer that was

  10. Expressions of TRPVs in the cholesteatoma epithelium.

    PubMed

    Do, Ba Hung; Koizumi, Hiroki; Ohbuchi, Toyoaki; Kawaguchi, Rintaro; Suzuki, Hideaki

    2017-10-01

    We have recently proposed a hypothesis that acid leakage through the cholesteatoma epithelium mediates bone resorption in middle ear cholesteatoma. In the present study, we investigated the expressions of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels, which have been shown to play roles in the regulation of epidermal barrier function, in the cholesteatoma epithelium in comparison with the normal skin. Cholesteatoma epithelium and postauricular skin were collected from 17 patients with primary acquired middle ear cholesteatoma who underwent tympanomastoidectomy. Expressions of TRPV1, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRPV6 were explored by fluorescence immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). TRPV1, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRPV6 mRNAs were all detected by qRT-PCR both in the skin and cholesteatoma tissue. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TRPV1 and TRPV3 were positive in the viable cell layers of the epidermis of the skin, and only TRPV3 was positive in those of the cholesteatoma epithelium. The immunoreactivity for TRPV3 was significantly weaker in cholesteatoma than in the skin. The lower expression of TRPV3 in cholesteatoma may be one of the mechanisms underlying the increased permeability of this tissue. On the other hand, TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPV6 are unlikely to be involved in the regulation of epithelial permeability in cholesteatoma.

  11. Meckel's diverticulum and ectopic epithelium: Evaluation of a complex relationship.

    PubMed

    Burjonrappa, Sathyaprasad; Khaing, Phue

    2014-04-01

    Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, for any incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulum, the management approach is based on weighing the statistical odds of future complications against the risks of a diverticulectomy. The temporal relationship between age at Meckel's diverticulectomy and the presence of ectopic epithelium was evaluated in our series. A meta-analysis of all reported recent literature on this condition was subsequently performed to evaluate the strength of the relationship between ectopic epithelium and symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum. There was a paucity of ectopic epithelium in Meckel's diverticulectomy specimens in infants operated on at less than 1 year of age. Having two or more ectopic epithelia in a diverticulum does not appear to carry an additive risk for complications. The meta-analysis confirmed that ectopic epithelium was the most significant factor that influenced surgical intervention in all series of Meckel's diverticulum. The relationship between ectopic epithelium and the development of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is complex. Further understanding of the development of ectopic rests in the diverticulum will facilitate elucidating the pathophysiology in symptomatic cases.

  12. [Characterization of stem cells derived from the neonatal auditory sensory epithelium].

    PubMed

    Diensthuber, M; Heller, S

    2010-11-01

    In contrast to regenerating hair cell-bearing organs of nonmammalian vertebrates the adult mammalian organ of Corti appears to have lost its ability to maintain stem cells. The result is a lack of regenerative ability and irreversible hearing loss following auditory hair cell death. Unexpectedly, the neonatal auditory sensory epithelium has recently been shown to harbor cells with stem cell features. The origin of these cells within the cochlea's sensory epithelium is unknown. We applied a modified neurosphere assay to identify stem cells within distinct subregions of the neonatal mouse auditory sensory epithelium. Sphere cells were characterized by multiple markers and morphologic techniques. Our data reveal that both the greater and the lesser epithelial ridge contribute to the sphere-forming stem cell population derived from the auditory sensory epithelium. These self-renewing sphere cells express a variety of markers for neural and otic progenitor cells and mature inner ear cell types. Stem cells can be isolated from specific regions of the auditory sensory epithelium. The distinct features of these cells imply a potential application in the development of a cell replacement therapy to regenerate the damaged sensory epithelium.

  13. Morphology of the epithelium of the lower rectum and the anal canal in the adult human.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Eiichi; Noguchi, Tsuyoshi; Nagai, Kaoruko; Akashi, Yuichi; Kawahara, Katsunobu; Shimada, Tatsuo

    2012-06-01

    The anal canal is an important body part clinically. However, there is no agreement about the epithelium of the anal canal, the anal transitional zone (ATZ) epithelium in particular. The aim of this study is to clarify the structure of the epithelium of the human lower rectum and anal canal. Intact rectum and anus obtained from patients who underwent surgery for rectal carcinoma were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM). By LM, three types of epithelium were observed in the anal canal: simple columnar epithelium, stratified squamous epithelium, and stratified columnar epithelium. The lower rectum was composed of simple columnar epithelium. SEM findings showed stratified squamous epithelium that consisted of squamous cells with microridges, changing to simple columnar epithelium consisting of columnar cells with short microvilli at the anorectal line. LM and SEM observations in a one-to-one ratio revealed that the area of stratified columnar epithelium based on LM corresponded to the anal crypt and sinus. In conclusion, the epithelium of the human anal canal was fundamentally composed of simple columnar epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium. We found no evidence of the ATZ.

  14. Dynamics of Bovine Sperm Interaction with Epithelium Differ Between Oviductal Isthmus and Ampulla1

    PubMed Central

    Ardon, Florencia; Markello, Ross D.; Hu, Lian; Deutsch, Zarah I.; Tung, Chih-Kuan; Wu, Mingming; Suarez, Susan S.

    2016-01-01

    In mammals, many sperm that reach the oviduct are held in a reservoir by binding to epithelium. To leave the reservoir, sperm detach from the epithelium; however, they may bind and detach again as they ascend into the ampulla toward oocytes. In order to elucidate the nature of binding interactions along the oviduct, we compared the effects of bursts of strong fluid flow (as would be caused by oviductal contractions), heparin, and hyperactivation on detachment of bovine sperm bound in vitro to epithelium on intact folds of isthmic and ampullar mucosa. Intact folds of oviductal mucosa were used to represent the strong attachments of epithelial cells to each other and to underlying connective tissue that exist in vivo. Effects of heparin on binding were tested because heparin binds to the Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins that attach sperm to oviductal epithelium. Sperm bound by their heads to beating cilia on both isthmic and ampullar epithelia and could not be detached by strong bursts of fluid flow. Addition of heparin immediately detached sperm from isthmic epithelium but not ampullar epithelium. Addition of 4-aminopyridine immediately stimulated hyperactivation of sperm but did not detach them from isthmic or ampullar epithelium unless added with heparin. These observations indicate that the nature of binding of sperm to ampullar epithelium differs from that of binding to isthmic epithelium; specifically, sperm bound to isthmic epithelium can be detached by heparin alone, while sperm bound to ampullar epithelium requires both heparin and hyperactivation to detach from the epithelium. PMID:27605344

  15. Complement Factor H, Vitronectin, and Opticin Are Tyrosine-Sulfated Proteins of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Kanan, Yogita; Siefert, Joseph C.; Kinter, Michael; Al-Ubaidi, Muayyad R.

    2014-01-01

    Lack of tyrosine sulfation of ocular proteins results in disorganized photoreceptor structure and drastically reduced visual function, demonstrating the importance of this post-translational modification to vision. To understand the role that tyrosine sulfation plays in the function of ocular proteins, we identified some tyrosine-sulfated proteins in the retinal pigment epithelium using two independent methods, immuno-affinity column purification with an anti-sulfotyrosine specific antibody and computer-based sequence analysis of retinal pigment epithelium secretome by means of the prediction program Sulfinator. Radioactive labeling followed by thin layer electrophoresis revealed that three proteins, vitronectin, opticin, and complement factor H (CFH), were post-translationally modified by tyrosine sulfation. The identification of vitronectin and CFH as tyrosine-sulfated proteins is significant, since both are deposited in drusen in the eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Furthermore, mutations in CFH have been determined to be a major risk factor in the development of AMD. Future studies that seek to understand the role of CFH in the development of AMD should take into account the role that tyrosine sulfation plays in the interaction of this protein with its partners, and examine whether modulating sulfation provides a potential therapeutic target. PMID:25136834

  16. Meckel's diverticulum and ectopic epithelium: Evaluation of a complex relationship

    PubMed Central

    Burjonrappa, Sathyaprasad; Khaing, Phue

    2014-01-01

    Introduction: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, for any incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulum, the management approach is based on weighing the statistical odds of future complications against the risks of a diverticulectomy. Materials and Methods: The temporal relationship between age at Meckel's diverticulectomy and the presence of ectopic epithelium was evaluated in our series. A meta-analysis of all reported recent literature on this condition was subsequently performed to evaluate the strength of the relationship between ectopic epithelium and symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum. Results: There was a paucity of ectopic epithelium in Meckel's diverticulectomy specimens in infants operated on at less than 1 year of age. Having two or more ectopic epithelia in a diverticulum does not appear to carry an additive risk for complications. The meta-analysis confirmed that ectopic epithelium was the most significant factor that influenced surgical intervention in all series of Meckel's diverticulum. Conclusion: The relationship between ectopic epithelium and the development of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is complex. Further understanding of the development of ectopic rests in the diverticulum will facilitate elucidating the pathophysiology in symptomatic cases. PMID:24741211

  17. The ureteric bud epithelium: morphogenesis and roles in metanephric kidney patterning.

    PubMed

    Nagalakshmi, Vidya K; Yu, Jing

    2015-03-01

    The mammalian metanephric kidney is composed of two epithelial components, the collecting duct system and the nephron epithelium, that differentiate from two different tissues -the ureteric bud epithelium and the nephron progenitors, respectively-of intermediate mesoderm origin. The collecting duct system is generated through reiterative ureteric bud branching morphogenesis, whereas the nephron epithelium is formed in a process termed nephrogenesis, which is initiated with the mesenchymal-epithelial transition of the nephron progenitors. Ureteric bud branching morphogenesis is regulated by nephron progenitors, and in return, the ureteric bud epithelium regulates nephrogenesis. The metanephric kidney is physiologically divided along the corticomedullary axis into subcompartments that are enriched with specific segments of these two epithelial structures. Here, we provide an overview of the major molecular and cellular processes underlying the morphogenesis and patterning of the ureteric bud epithelium and its roles in the cortico-medullary patterning of the metanephric kidney. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Adenosine uptake by the isolated epithelium of guine pig jejunum.

    PubMed

    Kolassa, N; Stengg, R; Turnheim, K

    1977-10-01

    The uptake of [8-14C]adenosine by the isolated epithelium of guinea pig jejunum was faster than that of inosine, hypoxanthine, or adenine. The initial velocity of adenosine uptake from both the luminal and the antiluminal side of the epithelium exhibited saturation kinetics. The apparent Km, V, and passive permeability of luminal adenosine uptake were all lower than the corresponding values of antiluminal uptake. p-Nitrobenzyl-thioguanosine inhibited adenosine uptake from both the luminal and the antiluminal side, whilst hexobendine decreased the uptake only from the antiluminal side of the epithelium. The results suggest that adenosine enters the intestinal epithelium by a carrier-mediated process in addition to passive diffusion. The antiluminal transport system for adenosine seems similar to that of other tissues with respect to hexobendine inhibition; the luminal transport mechanism, however, exhibits different properties, being insensitive to hexobendine.

  19. Changes in the Adult Vertebrate Auditory Sensory Epithelium After Trauma

    PubMed Central

    Oesterle, Elizabeth C.

    2012-01-01

    Auditory hair cells transduce sound vibrations into membrane potential changes, ultimately leading to changes in neuronal firing and sound perception. This review provides an overview of the characteristics and repair capabilities of traumatized auditory sensory epithelium in the adult vertebrate ear. Injured mammalian auditory epithelium repairs itself by forming permanent scars but is unable to regenerate replacement hair cells. In contrast, injured non-mammalian vertebrate ear generates replacement hair cells to restore hearing functions. Non-sensory support cells within the auditory epithelium play key roles in the repair processes. PMID:23178236

  20. Azithromycin ameliorates airway remodeling via inhibiting airway epithelium apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yuanqi; Pu, Yue; Li, Diandian; Zhou, Liming; Wan, Lihong

    2017-02-01

    Azithromycin can benefit treating allergic airway inflammation and remodeling. In the present study, we hypothesized that azithromycin alleviated airway epithelium injury through inhibiting airway epithelium apoptosis via down regulation of caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio in vivo and in vitro. Ovalbumin induced rat asthma model and TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cell apoptosis model were established, respectively. In vivo experiments, airway epithelium was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) to histologically evaluate the airway inflammation and remodeling. Airway epithelium apoptotic index (AI) was further analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), while expression of apoptosis related gene (Bax, Bcl2, Caspase-3) in lungs were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. In vitro experiments, apoptosis were evaluated by Flow cytometry (FCM) and TUNEL. Above apoptosis related gene were also measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Compared with the OVA group, azithromycin significantly reduced the inflammation score, peribronchial smooth muscle layer thickness, epithelial thickening and goblet cell metaplasia (P<0.05), and effectively suppressed AI of airway epithelium (P<0.05). Moreover, the increasing mRNA and protein expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in lung tissue were all significantly decreased in azithromycin-treated rats (P<0.05). In vitro, azithromycin significantly suppressed TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells apoptosis (P<0.05) and reversed TGF-β1 elevated Caspase-3 mRNA level and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (P<0.05). Azithromycin is an attractive treatment option for reducing airway epithelial cell apoptosis by improving the imbalance of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and inhibiting Caspase-3 level in airway epithelium. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Development of the ovarian follicular epithelium.

    PubMed

    Rodgers, R J; Lavranos, T C; van Wezel, I L; Irving-Rodgers, H F

    1999-05-25

    A lot is known about the endocrine control of the development of ovarian follicles, but a key question now facing researchers is which molecular and cellular processes take part in control of follicular growth and development. The growth and development of ovarian follicles occurs postnatally and throughout adult life. In this review, we focus on the follicular epithelium (membrana granulosa) and its basal lamina. We discuss a model of how granulosa cells arise from a population of stem cells and then enter different lineages before differentiation. The structure of the epithelium at the antral stage of development is presented, and the effects that follicle growth has on the behavior of the granulosa cells are discussed. Finally, we discuss the evidence that during follicle development the follicular basal lamina changes in composition. This would be expected if the behavior of the granulosa cells changes, or if the permeability of the basal lamina changes. It will be evident that the follicular epithelium has similarities to other epithelia in the body, but that it is more dynamic, as gross changes occur during the course of follicle development. This basic information will be important for the development of future reproductive technologies in both humans and animals, and possibly for understanding polycystic ovarian syndrome in women.

  2. [CYSTEAMINE-INDUCED MODIFICATION OF CYTOGENETIC DAMAGES TO THE CORNEAL EPITHELIUM OF MICE EXPOSED TO CORPUSCULAR RADIATION WITH VARYING LINEAR TRANSFER ENERGIES].

    PubMed

    Vorozhtsova, S V; Bulynina, T M; Molokanov, A G; Ivanov, A A

    2015-01-01

    Cytogenetic damages to cells of the corneal epithelium were studied in mice exposed to protons (10, 25, 50 and 645 MeV), ions of boron, carbon and neon, and X-rays (180 keV) within the dose range from 25 to 750 cGy and injected with a radioprotector. Animals were subjected to a single exposure. The protective effect of β-mercaptoethylamine was tested in the experiment. The radioprotector (0.2 ml) was introduced intraperitoneally 30 minutes before exposure in 350 mI/kg dose. Control animals received the same amount of sodium chloride solution. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation in 24 and 72 hrs. after exposure. It was shown that cysteamine effectively protects in vivo corneal epithelium cells of mice exposed to electromagnetic radiation or protons in a broad energy spectrum (10 to 645 MeV), and to a broad range of radiation doses (25 to 750 cGy), as judged from levels of aberrant mitosis and mitotic activity. The radioprotector exhibited the highest effectiveness in animals exposed to the doses of 50 to 300 cGy. These findings prove that cysteamine may potentially be used for pharmacological protection from protons. The radioprotector failed to prevent chromosomal aberrations after exposure to heavy charged particles of boron, carbon and neon, which implies the need to design radioprotectors against this type of corpuscular radiation specifically.

  3. How good is the neosquamous epithelium?

    PubMed

    Orlando, Roy C

    2014-01-01

    Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) combined with proton pump inhibitor therapy is commonly utilized for preventing progression of dysplastic BE to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Fundamental to the success of this and all ablative approaches is the healing of the ablated areas of BE with a stratified squamous epithelium referred to as 'neosquamous epithelium' (NSE). Although NSE appears 'normal' endoscopically, the reemergence of BE over time in the previously ablated segments raises the question of the health and integrity of NSE. The health of NSE was recently investigated in endoscopic biopsies in vitro in a group of patients after ablation while on proton pump inhibitors. Biopsies of NSE were compared to upper squamous epithelium (USE) from the same patients morphologically (light microscopy) and with respect to barrier function by measuring electrical resistance and fluorescein flux in mini-Ussing chambers. Compared to USE, NSE exhibited dilated intercellular spaces and inflammation and defective barrier function by low electrical resistance and high fluorescein flux. Moreover, NSE exhibited downregulation of claudin-4, a highly expressed protein in squamous tight junctions. NSE has defective barrier function in part due to downregulation of claudin-4. Since downregulation of claudin-4 increases paracellular permeability to cations, e.g. hydrogen ions, NSE is more vulnerable to attack and damage by acidic and weakly acidic refluxates--a phenomenon that may contribute in part to the reemergence of BE. 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  4. Independent degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium in conditional knockout mouse models of choroideremia

    PubMed Central

    Tolmachova, Tanya; Anders, Ross; Abrink, Magnus; Bugeon, Laurence; Dallman, Margaret J.; Futter, Clare E.; Ramalho, José S.; Tonagel, Felix; Tanimoto, Naoyuki; Seeliger, Mathias W.; Huxley, Clare; Seabra, Miguel C.

    2006-01-01

    Choroideremia (CHM) is an X-linked degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptors, and choroid, caused by loss of function of the CHM/REP1 gene. REP1 is involved in lipid modification (prenylation) of Rab GTPases, key regulators of intracellular vesicular transport and organelle dynamics. To study the pathogenesis of CHM and to develop a model for assessing gene therapy, we have created a conditional mouse knockout of the Chm gene. Heterozygous-null females exhibit characteristic hallmarks of CHM: progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors, patchy depigmentation of the RPE, and Rab prenylation defects. Using tamoxifen-inducible and tissue-specific Cre expression in combination with floxed Chm alleles, we show that CHM pathogenesis involves independently triggered degeneration of photoreceptors and the RPE, associated with different subsets of defective Rabs. PMID:16410831

  5. The differentiation profile of the epithelium of the human lip.

    PubMed

    Barrett, A W; Morgan, M; Nwaeze, G; Kramer, G; Berkovitz, B K B

    2005-04-01

    The aim of this study was to analyse the immunohistochemical differentiation profile of the stratified squamous epithelium of the adult human lip. Full-thickness lower lips taken from 31 cadavers were analysed. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), cytokeratins (CK), loricrin, involucrin, profilaggrin and filaggrin. The stratified squamous epithelium covering the lip could be divided into: (i) appendage-bearing, orthokeratinised epidermis; (ii) orthokeratinised vermilion which had a more prominent rete pattern than the epidermis; (iii) parakeratinised, PAS-positive intermediate zone; and (iv) non- or parakeratinised labial mucosal epithelium. Epithelial thickness increased gradually from the skin to the mucosal aspect. The CK pattern changed across the intermediate zone, with gradual loss of CK 1 and 10 from the skin, and CK 4, 13 and 19 from the mucosal, aspect. CK 5 and 14 were consistently expressed basally, and variably expressed suprabasally. Apart from labelling Merkel cells, CK 8, 18 and 20 were negative. Involucrin, which was present at all sites, was restricted to the stratum granulosum in skin, but extended into the stratum spinosum, and gradually into parabasal keratinocytes, across the vermilion and mucosa. Loricrin, profilaggrin and filaggrin were present in the stratum granulosum of orthokeratinised sites, but expression was abruptly lost at the junction between the vermilion and the intermediate zone. In conclusion, the phenotype of the stratified squamous epithelium covering the lip changes at, or across, the intermediate zone of the adult vermilion. It is possible that changes in the composition of the stratified squamous epithelium affect the colour of the vermilion.

  6. NORMAL GENE EXPRESSION IN MALE F344 RAT NASAL TRANSITIONAL/RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM

    EPA Science Inventory

    Abstract

    The nasal epithelium is an important target site for chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity in rodents. Gene expression profiles were determined in order to provide normal baseline data for nasal transitional/respiratory epithelium from healthy rats. Ce...

  7. Solitary chemoreceptor cell proliferation in adult nasal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Gulbransen, Brian D; Finger, Thomas E

    2005-03-01

    Nasal trigeminal chemosensitivity in mice and rats is mediated in part by solitary chemoreceptor cells (SCCs) in the nasal epithelium (Finger et al., 2003). Many nasal SCCs express the G-protein alpha-gustducin as well as other elements of the bitter-taste signaling cascade including phospholipase Cbeta2, TRPM5 and T2R bitter-taste receptors. While some populations of sensory cells are replaced throughout life (taste and olfaction), others are not (hair cells and carotid body chemoreceptors). These experiments were designed to test whether new SCCs are generated within the epithelium of adult mice. Wild type C57/B6 mice were injected with the thymidine analog 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label dividing cells. At various times after injection (1-40 days), the mice were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde and prepared for dual-label immunocytochemistry. Double labeled cells were detected as early as 3 days post BrdU injection and remained for as long as 12 days post-injection suggesting that SCCs do undergo turnover like the surrounding nasal epithelium. No BrdU labeled cells were detected after 24 days suggesting relatively rapid replacement of the SCCs.

  8. Solitary Chemoreceptor Cell Proliferation in Adult Nasal Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Gulbransen, Brian D.; Finger, Thomas E.

    2008-01-01

    Nasal trigeminal chemosensitivity in mice and rats is mediated in part by solitary chemoreceptor cells (SCCs) in the nasal epithelium (Finger et al., 2003). Many nasal SCCs express the G-protein α-gustducin as well as other elements of the bitter-taste signaling cascade including phospholipase Cβ2, TRPM5 and T2R bitter-taste receptors. While some populations of sensory cells are replaced throughout life (taste and olfaction), others are not (hair cells and carotid body chemoreceptors). These experiments were designed to test whether new SCCs are generated within the epithelium of adult mice. Wild type C57/B6 mice were injected with the thymidine analog 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label dividing cells. At various times after injection (1-40 days), the mice were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde and prepared for dual-label immunocytochemistry. Double labeled cells were detected as early as 3 days post BrdU injection and remained for as long as 12 days post-injection suggesting that SCCs do undergo turnover like the surrounding nasal epithelium. No BrdU labeled cells were detected after 24 days suggesting relatively rapid replacement of the SCCs. PMID:16374713

  9. Abnormal Ion Permeation through Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Epithelium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knowles, M. R.; Stutts, M. J.; Spock, A.; Fischer, N.; Gatzy, J. T.; Boucher, R. C.

    1983-09-01

    The epithelium of nasal tissue excised from subjects with cystic fibrosis exhibited higher voltage and lower conductance than tissue from control subjects. Basal sodium ion absorption by cystic fibrosis and normal nasal epithelia equaled the short-circuit current and was amiloride-sensitive. Amiloride induced chloride ion secretion in normal but not cystic fibrosis tissue and consequently was more effective in inhibiting the short-circuit current in cystic fibrosis epithelia. Chloride ion-free solution induced a smaller hyperpolarization of cystic fibrosis tissue. The increased voltage and amiloride efficacy in cystic fibrosis reflect absorption of sodium ions across an epithelium that is relatively impermeable to chloride ions.

  10. Repair of tracheal epithelium by basal cells after chlorine-induced injury

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Chlorine is a widely used toxic compound that is considered a chemical threat agent. Chlorine inhalation injures airway epithelial cells, leading to pulmonary abnormalities. Efficient repair of injured epithelium is necessary to restore normal lung structure and function. The objective of the current study was to characterize repair of the tracheal epithelium after acute chlorine injury. Methods C57BL/6 mice were exposed to chlorine and injected with 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) to label proliferating cells prior to sacrifice and collection of tracheas on days 2, 4, 7, and 10 after exposure. Airway repair and restoration of a differentiated epithelium were examined by co-localization of EdU labeling with markers for the three major tracheal epithelial cell types [keratin 5 (K5) and keratin 14 (K14) for basal cells, Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) for Clara cells, and acetylated tubulin (AcTub) for ciliated cells]. Morphometric analysis was used to measure proliferation and restoration of a pseudostratified epithelium. Results Epithelial repair was fastest and most extensive in proximal trachea compared with middle and distal trachea. In unexposed mice, cell proliferation was minimal, all basal cells expressed K5, and K14-expressing basal cells were absent from most sections. Chlorine exposure resulted in the sloughing of Clara and ciliated cells from the tracheal epithelium. Two to four days after chlorine exposure, cell proliferation occurred in K5- and K14-expressing basal cells, and the number of K14 cells was dramatically increased. In the period of peak cell proliferation, few if any ciliated or Clara cells were detected in repairing trachea. Expression of ciliated and Clara cell markers was detected at later times (days 7–10), but cell proliferation was not detected in areas in which these differentiated markers were re-expressed. Fibrotic lesions were observed at days 7–10 primarily in distal trachea. Conclusion The data are

  11. Seminal epithelium in prostate biopsy can mimic malignant and premalignant prostatic lesions.

    PubMed

    Arista-Nasr, J; Trolle-Silva, A; Aguilar-Ayala, E; Martínez-Benítez, B

    2016-01-01

    In most prostate biopsies, the seminal epithelium is easily recognised because it meets characteristic histological criteria. However, some biopsies can mimic malignant or premalignant prostatic lesions. The aims of this study were to analyse the histological appearance of the biopsies that mimic adenocarcinomas or preneoplastic prostatic lesions, discuss the differential diagnosis and determine the frequency of seminal epithelia in prostate biopsies. We consecutively reviewed 500 prostate puncture biopsies obtained using the sextant method and selected those cases in which we observed seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct epithelium. In the biopsies in which the seminal epithelium resembled malignant or premalignant lesions, immunohistochemical studies were conducted that included prostate-specific antigen and MUC6. The most important clinical data were recorded. Thirty-six (7.2%) biopsies showed seminal epithelium, and 7 of them (1.4%) resembled various prostate lesions, including high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, atypical acinar proliferations, adenocarcinomas with papillary patterns and poorly differentiated carcinoma. The seminal epithelium resembled prostate lesions when the lipofuscin deposit, the perinuclear vacuoles or the nuclear pseudoinclusions were inconspicuous or missing. Five of the 7 biopsies showed mild to moderate cellular atypia with small and hyperchromatic nuclei, and only 2 showed cellular pleomorphism. The patients were alive and asymptomatic after an average of 6 years of progression. The seminal epithelium resembles prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, atypical acinar proliferations and various types of prostatic adenocarcinomas in approximately 1.4% of prostate biopsies. Copyright © 2015 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  12. Retinal pigment epithelium changes in Kartagener syndrome.

    PubMed

    Garcia, Maria D; Ventura, Camila V; Dias, João R; Chang, Ta Chen P; Berrocal, Audina M

    2018-06-01

    We present the first case in the literature of a patient with Kartagener syndrome and ocular findings of nonexudative age-related macular degeneration. A 55-year-old woman with Kartagener syndrome and chronic angle closure glaucoma presented for evaluation of the retina. Optos ultra-widefield imaging of the fundus showed glaucomatous cupping, drusen, and retinal pigment epithelium changes within the macular region. Humphrey visual field testing confirmed glaucomatous changes. Drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments were observed bilaterally with optical coherence tomography. We hypothesize that in addition to the lungs, spermatozoa and the Fallopian tubes, the retinal pigment epithelium may also be affected by ciliary dysfunction in individuals with Kartagener syndrome. Given recent advances in our knowledge of retinal ciliopathies, further studies are needed to understand how ciliary dysfunction affects the retina in Kartagener syndrome.

  13. Neural crest contribution to lingual mesenchyme, epithelium and developing taste papillae and taste buds.

    PubMed

    Liu, Hong-Xiang; Komatsu, Yoshihiro; Mishina, Yuji; Mistretta, Charlotte M

    2012-08-15

    The epithelium of mammalian tongue hosts most of the taste buds that transduce gustatory stimuli into neural signals. In the field of taste biology, taste bud cells have been described as arising from "local epithelium", in distinction from many other receptor organs that are derived from neurogenic ectoderm including neural crest (NC). In fact, contribution of NC to both epithelium and mesenchyme in the developing tongue is not fully understood. In the present study we used two independent, well-characterized mouse lines, Wnt1-Cre and P0-Cre that express Cre recombinase in a NC-specific manner, in combination with two Cre reporter mouse lines, R26R and ZEG, and demonstrate a contribution of NC-derived cells to both tongue mesenchyme and epithelium including taste papillae and taste buds. In tongue mesenchyme, distribution of NC-derived cells is in close association with taste papillae. In tongue epithelium, labeled cells are observed in an initial scattered distribution and progress to a clustered pattern between papillae, and within papillae and early taste buds. This provides evidence for a contribution of NC to lingual epithelium. Together with previous reports for the origin of taste bud cells from local epithelium in postnatal mouse, we propose that NC cells migrate into and reside in the epithelium of the tongue primordium at an early embryonic stage, acquire epithelial cell phenotypes, and undergo cell proliferation and differentiation that is involved in the development of taste papillae and taste buds. Our findings lead to a new concept about derivation of taste bud cells that include a NC origin. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Ultrastructure of free-ending nerve fibres in oesophageal epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Robles-Chillida, E M; Rodrigo, J; Mayo, I; Arnedo, A; Gómez, A

    1981-01-01

    For the first time, at the ultrastructural level, the existence of free-ending, intraepithelial nerve fibres has been demonstrated in the oesophagus wall of adult cats and monkeys. Their form, the way they penetrate the epithelium, their location within the epithelium and their relationships with neighbouring cells have been established. A sensory function is suggested for this type of ending. Images Figs. 1-4 Figs. 5-6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Figs. 14-15 Figs. 16-17 PMID:7333951

  15. Integrin Beta 1 Suppresses Multilayering of a Simple Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Jichao; Krasnow, Mark A.

    2012-01-01

    Epithelia are classified as either simple, a single cell layer thick, or stratified (multilayered). Stratified epithelia arise from simple epithelia during development, and transcription factor p63 functions as a key positive regulator of epidermal stratification. Here we show that deletion of integrin beta 1 (Itgb1) in the developing mouse airway epithelium abrogates airway branching and converts this monolayer epithelium into a multilayer epithelium with more than 10 extra layers. Mutant lung epithelial cells change mitotic spindle orientation to seed outer layers, and cells in different layers become molecularly and functionally distinct, hallmarks of normal stratification. However, mutant lung epithelial cells do not activate p63 and do not switch to the stratified keratin profile of epidermal cells. These data, together with previous data implicating Itgb1 in regulation of epidermal stratification, suggest that the simple-versus-stratified developmental decision may involve not only stratification inducers like p63 but suppressors like Itgb1 that prevent simple epithelia from inappropriately activating key steps in the stratification program. PMID:23285215

  16. The physiological basics of the olfactory neuro-epithelium.

    PubMed

    Watelet, J B; Katotomichelakis, M; Eloy, P; Danielidis, V

    2009-01-01

    All living organisms can detect and identify chemical substances in their environment. The olfactory epithelium is covered by a mucus layer which is essential for the function of the olfactory neurons that are directly connected to the brain through the cribriform plate. However, little is known about the composition of this mucus in humans and its significance for the diagnosis of olfactory disorders. The olfactory epithelium consists of four primary cell types, including the olfactory receptor cells essential for odour transduction. This review examines the anatomical, histological and physiological fundamentals of olfactory mucosa. Particular attention is paid to the biochemical environment of the olfactory mucosa that regulates both peri-receptor events and several protective functions.

  17. Barrier properties of cultured retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed

    Rizzolo, Lawrence J

    2014-09-01

    The principal function of an epithelium is to form a dynamic barrier that regulates movement between body compartments. Each epithelium is specialized with barrier functions that are specific for the tissues it serves. The apical surface commonly faces a lumen, but the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) appears to be unique by a facing solid tissue, the sensory retina. Nonetheless, there exists a thin (subretinal) space that can become fluid filled during pathology. RPE separates the subretinal space from the blood supply of the outer retina, thereby forming the outer blood-retinal barrier. The intricate interaction between the RPE and sensory retina presents challenges for learning how accurately culture models reflect native behavior. The challenge is heightened by findings that detail the variation of RPE barrier proteins both among species and at different stages of the life cycle. Among the striking differences is the expression of claudin family members. Claudins are the tight junction proteins that regulate ion diffusion across the spaces that lie between the cells of a monolayer. Claudin expression by RPE varies with species and life-stage, which implies functional differences among commonly used animal models. Investigators have turned to transcriptomics to supplement functional studies when comparing native and cultured tissue. The most detailed studies of the outer blood-retinal barrier have focused on human RPE with transcriptome and functional studies reported for human fetal, adult, and stem-cell derived RPE. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Amyloid β1-43 Accumulates in the Lens Epithelium of Cortical Opacification in Japanese Patients.

    PubMed

    Nagai, Noriaki; Mano, Yu; Otake, Hiroko; Shibata, Teppei; Kubo, Eri; Sasaki, Hiroshi

    2017-06-01

    We investigated the accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, Aβ1-43) in the lens epithelium of patients with opacification of five different types (cortical cataract [COR]; nuclear cataract [NUC]; posterior subcapsular cataract [PSC]; retrodots [RD]; and water clefts [WC]). Samples were collected from Japanese patients taken during cataract surgery; Aβ levels and mRNA expression were determined by ELISA and a real-time RT-PCR method, respectively. Levels of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 in the lens epithelium of patients with COR, NUC, PSC, RD, and WC showed no significant differences in comparison with transparent lens epithelium. Levels of Aβ1-43 in the lens epithelium of patients with PSC and WC were not detected, and NUC and RD were slightly elevated. In contrast to the results in these cataract types, high Aβ1-43 levels were observed in the lens epithelium of patients with COR, and a close relationship was observed between Aβ1-43 levels and the degree of lens opacification (R = 0.8229, n = 6). The levels of Aβ1-43 were also higher in the lens epithelium of patients with mixed-cataract showing cortical opacification, and the Aβ1-43 levels in the lens epithelium of mixed-cataract patients with cortical opacification was significantly higher than in that of mixed-cataract patients without cortical opacification. In addition, the level of an amyloid precursor protein mRNA in the lens epithelium of mixed-cataract patients with cortical opacification was significantly higher than in transparent lens and mixed-cataract patients without cortical opacification. We found high levels of Aβ1-43 accumulation in the lens epithelium of Japanese patients with cortical opacification.

  19. Olfactory epithelium influences the orientation of mitral cell dendrites during development.

    PubMed

    López-Mascaraque, Laura; García, Concepción; Blanchart, Albert; De Carlos, Juan A

    2005-02-01

    We have established previously that, although the olfactory epithelium is absent in the homozygous Pax-6 mutant mouse, an olfactory bulb-like structure (OBLS) does develop. Moreover, this OBLS contains cells that correspond to mitral cells, the primary projection neurons in the olfactory bulb. The current study aimed to address whether the dendrites of mitral cells in the olfactory bulb or in the OBLS mitral-like cells, exhibit a change in orientation in the presence of the olfactory epithelium. The underlying hypothesis is that the olfactory epithelium imparts a trophic signal on mitral and mitral-like cell that influences the growth of their primary dendrites, orientating them toward the surface of the olfactory bulb. Hence, we cultured hemibrains from wild-type and Pax 6 mutant mice from two different embryonic stages (embryonic days 14 and 15) either alone or in coculture with normal olfactory epithelial explants or control tissue (cerebellum). Our results indicate that the final dendritic orientation of mitral and mitral-like cells is directly influenced both by age and indeed by the presence of the olfactory epithelium. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  20. Morphological and functional characteristics of human gingival junctional epithelium.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Qian; Yu, Youcheng; Ruan, Hong; Luo, Yin; Guo, Xuehua

    2014-04-03

    This study aims to observe the morphological characteristics and identify the function characteristics of junctional epithelium (JE) tissues and cultured JE cells. Paraffin sections of human molar or premolar on the gingival buccolingual side were prepared from 6 subjects. HE staining and image analysis were performed to measure and compare the morphological difference among JE, oral gingival epithelium (OGE) and sulcular epithelium (SE). Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression pattern of cytokeratin 5/6, 7, 8/18, 10/13, 16, 17, 19, and 20 in JE, OGE and SE. On the other hand, primary human JE and OGE cells were cultured in vitro. Cell identify was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. In a co-culture model, TEM was used to observe the attachment formation between JE cells and tooth surface. Human JE was a unique tissue which was different from SE and OGE in morphology. Similarly, morphology of JE cells was also particular compared with OGE cells cultured in vitro. In addition, JE cells had a longer incubation period than OGE cells. Different expression of several CKs illustrated JE was in a characteristic of low differentiation and high regeneration. After being co-cultured for 14 d, multiple cell layers, basement membrane-like and hemidesmosome-like structures were appeared at the junction of JE cell membrane and tooth surface. JE is a specially stratified epithelium with low differentiation and high regeneration ability in gingival tissue both in vivo and in vitro. In co-culture model, human JE cells can form basement membrane-like and hemidesmosome-like structures in about 2 weeks.

  1. deltaNp63 Has a Role in Maintaining Epithelial Integrity in Airway Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Arason, Ari Jon; Jonsdottir, Hulda R.; Halldorsson, Skarphedinn; Benediktsdottir, Berglind Eva; Bergthorsson, Jon Thor; Ingthorsson, Saevar; Baldursson, Olafur; Sinha, Satrajit; Gudjonsson, Thorarinn; Magnusson, Magnus K.

    2014-01-01

    The upper airways are lined with a pseudostratified bronchial epithelium that forms a barrier against unwanted substances in breathing air. The transcription factor p63, which is important for stratification of skin epithelium, has been shown to be expressed in basal cells of the lungs and its ΔN isoform is recognized as a key player in squamous cell lung cancer. However, the role of p63 in formation and maintenance of bronchial epithelia is largely unknown. The objective of the current study was to determine the expression pattern of the ΔN and TA isoforms of p63 and the role of p63 in the development and maintenance of pseudostratified lung epithelium in situ and in culture. We used a human bronchial epithelial cell line with basal cell characteristics (VA10) to model bronchial epithelium in an air-liquid interface culture (ALI) and performed a lentiviral-based silencing of p63 to characterize the functional and phenotypic consequences of p63 loss. We demonstrate that ΔNp63 is the major isoform in the human lung and its expression was exclusively found in the basal cells lining the basement membrane of the bronchial epithelium. Knockdown of p63 affected proliferation and migration of VA10 cells and facilitated cellular senescence. Expression of p63 is critical for epithelial repair as demonstrated by wound healing assays. Importantly, generation of pseudostratified VA10 epithelium in the ALI setup depended on p63 expression and goblet cell differentiation, which can be induced by IL-13 stimulation, was abolished by the p63 knockdown. After knockdown of p63 in primary bronchial epithelial cells they did not proliferate and showed marked senescence. We conclude that these results strongly implicate p63 in the formation and maintenance of differentiated pseudostratified bronchial epithelium. PMID:24533135

  2. deltaNp63 has a role in maintaining epithelial integrity in airway epithelium.

    PubMed

    Arason, Ari Jon; Jonsdottir, Hulda R; Halldorsson, Skarphedinn; Benediktsdottir, Berglind Eva; Bergthorsson, Jon Thor; Ingthorsson, Saevar; Baldursson, Olafur; Sinha, Satrajit; Gudjonsson, Thorarinn; Magnusson, Magnus K

    2014-01-01

    The upper airways are lined with a pseudostratified bronchial epithelium that forms a barrier against unwanted substances in breathing air. The transcription factor p63, which is important for stratification of skin epithelium, has been shown to be expressed in basal cells of the lungs and its ΔN isoform is recognized as a key player in squamous cell lung cancer. However, the role of p63 in formation and maintenance of bronchial epithelia is largely unknown. The objective of the current study was to determine the expression pattern of the ΔN and TA isoforms of p63 and the role of p63 in the development and maintenance of pseudostratified lung epithelium in situ and in culture. We used a human bronchial epithelial cell line with basal cell characteristics (VA10) to model bronchial epithelium in an air-liquid interface culture (ALI) and performed a lentiviral-based silencing of p63 to characterize the functional and phenotypic consequences of p63 loss. We demonstrate that ΔNp63 is the major isoform in the human lung and its expression was exclusively found in the basal cells lining the basement membrane of the bronchial epithelium. Knockdown of p63 affected proliferation and migration of VA10 cells and facilitated cellular senescence. Expression of p63 is critical for epithelial repair as demonstrated by wound healing assays. Importantly, generation of pseudostratified VA10 epithelium in the ALI setup depended on p63 expression and goblet cell differentiation, which can be induced by IL-13 stimulation, was abolished by the p63 knockdown. After knockdown of p63 in primary bronchial epithelial cells they did not proliferate and showed marked senescence. We conclude that these results strongly implicate p63 in the formation and maintenance of differentiated pseudostratified bronchial epithelium.

  3. Usefulness of GATA-3 as a marker of seminal epithelium in prostate biopsies.

    PubMed

    Ortiz-Rey, J A; Chantada-de la Fuente, D; Peteiro-Cancelo, M Á; Gómez-de María, C; San Miguel-Fraile, M P

    2017-11-01

    The incidental presence of seminal vesicle epithelium in prostate needle biopsies is generally recognisable through routine microscopy. However, the biopsy can sometimes be erroneously interpreted as malignant due to its architectural and cytological characteristics, and immunohistochemistry can be useful for correctly identifying the biopsy. Our objective was to analyse the potential usefulness of GATA-3 as a marker of seminal epithelium. Through immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal anti-GATA-3 antibody (clone L50-823), we studied seminal vesicle sections from 20 prostatectomy specimens, 12 prostate needle biopsies that contained seminal vesicle tissue and 68 prostate biopsies without seminal vesicle epithelium, 36 of which showed adenocarcinoma. Staining for GATA-3 was intense in the 20 seminal vesicles of the prostatectomy specimens and in the 12 prostate needle biopsies that contained seminal epithelium. In the 60 biopsies without a seminal vesicle, GATA-3 was positive in the prostate basal cells and even in the secretory cells (57 cases), although with less intensity in 55 of the cases. One of the 36 prostatic adenocarcinomas tested positive for GATA-3. The intense immunohistochemical expression of GATA-3 in the seminal vesicle epithelium can help identify the epithelium in prostate biopsies. This marker is also positive in the basal cells of healthy prostates and, with less intensity, in the secretory cells. Positivity, weak or moderate, is observed on rare occasions in prostatic adenocarcinomas. Copyright © 2017 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  4. Claudin-8d is a cortisol-responsive barrier protein in the gill epithelium of trout.

    PubMed

    Kolosov, Dennis; Kelly, Scott P

    2017-10-01

    The influence of claudin (Cldn) 8 tight junction (TJ) proteins on cortisol-mediated alterations in gill epithelium permeability was examined using a primary cultured trout gill epithelium model. Genes encoding three Cldn-8 proteins ( cldn-8b, -8c and -8d ) have been identified in trout and all are expressed in the model gill epithelium. Cortisol treatment 'tightened' the gill epithelium, as indicated by increased transepithelial resistance (TER) and reduced paracellular [ 3 H]polyethylene glycol (MW 400 Da; PEG-400) flux. This occurred in association with elevated cldn-8d mRNA abundance, but no alterations in cldn-8b and -8c mRNA abundance were observed. Transcriptional knockdown (KD) of cldn-8d inhibited a cortisol-induced increase in Cldn-8d abundance and reduced the 'epithelium tightening' effect of cortisol in association with increased paracellular PEG-400 flux. Under simulated in vivo conditions (i.e. apical freshwater), cldn-8d KD hindered a cortisol-mediated reduction in basolateral to apical Na + and Cl - flux (i.e. reduced the ability of cortisol to mitigate ion loss). However, cldn-8d KD did not abolish the tightening effect of cortisol on the gill epithelium. This is likely due, in part, to the effect of cortisol on genes encoding other TJ proteins, which in some cases appeared to exhibit a compensatory response. Data support the idea that Cldn-8d is a barrier protein of the gill epithelium TJ that contributes significantly to corticosteroid-mediated alterations in gill epithelium permeability. © 2017 Society for Endocrinology.

  5. Quantum Dot Distribution in the Olfactory Epithelium After Nasal Delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garzotto, D.; De Marchis, S.

    2010-10-01

    Nanoparticles are used in a wide range of human applications from industrial to bio-medical fields. However, the unique characteristics of nanoparticles, such as the small size, large surface area per mass and high reactivity raises great concern on the adverse effects of these particles on ecological systems and human health. There are several pioneer studies reporting translocation of inhaled particulates to the brain through a potential neuronal uptake mediated by the olfactory nerve (1, 2, 3). However, no direct evidences have been presented up to now on the pathway followed by the nanoparticles from the nose to the brain. In addition to a neuronal pathway, nanoparticles could gain access to the central nervous system through extracellular pathways (perineuronal, perivascular and cerebrospinal fluid paths). In the present study we investigate the localization of intranasally delivered fluorescent nanoparticles in the olfactory epithelium. To this purpose we used quantum dots (QDs), a model of innovative fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals commonly used in cell and animal biology (4). Intranasal treatments with QDs were performed acutely on adult CD1 mice. The olfactory epithelium was collected and analysed by confocal microscopy at different survival time after treatment. Data obtained indicate that the neuronal components of the olfactory epithelium are not preferentially involved in QDs uptake, thus suggesting nanoparticles can cross the olfactory epithelium through extracellular pathways.

  6. Apico-basal forces exerted by apoptotic cells drive epithelium folding.

    PubMed

    Monier, Bruno; Gettings, Melanie; Gay, Guillaume; Mangeat, Thomas; Schott, Sonia; Guarner, Ana; Suzanne, Magali

    2015-02-12

    Epithelium folding is a basic morphogenetic event that is essential in transforming simple two-dimensional epithelial sheets into three-dimensional structures in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Folding has been shown to rely on apical constriction. The resulting cell-shape changes depend either on adherens junction basal shift or on a redistribution of myosin II, which could be driven by mechanical signals. Yet the initial cellular mechanisms that trigger and coordinate cell remodelling remain largely unknown. Here we unravel the active role of apoptotic cells in initiating morphogenesis, thus revealing a novel mechanism of epithelium folding. We show that, in a live developing tissue, apoptotic cells exert a transient pulling force upon the apical surface of the epithelium through a highly dynamic apico-basal myosin II cable. The apoptotic cells then induce a non-autonomous increase in tissue tension together with cortical myosin II apical stabilization in the surrounding tissue, eventually resulting in epithelium folding. Together our results, supported by a theoretical biophysical three-dimensional model, identify an apoptotic myosin-II-dependent signal as the initial signal leading to cell reorganization and tissue folding. This work further reveals that, far from being passively eliminated as generally assumed (for example, during digit individualization), apoptotic cells actively influence their surroundings and trigger tissue remodelling through regulation of tissue tension.

  7. Epithelium-Innate Immune Cell Axis in Mucosal Responses to SIV

    PubMed Central

    Shang, L.; Duan, L.; Perkey, K. E.; Wietgrefe, S.; Zupancic, M.; Smith, A. J.; Southern, P. J.; Johnson, R. P.; Haase, A. T.

    2016-01-01

    In the SIV-rhesus macaque model of HIV-1 transmission to women, one hallmark of the mucosal response to exposure to high doses of SIV is CD4 T cell recruitment that fuels local virus expansion in early infection. In this study, we systematically analyzed the cellular events and chemoattractant profiles in cervical tissues that precede CD4 T cell recruitment. We show that vaginal exposure to the SIV inoculum rapidly induces chemokine expression in cervical epithelium including CCL3, CCL20, and CXCL8. The chemokine expression is associated with early recruitment of macrophages and plasmacytoid dendritic cells that are co-clustered underneath the cervical epithelium. Production of chemokines CCL3 and CXCL8 by these cells in turn generates a chemokine gradient that is spatially correlated with the recruitment of CD4 T cells. We further show that the protection of SIVmac239Δnef vaccination against vaginal challenge is correlated with the absence of this epithelium-innate immune cell-CD4 T cell axis response in the cervical mucosa. Our results reveal a critical role for cervical epithelium in initiating early mucosal responses to vaginal infection, highlight an important role for macrophages in target cell recruitment and provide further evidence of a paradoxical dampening effect of a protective vaccine on these early mucosal responses. PMID:27435105

  8. Epithelium-innate immune cell axis in mucosal responses to SIV.

    PubMed

    Shang, L; Duan, L; Perkey, K E; Wietgrefe, S; Zupancic, M; Smith, A J; Southern, P J; Johnson, R P; Haase, A T

    2017-03-01

    In the SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus)-rhesus macaque model of HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type I) transmission to women, one hallmark of the mucosal response to exposure to high doses of SIV is CD4 T-cell recruitment that fuels local virus expansion in early infection. In this study, we systematically analyzed the cellular events and chemoattractant profiles in cervical tissues that precede CD4 T-cell recruitment. We show that vaginal exposure to the SIV inoculum rapidly induces chemokine expression in cervical epithelium including CCL3, CCL20, and CXCL8. The chemokine expression is associated with early recruitment of macrophages and plasmacytoid dendritic cells that are co-clustered underneath the cervical epithelium. Production of chemokines CCL3 and CXCL8 by these cells in turn generates a chemokine gradient that is spatially correlated with the recruitment of CD4 T cells. We further show that the protection of SIVmac239Δnef vaccination against vaginal challenge is correlated with the absence of this epithelium-innate immune cell-CD4 T-cell axis response in the cervical mucosa. Our results reveal a critical role for cervical epithelium in initiating early mucosal responses to vaginal infection, highlight an important role for macrophages in target cell recruitment, and provide further evidence of a paradoxical dampening effect of a protective vaccine on these early mucosal responses.

  9. Msx2 Prevents Stratified Squamous Epithelium Formation in the Enamel Organ.

    PubMed

    Nakatomi, M; Ida-Yonemochi, H; Nakatomi, C; Saito, K; Kenmotsu, S; Maas, R L; Ohshima, H

    2018-06-01

    Tooth enamel is manufactured by the inner enamel epithelium of the multilayered enamel organ. Msx2 loss-of-function mutation in a mouse model causes an abnormal accumulation of epithelial cells in the enamel organ, but the underlying mechanism by which Msx2 regulates amelogenesis is poorly understood. We therefore performed detailed histological and molecular analyses of Msx2 null mice. Msx2 null ameloblasts and stratum intermedium (SI) cells differentiated normally in the early stages of amelogenesis. However, during subsequent developmental stages, the outer enamel epithelium (OEE) became highly proliferative and transformed into a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that ectopically expressed stratified squamous epithelium markers, including Heat shock protein 25, Loricrin, and Keratin 10. Moreover, expression of hair follicle-specific keratin genes such as Keratin 26 and Keratin 73 was upregulated in the enamel organ of Msx2 mutants. With the accumulation of keratin in the stellate reticulum (SR) region and subsequent odontogenic cyst formation, SI cells gradually lost the ability to differentiate, and the expression of Sox2 and Notch1 was downregulated, leading to ameloblast depolarization. As a consequence, the organization of the Msx2 mutant enamel organ became disturbed and enamel failed to form in the normal location. Instead, there was ectopic mineralization that likely occurred within the SR. In summary, we show that during amelogenesis, Msx2 executes a bipartite function, repressing the transformation of OEE into a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium while simultaneously promoting the development of a properly differentiated enamel organ competent for enamel formation.

  10. Response of the flat cochlear epithelium to forced expression of Atoh1.

    PubMed

    Izumikawa, Masahiko; Batts, Shelley A; Miyazawa, Toru; Swiderski, Donald L; Raphael, Yehoash

    2008-06-01

    Following hair cell elimination in severely traumatized cochleae, differentiated supporting cells are often replaced by a simple epithelium with cuboidal or flat appearance. Atoh1 (previously Math1) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor critical to hair cell differentiation during mammalian embryogenesis. Forced expression of Atoh1 in the differentiated supporting cell population can induce transdifferentiation leading to hair cell regeneration. Here, we examined the outcome of adenovirus mediated over-expression of Atoh1 in the non-sensory cells of the flat epithelium. We determined that seven days after unilateral elimination of hair cells with neomycin, differentiated supporting cells are absent, replaced by a flat epithelium. Nerve processes were also missing from the auditory epithelium, with the exception of infrequent looping nerve processes above the habenula perforata. We then inoculated an adenovirus vector with Atoh1 insert into the scala media of the deafened cochlea. The inoculation resulted in upregulation of Atoh1 in the flat epithelium. However, two months after the inoculation, Atoh1-treated ears did not exhibit clear signs of hair cell regeneration. Combined with previous data on induction of supporting cell to hair cell transdifferentiation by forced expression of Atoh1, these results suggest that the presence of differentiated supporting cells in the organ of Corti is necessary for transdifferentiation to occur.

  11. Phagocytosis of Giardia muris by macrophages in Peyer's patch epithelium in mice.

    PubMed

    Owen, R L; Allen, C L; Stevens, D P

    1981-08-01

    No mechanism for the initiation of immunological clearance of Giardia from the mammalian intestinal tract has been identified. In normal and nude mice experimentally infected with G. muris, we examined antigen-sampling epithelium over Peyer's patch follicles by electron microscopy for evidence of interaction between G. muris and lymphoid cells. Invading G. muris were found in the epithelium near dying or desquamating columnar cells. Macrophages beneath the basal lamina extended pseudopods into the epithelium, trapping invading G. muris and enclosing them in phagolysosomes. In normal mice, which clear G. muris in 4 to 6 weeks, macrophages containing digested G. muris were surrounded by rosettes of lymphoblasts in the epithelium. In nude mice deficient in lymphocytes, there was apparent hyperplasia of macrophages, which filled the follicle domes, resulting in more frequent entrapment of G. muris but no contact between macrophages and lymphoblasts in the epithelium. In nude mice, which require 6 months to control G. muris infection, lymphoblast contact with macrophages containing distinctive microtubular remnants of G. muris was only identified in the follicle dome. This close physical association of lymphoblasts and macrophages containing G. muris remnants suggests that this macrophage activity represents intraepithelial antigen processing as well as a defense against the effects of the uncontrolled entrance of microorganisms and other antigenic particles into Peyer's patch lymphoid follicles.

  12. Postnatal epithelium and mesenchyme stem/progenitor cells in bioengineered amelogenesis and dentinogenesis.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Nan; Zhou, Jian; Chen, Mo; Schiff, Michael D; Lee, Chang H; Kong, Kimi; Embree, Mildred C; Zhou, Yanheng; Mao, Jeremy J

    2014-02-01

    Rodent incisors provide a classic model for studying epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in development. However, postnatal stem/progenitor cells in rodent incisors have not been exploited for tooth regeneration. Here, we characterized postnatal rat incisor epithelium and mesenchyme stem/progenitor cells and found that they formed enamel- and dentin-like tissues in vivo. Epithelium and mesenchyme cells were harvested separately from the apical region of postnatal 4-5 day rat incisors. Epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes were confirmed by immunocytochemistry, CFU assay and/or multi-lineage differentiation. CK14+, Sox2+ and Lgr5+ epithelium stem cells from the cervical loop enhanced amelogenin and ameloblastin expression upon BMP4 or FGF3 stimulation, signifying their differentiation towards ameloblast-like cells, whereas mesenchyme stem/progenitor cells upon BMP4, BMP7 and Wnt3a treatment robustly expressed Dspp, a hallmark of odontoblastic differentiation. We then control-released microencapsulated BMP4, BMP7 and Wnt3a in transplants of epithelium and mesenchyme stem/progenitor cells in the renal capsule of athymic mice in vivo. Enamel and dentin-like tissues were generated in two integrated layers with specific expression of amelogenin and ameloblastin in the newly formed, de novo enamel-like tissue, and DSP in dentin-like tissue. These findings suggest that postnatal epithelium and mesenchyme stem/progenitor cells can be primed towards bioengineered tooth regeneration. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Morphological alterations of periodontal pocket epithelium following Nd:YAG laser irradiation.

    PubMed

    Ting, Chun-Chan; Fukuda, Mitsuo; Watanabe, Tomohisa; Sanaoka, Atsushi; Mitani, Akio; Noguchi, Toshihide

    2014-12-01

    The purpose of this in vivo study was to examine morphologic alterations in the periodontal pocket epithelium with presence or absence of clinical inflammation following the use of the Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser irradiation. Subgingival Nd:YAG laser irradiation has been proposed as an alternative technique for treatment of chronic periodontitis. Several published studies have reported the clinical outcomes of such treatment. Twenty patients, diagnosed with moderate chronic periodontitis, were selected for the study. A total of 32 sites was identified and divided into a control (n=18) and laser-treated test groups (n=14). Probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded for all sites. Test sites were irradiated with an Nd:YAG laser using parameters of 2 W, 200 mJ pulse energy, and 10 pps delivered through a 320 μm diameter tip. Total laser treatment time ranged from 1 to 2 min. Following treatment, all specimens were harvested via biopsy and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histologic examination. Control group specimens, depending upon initial PD, exhibited either a relatively smooth and intact epithelium with little desquamation (PD≤3 mm), or increasing degrees of epithelial desquamation and leukocytic infiltration at a PD of ≥4 mm. In the laser-treated test group, the specimens with PD≤3 mm that were BOP negative (-) exhibited a thin layer of epithelium that was disrupted. In the specimens with initial PD of ≥4 mm, complete removal of the epithelium whose extent and degree were increasing, was observed in the inflamed portion, while epithelium remained in the uninflamed portion. The SEM and histologic findings demonstrated the feasibility of ablating pocket epithelium with an Nd:YAG laser irradiation using parameters of 2 W of power (200 mJ, 10 pps). Furthermore, the presence or absence of clinical inflammation appeared to have an impact on the degree of laser

  14. Transmigration of macrophages across the choroid plexus epithelium in response to the feline immunodeficiency virus

    PubMed Central

    Meeker, Rick B.; Bragg, D. C.; Poulton, Winona; Hudson, Lola

    2013-01-01

    Although lentiviruses such as human, feline and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV, FIV, SIV) rapidly gain access to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the mechanisms that control this entry are not well understood. One possibility is that the virus may be carried into the brain by immune cells that traffic across the blood–CSF barrier in the choroid plexus. Since few studies have directly examined macrophage trafficking across the blood–CSF barrier, we established transwell and explant cultures of feline choroid plexus epithelium and measured trafficking in the presence or absence of FIV. Macrophages in co-culture with the epithelium showed significant proliferation and robust trafficking that was dependent on the presence of epithelium. Macrophage migration to the apical surface of the epithelium was particularly robust in the choroid plexus explants where 3-fold increases were seen over the first 24 h. Addition of FIV to the cultures greatly increased the number of surface macrophages without influencing replication. The epithelium in the transwell cultures was also permissive to PBMC trafficking, which increased from 17 to 26% of total cells after exposure to FIV. Thus, the choroid plexus epithelium supports trafficking of both macrophages and PBMCs. FIV significantly enhanced translocation of macrophages and T cells indicating that the choroid plexus epithelium is likely to be an active site of immune cell trafficking in response to infection. PMID:22281685

  15. Sox9 regulates cell proliferation and is required for Paneth cell differentiation in the intestinal epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Bastide, Pauline; Darido, Charbel; Pannequin, Julie; Kist, Ralf; Robine, Sylvie; Marty-Double, Christiane; Bibeau, Frédéric; Scherer, Gerd; Joubert, Dominique; Hollande, Frédéric; Blache, Philippe; Jay, Philippe

    2007-01-01

    The HMG-box transcription factor Sox9 is expressed in the intestinal epithelium, specifically, in stem/progenitor cells and in Paneth cells. Sox9 expression requires an active β-catenin–Tcf complex, the transcriptional effector of the Wnt pathway. This pathway is critical for numerous aspects of the intestinal epithelium physiopathology, but processes that specify the cell response to such multipotential signals still remain to be identified. We inactivated the Sox9 gene in the intestinal epithelium to analyze its physiological function. Sox9 inactivation affected differentiation throughout the intestinal epithelium, with a disappearance of Paneth cells and a decrease of the goblet cell lineage. Additionally, the morphology of the colon epithelium was severely altered. We detected general hyperplasia and local crypt dysplasia in the intestine, and Wnt pathway target genes were up-regulated. These results highlight the central position of Sox9 as both a transcriptional target and a regulator of the Wnt pathway in the regulation of intestinal epithelium homeostasis. PMID:17698607

  16. Neural crest contribution to lingual mesenchyme, epithelium and developing taste papillae and taste buds

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Hong-Xiang; Komatsu, Yoshihiro; Mishina, Yuji; Mistretta, Charlotte M.

    2012-01-01

    The epithelium of mammalian tongue hosts most of the taste buds that transduce gustatory stimuli into neural signals. In the field of taste biology, taste bud cells have been described as arising from “local epithelium”, in distinction from many other receptor organs that are derived from neurogenic ectoderm including neural crest (NC). In fact, contribution of NC to both epithelium and mesenchyme in the developing tongue is not fully understood. In the present study we used two independent, well-characterized mouse lines, Wnt1-Cre and P0-Cre that express Cre recombinase in a NC-specific manner, in combination with two Cre reporter mouse lines, R26R and ZEG, and demonstrate a contribution of NC-derived cells to both tongue mesenchyme and epithelium including taste papillae and taste buds. In tongue mesenchyme, distribution of NC-derived cells is in close association with taste papillae. In tongue epithelium, labeled cells are observed in an initial scattered distribution and progress to a clustered pattern between papillae, and within papillae and early taste buds. This provides evidence for a contribution of NC to lingual epithelium. Together with previous reports for the origin of taste bud cells from local epithelium in postnatal mouse, we propose that NC cells migrate into and reside in the epithelium of the tongue primordium at an early embryonic stage, acquire epithelial cell phenotypes, and undergo cell proliferation and differentiation that is involved in the development of taste papillae and taste buds. Our findings lead to a new concept about derivation of taste bud cells that include a NC origin. PMID:22659543

  17. Automated selection of the most epithelium-rich areas in gynecologic tumor sections.

    PubMed

    Schipper, N W; Baak, J P; Smeulders, A W

    1991-12-01

    The paper describes an image analysis technique for automated selection of the epithelium-rich areas in standard paraffin tissue sections of ovarian and endometrial premalignancies and malignancies. Two staining procedures were evaluated, Feulgen (pararosanilin) and CAM 5.2, demonstrating the presence of cytokeratin 8 and 18; both were counterstained with naphthol yellow. The technique is based on the corresponding image processing method of automated estimation of the percentage of epithelium in interactively selected microscope fields. With the technique, one image is recorded with a filter to demonstrate where epithelium and stroma lie. This filter is chosen according to the type of staining: it is yellow (lambda = 552 nm) for Feulgen and blue (lambda = 470 nm) for anticytokeratin CAM 5.2. When stroma cannot be distinguished from lumina with the green filter or from epithelium with the blue filter, a second image is recorded from the same microscope field, with a blue filter (lambda = 420 nm) for Feulgen and a yellow filter (lambda = 576 nm) for anticytokeratin CAM 5.2. Discrimination between epithelium and stroma is based on the image contrast range and the packing of nuclei in the yellow image and on the automated classification of the gray value histogram peaks in the blue image. For Feulgen stain the method was evaluated on 30 ovarian tumors of the common epithelial types (8 borderline tumors and 22 carcinomas with various degrees of differentiation) and 30 endometrial carcinomas of different grades.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  18. Proteomic profiling of fetal esophageal epithelium, esophageal cancer, and tumor-adjacent esophageal epithelium and immunohistochemical characterization of a representative differential protein, PRX6

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Jun-Hui; Xing, Guo-Lan; Fang, Xin-Hui; Wu, Hui-Fang; Zhang, Bo; Yu, Jin-Zhong; Fan, Zong-Min; Wang, Li-Dong

    2017-01-01

    AIM To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis. METHODS Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo. RESULTS After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend (P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age (P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes (accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation. PMID:28293090

  19. Proteomic profiling of fetal esophageal epithelium, esophageal cancer, and tumor-adjacent esophageal epithelium and immunohistochemical characterization of a representative differential protein, PRX6.

    PubMed

    Guo, Jun-Hui; Xing, Guo-Lan; Fang, Xin-Hui; Wu, Hui-Fang; Zhang, Bo; Yu, Jin-Zhong; Fan, Zong-Min; Wang, Li-Dong

    2017-02-28

    To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis. Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ , as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo. After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend ( P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age ( P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues ( P < 0.05). Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes (accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation.

  20. Potential, Current, and Ionic Fluxes across the Isolated Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Choroid

    PubMed Central

    Lasansky, Arnaldo; de Fisch, Felisa W.

    1966-01-01

    A flux chamber was utilized for in vitro studies of a membrane formed by the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid of the eye of the toad (Bufo arenarum and Bufo marinus). A transmembrane potential of 20 to 30 mv was found, the pigment epithelium surface positive with respect to the choroidal surface. Unidirectional fluxes of chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium were determined in the absence of an electrochemical potential difference. A net transfer of chloride from pigment epithelium to choroid accounted for a major fraction of the mean short-circuit current. A small net flux of sodium from choroid to pigment epithelium was detected in Bufo marinus. In both species of toads, however, about one-third of the mean short-circuit current remained unaccounted for. Manometric determinations of bicarbonate suggested an uptake of this ion at the epithelial surface of the membrane but did not provide evidence of a relationship between this process and the short-circuit current. PMID:5961357

  1. Ion transport by primary cultures of canine tracheal epithelium: methodology, morphology, and electrophysiology.

    PubMed

    Welsh, M J

    1985-01-01

    Canine tracheal epithelial cells were isolated by enzymatic and mechanical dispersion and cultured on permeable supports. The cells formed confluent monolayers and retained most of the morphologic characteristics of the intact epithelium, including apical microvilli, apical tight junctions, and a moderately interdigitated lateral intercellular space. The cells also retained the functional properties of the epithelium. The monolayer responded to addition of isoproterenol with the characteristic changes in cellular electrical properties expected for stimulation of C1 secretion: isoproterenol increased transepithelial voltage, depolarized apical membrane voltage, and decreased both transepithelial resistance and the ratio of apical-to-basolateral membrane resistance. Examination of the cellular response to ion substitutions and inhibitors of C1 secretion indicate that the cultured monolayers retain the same cellular mechanisms of ion transport as the intact epithelium. Thus, primary cultures of tracheal epithelium may provide a useful preparation for future studies of the mechanism and regulation of C1 secretion by airway epithelia.

  2. Bacterial colonization stimulates a complex physiological response in the immature human intestinal epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Hill, David R; Huang, Sha; Nagy, Melinda S; Yadagiri, Veda K; Fields, Courtney; Mukherjee, Dishari; Bons, Brooke; Dedhia, Priya H; Chin, Alana M; Tsai, Yu-Hwai; Thodla, Shrikar; Schmidt, Thomas M; Walk, Seth

    2017-01-01

    The human gastrointestinal tract is immature at birth, yet must adapt to dramatic changes such as oral nutrition and microbial colonization. The confluence of these factors can lead to severe inflammatory disease in premature infants; however, investigating complex environment-host interactions is difficult due to limited access to immature human tissue. Here, we demonstrate that the epithelium of human pluripotent stem-cell-derived human intestinal organoids is globally similar to the immature human epithelium and we utilize HIOs to investigate complex host-microbe interactions in this naive epithelium. Our findings demonstrate that the immature epithelium is intrinsically capable of establishing a stable host-microbe symbiosis. Microbial colonization leads to complex contact and hypoxia driven responses resulting in increased antimicrobial peptide production, maturation of the mucus layer, and improved barrier function. These studies lay the groundwork for an improved mechanistic understanding of how colonization influences development of the immature human intestine. PMID:29110754

  3. Macrophages are required for dendritic cell uptake of respiratory syncytial virus from an infected epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ugonna, Kelechi; Bingle, Colin D; Plant, Karen; Wilson, Kirsty; Everard, Mark L

    2014-01-01

    We have previously shown that the respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] can productively infect monocyte derived dendritic cells [MoDC] and remain dormant within the same cells for prolonged periods. It is therefore possible that infected dendritic cells act as a reservoir within the airways of individuals between annual epidemics. In the present study we explored the possibility that sub-epithelial DCs can be infected with RSV from differentiated bronchial epithelium and that in turn RSV from DCs can infect the epithelium. A dual co-culture model was established in which a differentiated primary airway epithelium on an Air Liquid Interface (ALI) was cultured on a transwell insert and MoDCs were subsequently added to the basolateral membrane of the insert. Further experiments were undertaken using a triple co-culture model in which in which macrophages were added to the apical surface of the differentiated epithelium. A modified RSV [rr-RSV] expressing a red fluorescent protein marker of replication was used to infect either the MoDCs or the differentiated epithelium and infection of the reciprocal cell type was assessed using confocal microscopy. Our data shows that primary epithelium became infected when rr-RSV infected MoDCs were introduced onto the basal surface of the transwell insert. MoDCs located beneath the epithelium did not become infected with virus from infected epithelial cells in the dual co-culture model. However when macrophages were present on the apical surface of the primary epithelium infection of the basal MoDCs occurred. Our data suggests that RSV infected dendritic cells readily transmit infection to epithelial cells even when they are located beneath the basal layer. However macrophages appear to be necessary for the transmission of infection from epithelial cells to basal dendritic cells.

  4. Rhinovirus Delays Cell Repolarization in a Model of Injured/Regenerating Human Airway Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Faris, Andrea N.; Ganesan, Shyamala; Chattoraj, Asamanja; Chattoraj, Sangbrita S.; Comstock, Adam T.; Unger, Benjamin L.; Hershenson, Marc B.

    2016-01-01

    Rhinovirus (RV), which causes exacerbation in patients with chronic airway diseases, readily infects injured airway epithelium and has been reported to delay wound closure. In this study, we examined the effects of RV on cell repolarization and differentiation in a model of injured/regenerating airway epithelium (polarized, undifferentiated cells). RV causes only a transient barrier disruption in a model of normal (mucociliary-differentiated) airway epithelium. However, in the injury/regeneration model, RV prolongs barrier dysfunction and alters the differentiation of cells. The prolonged barrier dysfunction caused by RV was not a result of excessive cell death but was instead associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features, such as reduced expression of the apicolateral junction and polarity complex proteins, E-cadherin, occludin, ZO-1, claudins 1 and 4, and Crumbs3 and increased expression of vimentin, a mesenchymal cell marker. The expression of Snail, a transcriptional repressor of tight and adherence junctions, was also up-regulated in RV-infected injured/regenerating airway epithelium, and inhibition of Snail reversed RV-induced EMT-like features. In addition, compared with sham-infected cells, the RV-infected injured/regenerating airway epithelium showed more goblet cells and fewer ciliated cells. Inhibition of epithelial growth factor receptor promoted repolarization of cells by inhibiting Snail and enhancing expression of E-cadherin, occludin, and Crumbs3 proteins, reduced the number of goblet cells, and increased the number of ciliated cells. Together, these results suggest that RV not only disrupts barrier function, but also interferes with normal renewal of injured/regenerating airway epithelium by inducing EMT-like features and subsequent goblet cell hyperplasia. PMID:27119973

  5. cAMP Stimulates Transepithelial Short-Circuit Current and Fluid Transport Across Porcine Ciliary Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Angela King-Wah; Civan, Mortimer M; To, Chi-Ho; Do, Chi-Wai

    2016-12-01

    To investigate the effects of cAMP on transepithelial electrical parameters and fluid transport across porcine ciliary epithelium. Transepithelial electrical parameters were determined by mounting freshly isolated porcine ciliary epithelium in a modified Ussing chamber. Similarly, fluid movement across intact ciliary body was measured with a custom-made fluid flow chamber. Addition of 1, 10, and 100 μM 8-Br-cAMP (cAMP) to the aqueous side (nonpigmented ciliary epithelium, NPE) induced a sustained increase in short-circuit current (Isc). Addition of niflumic acid (NFA) to the aqueous surface effectively blocked the cAMP-induced Isc stimulation. The administration of cAMP to the stromal side (pigmented ciliary epithelium, PE) triggered a significant stimulation of Isc only at 100 μM. No additive effect was observed with bilateral application of cAMP. Likewise, forskolin caused a significant stimulation of Isc when applied to the aqueous side. Concomitantly, cAMP and forskolin increased fluid transport across porcine ciliary epithelium, and this stimulation was effectively inhibited by aqueous NFA. Depleting Cl- in the bathing solution abolished the baseline Isc and inhibited the subsequent stimulation by cAMP. Pretreatment with protein kinase A (PKA) blockers (H89/KT5720) significantly inhibited the cAMP- and forskolin-induced Isc responses. Our results suggest that cAMP triggers a sustained stimulation of Cl- and fluid transport across porcine ciliary epithelium; Cl- channels in the NPE cells are potentially a cellular site for this PKA-sensitive cAMP-mediated response.

  6. Ciliated cells of pseudostratified airway epithelium do not become mucous cells after ovalbumin challenge.

    PubMed

    Pardo-Saganta, Ana; Law, Brandon M; Gonzalez-Celeiro, Meryem; Vinarsky, Vladimir; Rajagopal, Jayaraj

    2013-03-01

    Mucous cell metaplasia is a hallmark of airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The majority of human airway epithelium is pseudostratified, but the cell of origin of mucous cells has not been definitively established in this type of airway epithelium. There is evidence that ciliated, club cell (Clara), and basal cells can all give rise to mucus-producing cells in different contexts. Because pseudostratified airway epithelium contains distinct progenitor cells from simple columnar airway epithelium, the lineage relationships of progenitor cells to mucous cells may be different in these two epithelial types. We therefore performed lineage tracing of the ciliated cells of the murine basal cell-containing airway epithelium in conjunction with the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of allergic lung disease. We genetically labeled ciliated cells with enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein (eYFP) before the allergen challenge, and followed the fate of these cells to determine whether they gave rise to newly formed mucous cells. Although ciliated cells increased in number after the OVA challenge, the newly formed mucous cells were not labeled with the eYFP lineage tag. Even small numbers of labeled mucous cells could not be detected, implying that ciliated cells make virtually no contribution to the new goblet cell pool. This demonstrates that, after OVA challenge, new mucous cells do not originate from ciliated cells in a pseudostratified basal cell-containing airway epithelium.

  7. Serum levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) are positively associated with acanthosis nigricans in obese adolescents.

    PubMed

    Galhardo, J; Hunt, L P; Shield, J P H

    2012-07-01

    Circulating pigment epithelium-derived factor, or serine protease inhibitor F1, is upregulated during adipogenesis, contributing to obesity-induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, pigment epithelium-derived factor is abundant in stage I melanosomes and has been reported to increase pigment granules and the appearance of mature melanosomes in retinal pigment epithelium. As acanthosis nigricans is a well-recognized clinical marker of insulin resistance, we hypothesized that increased pigment epithelium-derived factor might be associated with the generation of acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis nigricans, anthropometric measurements, circulating total PEDF and metabolic profiles were assessed in 28 obese adolescents in a hospital-based obesity clinic. Subjects with acanthosis nigricans (n = 10) showed greater plasma levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) than those without [geometric mean 23.55 (range 15.2-40.2) vs. 9.01 (range 5.5-18.7) μg/ml; P < 0.001]. Although pigment epithelium-derived factor was positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.779, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.573-0.892), as previously reported, for the same degree of insulin resistance, those with acanthosis nigricans exhibited a 2.1-fold (95%CI 2.0-2.3) higher level of pigment epithelium-derived factor. While acanthosis nigricans is undoubtedly associated with insulin resistance, its appearance is not ubiquitous in patients at any given level of HOMA-IR. The higher levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor in those with acanthosis nigricans compared with those without, with similar levels of resistance, suggest that pigment epithelium-derived factor levels are associated with acanthosis nigricans. © 2012 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2012 Diabetes UK.

  8. Keratinocyte growth factor is a growth factor for mammary epithelium in vivo. The mammary epithelium of lactating rats is resistant to the proliferative action of keratinocyte growth factor.

    PubMed Central

    Ulich, T. R.; Yi, E. S.; Cardiff, R.; Yin, S.; Bikhazi, N.; Biltz, R.; Morris, C. F.; Pierce, G. F.

    1994-01-01

    Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. KGF is secreted by stromal cells and affects epithelial but not mesenchymal cell proliferation. KGF injected intravenously was found to cause dramatic proliferation of mammary epithelium in the mammary glands of rats. KGF causes ductal neogenesis and intraductal epithelial hyperplasia but not lobular differentiation in nulliparous female rats. KGF causes ductal and lobular epithelial hyperplasia in male rats. KGF causes proliferation of ductal and acinar cells in the mammary glands of pregnant rats. On the other hand, the ductal epithelium of lactating postpartum rats is resistant to the proliferative action of KGF. The mammary glands of lactating rats did not express less KGF receptor mRNA than the glands of pregnant rats, suggesting that the resistance of the ductal epithelium to KGF during lactation is not related to KGF receptor mRNA down-regulation. The mammary glands of both pregnant and postpartum lactating rats express KGF mRNA with more KGF present in the glands of lactating rats. In conclusion, the KGF and KGF receptor genes are expressed in rat mammary glands and recombinant KGF is a potent growth factor for mammary epithelium. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 PMID:8178937

  9. Comparison of NaCl-induced response across the tongue epithelium to that across other epithelia in the frog.

    PubMed

    Soeda, H; Sakudo, F

    1990-01-01

    Electrical properties of the frog tongue epithelium were compared to those of skin and bladder, which have active sodium transport. During perfusion with Ringer solution, the potential difference across the tongue epithelium was negligible, unlike those of the skin and bladder. NaCl stimulation of the tongue epithelium produced a response with a polarity opposite to that of the skin and bladder. The response profile of the tongue epithelium except for the polarity resembled that of other tissues. In conclusion, the NaCl response of the tongue epithelium is independent of active sodium transport and instead occurs by passive transport, which may influence taste reception.

  10. Engineering Functional Epithelium for Regenerative Medicine and In Vitro Organ Models: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Vrana, Nihal E.; Lavalle, Philippe; Dokmeci, Mehmet R.; Dehghani, Fariba; Ghaemmaghami, Amir M.

    2013-01-01

    Recent advances in the fields of microfabrication, biomaterials, and tissue engineering have provided new opportunities for developing biomimetic and functional tissues with potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, and replacing damaged tissues. An intact epithelium plays an indispensable role in the functionality of several organs such as the trachea, esophagus, and cornea. Furthermore, the integrity of the epithelial barrier and its degree of differentiation would define the level of success in tissue engineering of other organs such as the bladder and the skin. In this review, we focus on the challenges and requirements associated with engineering of epithelial layers in different tissues. Functional epithelial layers can be achieved by methods such as cell sheets, cell homing, and in situ epithelialization. However, for organs composed of several tissues, other important factors such as (1) in vivo epithelial cell migration, (2) multicell-type differentiation within the epithelium, and (3) epithelial cell interactions with the underlying mesenchymal cells should also be considered. Recent successful clinical trials in tissue engineering of the trachea have highlighted the importance of a functional epithelium for long-term success and survival of tissue replacements. Hence, using the trachea as a model tissue in clinical use, we describe the optimal structure of an artificial epithelium as well as challenges of obtaining a fully functional epithelium in macroscale. One of the possible remedies to address such challenges is the use of bottom-up fabrication methods to obtain a functional epithelium. Modular approaches for the generation of functional epithelial layers are reviewed and other emerging applications of microscale epithelial tissue models for studying epithelial/mesenchymal interactions in healthy and diseased (e.g., cancer) tissues are described. These models can elucidate the epithelial/mesenchymal tissue interactions at the

  11. Engineering functional epithelium for regenerative medicine and in vitro organ models: a review.

    PubMed

    Vrana, Nihal E; Lavalle, Philippe; Dokmeci, Mehmet R; Dehghani, Fariba; Ghaemmaghami, Amir M; Khademhosseini, Ali

    2013-12-01

    Recent advances in the fields of microfabrication, biomaterials, and tissue engineering have provided new opportunities for developing biomimetic and functional tissues with potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, and replacing damaged tissues. An intact epithelium plays an indispensable role in the functionality of several organs such as the trachea, esophagus, and cornea. Furthermore, the integrity of the epithelial barrier and its degree of differentiation would define the level of success in tissue engineering of other organs such as the bladder and the skin. In this review, we focus on the challenges and requirements associated with engineering of epithelial layers in different tissues. Functional epithelial layers can be achieved by methods such as cell sheets, cell homing, and in situ epithelialization. However, for organs composed of several tissues, other important factors such as (1) in vivo epithelial cell migration, (2) multicell-type differentiation within the epithelium, and (3) epithelial cell interactions with the underlying mesenchymal cells should also be considered. Recent successful clinical trials in tissue engineering of the trachea have highlighted the importance of a functional epithelium for long-term success and survival of tissue replacements. Hence, using the trachea as a model tissue in clinical use, we describe the optimal structure of an artificial epithelium as well as challenges of obtaining a fully functional epithelium in macroscale. One of the possible remedies to address such challenges is the use of bottom-up fabrication methods to obtain a functional epithelium. Modular approaches for the generation of functional epithelial layers are reviewed and other emerging applications of microscale epithelial tissue models for studying epithelial/mesenchymal interactions in healthy and diseased (e.g., cancer) tissues are described. These models can elucidate the epithelial/mesenchymal tissue interactions at the

  12. STUDIES OF NORMAL GENE EXPRESSION IN THE RAT NASAL EPITHELIUM USNG CDNA ARRAY TECHNOLOGY

    EPA Science Inventory


    Studies of Normal Gene Expression in the Rat Nasal Epithelium Using cDNA Array

    The nasal epithelium is an important target site for chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity .Gene expression data are being used increasingly for studies of such conditions. In or...

  13. Expression of heat shock protein in the atrophic corneal epithelium of the Royal College of Surgeons dystrophic rat.

    PubMed

    Yamaguchi, K; Yamaguchi, K; Sheedlo, H J; Turner, J E

    1991-03-01

    We report atrophic changes in the corneal epithelium of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rats. The thickness of the corneal epithelium of 180-day-old RCS dystrophic rats was significantly decreased compared to that of 26-day-old RCS dystrophic and age-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Immunostaining for (Na+ + K+) ATPase in the corneal epithelium of 180-day-old RCS dystrophic rats was dramatically reduced when compared to that of 26-day-old RCS dystrophic and age-matched SD rats. In contrast, heat shock protein immunostaining in the corneal epithelium was dense in all of the basal cells, wing cells, and superficial cells of 180-day-old RCS dystrophic rats but was minimally observed in some of the basal cells and in fewer wing and superficial cells of the corneal epithelium of 26-day-old RCS dystrophic and age-matched SD rats. We speculate that toxic products from the degenerating rod outer segments in the course of retinal dystrophy may affect the corneal epithelium, resulting in its atrophy. It is also possible that heat shock proteins appear in the atrophic corneal epithelium due to its degenerative condition.

  14. Regeneration of tracheal epithelium using mouse induced pluripotent stem cells.

    PubMed

    Ikeda, Masakazu; Imaizumi, Mitsuyoshi; Yoshie, Susumu; Otsuki, Koshi; Miyake, Masao; Hazama, Akihiro; Wada, Ikuo; Omori, Koichi

    2016-01-01

    Conclusion The findings demonstrated the potential use of induced pluripotent stem cells for regeneration of tracheal epithelium. Objective Autologous tissue implantation techniques using skin or cartilage are often applied in cases of tracheal defects with laryngeal inflammatory lesions and malignant tumor invasion. However, these techniques are invasive with an unstable clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate regeneration in a tracheal defect site of nude rats after implantation of ciliated epithelium that was differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells. Method Embryoid bodies were formed from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. They were cultured with growth factors for 5 days, and then cultured at the air-liquid interface. The degree of differentiation achieved prior to implantation was determined by histological findings and the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction. Embryoid bodies including ciliated epithelium were embedded into collagen gel that served as an artificial scaffold, and then implanted into nude rats, creating an 'air-liquid interface model'. Histological evaluation was performed 7 days after implantation. Results The ciliated epithelial structure survived on the lumen side of regenerated tissue. It was demonstrated histologically that the structure was composed of ciliated epithelial cells.

  15. Cellular chloride and bicarbonate retention alters intracellular pH regulation in Cftr KO crypt epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Walker, Nancy M.; Liu, Jinghua; Stein, Sydney R.; Stefanski, Casey D.; Strubberg, Ashlee M.

    2015-01-01

    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an anion channel providing a major pathway for Cl− and HCO3− efflux across the apical membrane of the epithelium. In the intestine, CF manifests as obstructive syndromes, dysbiosis, inflammation, and an increased risk for gastrointestinal cancer. Cftr knockout (KO) mice recapitulate CF intestinal disease, including intestinal hyperproliferation. Previous studies using Cftr KO intestinal organoids (enteroids) indicate that crypt epithelium maintains an alkaline intracellular pH (pHi). We hypothesized that Cftr has a cell-autonomous role in downregulating pHi that is incompletely compensated by acid-base regulation in its absence. Here, 2′,7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein microfluorimetry of enteroids showed that Cftr KO crypt epithelium sustains an alkaline pHi and resistance to cell acidification relative to wild-type. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that Cftr KO enteroids exhibit downregulated transcription of base (HCO3−)-loading proteins and upregulation of the basolateral membrane HCO3−-unloader anion exchanger 2 (Ae2). Although Cftr KO crypt epithelium had increased Ae2 expression and Ae2-mediated Cl−/HCO3− exchange with maximized gradients, it also had increased intracellular Cl− concentration relative to wild-type. Pharmacological reduction of intracellular Cl− concentration in Cftr KO crypt epithelium normalized pHi, which was largely Ae2-dependent. We conclude that Cftr KO crypt epithelium maintains an alkaline pHi as a consequence of losing both Cl− and HCO3− efflux, which impairs pHi regulation by Ae2. Retention of Cl− and an alkaline pHi in crypt epithelium may alter several cellular processes in the proliferative compartment of Cftr KO intestine. PMID:26542396

  16. Anterior lens epithelium in cataract patients with retinitis pigmentosa - scanning and transmission electron microscopy study.

    PubMed

    Andjelic, Sofija; Drašlar, Kazimir; Hvala, Anastazija; Hawlina, Marko

    2017-05-01

    In retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, relatively minor lens opacity in central part of posterior pole of the lens may cause disproportionate functional symptoms requiring cataract operation. To investigate the possible structural reasons for this opacity development, we studied the structure of the lens epithelium of patients with RP. The anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells, LECs) was obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Both SEM and TEM show a number of abnormal features in the anterior lens epithelium of cataract patients with RP. The abnormalities appear mainly as holes, thinning and degradation of the epithelium, with the dimensions from <1 μm to more than 50 μm. Other types of holes in size up to 20 μm were seen that may be formed by gradual stretching of the lens epithelium. Another type of abnormalities was cracks that were seen between adjacent LECs, with dimensions 0.1-2 μm × up to 10 μm. Abnormal structural features were observed in the anterior lens epithelium that may cause water influx into the lens. This may lead to clouding along the water clefts leading towards the posterior pole in the RP cataractous lens. We suggest that the lens epithelium has a role in the development of the cataract in patients with RP. © 2016 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  17. Claudin-31 contributes to corticosteroid-induced alterations in the barrier properties of the gill epithelium.

    PubMed

    Kolosov, Dennis; Donini, Andrew; Kelly, Scott P

    2017-01-05

    The contribution of Claudin-31 (Cldn-31) to corticosteroid-induced tightening of the trout gill epithelium was examined using a primary cultured model preparation. Cldn-31 is a ∼23 kDa protein that localizes to the periphery of gill epithelial cells and diffusely in select gill cells that are Na + -K + -ATPase-immunoreactive. Transcriptional knockdown (KD) of cldn-31 reduced Cldn-31 abundance and increased epithelium permeability. Under simulated in vivo conditions (apical freshwater), cldn-31 KD increased net ion flux rates (≡ efflux). Cortisol treatment increased Cldn-31 abundance and decreased epithelium permeability. This tightening effect was diminished, but not eliminated, by cldn-31 KD, most likely due to other cortisol-sensitive TJ proteins that were transcriptionally unperturbed or enhanced in cortisol-treated cldn-31 KD preparations. However, cldn-31 KD abolished a cortisol-induced increase in Cldn-8d abundance, which may contribute to compromised cldn-31 KD epithelium permeability. Data suggest an important barrier function for Cldn-31 and an integral role for Cldn-31 in corticosteroid-induced gill epithelium tightening. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Identification of Distinct Layers Within the Stratified Squamous Epithelium of the Adult Human True Vocal Fold

    PubMed Central

    Dowdall, Jayme R.; Sadow, Peter M.; Hartnick, Christopher; Vinarsky, Vladimir; Mou, Hongmei; Zhao, Rui; Song, Phillip C.; Franco, Ramon A.; Rajagopal, Jayaraj

    2016-01-01

    Objectives/Hypothesis A precise molecular schema for classifying the different cell types of the normal human vocal fold epithelium is lacking. We hypothesize that the true vocal fold epithelium has a cellular architecture and organization similar to that of other stratified squamous epithelia including the skin, cornea, oral mucosa, and esophagus. In analogy to disorders of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, a molecular definition of the normal cell types within the human vocal fold epithelium and a description of their geometric relationships should serve as a foundation for characterizing cellular changes associated with metaplasia, dysplasia, and cancer. Study Design Qualitative study with adult human larynges. Methods Histologic sections of normal human laryngeal tissue were analyzed for morphology (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical protein expression profile, including cytokeratins (CK13 and CK14), cornified envelope proteins (involucrin), basal cells (NGFR/p75), and proliferation markers (Ki67). Results We demonstrated that three distinct cell strata with unique marker profiles are present within the stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. We used these definitions to establish that cell proliferation is restricted to certain cell types and layers within the epithelium. These distinct cell types are reproducible across five normal adult larynges. Conclusion We have established that three layers of cells are present within the normal adult stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. Furthermore, replicating cell populations are largely restricted to the parabasal strata within the epithelium. This delineation of distinct cell populations will facilitate future studies of vocal fold regeneration and cancer. Level of Evidence N/A. PMID:25988619

  19. Identification of distinct layers within the stratified squamous epithelium of the adult human true vocal fold.

    PubMed

    Dowdall, Jayme R; Sadow, Peter M; Hartnick, Christopher; Vinarsky, Vladimir; Mou, Hongmei; Zhao, Rui; Song, Phillip C; Franco, Ramon A; Rajagopal, Jayaraj

    2015-09-01

    A precise molecular schema for classifying the different cell types of the normal human vocal fold epithelium is lacking. We hypothesize that the true vocal fold epithelium has a cellular architecture and organization similar to that of other stratified squamous epithelia including the skin, cornea, oral mucosa, and esophagus. In analogy to disorders of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, a molecular definition of the normal cell types within the human vocal fold epithelium and a description of their geometric relationships should serve as a foundation for characterizing cellular changes associated with metaplasia, dysplasia, and cancer. Qualitative study with adult human larynges. Histologic sections of normal human laryngeal tissue were analyzed for morphology (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical protein expression profile, including cytokeratins (CK13 and CK14), cornified envelope proteins (involucrin), basal cells (NGFR/p75), and proliferation markers (Ki67). We demonstrated that three distinct cell strata with unique marker profiles are present within the stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. We used these definitions to establish that cell proliferation is restricted to certain cell types and layers within the epithelium. These distinct cell types are reproducible across five normal adult larynges. We have established that three layers of cells are present within the normal adult stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. Furthermore, replicating cell populations are largely restricted to the parabasal strata within the epithelium. This delineation of distinct cell populations will facilitate future studies of vocal fold regeneration and cancer. N/A. © 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

  20. Megalin and cubilin in the human gallbladder epithelium.

    PubMed

    Tsaroucha, Alexandra K; Chatzaki, Ekaterini; Lambropoulou, Maria; Despoudi, Kaliopi; Laftsidis, Prodromos; Charsou, Chara; Polychronidis, Alexandros; Papadopoulos, Nikolaos; Simopoulos, Constantinos E

    2008-09-01

    Although the role of cholesterol absorption by the gallbladder epithelium in gallstone formation is well established, the exact process is poorly understood. Potential candidates for regulation of transepithelial cholesterol transport are suggested to be two large membrane multiple ligand receptors, megalin and cubilin. We studied the expression of these two proteins in both acalculous and calculous human gallbladder epithelia. Adult human gallbladder tissues were received from 21 patients (9 men, 12 women) who had undergone cholecystectomy. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (calculous gallbladder group; 5 men, 6 women; mean age 64.4 +/- 11.1 years) with cholelithiasis, and group B (acalculous gallbladder group; 4 men, 6 women; mean age 55.3 +/- 16.1 years). In the gallbladder tissues megalin and cubilin expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and conventional RT-PCR, and gene expression levels were estimated by real-time RT-PCR. Both megalin and cubilin gene transcripts were found in total RNA preparations from acalculous gallbladder. In contrast, in preparations from calculous gallbladder, none or only one of the proteins was detected. Immunoreactive proteins were detected in the simple columnar acalculous gallbladder epithelium but not in the calculous gallbladder epithelium. Our results show different expression patterns of the two proteins in calculous gallbladders and acalculous gallbladders. In the latter both proteins are expressed, suggesting an association with gallstone formation and implying a putative role of the two proteins in cholesterol endocytosis. In other words, the presence of both proteins may be essential for the prevention of stone formation.

  1. Claudin expression in follicle-associated epithelium of rat Peyer's patches defines a major restriction of the paracellular pathway.

    PubMed

    Markov, A G; Falchuk, E L; Kruglova, N M; Radloff, J; Amasheh, S

    2016-01-01

    Members of the tight junction protein family of claudins have been demonstrated to specifically determine paracellular permeability of the intestinal epithelium. In small intestinal mucosa, which is generally considered to be a leaky epithelium, Peyer's patches are a primary part of the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyse the tight junctional barrier of follicle-associated epithelium covering Peyer's patches (lymphoid follicles). Employing small intestinal tissue specimens of male Wistar rats, electrophysiological analyses including the Ussing chamber technique, marker flux measurements and one-path impedance spectroscopy were performed. Morphometry of HE-stained tissue sections was taken into account. Claudin expression and localization was analysed by immunoblotting and confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscopy. Almost twofold higher parameters of epithelial and transepithelial tissue resistance and a markedly lower permeability for the paracellular permeability markers 4 and 20 kDa FITC-dextran were detected in follicle-associated epithelium compared to neighbouring villous epithelium. Analysis of claudin expression and localization revealed a stronger expression of major sealing proteins in follicle-associated epithelium, including claudin-1, claudin-4, claudin-5 and claudin-8. Therefore, the specific expression and localization of claudins is in accordance with barrier properties of follicle-associated epithelium vs. neighbouring villous epithelium. We demonstrate that follicle-associated epithelium is specialized to ensure maximum restriction of the epithelial paracellular pathway in Peyer's patches by selective sealing of tight junctions. This results in an exclusive transcellular pathway of epithelial cells as the limiting and mandatory route for a controlled presentation of antigens to the underlying lymphocytes under physiological conditions. © 2015 Scandinavian Physiological Society. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. The Effect of Corneal Epithelium on Corneal Curvature in Patients with Keratoconus.

    PubMed

    Akcay, Emine Kalkan; Uysal, Betul Seher; Sarac, Ozge; Ugurlu, Nagehan; Yulek, Fatma; Cagil, Nurullah; Aslan, Nabi

    2015-01-01

    To investigate the effects of corneal epithelium on corneal curvature in patients with keratoconus. This is a prospective, nonrandomized study. Fifty-nine eyes of 47 patients diagnosed as keratoconus and for whom corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) was recruited in this study. This study is a single-center clinical trial. Pregnancy, lactation, connective tissue disease, corneal thickness below 350 μm, severe dry eyes, or scar of corneal surgery were exclusion criteria. Before and during CXL procedure after removing the corneal epithelium, maximum values of corneal apical curvature, simulated keratometry 1 (Sim-K1), simulated keratometry 2 (Sim-K2), temporal and inferior curvature values, all of which are 1.5 mm from the corneal center, were calculated. These values before and after removal of epithelium were compared statistically. Mean age of patients was 23.30 ± 5.5 (12-38) years. Twenty-eight (59%) were male while 19 (41%) were female. Mean values measured before and after removing the corneal epithelium were: apical curvature; 59.19 ± 7.2 (47.06-82.40) diopter (D) and 61.70 ± 8.8 (49.19-92.66) D (p = 0.001), SimK1; 47.57 ± 4.3 (39.14-64.57) D and 48.23 ± 4.3 (41.89-66.70) D (p = 0.001), SimK2; 52.04 ± 5.3 (43.56-69.34) D and 53.34 ± 5.6 (43.73-70.89) D (p = 0.001), inferior curvature; 53,85 ± 5.2 (43.47-76.56) D and 55.05 ± 5.8 (44.56-81.93) D (p = 0.002), temporal curvature 49.49 ± 5.1 (41.50-71.03) D and 51.53 ± 5.4 (41.58-73.34) D (p = 0.001), respectively. In keratoconus patients during CXL treatment, after removing the corneal epithelium, more steepness is detected in the curvature of the steeper area of the cornea. When evaluating patients with keratoconus, the masking effect of corneal epithelium on values of curvature should be taken into consideration.

  3. Role of pigment epithelium-derived factor in the reproductive system.

    PubMed

    Chuderland, Dana; Ben-Ami, Ido; Bar-Joseph, Hadas; Shalgi, Ruth

    2014-10-01

    The physiological function of the female reproductive organs is hormonally controlled. In each cycle, the reproductive organs undergo tissue modifications that are accompanied by formation and destruction of blood vessels. Proper angiogenesis requires an accurate balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals, provided by pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. As with many other tissues, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to be one of the major pro-angiogenic factors in the female reproductive organs. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a non-inhibitory member of the serine protease inhibitors (serpin) superfamily, possessing potent physiologic anti-angiogenic activity that negates VEGF activity. The role of PEDF in decreasing abnormal neovascularization by exerting its anti-angiogenic effect that inhibits pro-angiogenic factors, including VEGF, has been investigated mainly in the eye and in cancer. This review summarizes the function of PEDF in the reproductive system, showing its hormonal regulation and its anti-angiogenic activity. Furthermore, some pathologies of the female reproductive organs, including endometriosis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and others, are associated with a faulty angiogenic process. This review illuminates the role of PEDF in their pathogenesis and treatment. Collectively, we can conclude that although PEDF seems to play an essential role in the physiology and pathophysiology of the reproductive system, its full role and mechanism of action still need to be elucidated. © 2014 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

  4. Multi-resolution cell orientation congruence descriptors for epithelium segmentation in endometrial histology images.

    PubMed

    Li, Guannan; Raza, Shan E Ahmed; Rajpoot, Nasir M

    2017-04-01

    It has been recently shown that recurrent miscarriage can be caused by abnormally high ratio of number of uterine natural killer (UNK) cells to the number of stromal cells in human female uterus lining. Due to high workload, the counting of UNK and stromal cells needs to be automated using computer algorithms. However, stromal cells are very similar in appearance to epithelial cells which must be excluded in the counting process. To exclude the epithelial cells from the counting process it is necessary to identify epithelial regions. There are two types of epithelial layers that can be encountered in the endometrium: luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium. To the best of our knowledge, there is no existing method that addresses the segmentation of both types of epithelium simultaneously in endometrial histology images. In this paper, we propose a multi-resolution Cell Orientation Congruence (COCo) descriptor which exploits the fact that neighbouring epithelial cells exhibit similarity in terms of their orientations. Our experimental results show that the proposed descriptors yield accurate results in simultaneously segmenting both luminal and glandular epithelium. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Dynamic relationship of the epithelium and mesenchyme during salivary gland initiation: the role of Fgf10

    PubMed Central

    Wells, Kirsty L.; Gaete, Marcia; Matalova, Eva; Deutsch, Danny; Rice, David; Tucker, Abigail S.

    2013-01-01

    Summary Salivary glands provide an excellent model for the study of epithelial–mesenchymal interactions. We have looked at the interactions involved in the early initiation and development of murine salivary glands using classic recombination experiments and knockout mice. We show that salivary gland epithelium, at thickening and initial bud stages, is able to direct salivary gland development in non-gland pharyngeal arch mesenchyme at early stages. The early salivary gland epithelium is therefore able to induce gland development in non-gland tissue. This ability later shifts to the mesenchyme, with non-gland epithelium, such as from the limb bud, able to form a branching gland when combined with pseudoglandular stage gland mesenchyme. This shift appears to involve Fgf signalling, with signals from the epithelium inducing Fgf10 in the mesenchyme. Fgf10 then signals back to the epithelium to direct gland down-growth and bud development. These experiments highlight the importance of epithelial–mesenchymal signalling in gland initiation, controlling where, when and how many salivary glands form. PMID:24167707

  6. Different alpha crystallin expression in human age-related and congenital cataract lens epithelium.

    PubMed

    Yang, Jing; Zhou, Sheng; Guo, Minfei; Li, Yuting; Gu, Jianjun

    2016-05-28

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the different expressions of αA-crystallin and αB-crystallin in human lens epithelium of age-related and congenital cataracts. The central part of the human anterior lens capsule approximately 5 mm in diameter together with the adhering epithelial cells, were harvested and processed within 6 hours after cataract surgery from age-related and congenital cataract patients or from normal eyes of fresh cadavers. The mRNA and soluble protein levels of αA-crystallin and αB-crystallin in the human lens epithelium were detected by real-time PCR and western blots, respectively. The mRNA and soluble protein expressions of αA-crystallin and αB-crystallin in the lens epithelium were both reduced in age-related and congenital cataract groups when compared with the normal control group. However, the degree of α-crystallin loss in the lens epithelium was highly correlated with different cataract types. The α-crystallin expression of the lens epithelium was greatly reduced in the congenital cataract group but only moderately decreased in the age-related cataract group. The reduction of αA-crystallin soluble protein levels in the congenital cataract group was approximately 2.4 fold decrease compared with that of the age-related cataract group, while an mRNA fold change of 1.67 decrease was observed for the age-related cataract group. Similarly, the reduction of soluble protein levels of αB-crystallin in the congenital cataract group was approximately a 1.57 fold change compared with that of the age-related cataract group. A 1.75 fold change for mRNA levels compared with that of the age-related cataract group was observed. The results suggest that the differential loss of α-crystallin in the human lens epithelium could be associated with the different mechanisms of cataractogenesis in age-related versus congenital cataracts, subsequently resulting in different clinical presentations.

  7. The effects of changes of water balance on the renal pelvic epithelium of the rat.

    PubMed

    Khorshid, M R; Moffat, D B

    1975-01-01

    The effects of changes of water balance on the renal pelvic epithelium of the rat. The fine structure of the various epithelia which line the renal pelvis was investigated in five hydropenic rats and five rats undergoing a water diuresis. In the former, the thin epithelium which covers the outer medulla showed dilated intercellular spaces and an increased number of cytoplasmic vacuoles whereas the intercellular spaces were tightly closed and there were few vacuoles in the diuretic rats. It was considered that these changes indicate an exchange of water and solute between pelvic urine and the outer since medulla they are similar to those occurring in epithelia elsewhere which are engaged in transport of salt or water. Similar but less marked changes were found in the papillary epithelium. Changes in the transitional epithelium were similar to those which have previously been described elsewhere in the urinary tract.

  8. Xenogeneic Acellular Conjunctiva Matrix as a Scaffold of Tissue-Engineered Corneal Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Haifeng; Qu, Mingli; Wang, Yao; Wang, Zhenyu; Shi, Weiyun

    2014-01-01

    Amniotic membrane-based tissue-engineered corneal epithelium has been widely used in the reconstruction of the ocular surface. However, it often degrades too early to ensure the success of the transplanted corneal epithelium when treating patients with severe ocular surface disorders. In the present study, we investigated the preparation of xenogeneic acellular conjunctiva matrix (aCM) and evaluated its efficacy and safety as a scaffold of tissue-engineered corneal epithelium. Native porcine conjunctiva was decellularized with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for 12 h at 37°C and sterilized via γ-irradiation. Compared with native conjunctiva, more than 92% of the DNA was removed, and more than 90% of the extracellular matrix components (glycosaminoglycan and collagen) remained after the decellularization treatment. Compared with denuded amniotic membrane (dAM), the aCM possessed favorable optical transmittance, tensile strength, stability and biocompatibility as well as stronger resistance to degradation both in vitro and in vivo. The corneal epithelial cells seeded on aCM formed a multilayered epithelial structure and endured longer than did those on dAM. The aCM-based tissue-engineered corneal epithelium was more effective in the reconstruction of the ocular surface in rabbits with limbal stem cell deficiency. These findings support the application of xenogeneic acellular conjunctiva matrix as a scaffold for reconstructing the ocular surface. PMID:25375996

  9. Spatiotemporal expression of Ezh2 in the developing mouse cochlear sensory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yan; Li, Wenyan; Li, Wen; Chai, Renjie; Li, Huawei

    2016-09-01

    The enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (Ezh2) is a histone-lysine Nmethyltransferase enzyme that participates in DNA methylation. Ezh2 has also been reported to play crucial roles in stem cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the detailed expression profile of Ezh2 during mouse cochlear development has not been investigated. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of Ezh2 in the cochlea during embryonic and postnatal development. Ezh2 expression began to be observed in the whole otocyst nuclei at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). At E12.5, Ezh2 was expressed in the nuclei of the cochlear prosensory epithelium. At E13.5 and E15.5, Ezh2 was expressed from the apical to the basal turns in the nuclei of the differentiating cochlear epithelium. At postnatal day (P) 0 and 7, the Ezh2 expression was located in the nuclei of the cochlear epithelium in all three turns and could be clearly seen in outer and inner hair cells, supporting cells, the stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion cells. Ezh2 continued to be expressed in the cochlear epithelium of adult mice. Our results provide the basic Ezh2 expression pattern and might be useful for further investigating the detailed role of Ezh2 during cochlear development.

  10. Ozone-Induced Injury and Oxidative Stress in Bronchiolar Epithelium Are Associated with Altered Pulmonary Mechanics

    PubMed Central

    Sunil, Vasanthi R.

    2013-01-01

    In these studies, we analyzed the effects of ozone on bronchiolar epithelium. Exposure of rats to ozone (2 ppm, 3h) resulted in rapid (within 3h) and persistent (up to 72h) histological changes in the bronchiolar epithelium, including hypercellularity, loss of cilia, and necrotizing bronchiolitis. Perivascular edema and vascular congestion were also evident, along with a decrease in Clara cell secretory protein in bronchoalveolar lavage, which was maximal 24h post-exposure. Ozone also induced the appearance of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, Ym1, and heme oxygenase-1 in the bronchiolar epithelium. This was associated with increased expression of cleaved caspase-9 and beclin-1, indicating initiation of apoptosis and autophagy. A rapid and persistent increase in galectin-3, a regulator of epithelial cell apoptosis, was also observed. Following ozone exposure (3–24h), increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and arginase-1 was noted in bronchiolar epithelium. Ozone-induced injury and oxidative stress in bronchiolar epithelium were linked to methacholine-induced alterations in pulmonary mechanics. Thus, significant increases in lung resistance and elastance, along with decreases in lung compliance and end tidal volume, were observed at higher doses of methacholine. This indicates that ozone causes an increase in effective stiffness of the lung as a consequence of changes in the conducting airways. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that bronchiolar epithelium is highly susceptible to injury and oxidative stress induced by acute exposure to ozone; moreover, this is accompanied by altered lung functioning. PMID:23492811

  11. Biomechanical and Histopathologic Effects of Pulsed-Light Accelerated Epithelium-On/-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaoyu; Sun, Ling; Shen, Yang; Tian, Mi; Zhao, Jing; Zhao, Yu; Li, Meiyan; Zhou, Xingtao

    2017-07-01

    This study aimed to compare the biomechanical and histopathologic effects of transepithelial and accelerated epithelium-off pulsed-light accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were analyzed after sham operation (control) or transepithelial or epithelium-off operation (45 mW/cm for both). The transepithelial group was treated with pulsed-light ultraviolet A for 5 minutes 20 seconds, and the epithelium-off group was treated for 90 seconds. Biomechanical testing, including ultimate stress, Young modulus, and the physiological modulus, was analyzed. Histological changes were evaluated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The stress-strain curve was nonlinear in both accelerated transepithelial and epithelium-off CXL groups. The stress and elastic moduli were all significantly higher in both experimental groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences between the 2 treatment groups (P > 0.05). Six months after the operation, hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the subcutaneous collagen fibers were arranged in a regular pattern, and the fiber density was higher in the experimental groups. Both transepithelial and accelerated epithelium-off CXL produced biomechanical and histopathologic improvements, which were not significantly different between the 2 pulsed-light accelerated CXL treatments.

  12. Small Interfering RNA Pathway Modulates Initial Viral Infection in Midgut Epithelium of Insect after Ingestion of Virus.

    PubMed

    Lan, Hanhong; Chen, Hongyan; Liu, Yuyan; Jiang, Chaoyang; Mao, Qianzhuo; Jia, Dongsheng; Chen, Qian; Wei, Taiyun

    2016-01-15

    Numerous viruses are transmitted in a persistent manner by insect vectors. Persistent viruses establish their initial infection in the midgut epithelium, from where they disseminate to the midgut visceral muscles. Although propagation of viruses in insect vectors can be controlled by the small interfering RNA (siRNA) antiviral pathway, whether the siRNA pathway can control viral dissemination from the midgut epithelium is unknown. Infection by a rice virus (Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus [SRBSDV]) of its incompetent vector (the small brown planthopper [SBPH]) is restricted to the midgut epithelium. Here, we show that the siRNA pathway is triggered by SRBSDV infection in continuously cultured cells derived from the SBPH and in the midgut of the intact insect. Knockdown of the expression of the core component Dicer-2 of the siRNA pathway by RNA interference strongly increased the ability of SRBSDV to propagate in continuously cultured SBPH cells and in the midgut epithelium, allowing viral titers in the midgut epithelium to reach the threshold (1.99 × 10(9) copies of the SRBSDV P10 gene/μg of midgut RNA) needed for viral dissemination into the SBPH midgut muscles. Our results thus represent the first elucidation of the threshold for viral dissemination from the insect midgut epithelium. Silencing of Dicer-2 further facilitated the transmission of SRBSDV into rice plants by SBPHs. Taken together, our results reveal the new finding that the siRNA pathway can control the initial infection of the insect midgut epithelium by a virus, which finally affects the competence of the virus's vector. Many viral pathogens that cause significant global health and agricultural problems are transmitted via insect vectors. The first bottleneck in viral infection, the midgut epithelium, is a principal determinant of the ability of an insect species to transmit a virus. Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is restricted exclusively to the midgut epithelium of an

  13. Small Interfering RNA Pathway Modulates Initial Viral Infection in Midgut Epithelium of Insect after Ingestion of Virus

    PubMed Central

    Lan, Hanhong; Chen, Hongyan; Liu, Yuyan; Jiang, Chaoyang; Mao, Qianzhuo; Jia, Dongsheng; Chen, Qian

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT Numerous viruses are transmitted in a persistent manner by insect vectors. Persistent viruses establish their initial infection in the midgut epithelium, from where they disseminate to the midgut visceral muscles. Although propagation of viruses in insect vectors can be controlled by the small interfering RNA (siRNA) antiviral pathway, whether the siRNA pathway can control viral dissemination from the midgut epithelium is unknown. Infection by a rice virus (Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus [SRBSDV]) of its incompetent vector (the small brown planthopper [SBPH]) is restricted to the midgut epithelium. Here, we show that the siRNA pathway is triggered by SRBSDV infection in continuously cultured cells derived from the SBPH and in the midgut of the intact insect. Knockdown of the expression of the core component Dicer-2 of the siRNA pathway by RNA interference strongly increased the ability of SRBSDV to propagate in continuously cultured SBPH cells and in the midgut epithelium, allowing viral titers in the midgut epithelium to reach the threshold (1.99 × 109 copies of the SRBSDV P10 gene/μg of midgut RNA) needed for viral dissemination into the SBPH midgut muscles. Our results thus represent the first elucidation of the threshold for viral dissemination from the insect midgut epithelium. Silencing of Dicer-2 further facilitated the transmission of SRBSDV into rice plants by SBPHs. Taken together, our results reveal the new finding that the siRNA pathway can control the initial infection of the insect midgut epithelium by a virus, which finally affects the competence of the virus's vector. IMPORTANCE Many viral pathogens that cause significant global health and agricultural problems are transmitted via insect vectors. The first bottleneck in viral infection, the midgut epithelium, is a principal determinant of the ability of an insect species to transmit a virus. Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is restricted exclusively to the

  14. Familial grouped pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    de Jong, P T; Delleman, J W

    1988-01-01

    Grouped pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium was found in a father and his son. They had a normal resting potential on the electro-oculogram, but the son had a lower normal light rise. We believe this is the first description of familial grouped pigmentation. Images PMID:3390419

  15. Effect of coffee drinking on cell proliferation in rat urinary bladder epithelium.

    PubMed

    Lina, B A; Rutten, A A; Woutersen, R A

    1993-12-01

    A possible effect of freshly brewed drip coffee on urinary bladder carcinogenesis was investigated in male Wistar rats using cell proliferation in urinary bladder epithelium as the indicator of tumour promotion. Male rats were given either undiluted coffee brew (100% coffee), coffee diluted 10 times (10% coffee) or tap water (controls), as their only source of drinking fluid for 2 or 6 wk. Uracil, known to induce cell proliferation in urinary bladder epithelium, was included in the study as a positive control. In rats receiving 100% coffee, body weights, liquid intake and urinary volume were decreased. Neither histopathological examination of urinary bladder tissue nor the bromodeoxyuridine labelling index revealed biologically significant differences between rats receiving coffee and the tap water controls. Uracil increased the labelling index and induced hyperplasia of the urinary bladder epithelium, as expected. It was concluded that these results produced no evidence that drinking coffee predisposes to tumour development in the urinary bladder.

  16. Novel multiplexed low coherence interferometry endoscopic probe for analyzing the cervical epithelium in vivo (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ho, Derek; Chu, Kengyeh K.; Crose, Michael; Desoto, Michael; Peters, Jennifer J.; Murtha, Amy P.; Wax, Adam

    2017-02-01

    The cervix is primarily composed of two types of epithelium: stratified squamous ectocervix and simple columnar endocervix. In between these two layers lies a metaplastic squamocolumnar junction commonly referred to as the transformation zone (T-zone). During puberty, the cervical epithelium undergoes dynamic changes including cervical ectropion and increased area and rates of metaplasia. Although these metaplastic changes have been linked to higher incidence of cervical cancer among young women, research in this field has been limited to surface analysis using computerized planimetry of colopophotographs. Here, we present a novel multiplexed low coherence interferometry (mLCI) system for interrogating the cervical epithelium. The system is comprised of 6 parallel Mach-Zehnder interferometers in a time-multiplexed configuration that increases throughput by 6-fold to realize a combined 36-channel acquisition. A custom designed endoscopic handheld probe is used to collect sparsely sampled, depth-resolved scattering intensity profiles (A-scans) from a large field of view (25 x 25 mm) on the cervical epithelium in vivo. The instrument incorporates white light imaging through a plastic fiber bundle to co-register the mLCI A-scans to colpophotographs which are analyzed by a clinician to manually segment the cervical epithelium. Our preliminary data shows significant differences in characteristic A-scans from endocervical and ectocervical epithelium. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using mLCI as both a research tool for studying the relationship between cervical ectopy and cancer as well as a clinical instrument for identifying the at-risk T-zone on the cervix in vivo as a means to improve biopsy targeting. Further analysis will be performed to develop an algorithm for distinguishing the mLCI A-scans of endocervical, ectocervical, and metaplastic epithelium in real time.

  17. [Study on different responses of rats' small intestine mucous membrane and bladder transitional epithelium in the same carcinogenic urine environment].

    PubMed

    Wu, B; Pan, C; Song, G

    2001-10-25

    To preliminarily verify the tentative idea of replacement of bladder transitional epithelium with small intestine mucous membrane to prevent recurrence of carcinoma of bladder. A certain segment of small intestine was transplanted to the urinary bladder of the same body in 17 rats. Then N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxy-butyl) nitrosamine (BBN) was used to induce carcinoma of bladder. BBN was used to 11 control rats that did not undergo operation. Bladder carcinoma failed to be found in the transplanted small intestine mucous membrane in all experimental rats except one. After stimulation of BBN, carcinoma of urinary bladder occurred in all rats' bladder transitional epithelium. 1) The carcinogenic substances in the urine of rats suffering from BBN-induced bladder carcinoma are carcinogenic only to bladder transitional epithelium and have no effect on small intestine epithelium. 2) Bladder transitional epithelium may be more sensitive to the urine carcinogenic substances and easier to be cancerized than small intestine epithelium. 3) The tentative idea of substitution of small intestine mucous membrane for bladder transitional epithelium to prevent the recurrence of bladder carcinoma is worth further studying.

  18. Effects of the Loss of Conjunctival Muc16 on Corneal Epithelium and Stroma in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Shirai, Kumi; Okada, Yuka; Cheon, Dong-Joo; Miyajima, Masayasu; Behringer, Richard R.; Yamanaka, Osamu; Saika, Shizuya

    2014-01-01

    Purpose. To examine the role of conjunctival Muc16 in the homeostasis of the ocular surface epithelium and stroma using Muc16-null knockout (KO) mice. Methods. We used KO mice (n = 58) and C57/BL6 (WT) mice (n = 58). Histology and immunohistochemistry were employed to analyze the phenotypes in the ocular surface epithelium. The expression of phospho-Stat3, AP-1 components, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in the cornea and conjunctiva was examined. The shape of the nuclei of corneal epithelial cells was examined to evaluate intraepithelial cell differentiation. Epithelial cell proliferation was studied using bromo-deoxyuridine labeling. Finally, the wound healing of a round defect (2-mm diameter) in the corneal epithelium was measured. The keratocyte phenotype and macrophage invasion in the stroma were evaluated after epithelial repair. Results. The loss of Muc16 activated Stat3 signal, affected JunB signal, and upregulated the expression of IL-6 in the conjunctiva. Basal-like cells were observed in the suprabasal layer of the corneal epithelium with an increase in proliferation. The loss of Muc16 accelerated the wound healing of the corneal epithelium. The incidence of myofibroblast appearance and macrophage invasion were more marked in KO stroma than in WT stroma after epithelial repair. Conclusions. The loss of Muc16 in the conjunctiva affected the homeostasis of the corneal epithelium and stroma. The mechanism might include the upregulation of the inflammatory signaling cascade (i.e., Stat3 signal, and IL-6 expression in the KO conjunctiva). Current data provides insight into the research of the pathophysiology of dry eye syndrome. PMID:24812549

  19. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of the Bronchial Epithelium in Smokers With Lung Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-1-0234 TITLE: Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of the Bronchial Epithelium in Smokers With Lung Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...TITLE AND SUBTITLE Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of the Bronchial Epithelium in Smokers With Lung Cancer 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH...single cell RNA sequencing on airway epithelial cells obtained from smokers with and without lung cancer to identify cell-type dependent gene expression

  20. [Alterations in the metabolism of cornmeal epithelium during medium-term storage (author's transl)].

    PubMed

    Schmidt-Martens, F W; Hennighausen, U; Wirz, K; Teping, C

    1977-08-08

    Freshly prepared bovine corneas were stored in medium TC 199 with penicillin and fetal calf serum at +4 degrees C over a storage period of 168h. Every 24h, the levels of glucose, lactate, and pyruvate in the corneal epithelium were estimated. Also the glucose levels in the corneal epithelium and stroma were compared at the same time intervals. Furthermore, alterations in the enzyme pattern of the epithelial cells during storage were observed.

  1. Induction of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis Affects the Ruminal Microbiome and Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    McCann, Joshua C.; Luan, Shaoyu; Cardoso, Felipe C.; Derakhshani, Hooman; Khafipour, Ehsan; Loor, Juan J.

    2016-01-01

    Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) negatively impacts the dairy industry by decreasing dry matter intake, milk production, profitability, and increasing culling rate and death loss. Six ruminally cannulated, lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated incomplete Latin square design to determine the effects of SARA induction on the ruminal microbiome and epithelium. Experimental periods were 10 days with days 1–3 for ad libitum intake of control diet, followed by 50% feed restriction on day 4, and ad libitum access on day 5 to the basal diet or the basal diet with an additional 10% of a 50:50 wheat/barley pellet. Based on subsequent ruminal pH, cows were grouped (SARA grouping; SG) as Non-SARA or SARA based on time <5.6 pH (0 and 3.4 h, respectively). Ruminal samples were collected on days 1 and 6 of each period prior to feeding and separated into liquid and solid fractions. Microbial DNA was extracted for bacterial analysis using 16S rRNA gene paired-end sequencing on the MiSeq Illumina platform and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Ruminal epithelium biopsies were taken on days 1 and 6 before feeding. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine gene expression in rumen epithelium. Bray–Curtis similarity indicated samples within the liquid fraction separated by day and coincided with an increased relative abundance of genera Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus on day 6 (P < 0.06). Although Firmicutes was the predominant phyla in the solid fraction, a SG × day interaction (P < 0.01) indicated a decrease on day 6 for SARA cows. In contrast, phylum Bacteroidetes increased on day 6 (P < 0.01) for SARA cows driven by greater genera Prevotella and YRC22 (P < 0.01). Streptococcus bovis and Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens populations tended to increase on day 6 but were not affected by SG. In ruminal epithelium, CLDN1 and CLDN4 expression increased on day 6 (P < 0.03) 24 h after SARA induction and a tendency for a SG × day interaction (P < 0.10) was

  2. Effects of vitamin D receptor knockout on cornea epithelium gap junctions.

    PubMed

    Lu, Xiaowen; Watsky, Mitchell A

    2014-05-06

    Gap junctions are present in all corneal cell types and have been shown to have a critical role in cell phenotype determination. Vitamin D has been shown to influence cell differentiation, and recent work demonstrates the presence of vitamin D in the ocular anterior segment. This study measured and compared gap junction diffusion coefficients among different cornea epithelium phenotypes and in keratocytes using a noninvasive technique, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and examined the influence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout on epithelial gap junction communication in intact corneas. Previous gap junction studies in cornea epithelium and keratocytes were performed using cultured cells or ex vivo invasive techniques. These invasive techniques were unable to measure diffusion coefficients and likely were disruptive to normal cell physiology. Corneas from VDR knockout and control mice were stained with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA). Gap junction diffusion coefficients of the corneal epithelium phenotypes and of keratocytes, residing in intact corneas, were detected using FRAP. Diffusion coefficients equaled 18.7, 9.8, 5.6, and 4.2 μm(2)/s for superficial squamous cells, middle wing cells, basal cells, and keratocytes, respectively. Corneal thickness, superficial cell size, and the superficial squamous cell diffusion coefficient of 10-week-old VDR knockout mice were significantly lower than those of control mice (P < 0.01). The superficial cell diffusion coefficient of heterozygous mice was significantly lower than control mice (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate differences in gap junction dye spread among the epithelial cell phenotypes, mirroring the epithelial developmental axis. The VDR knockout influences previously unreported cell-to-cell communication in superficial epithelium.

  3. Surgical treatment in combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed

    Sánchez-Vicente, J L; Rueda-Rueda, T; Llerena-Manzorro, L; Molina-Socola, F E; Contreras-Díaz, M; Szewc, M; Vital-Berral, C; Alfaro-Juárez, A; Medina-Tapia, A; López-Herrero, F; González-García, L; Muñoz-Morales, A

    2017-03-01

    The case is presented of a 39 year-old man with a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium, who experienced progressive visual loss and worsening of metamorphopsia. The patient underwent vitrectomy and epiretinal component peeling, with improvement in visual acuity, metamorphopsia, and retinal architecture, assessed by optical coherence tomography. Selected patients with combined hamartomas of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium may benefit from surgical management. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  4. Protecting the retinal pigment epithelium during macular hole surgery.

    PubMed

    Olson, Jeffrey L; On, Alexander V; Mandava, Naresh

    2005-12-01

    Herein a new surgical technique used during pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for macular hole surgery is reported. Perfluorocarbon liquid is used to tamponade the macular hole in order to prevent indocyanine green contact with the retinal pigment epithelium.

  5. Cellular organisation and functions of the olfactory epithelium of pearl spot Etroplus suratensis (Bloch): a light and scanning electron microscopic study.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, S K; Chakrabarti, P

    2010-08-01

    The cellular organisation of the olfactory rosettes of Etroplus suratensis was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The oval shaped olfactory rosette of the fish consists of 12 lamellae radiating from a central raphe. The olfactory lamellae are comprised of restricted areas of sensory epithelium and broad areas of non-sensory epithelium in the apical, middle, and basal regions. The sensory epithelium contains three types of receptor cells: microvillus, ciliated, and rod cells, as well as labyrinth cells and supporting cells. The non-sensory epithelium consists of stratified epithelial and mucous cells. The transitional region between the sensory and non-sensory epithelium consists of ciliated receptor cells, mucous cells, and stratified epithelial cells. The different cells on the olfactory epithelium were discussed regarding the functional significance of the fish concerned.

  6. Hydrodynamics of stratified epithelium: Steady state and linearized dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yeh, Wei-Ting; Chen, Hsuan-Yi

    2016-05-01

    A theoretical model for stratified epithelium is presented. The viscoelastic properties of the tissue are assumed to be dependent on the spatial distribution of proliferative and differentiated cells. Based on this assumption, a hydrodynamic description of tissue dynamics at the long-wavelength, long-time limit is developed, and the analysis reveals important insights into the dynamics of an epithelium close to its steady state. When the proliferative cells occupy a thin region close to the basal membrane, the relaxation rate towards the steady state is enhanced by cell division and cell apoptosis. On the other hand, when the region where proliferative cells reside becomes sufficiently thick, a flow induced by cell apoptosis close to the apical surface enhances small perturbations. This destabilizing mechanism is general for continuous self-renewal multilayered tissues; it could be related to the origin of certain tissue morphology, tumor growth, and the development pattern.

  7. Importance of Absent Neoplastic Epithelium in Patients Treated With Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Enblad, Malin; Birgisson, Helgi; Wanders, Alkwin; Sköldberg, Filip; Ghanipour, Lana; Graf, Wilhelm

    2016-04-01

    The importance of absent neoplastic epithelium in specimens from cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of histopathology without neoplastic epithelium in patients treated with CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Data were extracted from medical records and histopathology reports for patients treated with initial CRS and HIPEC at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, between 2004 and 2012. Patients with inoperable disease and patients undergoing palliative non-CRS surgery were excluded from the study. Patients lacking neoplastic epithelium in surgical specimens from CRS, with or without mucin, were classified as "neoplastic epithelium absent" (NEA), and patients with neoplastic epithelium were classified as "neoplastic epithelium present" (NEP). The study observed NEA in 78 of 353 patients (22 %). Mucin was found in 28 of the patients with NEA. For low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms and adenomas, the 5-year overall survival rate was 100 % for NEA and 84 % for NEP, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 100 % for NEA and 59 % for NEP. For appendiceal/colorectal adenocarcinomas (including tumors of the small intestine), the 5-year overall survival rate was 61 % for NEA and 38 % for NEP, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 60 % for NEA and 14 % for NEP. Carcinoembryonic antigen level, peritoneal cancer index, and completeness of the cytoreduction score were lower in patients with NEA. A substantial proportion of patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC have NEA. These patients have a favorable prognosis and a decreased risk of recurrence. Differences in patient selection can affect the proportion of NEA and hence explain differences in survival rates between reported series.

  8. In vitro reconstruction of human junctional and sulcular epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Dabija-Wolter, G; Bakken, V; Cimpan, M R; Johannessen, A C; Costea, D E

    2013-01-01

    BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop and characterize standardized in vitro three-dimensional organotypic models of human junctional epithelium (JE) and sulcular epithelium (SE). METHODS Organotypic models were constructed by growing human normal gingival keratinocytes on top of collagen matrices populated with gingival fibroblasts (GF) or periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF). Tissues obtained were harvested at different time points and assessed for epithelial morphology, proliferation (Ki67), expression of JE-specific markers (ODAM and FDC-SP), cytokeratins (CK), transglutaminase, filaggrin, and basement membrane proteins (collagen IV and laminin1). RESULTS The epithelial component in 3- and 5-day organotypics showed limited differentiation and expressed Ki-67, ODAM, FDC-SP, CK 8, 13, 16, 19, and transglutaminase in a similar fashion to control JE samples. PLF supported better than GF expression of CK19 and suprabasal proliferation, although statistically significant only at day 5. Basement membrane proteins started to be deposited only from day 5. The rate of proliferating cells as well as the percentage of CK19-expressing cells decreased significantly in 7- and 9-day cultures. Day 7 organotypics presented higher number of epithelial cell layers, proliferating cells in suprabasal layers, and CK expression pattern similar to SE. CONCLUSION Both time in culture and fibroblast type had impact on epithelial phenotype. Five-day cultures with PLF are suggested as JE models, 7-day cultures with PLF or GF as SE models, while 9-day cultures with GF as gingival epithelium (GE) models. Such standard, reproducible models represent useful tools to study periodontal bacteria–host interactions in vitro. PMID:22947066

  9. DNA damage in lens epithelium of cataract patients in vivo and ex vivo.

    PubMed

    Øsnes-Ringen, Oyvind; Azqueta, Amaia O; Moe, Morten C; Zetterström, Charlotta; Røger, Magnus; Nicolaissen, Bjørn; Collins, Andrew R

    2013-11-01

    DNA damage has been described in the human cataractous lens epithelium, and oxidative stress generated by UV radiation and endogenous metabolic processes has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cataract. In this study, the aim was to explore the quality and relative quantity of DNA damage in lens epithelium of cataract patients in vivo and after incubation in a cell culture system. Capsulotomy specimens were analysed, before and after 1 week of ex vivo cultivation, using the comet assay to measure DNA strand breaks, oxidized purine and pyrimidine bases and UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. DNA strand breaks were barely detectable, oxidized pyrimidines and pyrimidine dimers were present at low levels, whereas there was a relatively high level of oxidized purines, which further increased after cultivation. The observed levels of oxidized purines in cataractous lens epithelium may support a theory consistent with light damage and oxidative stress as mediators of molecular damage to the human lens epithelium. Damage commonly associated with UV-B irradiation was relatively low. The levels of oxidized purines increased further in a commonly used culture system. This is of interest considering the importance and versatility of ex vivo systems in studies exploring the pathogenesis of cataract. © 2012 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica © 2012 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.

  10. The interactions of single-wall carbon nanohorns with polar epithelium.

    PubMed

    Shi, Yujie; Shi, Zujin; Li, Suxin; Zhang, Yuan; He, Bing; Peng, Dong; Tian, Jie; Zhao, Ming; Wang, Xueqing; Zhang, Qiang

    2017-01-01

    Single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs), which have multitudes of horn interstices, an extensive surface area, and a spherical aggregate structure, offer many advantages over other carbon nanomaterials being used as a drug nanovector. The previous studies on the interaction between SWCNHs and cells have mostly emphasized on cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking, but seldom on epithelial cells. Polar epithelium as a typical biological barrier constitutes the prime obstacle for the transport of therapeutic agents to target site. This work tried to explore the permeability of SWCNHs through polar epithelium and their abilities to modulate transcellular transport, and evaluate the potential of SWCNHs in drug delivery. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell monolayer was used as a polar epithelial cell model, and as-grown SWCNHs, together with oxidized and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin-labeled forms, were constructed and comprehensively investigated in vitro and in vivo. Various methods such as transmission electron microscopy and confocal imaging were used to visualize their intracellular uptake and localization, as well as to investigate the potential transcytotic process. The related mechanism was explored by specific inhibitors. Additionally, fast multispectral optoacoustic tomography imaging was used for monitoring the distribution and transport process of SWCNHs in vivo after oral administration in nude mice, as an evidence for their interaction with the intestinal epithelium. The results showed that SWCNHs had a strong bioadhesion property, and parts of them could be uptaken and transcytosed across the MDCK monolayer. Multiple mechanisms were involved in the uptake and transcytosis of SWCNHs with varying degrees. After oral administration, oxidized SWCNHs were distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and retained in the intestine for up to 36 h probably due to their surface adhesion and endocytosis into the intestinal epithelium

  11. Genetic modification of adeno-associated viral vector type 2 capsid enhances gene transfer efficiency in polarized human airway epithelial cells.

    PubMed

    White, April F; Mazur, Marina; Sorscher, Eric J; Zinn, Kurt R; Ponnazhagan, Selvarangan

    2008-12-01

    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disease characterized by defects in the expression of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Gene therapy offers better hope for the treatment of CF. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are capable of stable expression with low immunogenicity. Despite their potential in CF gene therapy, gene transfer efficiency by AAV is limited because of pathophysiological barriers in these patients. Although a few AAV serotypes have shown better transduction compared with the AAV2-based vectors, gene transfer efficiency in human airway epithelium has still not reached therapeutic levels. To engineer better AAV vectors for enhanced gene delivery in human airway epithelium, we developed and characterized mutant AAV vectors by genetic capsid modification, modeling the well-characterized AAV2 serotype. We genetically incorporated putative high-affinity peptide ligands to human airway epithelium on the GH loop region of AAV2 capsid protein. Six independent mutant AAV were constructed, containing peptide ligands previously reported to bind with high affinity for known and unknown receptors on human airway epithelial cells. The vectors were tested on nonairway cells and nonpolarized and polarized human airway epithelial cells for enhanced infectivity. One of the mutant vectors, with the peptide sequence THALWHT, not only showed the highest transduction in undifferentiated human airway epithelial cells but also indicated significant transduction in polarized cells. Interestingly, this modified vector was also able to infect cells independently of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan receptor. Incorporation of this ligand on other AAV serotypes, which have shown improved gene transfer efficiency in the human airway epithelium, may enhance the application of AAV vectors in CF gene therapy.

  12. Systematic Review to Compare Urothelium Differentiation with Urethral Epithelium Differentiation in Fetal Development, as a Basis for Tissue Engineering of the Male Urethra.

    PubMed

    de Graaf, Petra; van der Linde, E Martine; Rosier, Peter F W M; Izeta, Ander; Sievert, Karl-Dietrich; Bosch, J L H Ruud; de Kort, Laetitia M O

    2017-06-01

    Tissue-engineered (TE) urethra is desirable in men with urethral disease (stricture or hypospadias) and shortage of local tissue. Although ideally a TE graft would contain urethral epithelium cells, currently, bladder epithelium (urothelium) is widely used, but morphologically different. Understanding the differences and similarities of urothelium and urethral epithelium could help design a protocol for in vitro generation of urethral epithelium to be used in TE grafts for the urethra. To understand the development toward urethral epithelium or urothelium to improve TE of the urethra. A literature search was done following PRISMA guidelines. Articles describing urethral epithelium and bladder urothelium development in laboratory animals and humans were selected. Twenty-nine studies on development of urethral epithelium and 29 studies on development of urothelium were included. Both tissue linings derive from endoderm and although adult urothelium and urethral epithelium are characterized by different gene expression profiles, the signaling pathways underlying their development are similar, including Shh, BMP, Wnt, and FGF. The progenitor of the urothelium and the urethral epithelium is the early fetal urogenital sinus (UGS). The urethral plate and the urothelium are both formed from the p63+ cells of the UGS. Keratin 20 and uroplakins are exclusively expressed in urothelium, not in the urethral epithelium. Further research has to be done on unique markers for the urethral epithelium. This review has summarized the current knowledge about embryonic development of urothelium versus urethral epithelium and especially focuses on the influencing factors that are potentially specific for the eventual morphological differences of both cell linings, to be a basis for developmental or tissue engineering of urethral tissue.

  13. Study on the autofluorescence profiles of iris pigment epithelium and retinal pigment epithetlium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Gaixia; Qu, Junle; Chen, Danni; Sun, Yiwen; Zhao, Lingling; Lin, Ziyang; Ding, Zhihua; Niu, Hanben

    2007-05-01

    Transplantation technique of retinal pigment epithelium has been noticeable in recent years and gradually put into clinical practice in treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Generally, immunological, histochemical, and physical methods are used to study the iris pigment epithelium (IPE) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which need complex sample preparation. In this paper, we provided a simple autofluorescence microscopy to investigate the fresh porcine IPE and RPE cells without any pretreatment. The results showed that the morphology and size of both were similar, round and about 15 μm. The main flourophore in both cells was similar, i.e. lipofuscin. In additional, the autofluorescence spectrum of RPE shifted blue after light-induced damage by laser illuminating. Because it was easier for IPE to be damaged by laser than for RPE, and the power of one scanning operation to get a full image was strong enough to damage IPE sample, we hadn't get any satisfied autofluorescence spectrum of IPE.

  14. Nature of "basal" and "reserve" cells in oviductal and cervical epithelium in man.

    PubMed Central

    Peters, W M

    1986-01-01

    The epithelium of the human fallopian tube (oviduct) and cervix were studied by histological, immunohistological, and ultrastructural methods with a view to establishing the nature of the so called "basal" and "reserve" cells. The results indicated that the "basal" cells of the oviductal epithelia were T lymphocytes, with a predominance of T cytotoxic and suppressor cells. A more heterogeneous inflammatory cell population was present in cervical epithelium, although once again T cytotoxic and suppressor cells were the most numerous subtype. The intraepithelial inflammatory cells were quite distinct from the cells commonly referred to as "reserve" cells (reserve cell hyperplasia), which have epithelial characteristics. The origin of the "reserve" cells is unclear, but they seem to arise within the epithelium. They probably represent an early sign of squamous metaplasia. The lymphoid tissue of fallopian tube and endocervix shows similarities with that of the endometrium and mucosal associated lymphoid tissue in general. Images PMID:2937810

  15. EFFECTS OF X RADIATION AND HORMONE THERAPY ON THE EPITHELIUM OF THE GENITAL TRACT OF CASTRATED ANIMALS (in French)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lamarque, P.; Gary-Bobo, J.

    1959-01-01

    The modifications of the epithelium of the genital tract of castrated female guinea pigs caused by the effects, single or combined, or x radiation and hormone therapy (estrogens only) were studied. Depending on the dose injected and the time of injection a mucification of the genital mucosa is obtained. Radiation alone causes an increase of the cellular volume and the nucleus, but with a reduction of the mucosa which sometimes even disappears. Radiation, administered immediately after the estrogens or 24 hours later, appears to reduce the mucigenous effect of the estrogens. The mucosa is thicker with large cellular nuclei, butmore » few mucous cells. Radiation given 24 hours before the estrogens appears to have no effect on the action of the hormone and large mucous zones are evident. These results are compared with the slightly different results obtained in similar work on rats. (J.S.R.)« less

  16. Buccal Epithelium, Cigarette Smoking, and Lung Cancer: Review of the Literature.

    PubMed

    Saba, Raya; Halytskyy, Oleksandr; Saleem, Nasir; Oliff, Ira A

    2017-01-01

    Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men and women in the United States, and optimal screening methods are still lacking. The field effect is a well-supported phenomenon wherein a noxious stimulus triggers genetic, epigenetic and molecular changes that are widespread throughout the entire exposed organ system. The buccal epithelium is an easily accessible part of the respiratory tree that has good potential of yielding a surrogate marker for the field effect in cigarette smokers, and thus, a noninvasive, reliable lung cancer screening method. Herein, we review the literature on the relationship between the buccal epithelium, cigarette smoking, and lung cancer. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  17. Ultrastructure and Glycoconjugate Pattern of the Foot Epithelium of the Abalone Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda, Haliotidae)

    PubMed Central

    Bravo Portela, I.; Martinez-Zorzano, V. S.; Molist- Perez, I.; Molist García, P.

    2012-01-01

    The foot epithelium of the gastropod Haliotis tuberculata is studied by light and electron microscopy in order to contribute to the understanding of the anatomy and functional morphology of the mollusks integument. Study of the external surface by scanning electron microscopy reveals that the side foot epithelium is characterized by a microvillus border with a very scant presence of small ciliary tufts, but the sole foot epithelium bears a dense field of long cilia. Ultrastructural examination by transmission electron microscopy of the side epithelial cells shows deeply pigmented cells with high electron-dense granular content which are not observed in the epithelial sole cells. Along the pedal epithelium, seven types of secretory cells are present; furthermore, two types of subepithelial glands are located just in the sole foot. The presence and composition of glycoconjugates in the secretory cells and subepithelial glands are analyzed by conventional and lectin histochemistry. Subepithelial glands contain mainly N-glycoproteins rich in fucose and mannose whereas secretory cells present mostly acidic sulphated glycoconjugates such as glycosaminoglycans and mucins, which are rich in galactose, N-acetyl-galactosamine, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. No sialic acid is present in the foot epithelium. PMID:22645482

  18. Asymmetric stem-cell divisions define the architecture of human oesophageal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Seery, J P; Watt, F M

    2000-11-16

    In spite of its clinical importance, little is known about the stem-cell compartment of the human oesophageal epithelium [1,2]. The epithelial basal layer consists of two distinct zones, one overlying the papillae of the supporting connective tissue (PBL) and the other covering the interpapillary zone (IBL) [3]. In examining the oesophageal basal layer, we found that proliferating cells were rare in the IBL and a high proportion of mitoses were asymmetrical, giving rise to one basal daughter and one suprabasal, differentiating daughter. In the PBL, mitoses were more frequent and predominantly symmetrical. The IBL was characterised by low expression of ?1 integrins and high expression of the beta2 laminin chain. By combining fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) with in vitro clonal analysis, we obtained evidence that the IBL is enriched for stem cells. A normal oesophageal epithelium with asymmetric divisions was reconstituted on denuded oesophageal connective tissue. In contrast, asymmetric divisions were not sustained on skin connective tissue, and the epithelium formed resembled epidermis. We propose that stem cells located in the IBL give rise to differentiating daughters through asymmetric divisions in response to cues from the underlying basement membrane. Until now, stem-cell fate in stratified squamous epithelia was believed to be achieved largely through populational asymmetry [4-6].

  19. Alterations in the alveolar epithelium after injury leading to pulmonary fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Kasper, M; Haroske, G

    1996-04-01

    This review discusses current knowledge of the involvement of the alveolar epithelium in tissue remodelling during fibrogenesis. The purpose of the present paper is to give an overview, including the authors' own results, of knowledge of ultrastructural alterations, proliferation kinetics and phenotypic changes of pneumocytes in experimental and clinical pathology of pulmonary fibrosis. After lung injury, the alveolar epithelial cells show ultrastructural alterations, hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and a modulation of a series of structural and membrane proteins such as cytoskeletal changes, loss or de novo expression of epithelial adhesion molecules, and altered lectin binding. Furthermore, enhanced secretion of proteases, of cytokines and other soluble factors can be observed in the alveolar epithelium. These findings suggest the contribution of the epithelium in the remodelling process to be greater than expected. Estimations of the cell kinetics show that type II pneumocytes have the proliferative capacity to restore high proportions of damaged type I cells within few hours. In fibrosis this capacity also seems to be affected seriously, resulting in transitional phenotypes between type II and type I cells. Additionally, in the light of the detection of CD44 type of adhesion molecules at the foot processes of type II pneumocytes, some aspects of epithelial-fibroblast interaction are described.

  20. Biosensor analysis of natural and artificial sweeteners in intact taste epithelium.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Fenni; Zhang, Qian; Zhang, Diming; Lu, Yanli; Liu, Qingjun; Wang, Ping

    2014-04-15

    Sweeteners are commonly used as food additives in our daily life, which, however, have been causing a number of undesirable diseases since the last century. Therefore, the detection and quantification of sweeteners are of great value for food safety. In this study, we used a taste biosensor to measure and analyze different sweeteners, both natural and artificial sweeteners included. Electrophysiological activities from taste epithelium were detected by the multi-channel biosensors and analyzed with spatiotemporal methods. The longtime signal result showed different temporal-frequency properties with stimulations of individual sweeteners such as glucose, sucrose, saccharin, and cyclamate, while the multi-channel results in our study revealed the spatial expression of taste epithelium to sweet stimuli. Furthermore, in the analysis of sweetener with different concentrations, the result showed obvious dose-dependent increases in signal responses of the taste epithelium, which indicated promising applications in sweetness evaluation. Besides, the mixture experiment of two natural sweeteners with a similar functional unit (glucose and sucrose) presented two signal patterns, which turned out to be similar with responses of each individual stimulus involved. The biosensor analysis of common sweeteners provided new approaches for both natural and artificial sweeteners evaluation. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

  1. Transcriptional responses in the rat nasal epithelium following subchronic inhalation of naphthalene vapor

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Clewell, H.J., E-mail: hclewell@thehamner.org; Efremenko, A.; Campbell, J.L.

    Male and female Fischer 344 rats were exposed to naphthalene vapors at 0 (controls), 0.1, 1, 10, and 30 ppm for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, over a 90-day period. Following exposure, the respiratory epithelium and olfactory epithelium from the nasal cavity were dissected separately, RNA was isolated, and gene expression microarray analysis was conducted. Only a few significant gene expression changes were observed in the olfactory or respiratory epithelium of either gender at the lowest concentration (0.1 ppm). At the 1.0 ppm concentration there was limited evidence of an oxidative stress response in the respiratory epithelium, but not in themore » olfactory epithelium. In contrast, a large number of significantly enriched cellular pathway responses were observed in both tissues at the two highest concentrations (10 and 30 ppm, which correspond to tumorigenic concentrations in the NTP bioassay). The nature of these responses supports a mode of action involving oxidative stress, inflammation and proliferation. These results are consistent with a dose-dependent transition in the mode of action for naphthalene toxicity/carcinogenicity between 1.0 and 10 ppm in the rat. In the female olfactory epithelium (the gender/site with the highest incidences of neuroblastomas in the NTP bioassay), the lowest concentration at which any signaling pathway was significantly affected, as characterized by the median pathway benchmark dose (BMD) or its 95% lower bound (BMDL) was 6.0 or 3.7 ppm, respectively, while the lowest female olfactory BMD values for pathways related to glutathione homeostasis, inflammation, and proliferation were 16.1, 11.1, and 8.4 ppm, respectively. In the male respiratory epithelium (the gender/site with the highest incidences of adenomas in the NTP bioassay), the lowest pathway BMD and BMDL were 0.4 and 0.3 ppm, respectively, and the lowest male respiratory BMD values for pathways related to glutathione homeostasis, inflammation, and proliferation were 0.5, 0.7, and 0

  2. [Effect of cryotherapy over the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor].

    PubMed

    Toscano-Garibay, Julia Dolores; Quiroz-Mercado, Hugo; Espitia-Pinzón, Clara; Gil-Carrasco, Félix; Flores-Estrada, José Javier

    2014-01-01

    Cryotherapy is a no invasive technique that uses intense cold to freeze and destroy cancer tissues. There are no descriptions of its effects over the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor. Experimental study in cryogenic spot were applied in the right sclera of twelve pigs for ten minutes. Other 3 pigs were used as normal controls. Animals were sacrificed at 7, 14 and 21 and the tissues of choriodes and retina were dissected in areas of approximately 1 cm2 surrounding cryogenic spots. Expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor were determined analyzed using polymerase chain reaction coupled to reverse-transcription. Vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly downregulated (24%, p< 0.05) seven days post-treatment meanwhile pigment epithelium-derived factor levels increased 44.8% (p< 0.05) as compared to normal controls (untreated). Both vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor levels remain the same until day 14 but returned to basal expression at day 21. This work expose the relation of cryotherapy with the expression of two factors related to angiogenesis. RESULTS showed significant changes on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor illustrating that both proteins are regulated in response to cryogenic treatment in relatively short periods (21 days).

  3. Analysis of Cell Turnover in the Bronchiolar Epithelium Through the Normal Aging Process.

    PubMed

    Ortega-Martínez, Marta; Rodríguez-Flores, Laura E; Ancer-Arellano, Adriana; Cerda-Flores, Ricardo M; de-la-Garza-González, Carlos; Ancer-Rodríguez, Jesús; Jaramillo-Rangel, Gilberto

    2016-08-01

    Aging is associated with changes in the lung that leads to a decrease in its function. Alterations in structure and function in the small airways are well recognized in chronic lung diseases. The aim of this study was the assessment of cell turnover in the bronchiolar epithelium of mouse through the normal aging process. Lungs from CD1 mice at the age of 2, 6, 12, 18, or 24 months were fixed in neutral-buffered formalin and paraffin-embedded. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was examined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was analyzed by in situ end-labeling of fragmented DNA. Epithelial dimensions were analyzed by morphometry. The 2-month-old mice showed significantly higher number of proliferating cells when compared with mice at all other age groups. The number of apoptotic cells in mice at 24 months of age was significantly greater than in mice at all other age groups. Thus, the number of epithelial cells decreased as the age of the subject increased. We also found reductions in both area and height of the bronchiolar epithelium in mice at 18 and 24 months of age. We found a decrease in the total number of epithelial cells in the aged mice, which was accompanied by a thinning of the epithelium. These changes reflect a dysregulated tissue regeneration process in the bronchiolar epithelium that might predispose to respiratory diseases in elderly subjects.

  4. Oestrus synchronization treatment induces histomorphological changes on the uterine tube epithelium of the gilt.

    PubMed

    Juárez-Mosqueda, M L; Anzaldúa Arce, S R; Palma Lara, I; García Dalmán, C; Cornejo Cortés, M A; Córdova Izquierdo, A; Villaseñor Gaona, H; Trujillo Ortega, M E

    2015-12-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the histomorphological changes that occurred in response to two treatments for oestrus synchronization in three different regions of the gilt's uterine tubes epithelium: the ampulla (AMP), ampulla-isthmic junction (AIJ) and isthmus (IST). Nine prepuberal gilts were divided into three groups (n = 3): (1) eCG 400 IU and hCG 200 IU (eCG/hCG), (2) progesterone agonist (P4) and (3) control group. The number of secretory cells (stained with periodic acid-Schiff reaction or PAS-positive cells) decreased in the AMP in the P4 treated group when compared to the control group, whereas, no difference was observed in the number of PAS-negative cells in the AMP of the three groups. A significant decrease in the number of PAS-positive cells was observed in the AIJ and IST of the P4 treated group when compared to the eCG/hCG and control groups. An increase in the number of PAS-negative cells was observed in the AIJ and IST in the P4 treated group. The epithelium height in the AMP and AIJ was increased in the eCG/hCG group when compared to the control and P4 groups. In this last group, we observed a reduced height compared with the other two groups for the AIJ. In the IST, there were no significant changes in the epithelium height of the control or the other two groups (eCG/hCG and P4). The epithelial cells of the P4 treated group had the least amount of cytoplasmic granules and the lowest intensity of PAS staining in the AMP, AIJ and IST. Animals treated with eCG/hCG showed an intermediate number of cytoplasmic granules and intensity in all regions evaluated. These data show that P4 treatment for synchronization induces a significant (P < 0.001) decrease of PAS-positive cells and staining intensity of cytoplasmic granules in the different regions studied and an increased number of PAS-negative cells in the AIJ and IST epithelium. Moreover, eCG/hCG treatment increased the height of the epithelium in the AMP and AIJ, while in this last

  5. Nested Expression Domains for Odorant Receptors in Zebrafish Olfactory Epithelium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weth, Franco; Nadler, Walter; Korsching, Sigrun

    1996-11-01

    The mapping of high-dimensional olfactory stimuli onto the two-dimensional surface of the nasal sensory epithelium constitutes the first step in the neuronal encoding of olfactory input. We have used zebrafish as a model system to analyze the spatial distribution of odorant receptor molecules in the olfactory epithelium by quantitative in situ hybridization. To this end, we have cloned 10 very divergent zebrafish odorant receptor molecules by PCR. Individual genes are expressed in sparse olfactory receptor neurons. Analysis of the position of labeled cells in a simplified coordinate system revealed three concentric, albeit overlapping, expression domains for the four odorant receptors analyzed in detail. Such regionalized expression should result in a corresponding segregation of functional response properties. This might represent the first step of spatial encoding of olfactory input or be essential for the development of the olfactory system.

  6. Heads up! How the intestinal epithelium safeguards mucosal barrier immunity through the inflammasome and beyond.

    PubMed

    Cario, Elke

    2010-11-01

    The intestinal epithelium serves as a highly dynamic immunologic frontier - exhibiting both innate and adaptive immune features. This review focuses on recent advances and novel insights into key intrinsic processes of the intestinal epithelium to closely monitor its intracellular and extracellular environment, communicate messages to neighbouring cells and rapidly initiate active defensive and repair measures, if necessary. The intestinal epithelium is uniquely equipped with a vast array of features to control immune barrier homeostasis at the gates of the healthy intestinal mucosa. Deficient Toll-like receptor or NOD-like receptor signalling in the intestinal epithelium may imbalance commensal-dependent homeostasis, facilitating mucosal injury and leading to inflammatory disease. Dysfunction of the NLRP3 inflammasome may trigger aggravation of mucosal inflammation and cancer and has been associated with human inflammatory bowel diseases. Deregulated autophagy may alter inflammasome activity. Exciting progress has been made in better understanding the complex diversity of physiological functions of innate immune responses in the intestinal epithelial barrier. Regulatory platforms of signalling mechanisms exist which are closely related and interact. However, many questions remain to be answered and more puzzles have arisen which are highlighted here.

  7. Biochemical adaptations of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium support a metabolic ecosystem in the vertebrate eye.

    PubMed

    Kanow, Mark A; Giarmarco, Michelle M; Jankowski, Connor Sr; Tsantilas, Kristine; Engel, Abbi L; Du, Jianhai; Linton, Jonathan D; Farnsworth, Christopher C; Sloat, Stephanie R; Rountree, Austin; Sweet, Ian R; Lindsay, Ken J; Parker, Edward D; Brockerhoff, Susan E; Sadilek, Martin; Chao, Jennifer R; Hurley, James B

    2017-09-13

    Here we report multiple lines of evidence for a comprehensive model of energy metabolism in the vertebrate eye. Metabolic flux, locations of key enzymes, and our finding that glucose enters mouse and zebrafish retinas mostly through photoreceptors support a conceptually new model for retinal metabolism. In this model, glucose from the choroidal blood passes through the retinal pigment epithelium to the retina where photoreceptors convert it to lactate. Photoreceptors then export the lactate as fuel for the retinal pigment epithelium and for neighboring Müller glial cells. We used human retinal epithelial cells to show that lactate can suppress consumption of glucose by the retinal pigment epithelium. Suppression of glucose consumption in the retinal pigment epithelium can increase the amount of glucose that reaches the retina. This framework for understanding metabolic relationships in the vertebrate retina provides new insights into the underlying causes of retinal disease and age-related vision loss.

  8. Vasopressin regulates the growth of the biliary epithelium in polycystic liver disease

    PubMed Central

    Mancinelli, Romina; Franchitto, Antonio; Glaser, Shannon; Vetuschi, Antonella; Venter, Julie; Sferra, Roberta; Pannarale, Luigi; Olivero, Francesca; Carpino, Guido; Alpini, Gianfranco; Onori, Paolo; Gaudio, Eugenio

    2017-01-01

    The neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) acts by three distinct receptor subtypes: V1a, V1b, and V2. In the liver, AVP is involved in ureogenesis, glycogenolysis, neoglucogenesis and regeneration. No data exist about the presence of AVP in the biliary epithelium. Cholangiocytes are the target cells in a number of animal models of cholestasis, including bile duct ligation (BDL), and in several human pathologies, such as polycystic liver disease characterized by the presence of cysts that bud from the biliary epithelium. In vivo, liver fragments from normal and BDL mice and rats as well as liver samples from normal and ADPKD patients were collected to evaluate: (i) intrahepatic bile duct mass by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin-19; and (ii) expression of V1a, V1b and V2 by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. In vitro, small and large mouse cholangiocytes, H69 (non-malignant human cholangiocytes) and LCDE (human cholangiocytes from the cystic epithelium) were stimulated with vasopressin in the absence/presence of AVP antagonists such as OPC-31260 and Tolvaptan, before assessing cellular growth by MTT assay and cAMP levels. Cholangiocytes express V2 receptor that was upregulated following BDL and in ADPKD liver samples. Administration of AVP increased proliferation and cAMP levels of small cholangiocytes and LCDE cells. We found no effect in the proliferation of large mouse cholangiocytes and H69 cells. Increases were blocked by preincubation with the AVP antagonists. These results showed that AVP and its receptors may be important in the modulation of the proliferation rate of the biliary epithelium. PMID:27571215

  9. Maintenance of sweat glands by stem cells located in the acral epithelium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ohe, Shuichi; Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka 573-1010; Tanaka, Toshihiro

    The skin is responsible for a variety of physiological functions and is critical for wound healing and repair. Therefore, the regenerative capacity of the skin is important. However, stem cells responsible for maintaining the acral epithelium had not previously been identified. In this study, we identified the specific stem cells in the acral epithelium that participate in the long-term maintenance of sweat glands, ducts, and interadnexal epidermis and that facilitate the regeneration of these structures following injury. Lgr6-positive cells and Bmi1-positive cells were found to function as long-term multipotent stem cells that maintained the entire eccrine unit and the interadnexalmore » epidermis. However, while Lgr6-positive cells were rapidly cycled and constantly supplied differentiated cells, Bmi1-positive cells were slow to cycle and occasionally entered the cell cycle under physiological conditions. Upon irradiation-induced injury, Bmi1-positive cells rapidly proliferated and regenerated injured epithelial tissue. Therefore, Bmi1-positive stem cells served as reservoir stem cells. Lgr5-positive cells were rapidly cycled and maintained only sweat glands; therefore, we concluded that these cells functioned as lineage-restricted progenitors. Taken together, our data demonstrated the identification of stem cells that maintained the entire acral epithelium and supported the different roles of three cellular classes. - Highlights: • The acral epithelium have two types of stem cells. • Lgr6-positive cells are rapid-cycling, short-term stem cells. • Bmi1-positive cells are slow-cycling stem cells that act as reserver stem cells. • Lgr5 may be a useful sweat gland marker in mice.« less

  10. Vasopressin regulates the growth of the biliary epithelium in polycystic liver disease.

    PubMed

    Mancinelli, Romina; Franchitto, Antonio; Glaser, Shannon; Vetuschi, Antonella; Venter, Julie; Sferra, Roberta; Pannarale, Luigi; Olivero, Francesca; Carpino, Guido; Alpini, Gianfranco; Onori, Paolo; Gaudio, Eugenio

    2016-11-01

    The neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) acts by three distinct receptor subtypes: V1a, V1b, and V2. In the liver, AVP is involved in ureogenesis, glycogenolysis, neoglucogenesis and regeneration. No data exist about the presence of AVP in the biliary epithelium. Cholangiocytes are the target cells in a number of animal models of cholestasis, including bile duct ligation (BDL), and in several human pathologies, such as polycystic liver disease characterized by the presence of cysts that bud from the biliary epithelium. In vivo, liver fragments from normal and BDL mice and rats as well as liver samples from normal and ADPKD patients were collected to evaluate: (i) intrahepatic bile duct mass by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin-19; and (ii) expression of V1a, V1b and V2 by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. In vitro, small and large mouse cholangiocytes, H69 (non-malignant human cholangiocytes) and LCDE (human cholangiocytes from the cystic epithelium) were stimulated with vasopressin in the absence/presence of AVP antagonists such as OPC-31260 and Tolvaptan, before assessing cellular growth by MTT assay and cAMP levels. Cholangiocytes express V2 receptor that was upregulated following BDL and in ADPKD liver samples. Administration of AVP increased proliferation and cAMP levels of small cholangiocytes and LCDE cells. We found no effect in the proliferation of large mouse cholangiocytes and H69 cells. Increases were blocked by preincubation with the AVP antagonists. These results showed that AVP and its receptors may be important in the modulation of the proliferation rate of the biliary epithelium.

  11. The morphological change of supporting cells in the olfactory epithelium after bulbectomy.

    PubMed

    Makino, Nobuko; Ookawara, Shigeo; Katoh, Kazuo; Ohta, Yasushi; Ichikawa, Masumi; Ichimura, Keiichi

    2009-02-01

    Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the responses of the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium at 1-5 days after surgical ablation of the olfactory bulb (bulbectomy). In intact olfactory epithelium, lamellar smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rod-shaped mitochondria were distinctly observed in the supporting cells. On the first day after bulbectomy, bending of the microvilli and an increase in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum were observed. Cristae of the mitochondria became obscure, and the density of the mitochondrial matrix decreased. On the second day after bulbectomy, the number of microvilli decreased, broad cytoplasmic projections that contained cytoplasmic organelles protruded into the luminal side, and the mitochondria were swollen. On the fifth day after bulbectomy, microvilli seemed to be normal and some cells had large cytoplasmic projections that protruded toward the lumen of the nasal cavity. Within the cytoplasmic projections of the supporting cells, a large lamellar and reticular-shaped smooth endoplasmic reticulum was evident. Mitochondria exhibited almost normal morphology. The current findings demonstrate that morphological changes occur in the supporting cells after bulbectomy. This new evidence hypothesizes that these changes represent events that contribute to the regeneration of the olfactory epithelium after bulbectomy.

  12. Epithelium-derived Wnt ligands are essential for maintenance of underlying digit bone

    PubMed Central

    Takeo, Makoto; Hale, Christopher S.; Ito, Mayumi

    2018-01-01

    Clinically, many nail disorders accompany bone deformities, but whether the two defects are causally related is under debate. To investigate the potential interactions between the two tissue types, we analyzed epithelial-specific β-catenin deficient mice, in which nail differentiation is abrogated. These mice showed regression of not only the nail plate but also of the underlying digit bone. Characterization of these bone defects revealed active bone resorption, which is suppressed by Wnt activation in osteoblast and osteoclast precursors. Furthermore, we found that Wntless (Wls) expression, essential for Wnt ligand secretion, was lacking in the β-catenin deficient nail epithelium and that genetic deletion of Wls in the nail epithelium led to the lack of Wnt activation in osteoblast and osteoclast precursors and subsequently led to defective regression of the underlying digit bone. Together, these data show epithelial Wnt ligands can ultimately regulate Wnt signaling in osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors, known to regulate bone homeostasis. These results reveal a critical role for the nail epithelium on the digit bone during homeostatic regeneration and show that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for this interaction. PMID:27021406

  13. Basal Cells Are a Multipotent Progenitor Capable of Renewing the Bronchial Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Kyung U.; Reynolds, Susan D.; Watkins, Simon; Fuchs, Elaine; Stripp, Barry R.

    2004-01-01

    Commitment of the pulmonary epithelium to bronchial and bronchiolar airway lineages occurs during the transition from pseudoglandular to cannalicular phases of lung development, suggesting that regional differences exist with respect to the identity of stem and progenitor cells that contribute to epithelial maintenance in adulthood. We previously defined a critical role for Clara cell secretory protein-expressing (CE) cells in renewal of bronchiolar airway epithelium following injury. Even though CE cells are also the principal progenitor for maintenance of the bronchial airway epithelium, CE cell injury is resolved through a mechanism involving recruitment of a second progenitor cell population that we now identify as a GSI-B4 reactive, cytokeratin-14-expressing basal cell. These cells exhibit multipotent differentiation capacity as assessed by analysis of cellular phenotype within clones of LacZ-tagged cells. Clones were derived from K14-expressing cells tagged in a cell-type-specific fashion by ligand-regulable Cre recombinase-mediated genomic rearrangement of the ROSA26 recombination substrate allele. We conclude that basal cells represent an alternative multipotent progenitor cell population of bronchial airways and that progenitor cell selection is dictated by the type of airway injury. PMID:14742263

  14. Hyperspectral Image Enhancement and Mixture Deep-Learning Classification of Corneal Epithelium Injuries

    PubMed Central

    Md Noor, Siti Salwa; Michael, Kaleena; Marshall, Stephen; Ren, Jinchang

    2017-01-01

    In our preliminary study, the reflectance signatures obtained from hyperspectral imaging (HSI) of normal and abnormal corneal epithelium tissues of porcine show similar morphology with subtle differences. Here we present image enhancement algorithms that can be used to improve the interpretability of data into clinically relevant information to facilitate diagnostics. A total of 25 corneal epithelium images without the application of eye staining were used. Three image feature extraction approaches were applied for image classification: (i) image feature classification from histogram using a support vector machine with a Gaussian radial basis function (SVM-GRBF); (ii) physical image feature classification using deep-learning Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) only; and (iii) the combined classification of CNNs and SVM-Linear. The performance results indicate that our chosen image features from the histogram and length-scale parameter were able to classify with up to 100% accuracy; particularly, at CNNs and CNNs-SVM, by employing 80% of the data sample for training and 20% for testing. Thus, in the assessment of corneal epithelium injuries, HSI has high potential as a method that could surpass current technologies regarding speed, objectivity, and reliability. PMID:29144388

  15. Hyperspectral Image Enhancement and Mixture Deep-Learning Classification of Corneal Epithelium Injuries.

    PubMed

    Noor, Siti Salwa Md; Michael, Kaleena; Marshall, Stephen; Ren, Jinchang

    2017-11-16

    In our preliminary study, the reflectance signatures obtained from hyperspectral imaging (HSI) of normal and abnormal corneal epithelium tissues of porcine show similar morphology with subtle differences. Here we present image enhancement algorithms that can be used to improve the interpretability of data into clinically relevant information to facilitate diagnostics. A total of 25 corneal epithelium images without the application of eye staining were used. Three image feature extraction approaches were applied for image classification: (i) image feature classification from histogram using a support vector machine with a Gaussian radial basis function (SVM-GRBF); (ii) physical image feature classification using deep-learning Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) only; and (iii) the combined classification of CNNs and SVM-Linear. The performance results indicate that our chosen image features from the histogram and length-scale parameter were able to classify with up to 100% accuracy; particularly, at CNNs and CNNs-SVM, by employing 80% of the data sample for training and 20% for testing. Thus, in the assessment of corneal epithelium injuries, HSI has high potential as a method that could surpass current technologies regarding speed, objectivity, and reliability.

  16. Epithelium-Derived Wnt Ligands Are Essential for Maintenance of Underlying Digit Bone.

    PubMed

    Takeo, Makoto; Hale, Christopher S; Ito, Mayumi

    2016-07-01

    Clinically, many nail disorders accompany bone deformities, but whether the two defects are causally related is under debate. To investigate the potential interactions between the two tissue types, we analyzed epithelial-specific β-catenin-deficient mice, in which nail differentiation is abrogated. These mice showed regression of not only the nail plate but also of the underlying digit bone. Characterization of these bone defects revealed active bone resorption, which is suppressed by Wnt activation in osteoblast and osteoclast precursors. Furthermore, we found that Wntless expression, essential for Wnt ligand secretion, was lacking in the β-catenin-deficient nail epithelium and that genetic deletion of Wntless (Wls) in the nail epithelium led to the lack of Wnt activation in osteoblast and osteoclast precursors and subsequently led to defective regression of the underlying digit bone. Together, these data show that epithelial Wnt ligands can ultimately regulate Wnt signaling in osteoblast and osteoclast precursors, known to regulate bone homeostasis. These results reveal a critical role for the nail epithelium on the digit bone during homeostatic regeneration and show that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for this interaction. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Ethanol impedes embryo transport and impairs oviduct epithelium.

    PubMed

    Xu, Tonghui; Yang, Qiuhong; Liu, Ruoxi; Wang, Wenfu; Wang, Shuanglian; Liu, Chuanyong; Li, Jingxin

    2016-05-16

    Most studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption is associated with decreased fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alcohol on pre-implantation embryo transport and/or early embryo development in the oviduct. We reported here that ethanol concentration-dependently suppressed the spontaneous motility of isolated human oviduct strips (EC50 50±6mM), which was largely attenuated in the present of L-NAME, a classical nitric oxide synthase(NOS) competitive inhibitor. Notably, either acute or chronic alcohol intake delayed egg transport and retarded early development of the embryo in the mouse oviduct, which was largely rescued by co-administration of L-NAME in a acute alcohol intake group but not in chronic alcohol intake group. It is worth mentioning that the oviductal epithelium destruction was verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations in chronic alcohol intake group. In conclusion, alcohol intake delayed egg transport and retarded early development of the embryo in the oviduct by suppressing the spontaneous motility of oviduct and/or impairing oviductal epithelium. These findings suggested that alcohol abuse increases the incident of ectopic pregnancy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Embryo-epithelium interactions during implantation at a glance.

    PubMed

    Aplin, John D; Ruane, Peter T

    2017-01-01

    At implantation, with the acquisition of a receptive phenotype in the uterine epithelium, an initial tenuous attachment of embryonic trophectoderm initiates reorganisation of epithelial polarity to enable stable embryo attachment and the differentiation of invasive trophoblasts. In this Cell Science at a Glance article, we describe cellular and molecular events during the epithelial phase of implantation in rodent, drawing on morphological studies both in vivo and in vitro, and genetic models. Evidence is emerging for a repertoire of transcription factors downstream of the master steroidal regulators estrogen and progesterone that coordinate alterations in epithelial polarity, delivery of signals to the stroma and epithelial cell death or displacement. We discuss what is known of the cell interactions that occur during implantation, before considering specific adhesion molecules. We compare the rodent data with our much more limited knowledge of the human system, where direct mechanistic evidence is hard to obtain. In the accompanying poster, we represent the embryo-epithelium interactions in humans and laboratory rodents, highlighting similarities and differences, as well as depict some of the key cell biological events that enable interstitial implantation to occur. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  19. Retinoic Acid signaling regulates Krt5 and Krt14 independently of stem cell markers in submandibular salivary gland epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Abashev, Timur M.; Metzler, Melissa A.; Wright, Diana M.; Sandell, Lisa L.

    2017-01-01

    Background Retinoic Acid (RA), the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has been demonstrated to be important for growth and branching morphogenesis of mammalian embryonic salivary gland epithelium. However, it is not known whether RA functions directly within epithelial cells or in associated tissues that influence morphogenesis of salivary epithelium. Moreover, downstream targets of RA regulation have not been identified. Results Here we show that canonical RA signaling occurs in multiple tissues of embryonic mouse salivary glands, including epithelium, associated parasympathetic ganglion neurons, and non-neuronal mesenchyme. By culturing epithelium explants in isolation from other tissues we demonstrate that RA influences epithelium morphogenesis by direct action in that tissue. Moreover, we demonstrate that inhibition of RA signaling represses cell proliferation and expression of FGF10 signaling targets, and upregulates expression of basal epithelial keratins Krt5 and Krt14. Importantly, we show that the stem cell gene Kit is regulated inversely from Krt5/Krt14 by RA signaling. Conclusions RA regulates Krt5 and Krt14 expression independently of stem cell character in developing salivary epithelium. RA, or chemical inhibitors of RA signaling, could potentially be used for modulating growth and differentiation of epithelial stem cells for the purpose of re-populating damaged glands or generating bioengineered organs. PMID:27884045

  20. Effect of Atmospheric-Pressure Cold Plasma on Pathogenic Oral Biofilms and In Vitro Reconstituted Oral Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Delben, Juliana Aparecida; Zago, Chaiene Evelin; Tyhovych, Natalia; Duarte, Simone; Vergani, Carlos Eduardo

    2016-01-01

    Considering the ability of atmospheric-pressure cold plasma (ACP) to disrupt the biofilm matrix and rupture cell structure, it can be an efficient tool against virulent oral biofilms. However, it is fundamental that ACP does not cause damage to oral tissue. So, this study evaluated (1) the antimicrobial effect of ACP on single- and dual-species biofilms of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus as well as (2) the biological safety of ACP on in vitro reconstituted oral epithelium. Standardized cell suspensions of each microorganism were prepared for biofilm culture on acrylic resin discs at 37°C for 48 hours. The biofilms were submitted to ACP treatment at 10 mm of plasma tip-to-sample distance during 60 seconds. Positive controls were penicillin G and fluconazole for S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively. The biofilms were analyzed through counting of viable colonies, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy for detection of reactive oxygen species. The in vitro reconstituted oral epithelium was submitted to similar ACP treatment and analyzed through histology, cytotoxocity test (LDH release), viability test (MTT assay) and imunnohistochemistry (Ki67 expression). All plasma-treated biofilms presented significant log10 CFU/mL reduction, alteration in microorganism/biofilm morphology, and reduced viability in comparison to negative and positive controls. In addition, fluorescence microscopy revealed presence of reactive oxygen species in all plasma-treated biofilms. Low cytotoxicity and high viability were observed in oral epithelium of negative control and plasma group. Histology showed neither sign of necrosis nor significant alteration in plasma-treated epithelium. Ki67-positive cells revealed maintenance of cell proliferation in plasma-treated epithelium. Atmospheric-pressure cold plasma is a promissing approach to eliminate single- and dual-species biofilms of C. albicans and S. aureus without having

  1. CD44 variant isoform 9 emerges in response to injury and contributes to the regeneration of the gastric epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Bertaux-Skeirik, Nina; Wunderlich, Mark; Teal, Emma; Chakrabarti, Jayati; Biesiada, Jacek; Mahe, Maxime; Sundaram, Nambirajan; Gabre, Joel; Hawkins, Jennifer; Jian, Gao; Engevik, Amy C.; Yang, Li; Wang, Jiang; Goldenring, James R.; Qualls, Joseph E.; Medvedovic, Mario; Helmrath, Michael A.; Diwan, Tayyab; Mulloy, James C.; Zavros, Yana

    2017-01-01

    The CD44 gene encodes several protein isoforms due to alternative splicing and post translational modifications. Given that CD44 variant isoform 9 (CD44v9) is expressed within Spasmolytic Polypeptide/TFF2-Expressing Metaplasia (SPEM) glands during repair, CD44v9 may be play a functional role during the process of regeneration of the gastric epithelium. Here we hypothesize that CD44v9 marks a regenerative cell lineage responsive to infiltrating macrophages during regeneration of the gastric epithelium. Ulcers were induced in CD44-decient (CD44KO) and C57BL/6 (BL6) mice by a localized application of acetic acid to the serosal surface of the stomach. Gastric organoids expressing CD44v9 were derived from mouse stomachs and transplanted at the ulcer site of CD44KO mice. Ulcers, CD44v9 expression, proliferation and histology were measured 1, 3, 5 and 7-days post-injury. Human-derived gastric organoids were generated from stomach tissue collected from elderly (>55 years) or young (14–20 years) patients. Organoids were transplanted into the stomachs of NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice at the site of injury. Gastric injury was induced in NRG-SGM3 (NRGS) mice harboring human-derived immune cells (hnNRGS) and the immune profile analyzed by CyTOF. CD44v9 expression emerged within regenerating glands the ulcer margin in response to injury. While ulcers in BL6 mice healed within 7-days post-injury, CD44KO mice exhibited loss of repair and epithelial regeneration. Ulcer healing was promoted in CD44KO mice by transplanted CD55v9-expressing gastric organoids. NSG mice exhibited loss of CD44v9 expression and gastric repair. Transplantation of human-derived gastric organoids from young, but not aged stomachs promoted repair in NSG mouse stomachs in response to injury. Finally, compared to NRGS mice, huNRGS animals exhibited reduced ulcer sizes, an infiltration of human CD162+ macrophages and an emergence of CD44v9 expression in SPEM. Thus, during repair of the gastric epithelium CD44v9

  2. An examination of surface epithelium structures of the embryo across the genus Poeciliopsis (Poeciliidae).

    PubMed

    Panhuis, Tami M; Fris, Megan; Tuhela, Laura; Kwan, Lucia

    2017-12-01

    In viviparous, teleost fish, with postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning, embryonic structures that facilitate maternal-fetal nutrient transfer are predicted to be present. For the family Poeciliidae, only a handful of morphological studies have explored these embryonic specializations. Here, we present a comparative morphological study in the viviparous poeciliid genus, Poeciliopsis. Using microscopy techniques, we examine the embryonic surface epidermis of Poeciliopsis species that vary in their level of postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning and placentation across two phylogenetic clades and three independent evolutionary origins of placentation. We focus on surface features of the embryo that may facilitate maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. Specifically, we studied cell apical-surface morphology associated with the superficial epithelium that covers the body and sac (yolk and pericardial) of embryos at different developmental stages. Scanning electron microscopy revealed common surface epithelial cells across species, including pavement cells with apical-surface microridges or microvilli and presumed ionocytes and/or mucus-secreting cells. For three species, in the mid-stage embryos, the surface of the body and sac were covered in microvillus epithelium. The remaining species did not display microvillus epithelium at any of the stages examined. Instead, their epithelium of the body and sac were composed of cells with apical-surface microridges. For all species, in the late stage embryos, the surface of the body proper was composed of apical-surface microridges in a "fingerprint-like arrangement." Despite the differences in the surface epithelium of embryos across Poeciliopsis species and embryonic developmental stages, this variation was not associated with the level of postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning. We discuss these results in light of previous morphological studies of matrotrophic, teleost fish, phylogenetic

  3. Non-Thermal Electromagnetic Radiation Damage to Lens Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Bormusov, Elvira; P.Andley, Usha; Sharon, Naomi; Schächter, Levi; Lahav, Assaf; Dovrat, Ahuva

    2008-01-01

    High frequency microwave electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and other modern devices has the potential to damage eye tissues, but its effect on the lens epithelium is unknown at present. The objective of this study was to investigate the non-thermal effects of high frequency microwave electromagnetic radiation (1.1GHz, 2.22 mW) on the eye lens epithelium in situ. Bovine lenses were incubated in organ culture at 35°C for 10-15 days. A novel computer-controlled microwave source was used to investigate the effects of microwave radiation on the lenses. 58 lenses were used in this study. The lenses were divided into four groups: (1) Control lenses incubated in organ culture for 10 to15 days. (2) Electromagnetic radiation exposure group treated with 1.1 GHz, 2.22 mW microwave radiation for 90 cycles of 50 minutes irradiation followed by 10 minutes pause and cultured up to 10 days. (3) Electromagnetic radiation exposure group treated as group 2 with 192 cycles of radiation and cultured for 15 days. (4) Lenses exposed to 39.5ºC for 2 hours 3 times with 24 hours interval after each treatment beginning on the second day of the culture and cultured for 11 days. During the culture period, lens optical quality was followed daily by a computer-operated scanning laser beam. At the end of the culture period, control and treated lenses were analyzed morphologically and by assessment of the lens epithelial ATPase activity. Exposure to 1.1 GHz, 2.22 mW microwaves caused a reversible decrease in lens optical quality accompanied by irreversible morphological and biochemical damage to the lens epithelial cell layer. The effect of the electromagnetic radiation on the lens epithelium was remarkably different from those of conductive heat. The results of this investigation showed that electromagnetic fields from microwave radiation have a negative impact on the eye lens. The lens damage by electromagnetic fields was distinctly different from that caused by conductive heat. PMID

  4. Electrophysiological response of chicken's jejunal epithelium to increasing levels of T-2 toxin.

    PubMed

    Yunus, Agha Waqar; Kröger, Susan; Tichy, Alexander; Zentek, Jürgen; Böhm, Josef

    2013-02-01

    The present investigations were conducted to test the effects of T-2 toxin on electrophysiological variables of jejunal epithelium of chicken. Jejunal segments of broilers were monitored in Ussing chambers in the presence of T-2 toxin at the levels of 0 (negative control), 0 (methanol/vehicle control), 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml of buffer. T-2 toxin did not affect basal values of short circuit current (I(sc)), transmural potential difference, or tissue conductivity in the jejunal epithelium. T-2 toxin also did not statistically affect glucose-induced electrophysiological variables during the first 3 min of glucose induction. Compared to the vehicle control, the ouabain-sensitive I(sc) was negatively affected (P = 0.008) only under 5 μg of T-2 toxin/ml. Increasing levels of T-2 toxin negatively affected the ouabain-sensitive I(sc) in a cubic (P = 0.007) fashion. These data indicate that acute exposure to moderate levels of T-2 toxin may progressively impair the cation gradient across the jejunal epithelium.

  5. Attachment reaction of rat uterine luminal epithelium. II. The effect of progesterone on the morphology of the uterine glands and the luminal epithelium of the spayed, virgin rat.

    PubMed

    Ljungkvist, I

    1971-01-01

    Ovariosalpingectomized rat uterine glands and luminal epithelium were examined by electron microscopy and in serial cross sections under light microscopy after up to 8 days of treatment with 5 mg progesterone daily. Under light microscopy, the gland lumen was narrow or absent in many epon sections, but wide in many paraffin sections, filled with toluidine blue stained secretion, and serial sections showed that the openings were closed, allowing no connection between the gland lumen and the uterus. In electron micrographs, only those glands without an opening appeared altered by progesterone. The most notable differences in the glandular epithelium were microvilli, condensed ribosome-free cytoplasm next to the lumen, numerous vesicles, sacs and dilated Golgi cisternae in the apical cytoplasm, and more giant mitrochondria in the basal cytoplasm than usually seen in controls. In the luminal epithelium, there were 3 distinct regions: the apical region had condensed cytoplasm often extruded into the lumen, with close-packed, smooth, empty vesicles; the middle region had granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitrochondria, dense bodies, multivesicular bodies, and lipid granules; the basal region contained the nucleus, granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitrochondria and dense abodies. These observations were interpreted as indicative of a transitional state from secretion to absorption, especially since without an opening, secretion would be of little significance.

  6. Aspiration cytology of radiation-induced changes of normal breast epithelium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bondeson, L.

    1987-05-01

    From a case illustrated, it appears that irradiation may induce changes in normal breast epithelium indistinguishable from malignancy by means of aspiration cytology. This fact must be considered in the choice of diagnostic methods for the evaluation of lesions in irradiated breast tissue.

  7. Examination of the reticular epithelium of the bovine pharyngeal tonsil

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The nasopharyngeal tonsil (adenoid), located at the posterior of the nasopharynx is ideally positioned to sample antigens entering through the nasal cavity or oral cavity. Entering antigens will first contact tonsilar epithelium. To better understand the cellular composition of this important epithe...

  8. A 3D Fibroblast-Epithelium Co-culture Model for Understanding Microenvironmental Role in Branching Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland.

    PubMed

    Koledova, Zuzana; Lu, Pengfei

    2017-01-01

    The mammary gland consists of numerous tissue compartments, including mammary epithelium, an array of stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Bidirectional interactions between the epithelium and its surrounding stroma are essential for proper mammary gland development and homeostasis, whereas their deregulation leads to developmental abnormalities and cancer. To study the relationships between the epithelium and the stroma, development of models that could recapitulate essential aspects of these interacting systems in vitro has become necessary. Here we describe a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture assay and show that the addition of fibroblasts to mammary organoid cultures promotes the epithelium to undergo branching morphogenesis, thus allowing the role of the stromal microenvironment to be examined in this essential developmental process.

  9. Nonequilibrium thermodynamic model of the rat proximal tubule epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Weinstein, A M

    1983-01-01

    The rat proximal tubule epithelium is represented as well-stirred, compliant cellular and paracellular compartments bounded by mucosal and serosal bathing solutions. With a uniform pCO2 throughout the epithelium, the model variables include the concentrations of Na, K, Cl, HCO3, H2PO4, HPO4, and H, as well as hydrostatic pressure and electrical potential. Except for a metabolically driven Na-K exchanger at the basolateral cell membrane, all membrane transport within the epithelium is passive and is represented by the linear equations of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. In particular, this includes the cotransport of Na-Cl and Na-H2PO4 and countertransport of Na-H at the apical cell membrane. Experimental constraints on the choice of ionic conductivities are satisfied by allowing K-Cl cotransport at the basolateral membrane. The model equations include those for mass balance of the nonreacting species, as well as chemical equilibrium for the acidification reactions. Time-dependent terms are retained to permit the study of transient phenomena. In the steady state the energy dissipation is computed and verified equal to the sum of input from the Na-K exchanger plus the Gibbs free energy of mass addition to the system. The parameter dependence of coupled water transport is studied and shown to be consistent with the predictions of previous analytical models of the lateral intercellular space. Water transport in the presence of an end-proximal (HCO3-depleted) luminal solution is investigated. Here the lower permeability and higher reflection coefficient of HCO3 enhance net sodium and water transport. Due to enhanced flux across the tight junction, this process may permit proximal tubule Na transport to proceed with diminished energy dissipation. PMID:6652211

  10. Linking lung function to structural damage of alveolar epithelium in ventilator-induced lung injury.

    PubMed

    Hamlington, Katharine L; Smith, Bradford J; Dunn, Celia M; Charlebois, Chantel M; Roy, Gregory S; Bates, Jason H T

    2018-05-06

    Understanding how the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), namely atelectrauma and volutrauma, contribute to the failure of the blood-gas barrier and subsequent intrusion of edematous fluid into the airspace is essential for the design of mechanical ventilation strategies that minimize VILI. We ventilated mice with different combinations of tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and linked degradation in lung function measurements to injury of the alveolar epithelium observed via scanning electron microscopy. Ventilating with both high inspiratory plateau pressure and zero PEEP was necessary to cause derangements in lung function as well as visually apparent physical damage to the alveolar epithelium of initially healthy mice. In particular, the epithelial injury was tightly associated with indicators of alveolar collapse. These results support the hypothesis that mechanical damage to the epithelium during VILI is at least partially attributed to atelectrauma-induced damage of alveolar type I epithelial cells. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Effect of carbonated drinks on wound healing of oral epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Fahim, Ayesha; Ilyas, Muhammad Sharjeel; Jafari, Fahim Haider; Farzana, Fauzia

    2015-01-01

    Background Carbonated drinks are the second most consumed non-alcoholic beverages in the world after tea. The effects of these drinks on hard tissues and vital organs of the body have been proved beyond doubt. This study, however, explains the effect of these drinks on wound healing of oral epithelium. Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats were considered for the study. A circular wound of 3.0 mm was created on the buccal mucosa of all animals and they were divided into two groups. Animals in group 1 were fed with chow pellet and water, while those in group 2 were fed with a commercially available carbonated drink instead of water. Six animals from each group were euthanized at 0, 7, and 21 days. Wound site was histologically assessed for differences in thickness and characteristics of the regenerating epithelium between two groups. Results There was a marked difference in the healing pattern between the two groups. Animals in group 1 showed a normal healing pattern at the end of day 21. In the group 2, the regenerated epithelium showed hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis along with acanthosis at the end of the experiment with a subsequent delayed inflammatory reaction at day 21. Conclusion Consumption of carbonated drinks can disrupt oral wound healing. The contents in carbonated drinks have a proinflammatory action on the soft tissue. Results suggest that epithelial changes seen in experimental group 2 could be a result of constant irritation by the acidic and fizzy nature of carbonated drinks. PMID:26937370

  12. Regulation of microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeleton in the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Elizabeth I.; Mruk, Dolores D.; Cheng, C. Yan

    2016-01-01

    In rodents and humans, testicular cells, similar to other mammalian cells, are supported by actin-, microtubule (MT)- and intermediate filament-based cytoskeletons to regulate spermatogenesis during the epithelial cycle. However, most of the published findings in the literature are limited to studies that visualize these cytoskeletons in the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis. Few are focus on the underlying molecular mechanism that regulates their organization in the epithelium in response to changes in the stages of the epithelial cycle remains largely explored. Functional studies in the last decade have begun to focus on the role of binding proteins that regulate these cytoskeletons, and some interesting data have been rapidly emerging in the field. Since the actin- and intermediate-based cytoskeletons have been recently reviewed, herein we focus on the MT-based cytoskeleton for two reasons. First, besides serving as a structural support cytoskeleton, MT is known to serve as the track to support and facilitate the transport of germ cells, such as preleptotene spermatocytes connected in clones and elongating/elongated spermatids during spermiogenesis across the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and the adluminal compartment, respectively, during spermatogenesis. While these cellular events are crucial to the completion of spermatogenesis, they have been largely ignored in the past. Second, MT-based cytoskeleton is working in concert with the actin-based cytoskeleton to provide structural support to the transport of intracellular organelles across the cell cytosol, such as endosome-based vesicles, and residual bodies, phagosomes in Sertoli cells, to maintain the cellular homeostasis in the seminiferous epithelium. We critically evaluate some recent published findings herein to support a hypothesis regarding the role of MT in conferring germ cell transport in the seminiferous epithelium. PMID:26791048

  13. LM and TEM study of the orthokeratinized and parakeratinized epithelium of the tongue in the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica).

    PubMed

    Skieresz-Szewczyk, Kinga; Jackowiak, Hanna; Ratajczak, Marlena

    2014-12-01

    The previous histological studies of the lingual mucosa in birds characterized two types of keratinized epithelium, i.e. orthokeratinized and parakeratinized. These epithelia are composed of three layers: basal, intermediate and keratinized. The present study showed detailed ultrastructural features of cells in particular layers of two types of keratinized epithelia on the tongue in the domestic duck and defined structural differences. TEM observations showed a gradual reduction in cell organelles in the following layers, at increasing amounts of keratin fibers. The characteristic feature of the ortho- and parakeratinized epithelium is the presence of sub-layers in the intermediate layer, i.e. the upper and lower part, which results from the different shape of cell nuclei and dye affinity of the cytoplasm. The keratinized layer of ortho- and parakeratinized epithelium is built of two types of cells such as electron dark and light cells, which undergo exfoliation. The basic difference between the keratinized epithelia is the presence of flattened cell nuclei in the keratinized layer of the parakeratinized epithelium. The differentiating feature is also an arrangement of keratin fibers in the cell cytoplasm of the keratinized layer. The analysis of the thickness of the epithelium and the keratinized layer, indicated differences between keratinized epithelia, which result from two variants of performing protective functions, either through a thick keratinized layer or by a higher epithelium. Differences in the ultrastructure of the ortho- and parakeratinized epithelium are associated with mechanical functions of the epithelium resulting from different forces acting on the tongue during feeding activities. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Histology in 3D: development of an online interactive student resource on epithelium.

    PubMed

    Sieben, Anna; Oparka, Richard; Erolin, Caroline

    2017-04-01

    Epithelium is an important and highly specialised tissue type that makes up the lining of inner and outer surfaces of the human body. It is proposed that a self-study tool adds to efficient learning and lecturing on this complicated topic in medical curricula. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an online interactive 3D resource on epithelium for undergraduate medical students. A first evaluation was carried out by means of an online survey (n = 37). The resource was evaluated positively on the website in general, its visual contents and its value and potential for the medical curriculum.

  15. Retinoic acid signaling regulates Krt5 and Krt14 independently of stem cell markers in submandibular salivary gland epithelium.

    PubMed

    Abashev, Timur M; Metzler, Melissa A; Wright, Diana M; Sandell, Lisa L

    2017-02-01

    Retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A, has been demonstrated to be important for growth and branching morphogenesis of mammalian embryonic salivary gland epithelium. However, it is not known whether RA functions directly within epithelial cells or in associated tissues that influence morphogenesis of salivary epithelium. Moreover, downstream targets of RA regulation have not been identified. Here, we show that canonical RA signaling occurs in multiple tissues of embryonic mouse salivary glands, including epithelium, associated parasympathetic ganglion neurons, and nonneuronal mesenchyme. By culturing epithelium explants in isolation from other tissues, we demonstrate that RA influences epithelium morphogenesis by direct action in that tissue. Moreover, we demonstrate that inhibition of RA signaling represses cell proliferation and expression of FGF10 signaling targets, and upregulates expression of basal epithelial keratins Krt5 and Krt14. Importantly, we show that the stem cell gene Kit is regulated inversely from Krt5/Krt14 by RA signaling. RA regulates Krt5 and Krt14 expression independently of stem cell character in developing salivary epithelium. RA, or chemical inhibitors of RA signaling, could potentially be used for modulating growth and differentiation of epithelial stem cells for the purpose of re-populating damaged glands or generating bioengineered organs. Developmental Dynamics 246:135-147, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Effects of epithelium removal on relaxation of airway smooth muscle induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide and electrical field stimulation.

    PubMed Central

    Farmer, S. G.; Togo, J.

    1990-01-01

    1. We have studied the effect of epithelium removal on relaxation of guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or stimulation of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves. Also examined were the effects of inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). 2. Epithelium removal produced a 3.6 +/- 0.4 fold leftward shift in the VIP concentration-response curve. The supersensitivity to VIP, following epithelium removal was abolished by phosphoramidon or thiorphan (NEP inhibitors), but unaffected by captopril (an ACE inhibitor). In intact trachea, the NEP inhibitors produced leftward shifts in the VIP curves similar to those produced by epithelium removal. 3. In contrast to responses to exogenous VIP, neurogenic NANC inhibitory responses to electrical field stimulation were affected neither by epithelial denudation nor by the peptidase inhibitors. 4. As in previous studies, epithelium removal increased tracheal sensitivity to isoprenaline. This was not altered by pretreatment with a cocktail of peptidase inhibitors. Thus, the effect of the NEP inhibitors on responses to VIP appears to be relatively specific. 5. These data indicate that exogenous VIP is a substrate for airway NEP, since inhibition of the enzyme potentiates the peptide. This is further evidence that the airway epithelium provides a source for the metabolism of mediators. 6. In guinea-pig trachea the NEP responsible for cleaving VIP may be located largely in the epithelial layer, since NEP inhibition was without effect on sensitivity to VIP in epithelium-denuded preparations. If VIP is a NANC inhibitory neurotransmitter in this tissue its degradation endogenously does not appear to involve epithelial NEP. PMID:2196967

  17. Fine structure of the middle ear epithelium in the chicken (Gallus gallus).

    PubMed Central

    Giannessi, F; Ruffoli, R

    1993-01-01

    The epithelium lining the tympanic cavity of the chicken possesses distinct morphological characteristics. Its ultrastructure was studied using 2 preparative techniques. (1) After fixation in Karnovsky's solution, postfixation in osmium tetroxide and embedding in Epon, the epithelium was observed to contain 2 kinds of cell: secretory and basal. The secretory cells (which we refer to as mixed granulated cells) showed numerous secretory vesicles that varied in appearance, some containing paracrystalline formations. The basal cells, located close to the basement membrane, showed no evidence of secretory activity. (2) Other specimens were immersed in Karnovsky fixative and subsequently in a mixture of glutaraldehyde and tannic acid. They were then osmicated and embedded in polar Epon mix. With this method, the epithelium was seen to be covered by electron-dense material made up of thin intertwined tubules. In addition, the secretory cells contained vesicles with concentrically arranged lamellae; such vesicles resembled the multilamellar bodies of mammalian type II pneumocytes. The hypothesis is advanced that tubules and lamellar vesicles are related to the presence of surfactant substances. Images Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig. 15 Fig. 16 Fig. 17 Fig. 18 Fig. 19 PMID:8270465

  18. Lesion of the Olfactory Epithelium Accelerates Prion Neuroinvasion and Disease Onset when Prion Replication Is Restricted to Neurons

    PubMed Central

    Crowell, Jenna; Wiley, James A.; Bessen, Richard A.

    2015-01-01

    Natural prion diseases of ruminants are moderately contagious and while the gastrointestinal tract is the primary site of prion agent entry, other mucosae may be entry sites in a subset of infections. In the current study we examined prion neuroinvasion and disease induction following disruption of the olfactory epithelium in the nasal mucosa since this site contains environmentally exposed olfactory sensory neurons that project directly into the central nervous system. Here we provide evidence for accelerated prion neuroinvasion and clinical onset from the olfactory mucosa after disruption and regeneration of the olfactory epithelium and when prion replication is restricted to neurons. In transgenic mice with neuron restricted replication of prions, there was a reduction in survival when the olfactory epithelium was disrupted prior to intranasal inoculation and there was >25% decrease in the prion incubation period. In a second model, the neurotropic DY strain of transmissible mink encephalopathy was not pathogenic in hamsters by the nasal route, but 50% of animals exhibited brain infection and/or disease when the olfactory epithelium was disrupted prior to intranasal inoculation. A time course analysis of prion deposition in the brain following loss of the olfactory epithelium in models of neuron-restricted prion replication suggests that neuroinvasion from the olfactory mucosa is via the olfactory nerve or brain stem associated cranial nerves. We propose that induction of neurogenesis after damage to the olfactory epithelium can lead to prion infection of immature olfactory sensory neurons and accelerate prion spread to the brain. PMID:25822718

  19. An autocrine ATP release mechanism regulates basal ciliary activity in airway epithelium.

    PubMed

    Droguett, Karla; Rios, Mariana; Carreño, Daniela V; Navarrete, Camilo; Fuentes, Christian; Villalón, Manuel; Barrera, Nelson P

    2017-07-15

    Extracellular ATP, in association with [Ca 2+ ] i regulation, is required to maintain basal ciliary beat frequency. Increasing extracellular ATP levels increases ciliary beating in airway epithelial cells, maintaining a sustained response by inducing the release of additional ATP. Extracellular ATP levels in the millimolar range, previously associated with pathophysiological conditions of the airway epithelium, produce a transient arrest of ciliary activity. The regulation of ciliary beat frequency is dependent on ATP release by hemichannels (connexin/pannexin) and P2X receptor activation, the blockage of which may even stop ciliary movement. The force exerted by cilia, measured by atomic force microscopy, is reduced following extracellular ATP hydrolysis. This result complements the current understanding of the ciliary beating regulatory mechanism, with special relevance to inflammatory diseases of the airway epithelium that affect mucociliary clearance. Extracellular nucleotides, including ATP, are locally released by the airway epithelium and stimulate ciliary activity in a [Ca 2+ ] i -dependent manner after mechanical stimulation of ciliated cells. However, it is unclear whether the ATP released is involved in regulating basal ciliary activity and mediating changes in ciliary activity in response to chemical stimulation. In the present study, we evaluated ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and ciliary beating forces in primary cultures from mouse tracheal epithelium, using videomicroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Extracellular ATP levels and [Ca 2+ ] i were measured by luminometric and fluorimetric assays, respectively. Uptake of ethidium bromide was measured to evaluate hemichannel functionality. We show that hydrolysis of constitutive extracellular ATP levels with apyrase (50 U ml -1 ) reduced basal CBF by 45% and ciliary force by 67%. The apyrase effect on CBF was potentiated by carbenoxolone, a hemichannel inhibitor, and oxidized ATP, an

  20. Retinal pigment epithelium, age-related macular degeneration and neurotrophic keratouveitis.

    PubMed

    Bianchi, Enrica; Scarinci, Fabio; Ripandelli, Guido; Feher, Janos; Pacella, Elena; Magliulo, Giuseppe; Gabrieli, Corrado Balacco; Plateroti, Rocco; Plateroti, Pasquale; Mignini, Fiorenzo; Artico, Marco

    2013-01-01

    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the aging population. The aims of our studies were to identify qualitative and quantitative alterations in mitochondria in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients and controls and to test the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a known neurotrophic and antiangiogenic substance, against neurotrophic keratouveitis. Histopathological alterations were studied by means of morphometry, light and electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, morphometric data showed that the RPE alterations noted in AMD may also develop in normal aging, 10-15 years later than appearing in AMD patients. Reduced tear secretion, corneal ulceration and leukocytic infiltration were found in capsaicin (CAP)-treated rats, but this effect was significantly attenuated by PEDF. These findings suggest that PEDF accelerated the recovery of tear secretion and also prevented neurotrophic keratouveitis and vitreoretinal inflammation. PEDF may have a clinical application in inflammatory and neovascular diseases of the eye.

  1. Gasdermin D (Gsdmd) is dispensable for mouse intestinal epithelium development.

    PubMed

    Fujii, Tomoaki; Tamura, Masaru; Tanaka, Shigekazu; Kato, Yoriko; Yamamoto, Hiromi; Mizushina, Youichi; Shiroishi, Toshihiko

    2008-08-01

    Members of the novel gene family Gasdermin (Gsdm) are exclusively expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner in the epithelium of skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Based on their expression patterns and the phenotype of the Gsdma3 spontaneous mutations, it is inferred that the Gsdm family genes are involved in epithelial cell growth and/or differentiations in different tissues. To investigate possible roles of the Gsdm gene family in the development of intestinal tracts, we generated a Gsdmd mutant mouse, which is a solitary member of the Gsdmd subfamily and which is predominantly expressed in the intestinal tract by means of targeted disruption. In the mutant homozygotes, we found no abnormality of intestinal tract morphology. Moreover, in mutant mice, there was normal differentiation of all constituent cell types of the intestinal epithelium. Thus, this study clearly shows that Gsdmd is not essential for development of mouse intestinal tract or epithelial cell differentiation.

  2. Gene expression based evidence of innate immune response activation in the epithelium with oral lichen planus

    PubMed Central

    Adami, Guy R.; Yeung, Alexander C.F.; Stucki, Grant; Kolokythas, Antonia; Sroussi, Herve Y.; Cabay, Robert J.; Kuzin, Igor; Schwartz, Joel L.

    2014-01-01

    Objective Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a disease of the oral mucosa of unknown cause producing lesions with an intense band-like inflammatory infiltrate of T cells to the subepithelium and keratinocyte cell death. We performed gene expression analysis of the oral epithelium of lesions in subjects with OLP and its sister disease, oral lichenoid reaction (OLR), in order to better understand the role of the keratinocytes in these diseases. Design Fourteen patients with OLP or OLR were included in the study, along with a control group of 23 subjects with a variety of oral diseases and a normal group of 17 subjects with no clinically visible mucosal abnormalities. Various proteins have been associated with OLP, based on detection of secreted proteins or changes in RNA levels in tissue samples consisting of epithelium, stroma, and immune cells. The mRNA level of twelve of these genes expressed in the epithelium was tested in the three groups. Results Four genes showed increased expression in the epithelium of OLP patients: CD14, CXCL1, IL8, and TLR1, and at least two of these proteins, TLR1 and CXCL1, were expressed at substantial levels in oral keratinocytes. Conclusions Because of the large accumulation of T cells in lesions of OLP it has long been thought to be an adaptive immunity malfunction. We provide evidence that there is increased expression of innate immune genes in the epithelium with this illness, suggesting a role for this process in the disease and a possible target for treatment. PMID:24581860

  3. Increased expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor in aged mesenchymal stem cells impairs their therapeutic efficacy for attenuating myocardial infarction injury‡

    PubMed Central

    Liang, Hongliang; Hou, Huiyuan; Yi, Wei; Yang, Guodong; Gu, Chunhu; Lau, Wayne Bond; Gao, Erhe; Ma, Xinliang; Lu, Zifan; Wei, Xufeng; Pei, Jianming; Yi, Dinghua

    2013-01-01

    Aims Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can ameliorate myocardial infarction (MI) injury. However, older-donor MSCs seem less efficacious than those from younger donors, and the contributing underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we determine how age-related expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) affects MSC therapeutic efficacy for MI. Methods and results Reverse transcriptase–polymerized chain reaction  and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses revealed dramatically increased PEDF expression in MSCs from old mice compared to young mice. Morphological and functional experiments demonstrated significantly impaired old MSC therapeutic efficacy compared with young MSCs in treatment of mice subjected to MI. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that administration of old MSCs compared with young MSCs resulted in an infarct region containing fewer endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages, but more fibroblasts. Pigment epithelium-derived factor overexpression in young MSCs impaired the beneficial effects against MI injury, and induced cellular profile changes in the infarct region similar to administration of old MSCs. Knocking down PEDF expression in old MSCs improved MSC therapeutic efficacy, and induced a cellular profile similar to young MSCs administration. Studies in vitro showed that PEDF secreted by MSCs regulated the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts. Conclusions This is the first evidence that paracrine factor PEDF plays critical role in the regulatory effects of MSCs against MI injury. Furthermore, the impaired therapeutic ability of aged MSCs is predominantly caused by increased PEDF secretion. These findings indicate PEDF as a promising novel genetic modification target for improving aged MSC therapeutic efficacy. PMID:21606086

  4. Loss of the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 in the mouse gastric epithelium is deleterious and triggers rapid repopulation in vivo

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT The gastric epithelium consists of tubular glandular units, each containing several differentiated cell types, and populations of stem cells, which enable the stomach to secrete the acid, mucus and various digestive enzymes required for its function. Very little is known about which cell signalling pathways are required for homeostasis of the gastric epithelium. Many diseases, such as cancer, arise as a result of deregulation of signalling pathways that regulate homeostasis of the diseased organ. Therefore, it is important to understand the biology of how normal conditions are maintained in a tissue to help inform the mechanisms driving disease in that same tissue, and to identify potential points of therapeutic intervention. Wnt signalling regulates several cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation and migration, and plays a crucial role during homeostasis of several tissues, including the intestinal epithelium. Wnt3a is required in the culture medium of gastric organoids, suggesting it is also important for the homeostasis of the gastric epithelium, but this has not been investigated in vivo. Here, we show that the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7), which is required for the homeostasis of the intestine, is expressed in the gastric epithelium and is required for gastric organoid growth. Gastric-specific loss of Fzd7 in the adult gastric epithelium of mice is deleterious and triggers rapid epithelial repopulation, which we believe is the first observation of this novel function for this tissue. Taken together, these data provide functional evidence of a crucial role for Wnt signalling, via the Fzd7 receptor, during homeostasis of the gastric epithelium. PMID:28600348

  5. The seminiferous epithelium cycle and daily spermatic production in the adult maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1811).

    PubMed

    Bitencourt, Viviane Lewicki; de Paula, Tarcízio Antônio Rego; da Matta, Sérgio Luis Pinto; Fonseca, Cláudio César; dos Anjos Benjamin, Laércio; Costa, Deiler Sampaio

    2007-01-01

    The duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle was estimated in adult maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1811), by applying intratesticular injections with tritiated thymidine. The total duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in this species was calculated in 8.99 days. So, taking into account that approximately 4.5 cycles of the seminiferous epithelium are necessary for the whole spermatogenesis process to complete, the production of spermatozoa from one spermatogonia will take about 40.45 days. The duration of the spermiogenesis was calculated to be 12.3 days. The eight stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle were described by the tubular morphology method, which is based either on the form and position of the spermatid nuclei and the occurrence of meiotic divisions. The values of the relative frequency for the pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic phases in this species were 3.5, 0.78 and 4.8 days, respectively. The maned wolf produces about 29 million spermatozoa a day for each testis gram, therefore being classified among the species provided with a high spermatogenetic efficiency.

  6. Ascl1 (Mash1) Knockout Perturbs Differentiation of Nonneuronal Cells in Olfactory Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Jang, Woochan; Wildner, Hendrik; Schwob, James E.

    2012-01-01

    The embryonic olfactory epithelium (OE) generates only a very few olfactory sensory neurons when the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, ASCL1 (previously known as MASH1) is eliminated by gene mutation. We have closely examined the structure and composition of the OE of knockout mice and found that the absence of neurons dramatically affects the differentiation of multiple other epithelial cell types as well. The most prominent effect is observed within the two known populations of stem and progenitor cells of the epithelium. The emergence of horizontal basal cells, a multipotent progenitor population in the adult epithelium, is anomalous in the Ascl1 knockout mice. The differentiation of globose basal cells, another multipotent progenitor population in the adult OE, is also aberrant. All of the persisting globose basal cells are marked by SOX2 expression, suggesting a prominent role for SOX2 in progenitors upstream of Ascl1. However, NOTCH1-expressing basal cells are absent from the knockout; since NOTCH1 signaling normally acts to suppress Ascl1 via HES1 and drives sustentacular (Sus) cell differentiation during adult epithelial regeneration, its absence suggests reciprocity between neurogenesis and the differentiation of Sus cells. Indeed, the Sus cells of the mutant mice express a markedly lower level of HES1, strengthening that notion of reciprocity. Duct/gland development appears normal. Finally, the expression of cKIT by basal cells is also undetectable, except in those small patches where neurogenesis escapes the effects of Ascl1 knockout and neurons are born. Thus, persistent neurogenic failure distorts the differentiation of multiple other cell types in the olfactory epithelium. PMID:23284756

  7. Insect Wing Membrane Topography Is Determined by the Dorsal Wing Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Belalcazar, Andrea D.; Doyle, Kristy; Hogan, Justin; Neff, David; Collier, Simon

    2013-01-01

    The Drosophila wing consists of a transparent wing membrane supported by a network of wing veins. Previously, we have shown that the wing membrane cuticle is not flat but is organized into ridges that are the equivalent of one wing epithelial cell in width and multiple cells in length. These cuticle ridges have an anteroposterior orientation in the anterior wing and a proximodistal orientation in the posterior wing. The precise topography of the wing membrane is remarkable because it is a fusion of two independent cuticle contributions from the dorsal and ventral wing epithelia. Here, through morphological and genetic studies, we show that it is the dorsal wing epithelium that determines wing membrane topography. Specifically, we find that wing hair location and membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, surface of the wing. In addition, we find that altering Frizzled Planar Cell Polarity (i.e., Fz PCP) signaling in the dorsal wing epithelium alone changes the membrane topography of both dorsal and ventral wing surfaces. We also examined the wing morphology of two model Hymenopterans, the honeybee Apis mellifera and the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. In both cases, wing hair location and wing membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, wing surface, suggesting that the dorsal wing epithelium also controls wing topography in these species. Because phylogenomic studies have identified the Hymenotera as basal within the Endopterygota family tree, these findings suggest that this is a primitive insect character. PMID:23316434

  8. Increased Abundance of M Cells in the Gut Epithelium Dramatically Enhances Oral Prion Disease Susceptibility.

    PubMed

    Donaldson, David S; Sehgal, Anuj; Rios, Daniel; Williams, Ifor R; Mabbott, Neil A

    2016-12-01

    Many natural prion diseases of humans and animals are considered to be acquired through oral consumption of contaminated food or pasture. Determining the route by which prions establish host infection will identify the important factors that influence oral prion disease susceptibility and to which intervention strategies can be developed. After exposure, the early accumulation and replication of prions within small intestinal Peyer's patches is essential for the efficient spread of disease to the brain. To replicate within Peyer's patches, the prions must first cross the gut epithelium. M cells are specialised epithelial cells within the epithelia covering Peyer's patches that transcytose particulate antigens and microorganisms. M cell-development is dependent upon RANKL-RANK-signalling, and mice in which RANK is deleted only in the gut epithelium completely lack M cells. In the specific absence of M cells in these mice, the accumulation of prions within Peyer's patches and the spread of disease to the brain was blocked, demonstrating a critical role for M cells in the initial transfer of prions across the gut epithelium in order to establish host infection. Since pathogens, inflammatory stimuli and aging can modify M cell-density in the gut, these factors may also influence oral prion disease susceptibility. Mice were therefore treated with RANKL to enhance M cell density in the gut. We show that prion uptake from the gut lumen was enhanced in RANKL-treated mice, resulting in shortened survival times and increased disease susceptibility, equivalent to a 10-fold higher infectious titre of prions. Together these data demonstrate that M cells are the critical gatekeepers of oral prion infection, whose density in the gut epithelium directly limits or enhances disease susceptibility. Our data suggest that factors which alter M cell-density in the gut epithelium may be important risk factors which influence host susceptibility to orally acquired prion diseases.

  9. Conserved form and function of the germinal epithelium through 500 million years of vertebrate evolution.

    PubMed

    Grier, Harry J; Uribe, Mari Carmen; Lo Nostro, Fabiana L; Mims, Steven D; Parenti, Lynne R

    2016-08-01

    The germinal epithelium, i.e., the site of germ cell production in males and females, has maintained a constant form and function throughout 500 million years of vertebrate evolution. The distinguishing characteristic of germinal epithelia among all vertebrates, males, and females, is the presence of germ cells among somatic epithelial cells. The somatic epithelial cells, Sertoli cells in males or follicle (granulosa) cells in females, encompass and isolate germ cells. Morphology of all vertebrate germinal epithelia conforms to the standard definition of an epithelium: epithelial cells are interconnected, border a body surface or lumen, are avascular and are supported by a basement membrane. Variation in morphology of gonads, which develop from the germinal epithelium, is correlated with the evolution of reproductive modes. In hagfishes, lampreys, and elasmobranchs, the germinal epithelia of males produce spermatocysts. A major rearrangement of testis morphology diagnoses osteichthyans: the spermatocysts are arranged in tubules or lobules. In protogynous (female to male) sex reversal in teleost fishes, female germinal epithelial cells (prefollicle cells) and oogonia transform into the first male somatic cells (Sertoli cells) and spermatogonia in the developing testis lobules. This common origin of cell types from the germinal epithelium in fishes with protogynous sex reversal supports the homology of Sertoli cells and follicle cells. Spermatogenesis in amphibians develops within spermatocysts in testis lobules. In amniotes vertebrates, the testis is composed of seminiferous tubules wherein spermatogenesis occurs radially. Emerging research indicates that some mammals do not have lifetime determinate fecundity. The fact emerged that germinal epithelia occur in the gonads of all vertebrates examined herein of both sexes and has the same form and function across all vertebrate taxa. Continued study of the form and function of the germinal epithelium in vertebrates

  10. Fine structure of the midgut epithelium in the millipede Telodeinopus aoutii (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) with special emphasis on epithelial regeneration.

    PubMed

    Rost-Roszkowska, M M; Kszuk-Jendrysik, M; Marchewka, A; Poprawa, I

    2018-01-01

    The midgut of millipedes is composed of a simple epithelium that rests on a basal lamina, which is surrounded by visceral muscles and hepatic cells. As the material for our studies, we chose Telodeinopus aoutii (Demange, 1971) (Kenyan millipede) (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida), which lives in the rain forests of Central Africa. This commonly reared species is easy to obtain from local breeders and easy to culture in the laboratory. During our studies, we used transmission and scanning electron microscopes and light and fluorescent microscopes. The midgut epithelium of the species examined here shares similarities to the structure of the millipedes analyzed to date. The midgut epithelium is composed of three types of cells-digestive, secretory, and regenerative cells. Evidence of three types of secretion have been observed in the midgut epithelium: merocrine, apocrine, and microapocrine secretion. The regenerative cells of the midgut epithelium in millipedes fulfill the role of midgut stem cells because of their main functions: self-renewal (the ability to divide mitotically and to maintain in an undifferentiated state) and potency (ability to differentiate into digestive cells). We also confirmed that spot desmosomes are common intercellular junctions between the regenerative and digestive cells in millipedes.

  11. Digital histologic analysis reveals morphometric patterns of age-related involution in breast epithelium and stroma.

    PubMed

    Sandhu, Rupninder; Chollet-Hinton, Lynn; Kirk, Erin L; Midkiff, Bentley; Troester, Melissa A

    2016-02-01

    Complete age-related regression of mammary epithelium, often termed postmenopausal involution, is associated with decreased breast cancer risk. However, most studies have qualitatively assessed involution. We quantitatively analyzed epithelium, stroma, and adipose tissue from histologically normal breast tissue of 454 patients in the Normal Breast Study. High-resolution digital images of normal breast hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were partitioned into epithelium, adipose tissue, and nonfatty stroma. Percentage area and nuclei per unit area (nuclear density) were calculated for each component. Quantitative data were evaluated in association with age using linear regression and cubic spline models. Stromal area decreased (P = 0.0002), and adipose tissue area increased (P < 0.0001), with an approximate 0.7% change in area for each component, until age 55 years when these area measures reached a steady state. Although epithelial area did not show linear changes with age, epithelial nuclear density decreased linearly beginning in the third decade of life. No significant age-related trends were observed for stromal or adipose nuclear density. Digital image analysis offers a high-throughput method for quantitatively measuring tissue morphometry and for objectively assessing age-related changes in adipose tissue, stroma, and epithelium. Epithelial nuclear density is a quantitative measure of age-related breast involution that begins to decline in the early premenopausal period. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Sodium Butyrate Ameliorates High-Concentrate Diet-Induced Inflammation in the Rumen Epithelium of Dairy Goats.

    PubMed

    Dai, Hongyu; Liu, Xinxin; Yan, Jinyu; Aabdin, Zain Ul; Bilal, Muhammad Shahid; Shen, Xiangzhen

    2017-01-25

    To investigate the effect of sodium butyrate on high-concentrate diet-induced local inflammation of the rumen epithelium, 18 midlactating dairy goats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a low-concentrate diet group as the control (concentrate:forage = 4:6), a high-concentrate (HC) diet group (concentrate:forage = 6:4), and a sodium butyrate (SB) group (concentrate:forage = 6:4, with 1% SB by weight). The results showed that, with the addition of sodium butyrate, the concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rumen fluid (2.62 × 10 4 ± 2.90 × 10 3 EU/mL) was significantly lower than that in the HC group (4.03 × 10 4 ± 2.77 × 10 3 EU/mL). The protein abundance of pp65, gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2,9 in the rumen epithelium were significantly down-regulated by SB compared with those in the HC group. With sodium butyrate administration, the concentration of NH3-N (19.2 ± 0.890 mM) in the rumen fluid was significantly higher than that for the HC group (12.7 ± 1.38 mM). Severe disruption of the rumen epithelium induced by HC was also ameliorated by dietary SB. Therefore, local inflammation and disruption of the rumen epithelium induced by HC were alleviated with SB administration.

  13. Betaine aids in the osmoregulation of duodenal epithelium of broiler chicks, and affects the movement of water across the small intestinal epithelium in vitro.

    PubMed

    Kettunen, H; Peuranen, S; Tiihonen, K

    2001-06-01

    In Experiment 1, the water holding capacity of broiler chick intestinal tissue was studied in vitro. The chicks were fed with corn-based diets with or without a 0.2% betaine supplementation in the drinking water. Slices from duodenum and jejunum were incubated in iso-osmotic (300 mM) or hyperosmotic saline (600 mM) with or without 10 mM betaine. The water volume of tissue slices was studied by adding tritiated water in the incubation medium while [14C]inulin was used to correct for the adherent water. After 30 min of incubation, by which time the steady-state of tritium influx had been achieved, the 3H and 14C-activities of the tissue slices were measured. The ileal and duodenal tissues incubated in the hyperosmotic saline accumulated less tritium than those incubated in iso-osmotic saline. Duodenal slices incubated in hyperosmotic saline with the presence of betaine showed a tritium content similar to slices incubated in iso-osmotic saline. The data suggest that the presence of betaine helped the duodenal, but not jejunal, epithelium to maintain water balance in hyperosmotic conditions. The dietary betaine supplementation diminished the differences between the incubation treatments in duodenal, but not in ileal tissue. In Experiment 2, the same double labeling method, but with shorter incubation times, was used to assess the rate of water flux from the incubation medium to duodenal or jejunal slices. The dietary treatments (as in Experiment 1) had little effect on the results. Betaine in the hyperosmotic saline significantly decreased the rate of tritium accumulation into the tissue slices, indicating that betaine slowed down the influx of water to the epithelium. We suggest that betaine affects the movement of water across the intestinal epithelium and has a role in the osmoregulation of small intestine of broiler chicks.

  14. FORMALDEHYDE-INDUCED GENE EXPRESSION IN F344 RAT NASAL RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Formaldehyde-induced gene expression in F344 rat nasal respiratory epithelium

    ABSTRACT

    Formaldehyde, an occupational and environmental toxicant used extensively in the manufacturing of many household and personal use products, is known to induce squamous cell carci...

  15. Loss of the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 in the mouse gastric epithelium is deleterious and triggers rapid repopulation in vivo.

    PubMed

    Flanagan, Dustin J; Barker, Nick; Nowell, Cameron; Clevers, Hans; Ernst, Matthias; Phesse, Toby J; Vincan, Elizabeth

    2017-08-01

    The gastric epithelium consists of tubular glandular units, each containing several differentiated cell types, and populations of stem cells, which enable the stomach to secrete the acid, mucus and various digestive enzymes required for its function. Very little is known about which cell signalling pathways are required for homeostasis of the gastric epithelium. Many diseases, such as cancer, arise as a result of deregulation of signalling pathways that regulate homeostasis of the diseased organ. Therefore, it is important to understand the biology of how normal conditions are maintained in a tissue to help inform the mechanisms driving disease in that same tissue, and to identify potential points of therapeutic intervention. Wnt signalling regulates several cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation and migration, and plays a crucial role during homeostasis of several tissues, including the intestinal epithelium. Wnt3a is required in the culture medium of gastric organoids, suggesting it is also important for the homeostasis of the gastric epithelium, but this has not been investigated in vivo Here, we show that the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7), which is required for the homeostasis of the intestine, is expressed in the gastric epithelium and is required for gastric organoid growth. Gastric-specific loss of Fzd7 in the adult gastric epithelium of mice is deleterious and triggers rapid epithelial repopulation, which we believe is the first observation of this novel function for this tissue. Taken together, these data provide functional evidence of a crucial role for Wnt signalling, via the Fzd7 receptor, during homeostasis of the gastric epithelium. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  16. Comparison of Expression Profiles in Ovarian Epithelium In Vivo and Ovarian Cancer Identifies Novel Candidate Genes Involved in Disease Pathogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Emmanuel, Catherine; Gava, Natalie; Kennedy, Catherine; Balleine, Rosemary L.; Sharma, Raghwa; Wain, Gerard; Brand, Alison; Hogg, Russell; Etemadmoghadam, Dariush; George, Joshy; Birrer, Michael J.; Clarke, Christine L.; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Bowtell, David D. L.; Harnett, Paul R.; deFazio, Anna

    2011-01-01

    Molecular events leading to epithelial ovarian cancer are poorly understood but ovulatory hormones and a high number of life-time ovulations with concomitant proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation, increases risk. We identified genes that are regulated during the estrous cycle in murine ovarian surface epithelium and analysed these profiles to identify genes dysregulated in human ovarian cancer, using publically available datasets. We identified 338 genes that are regulated in murine ovarian surface epithelium during the estrous cycle and dysregulated in ovarian cancer. Six of seven candidates selected for immunohistochemical validation were expressed in serous ovarian cancer, inclusion cysts, ovarian surface epithelium and in fallopian tube epithelium. Most were overexpressed in ovarian cancer compared with ovarian surface epithelium and/or inclusion cysts (EpCAM, EZH2, BIRC5) although BIRC5 and EZH2 were expressed as highly in fallopian tube epithelium as in ovarian cancer. We prioritised the 338 genes for those likely to be important for ovarian cancer development by in silico analyses of copy number aberration and mutation using publically available datasets and identified genes with established roles in ovarian cancer as well as novel genes for which we have evidence for involvement in ovarian cancer. Chromosome segregation emerged as an important process in which genes from our list of 338 were over-represented including two (BUB1, NCAPD2) for which there is evidence of amplification and mutation. NUAK2, upregulated in ovarian surface epithelium in proestrus and predicted to have a driver mutation in ovarian cancer, was examined in a larger cohort of serous ovarian cancer where patients with lower NUAK2 expression had shorter overall survival. In conclusion, defining genes that are activated in normal epithelium in the course of ovulation that are also dysregulated in cancer has identified a number of pathways and novel candidate genes that may contribute

  17. Coordination of Cellular Dynamics Contributes to Tooth Epithelium Deformations

    PubMed Central

    Morita, Ritsuko; Kihira, Miho; Nakatsu, Yousuke; Nomoto, Yohei; Ogawa, Miho; Ohashi, Kazumasa; Mizuno, Kensaku; Tachikawa, Tetsuhiko; Ishimoto, Yukitaka; Morishita, Yoshihiro; Tsuji, Takashi

    2016-01-01

    The morphologies of ectodermal organs are shaped by appropriate combinations of several deformation modes, such as invagination and anisotropic tissue elongation. However, how multicellular dynamics are coordinated during deformation processes remains to be elucidated. Here, we developed a four-dimensional (4D) analysis system for tracking cell movement and division at a single-cell resolution in developing tooth epithelium. The expression patterns of a Fucci probe clarified the region- and stage-specific cell cycle patterns within the tooth germ, which were in good agreement with the pattern of the volume growth rate estimated from tissue-level deformation analysis. Cellular motility was higher in the regions with higher growth rates, while the mitotic orientation was significantly biased along the direction of tissue elongation in the epithelium. Further, these spatio-temporal patterns of cellular dynamics and tissue-level deformation were highly correlated with that of the activity of cofilin, which is an actin depolymerization factor, suggesting that the coordination of cellular dynamics via actin remodeling plays an important role in tooth epithelial morphogenesis. Our system enhances the understanding of how cellular behaviors are coordinated during ectodermal organogenesis, which cannot be observed from histological analyses. PMID:27588418

  18. Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms Lined by Abundant Mucinous Epithelium Frequently Involve KRAS Mutations and Malignant Progression.

    PubMed

    Shibata, Hideki; Ohike, Nobuyuki; Norose, Tomoko; Isobe, Tomohide; Suzuki, Reika; Imai, Hideyuki; Shiokawa, Akira; Aoki, Takeshi; Murakami, Masahiko; Mizukami, Hiroki; Tanaka, Jun-Ichi; Takimoto, Masafumi

    2017-12-01

    Pancreatic and hepatic mucinous cyst neoplasms (MCNs) have a malignant potential, but indolent MCNs are not uncommon. The pathological and genetic characteristics of resected MCNs (n=15) categorized by the amount of mucin of the lining epithelium were investigated. MCNs were divided into two groups: (i) a rich (r)-MCN group (n=6), in which more than half of the epithelium was lined by abundant mucinous epithelium; and (ii) a poor (p)-MCN group (n=9), which consisted of the remaining cases. Three patients in the r-MCN group showed invasive carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia, whereas all patients in the p-MCN group showed low-grade dysplasia. Mutations of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) were more frequent in the r-MCN group (83%) (p-MCN; 11%, p<0.05). Mucinous MCNs more frequently have KRAS mutations and higher risk of malignant progression. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

  19. Ultrastructure of the external gill epithelium of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum with reference to ionic transport.

    PubMed

    Jarial, M S; Wilkins, J H

    2003-10-01

    The ultrastructure of the external gill epithelium of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, has been examined using conventional transmission electron microscopy to elucidate its role in ionic transport. Four cell types are identified in the gill filament and primary gill bar epithelium. These are granular, ciliated, Leydig and basal cells. A fifth cell type, the flat mitochondria-rich cell is only found in the gill bar epithelium. The predominant granular cells display microvilli at their surface and their cytoplasm contains abundant mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, vesicles and PAS+ secretory granules that are extruded at the surface, which along with secretions from the Leydig cells form a mucous coat. The granular cells are joined apically by junctional complexes consisting of zonulae occludens, zonulae adherens and desmosomes. The lateral membranes of granular cells enclose large intercellular spaces that are closed at the apical ends but remain open at the basal ends adjoining capillaries. In AgNO3-treated axolotl, the gills become darkly stained, the silver grains penetrate apical membranes and appear in the cytoplasm, accumulating near the lateral membranes and also enter the intercellular spaces. These findings are consistent with the dual role of the gill epithelium in mucus production and active ionic transport.

  20. The role of basal cells in adhesion of columnar epithelium to airway basement membrane.

    PubMed

    Evans, M J; Plopper, C G

    1988-08-01

    In this report, we present a new concept of the role of the basal cell in airway epithelium. Previously, the basal cell was thought to be the progenitor cell for the columnar epithelium. However, several studies have shown that this concept may not be correct. The morphologic aspects of the basal cell suggest that it could play a role in adhesion of the columnar epithelium to the basement membrane. Basal cells form attachments with columnar cells (desmosomes) and with the basement membrane (hemidesmosomes). Columnar cells do not form hemidesmosome attachments with the basement membrane. Basal cells could strengthen the adhesion of columnar cells to the basement membrane by forming hemidesmosome attachments to the basement membrane and desmosome attachments with adjacent columnar cells. Incidental evidence from 2 existing publications concerning airway microanatomy support this concept. As columnar cells grow taller, the proportion of the cell surface in contact with the basement membrane becomes progressively smaller, and thus the cell surface area related to adhesion also becomes smaller. It was found that the number of basal cells per millimeter of basement membrane was closely related to the height of the columnar cell epithelium (r = 0.98), but not to the number of columnar cells (r = 0.42). The consistency of the relationship between increased columnar cell height (and thus decreased surface area for adhesion) and the number of basal cells present (r = 0.98) supports the concept that the basal cell plays a role in adhesion of columnar cells to the basement membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  1. Vitamin D Proliferates Vaginal Epithelium through RhoA Expression in Postmenopausal Atrophic Vagina tissue

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Arum; Lee, Man Ryul; Lee, Hae-Hyeog; Kim, Yeon-Suk; Kim, Jun-Mo; Enkhbold, Temuulee; Kim, Tae-Hee

    2017-01-01

    Postmenopausal atrophic vagina (PAV) is the thinning of the walls of the vagina and decreased lugae of the vagina. PAV is caused by decreased estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. However, the harmful effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have resulted in considerable caution in its use. Various estrogen agonist treatment options are available. Vitamin D is influences the regulation of differentiation and proliferation of various cells, especially tissues lining stratified squamous epithelium, such as the vaginal epithelium. In this study, we hypothesized that vitamin D could provide an alternative and a safe treatment option for PAV by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of the vaginal epithelium. Thirty six patients were enrolled in this case-control study. Vitamin D associated proteins in a vitamin D and sex hormone treated vaginal epithelial cell line as well as normal and PAV tissues were measured. To confirm of cell-to-cell junction protein expression, cell line and tissue studies included RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunoblot analyses. The expression of cell-to-cell junction proteins was higher in women with symptoms of atrophic vagina tissue compared to women without the symptoms. Vitamin D stimulated the proliferation of the vaginal epithelium by activating p-RhoA and Erzin through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The results suggest that vitamin D positively regulates cell-to-cell junction by increasing the VDR/p-RhoA/p-Ezrin pathway. This is the first study to verify the relationship of the expression of RhoA and Ezrin proteins in vaginal tissue of PAV. PMID:28843271

  2. Vitamin D Proliferates Vaginal Epithelium through RhoA Expression in Postmenopausal Atrophic Vagina tissue.

    PubMed

    Lee, Arum; Lee, Man Ryul; Lee, Hae-Hyeog; Kim, Yeon-Suk; Kim, Jun-Mo; Enkhbold, Temuulee; Kim, Tae-Hee

    2017-09-30

    Postmenopausal atrophic vagina (PAV) is the thinning of the walls of the vagina and decreased lugae of the vagina. PAV is caused by decreased estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. However, the harmful effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have resulted in considerable caution in its use. Various estrogen agonist treatment options are available. Vitamin D is influences the regulation of differentiation and proliferation of various cells, especially tissues lining stratified squamous epithelium, such as the vaginal epithelium. In this study, we hypothesized that vitamin D could provide an alternative and a safe treatment option for PAV by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of the vaginal epithelium. Thirty six patients were enrolled in this case-control study. Vitamin D associated proteins in a vitamin D and sex hormone treated vaginal epithelial cell line as well as normal and PAV tissues were measured. To confirm of cell-to-cell junction protein expression, cell line and tissue studies included RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunoblot analyses. The expression of cell-to-cell junction proteins was higher in women with symptoms of atrophic vagina tissue compared to women without the symptoms. Vitamin D stimulated the proliferation of the vaginal epithelium by activating p-RhoA and Erzin through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The results suggest that vitamin D positively regulates cell-to-cell junction by increasing the VDR/p-RhoA/p-Ezrin pathway. This is the first study to verify the relationship of the expression of RhoA and Ezrin proteins in vaginal tissue of PAV.

  3. Epithelium-generated neuropeptide Y induces smooth muscle contraction to promote airway hyperresponsiveness.

    PubMed

    Li, Shanru; Koziol-White, Cynthia; Jude, Joseph; Jiang, Meiqi; Zhao, Hengjiang; Cao, Gaoyuan; Yoo, Edwin; Jester, William; Morley, Michael P; Zhou, Su; Wang, Yi; Lu, Min Min; Panettieri, Reynold A; Morrisey, Edward E

    2016-05-02

    Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases globally and can be divided into presenting with or without an immune response. Current therapies have little effect on nonimmune disease, and the mechanisms that drive this type of asthma are poorly understood. Here, we have shown that loss of the transcription factors forkhead box P1 (Foxp1) and Foxp4, which are critical for lung epithelial development, in the adult airway epithelium evokes a non-Th2 asthma phenotype that is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) without eosinophilic inflammation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that loss of Foxp1 and Foxp4 expression induces ectopic expression of neuropeptide Y (Npy), which has been reported to be present in the airways of asthma patients, but whose importance in disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Treatment of human lung airway explants with recombinant NPY increased airway contractility. Conversely, loss of Npy in Foxp1- and Foxp4-mutant airway epithelium rescued the AHR phenotype. We determined that NPY promotes AHR through the induction of Rho kinase activity and phosphorylation of myosin light chain, which induces airway smooth muscle contraction. Together, these studies highlight the importance of paracrine signals from the airway epithelium to the underlying smooth muscle to induce AHR and suggest that therapies targeting epithelial induction of this phenotype may prove useful in treatment of noneosinophilic asthma.

  4. Maintenance of sweat glands by stem cells located in the acral epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ohe, Shuichi; Tanaka, Toshihiro; Yanai, Hirotsugu; Komai, Yoshihiro; Omachi, Taichi; Kanno, Shohei; Tanaka, Kiyomichi; Ishigaki, Kazuhiko; Saiga, Kazuho; Nakamura, Naohiro; Ohsugi, Haruyuki; Tokuyama, Yoko; Atsumi, Naho; Hisha, Hiroko; Yoshida, Naoko; Kumano, Keiki; Yamazaki, Fumikazu; Okamoto, Hiroyuki; Ueno, Hiroo

    2015-10-23

    The skin is responsible for a variety of physiological functions and is critical for wound healing and repair. Therefore, the regenerative capacity of the skin is important. However, stem cells responsible for maintaining the acral epithelium had not previously been identified. In this study, we identified the specific stem cells in the acral epithelium that participate in the long-term maintenance of sweat glands, ducts, and interadnexal epidermis and that facilitate the regeneration of these structures following injury. Lgr6-positive cells and Bmi1-positive cells were found to function as long-term multipotent stem cells that maintained the entire eccrine unit and the interadnexal epidermis. However, while Lgr6-positive cells were rapidly cycled and constantly supplied differentiated cells, Bmi1-positive cells were slow to cycle and occasionally entered the cell cycle under physiological conditions. Upon irradiation-induced injury, Bmi1-positive cells rapidly proliferated and regenerated injured epithelial tissue. Therefore, Bmi1-positive stem cells served as reservoir stem cells. Lgr5-positive cells were rapidly cycled and maintained only sweat glands; therefore, we concluded that these cells functioned as lineage-restricted progenitors. Taken together, our data demonstrated the identification of stem cells that maintained the entire acral epithelium and supported the different roles of three cellular classes. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. The Immunoexpression of Glucocorticoid Receptors in Breast Carcinomas, Lactational Change, and Normal Breast Epithelium and Its Possible Role in Mammary Carcinogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Wazir, Javed Fayyaz; Brahmi, Urmil Prabha; Fakhro, Abdul Rahman

    2017-01-01

    The role of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer biology is well established. In contrast, other steroid hormones are less well studied. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to play a role in mammary development and differentiation; thus, it is of interest to attempt to delineate their immunoexpression across a spectrum of mammary epithelia. Aim. To delineate the distribution pattern of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in malignant versus nonmalignant epithelium with particular emphasis on lactational epithelium. Materials and Methods. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for GRs was performed on archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 96 cases comprising 52 invasive carcinomas, 21 cases with lactational change, and 23 cases showing normal mammary tissue histology. Results. Results reveal an overexpression of GRs in mammary malignant epithelium as compared to both normal and lactational groups individually and combined. GR overexpression is significantly more pronounced in HER-2-negative cancers. Discussion. This is the first study to compare GR expression in human lactating epithelium versus malignant and normal epithelium. The article discusses the literature related to the pathobiology of GCs in the breast with special emphasis on breast cancer. Conclusion. The lactational epithelium did not show overexpression of GR, while GR was overexpressed in mammary NST (ductal) carcinoma, particularly HER-2-negative cancers. PMID:29348941

  6. Micronucleation in the lens epithelium following in vivo exposure to physical and chemical mutagens

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Odrich, S.; Medvedovsky, C.; Merriam, G. R. Jr; Worgul, B. V.

    1988-01-01

    Rats were exposed to cataractogenic doses of known physical and chemical genotoxic agents in order to study the efficacy of using micronuclei to monitor mutagenicity in the lens epithelium. The total numbers of micronuclei were counted in lens epithelia from rats exposed to graded doses of either 250 kVp X-rays or the anti-leukemic drug, 1,4 dimethanesulfonoxybutane (Myleran (R)). The results indicate a dose-dependent incidence of micronucleation in the lens epithelium following exposure. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the cataractogenicity of certain agents may be related to their effect on the genome of lens epithelial cells.

  7. Terminal-Nerve-Derived Neuropeptide Y Modulates Physiological Responses in the Olfactory Epithelium of Hungry Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum)

    PubMed Central

    Mousley, Angela; Polese, Gianluca; Marks, Nikki J.; Eisthen, Heather L.

    2007-01-01

    The vertebrate brain actively regulates incoming sensory information, effectively filtering input and focusing attention toward environmental stimuli that are most relevant to the animal's behavioral context or physiological state. Such centrifugal modulation has been shown to play an important role in processing in the retina and cochlea, but has received relatively little attention in olfaction. The terminal nerve, a cranial nerve that extends underneath the lamina propria surrounding the olfactory epithelium, displays anatomical and neurochemical characteristics that suggest that it modulates activity in the olfactory epithelium. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we demonstrate that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is abundantly present in the terminal nerve in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), an aquatic salamander. Because NPY plays an important role in regulating appetite and hunger in many vertebrates, we investigated the possibility that NPY modulates activity in the olfactory epithelium in relation to the animal's hunger level. We therefore characterized the full length NPY gene from axolotls to enable synthesis of authentic axolotl NPY for use in electrophysiological experiments. We find that axolotl NPY modulates olfactory epithelial responses evoked by L-glutamic acid, a food-related odorant, but only in hungry animals. Similarly, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrate that bath application of axolotl NPY enhances the magnitude of a tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward current, but only in hungry animals. These results suggest that expression or activity of NPY receptors in the olfactory epithelium may change with hunger level, and that terminal nerve-derived peptides modulate activity in the olfactory epithelium in response to an animal's changing behavioral and physiological circumstances. PMID:16855098

  8. Terminal nerve-derived neuropeptide y modulates physiological responses in the olfactory epithelium of hungry axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum).

    PubMed

    Mousley, Angela; Polese, Gianluca; Marks, Nikki J; Eisthen, Heather L

    2006-07-19

    The vertebrate brain actively regulates incoming sensory information, effectively filtering input and focusing attention toward environmental stimuli that are most relevant to the animal's behavioral context or physiological state. Such centrifugal modulation has been shown to play an important role in processing in the retina and cochlea, but has received relatively little attention in olfaction. The terminal nerve, a cranial nerve that extends underneath the lamina propria surrounding the olfactory epithelium, displays anatomical and neurochemical characteristics that suggest that it modulates activity in the olfactory epithelium. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we demonstrate that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is abundantly present in the terminal nerve in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), an aquatic salamander. Because NPY plays an important role in regulating appetite and hunger in many vertebrates, we investigated the possibility that NPY modulates activity in the olfactory epithelium in relation to the animal's hunger level. We therefore characterized the full-length NPY gene from axolotls to enable synthesis of authentic axolotl NPY for use in electrophysiological experiments. We find that axolotl NPY modulates olfactory epithelial responses evoked by l-glutamic acid, a food-related odorant, but only in hungry animals. Similarly, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrate that bath application of axolotl NPY enhances the magnitude of a tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward current, but only in hungry animals. These results suggest that expression or activity of NPY receptors in the olfactory epithelium may change with hunger level, and that terminal nerve-derived peptides modulate activity in the olfactory epithelium in response to an animal's changing behavioral and physiological circumstances.

  9. Ion transport across an isolated preparation of sheep rumen epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Ferreira, H. G.; Harrison, F. A.; Keynes, R. D.; Zurich, L.

    1972-01-01

    1. The fluxes of isotopically labelled sodium, potassium and chloride passing in each direction across isolated sheets of rumen epithelium from the sheep have been measured under short-circuit conditions. 2. With both sides of the epithelium bathed in chloride Ringer the mean sodium fluxes were 2·85 μmole/cm2.hr from rumen to blood and 1·28 μmole/cm2.hr in the reverse direction. In sulphate Ringer the sodium fluxes were 1·64 μmole/cm2.hr from rumen to blood and 0·54 μmole/cm2.hr from blood to rumen. 3. In chloride Ringer the mean potassium fluxes were 0·18 μmole/cm2.hr from rumen to blood and 0·54 μmole/cm2.hr from blood to rumen. In sulphate Ringer the potassium fluxes were 0·07 μmole/cm2.hr from rumen to blood and 0·35 μmole/cm2.hr from blood to rumen. 4. In chloride Ringer the mean chloride fluxes were 4·89 μmole/cm2.hr from rumen to blood and 3·78 μmole/cm2.hr from blood to rumen. 5. In chloride Ringer the mean value of the short-circuit current was 13 μA/cm2, corresponding to a flux of 0·49 μequiv/cm2.hr. When sulphate was substituted for chloride, the short-circuit current was increased by about 40%, and the net flux of sodium from rumen to blood fell by 30%. 6. Neither the sodium nor the chloride fluxes changed significantly when the epithelium was temporarily open-circuited. PMID:5037110

  10. Chloride channel function is linked to epithelium-dependent airway relaxation.

    PubMed

    Fortner, C N; Lorenz, J N; Paul, R J

    2001-02-01

    We previously reported that substance P (SP) and ATP evoke transient, epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse tracheal smooth muscle. Since both SP and ATP are known to evoke transepithelial Cl- secretion across epithelial monolayers, we tested the hypothesis that epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse trachea depends on Cl- channel function. In perfused mouse tracheas, the responses to SP and ATP were both inhibited by the Cl- channel inhibitors diphenylamine-2-carboxylate and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate. Relaxation to ATP or SP was unaffected by 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS), and relaxation to SP was unaffected by either DIDS or DNDS. Replacing Cl- in the buffer solutions with the impermeable anion gluconate on both sides of the trachea inhibited relaxation to SP or ATP. In contrast, increasing the gradient for Cl- secretion using Cl- free medium only in the tracheal lumen enhanced the relaxation to SP or ATP. We conclude that Cl- channel function is linked to receptor-mediated, epithelium-dependent relaxation. The finding that relaxation to SP was not blocked by DIDS suggested the involvement of a DIDS-insensitive Cl- channel, potentially the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated tracheas from CFTR-deficient mice and found that the peak relaxation to SP or ATP was not significantly different from those responses in wild-type littermates. This suggests that a DIDS-insensitive Cl- channel other than CFTR is active in the SP response. This work introduces a possible role for Cl- pathways in the modulation of airway smooth muscle function and may have implications for fundamental studies of airway function as well as therapeutic approaches to pulmonary disease.

  11. Impact of Lactic Acid Bacteria on Dendritic Cells from Allergic Patients in an Experimental Model of Intestinal Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Ratajczak, Céline; Duez, Catherine; Grangette, Corinne; Pochard, Pierre; Tonnel, André-Bernard; Pestel, Joël

    2007-01-01

    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive nonpathogenic commensal organisms present in human gastrointestinal tract. In vivo, LAB are separated from antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) by the intestinal epithelial barrier. In this study, the impact of one LAB strain (Lactobacillus casei ATCC393) on human monocyte-derived DC from allergic and healthy donors was assessed by using a polarized epithelium model. Confocal and flow cytometer analyses showed that immature DC efficiently captured FITC-labelled L. casei through the epithelial layer. After interaction with L. casei, DC acquired a partial maturation status (i.e., CD86 and CD54 increase) and increased their interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 production. Interestingly, after activation by L. casei in the presence of experimental epithelium, DC from allergic patients instructed autologous naïve CD4+ T cells to produce more interferon-γ than without the epithelium. Thus by modulating human DC reactivity, LAB and intestinal epithelium might modify T cell immune response and regulate the development of allergic reaction. PMID:17497025

  12. Impact of lactic Acid bacteria on dendritic cells from allergic patients in an experimental model of intestinal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ratajczak, Céline; Duez, Catherine; Grangette, Corinne; Pochard, Pierre; Tonnel, André-Bernard; Pestel, Joël

    2007-01-01

    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive nonpathogenic commensal organisms present in human gastrointestinal tract. In vivo, LAB are separated from antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) by the intestinal epithelial barrier. In this study, the impact of one LAB strain (Lactobacillus casei ATCC393) on human monocyte-derived DC from allergic and healthy donors was assessed by using a polarized epithelium model. Confocal and flow cytometer analyses showed that immature DC efficiently captured FITC-labelled L. casei through the epithelial layer. After interaction with L. casei, DC acquired a partial maturation status (i.e., CD86 and CD54 increase) and increased their interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 production. Interestingly, after activation by L. casei in the presence of experimental epithelium, DC from allergic patients instructed autologous naïve CD4(+) T cells to produce more interferon-gamma than without the epithelium. Thus by modulating human DC reactivity, LAB and intestinal epithelium might modify T cell immune response and regulate the development of allergic reaction.

  13. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) silencing in Helicobacter pylori-infected human gastric epithelium.

    PubMed

    Mihara, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Nobuhiro; Muhammad, Jibran Sualeh; Nanjo, Sohachi; Ando, Takayuki; Fujinami, Haruka; Kajiura, Shinya; Hosokawa, Ayumu; Sugiyama, Toshiro

    2017-04-01

    Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection induces methylation silencing of specific genes in gastric epithelium. Various stimuli activate the nonselective cation channel TRPV4, which is expressed in gastric epithelium where it detects mechanical stimuli and promotes ATP release. As CpG islands in TRPV4 are methylated in HP-infected gastric epithelium, we evaluated HP infection-dependent changes in TRPV4 expression in gastric epithelium. Human gastric biopsy samples, a human gastric cancer cell line (AGS), and a normal gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) were used to detect TRPV4 mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Ca 2+ imaging was used to evaluate TRPV4 ion channel activity. TRPV4 methylation status was assessed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). ATP release was measured by a luciferin-luciferase assay. TRPV4 mRNA and protein were detected in human gastric biopsy samples and in GES-1 cells. MSP and demethylation assays showed TRPV4 methylation silencing in AGS cells. HP coculture directly induced methylation silencing of TRPV4 in GES-1 cells. In human samples, HP infection was associated with TRPV4 methylation silencing that recovered after HP eradication in a time-dependent manner. HP infection-dependent DNA methylation suppressed TRPV4 expression in human gastric epithelia, suggesting that TRPV4 methylation may be involved in HP-associated dyspepsia. © 2016 The Authors. Helicobacter Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Macrophage/epithelium cross-talk regulates cell cycle progression and migration in pancreatic progenitors.

    PubMed

    Mussar, Kristin; Tucker, Andrew; McLennan, Linsey; Gearhart, Addie; Jimenez-Caliani, Antonio J; Cirulli, Vincenzo; Crisa, Laura

    2014-01-01

    Macrophages populate the mesenchymal compartment of all organs during embryogenesis and have been shown to support tissue organogenesis and regeneration by regulating remodeling of the extracellular microenvironment. Whether this mesenchymal component can also dictate select developmental decisions in epithelia is unknown. Here, using the embryonic pancreatic epithelium as model system, we show that macrophages drive the epithelium to execute two developmentally important choices, i.e. the exit from cell cycle and the acquisition of a migratory phenotype. We demonstrate that these developmental decisions are effectively imparted by macrophages activated toward an M2 fetal-like functional state, and involve modulation of the adhesion receptor NCAM and an uncommon "paired-less" isoform of the transcription factor PAX6 in the epithelium. Over-expression of this PAX6 variant in pancreatic epithelia controls both cell motility and cell cycle progression in a gene-dosage dependent fashion. Importantly, induction of these phenotypes in embryonic pancreatic transplants by M2 macrophages in vivo is associated with an increased frequency of endocrine-committed cells emerging from ductal progenitor pools. These results identify M2 macrophages as key effectors capable of coordinating epithelial cell cycle withdrawal and cell migration, two events critical to pancreatic progenitors' delamination and progression toward their differentiated fates.

  15. Damage to lens fiber cells causes TRPV4-dependent Src family kinase activation in the epithelium.

    PubMed

    Shahidullah, M; Mandal, A; Delamere, N A

    2015-11-01

    The bulk of the lens consists of tightly packed fiber cells. Because mature lens fibers lack mitochondria and other organelles, lens homeostasis relies on a monolayer of epithelial cells at the anterior surface. The detection of various signaling pathways in lens epithelial cells suggests they respond to stimuli that influence lens function. Focusing on Src Family Kinases (SFKs) and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), we tested whether the epithelium can sense and respond to an event that occurs in fiber mass. The pig lens was subjected to localized freeze-thaw (FT) damage to fibers at posterior pole then the lens was incubated for 1-10 min in Krebs solution at 37 °C. Transient SFK activation in the epithelium was detectable at 1 min. Using a western blot approach, the ion channel TRPV4 was detected in the epithelium but was sparse or absent in fiber cells. Even though TRPV4 expression appears low at the actual site of FT damage to the fibers, SFK activation in the epithelium was suppressed in lenses subjected to FT damage then incubated with the TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 (10 μM). Na,K-ATPase activity was examined because previous studies report changes of Na,K-ATPase activity associated with SFK activation. Na,K-ATPase activity doubled in the epithelium removed from FT-damaged lenses and the response was prevented by HC067047 or the SFK inhibitor PP2 (10 μM). Similar changes were observed in response to fiber damage caused by injection of 5 μl hyperosmotic NaCl or mannitol solution beneath the surface of the posterior pole. The findings point to a TRPV4-dependent mechanism that enables the epithelial cells to detect remote damage in the fiber mass and respond within minutes by activating SFK and increasing Na,K-ATPase activity. Because TRPV4 channels are mechanosensitive, we speculate they may be stimulated by swelling of the lens structure caused by damage to the fibers. Increased Na,K-ATPase activity gives the lens greater capacity to

  16. Gene expression underlying enhanced, steroid-dependent auditory sensitivity of hair cell epithelium in a vocal fish.

    PubMed

    Fergus, Daniel J; Feng, Ni Y; Bass, Andrew H

    2015-10-14

    Successful animal communication depends on a receiver's ability to detect a sender's signal. Exemplars of adaptive sender-receiver coupling include acoustic communication, often important in the context of seasonal reproduction. During the reproductive summer season, both male and female midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) exhibit similar increases in the steroid-dependent frequency sensitivity of the saccule, the main auditory division of the inner ear. This form of auditory plasticity enhances detection of the higher frequency components of the multi-harmonic, long-duration advertisement calls produced repetitively by males during summer nights of peak vocal and spawning activity. The molecular basis of this seasonal auditory plasticity has not been fully resolved. Here, we utilize an unbiased transcriptomic RNA sequencing approach to identify differentially expressed transcripts within the saccule's hair cell epithelium of reproductive summer and non-reproductive winter fish. We assembled 74,027 unique transcripts from our saccular epithelial sequence reads. Of these, 6.4 % and 3.0 % were upregulated in the reproductive and non-reproductive saccular epithelium, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analyses of the differentially expressed transcripts showed that the reproductive saccular epithelium was transcriptionally, translationally, and metabolically more active than the non-reproductive epithelium. Furthermore, the expression of a specific suite of candidate genes, including ion channels and components of steroid-signaling pathways, was upregulated in the reproductive compared to the non-reproductive saccular epithelium. We found reported auditory functions for 14 candidate genes upregulated in the reproductive midshipman saccular epithelium, 8 of which are enriched in mouse hair cells, validating their hair cell-specific functions across vertebrates. We identified a suite of differentially expressed genes belonging to neurotransmission and

  17. Dimethylarsinic acid in drinking water changed the morphology of urinary bladder but not the expression of DNA repair genes of bladder transitional epithelium in F344 rats.

    PubMed

    Wang, Amy; Wolf, Douglas C; Sen, Banalata; Knapp, Geremy W; Holladay, Steven D; Huckle, William R; Caceci, Thomas; Robertson, John L

    2009-06-01

    Inorganic arsenic increases urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma in humans. In F344 rats, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA[V]) increases transitional cell carcinoma. Arsenic-induced inhibition of DNA repair has been reported in cultured cell lines and in lymphocytes of arsenic-exposed humans, but it has not been studied in urinary bladder. Should inhibition of DNA damage repair in transitional epithelium occur, it may contribute to carcinogenesis or cocarcinogenesis. We investigated morphology and expression of DNA repair genes in F344 rat transitional cells following up to 100 ppm DMA(V) in drinking water for four weeks. Mitochondria were very sensitive to DMA(V), and swollen mitochondria appeared to be the main source of vacuoles in the transitional epithelium. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time RT PCR) showed the mRNA levels of tested DNA repair genes, ataxia telangectasia mutant (ATM), X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1), excision repair cross-complementing group 3/xeroderma pigmentosum B (ERCC3/XPB), and DNA polymerase beta (Polbeta), were not altered by DMA(V). These data suggested that either DMA(V) does not affect DNA repair in the bladder or DMA(V) affects DNA repair without affecting baseline mRNA levels of repair genes. The possibility remains that DMA(V) may lower damage-induced increases in repair gene expression or cause post-translational modification of repair enzymes.

  18. Visualization of ex vivo human ciliated epithelium and induced flow using optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ling, Yuye; Gamm, Uta A.; Yao, Xinwen; Arteaga-Solis, Emilio; Emala, Charles W.; Choma, Michael A.; Hendon, Christine P.

    2017-04-01

    The ciliated epithelium is important to the human respiratory system because it clears mucus that contains harmful microorganisms and particulate matter. We report the ex vivo visualization of human trachea/bronchi ciliated epithelium and induced flow characterized by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). A total number of 17 samples from 7 patients were imaged. Samples were obtained from Columbia University Department of Anesthesiology's tissue bank. After excision, the samples were placed in Gibco Medium 199 solution with oxygen at 4°C until imaging. The samples were maintained at 36.7°C throughout the experiment. The imaging protocol included obtaining 3D volumes and 200 consecutive B-scans parallel to the head-to-feet direction (superior-inferior axis) of the airway, using Thorlabs Telesto system at 1300 nm at 28 kHz A-line rate and a custom built high resolution SDOCT system at 800nm at 32 kHz A-line rate. After imaging, samples were processed with H and E histology. Speckle variance of the time resolved datasets demonstrate significant contrast at the ciliated epithelium sites. Flow images were also obtained after injecting 10μm polyester beads into the solution, which shows beads traveling trajectories near the ciliated epithelium areas. In contrary, flow images taken in the orthogonal plane show no beads traveling trajectories. This observation is in line with our expectation that cilia drive flow predominantly along the superior-inferior axis. We also observed the protective function of the mucus, shielding the epithelium from the invasion of foreign objects such as microspheres. Further studies will be focused on the cilia's physiological response to environmental changes such as drug administration and physical injury.

  19. Impairment of vascularization of the surface covering epithelium induces ischemia and promotes malignization: a new hypothesis of a possible mechanism of cancer pathogenesis.

    PubMed

    Karseladze, A I

    2015-06-01

    To study the peculiarities of vascularization at the stromal-epithelial interface in different types of epithelia and their alterations in precancerous lesions. Peritumoral tissues of 310 patients, tissues of 180 healthy persons and of 50 human embryos and fetuses were used. Traditional histological as well as immunohistochemical methods have been used. The study reveals that the occurrence of blood capillaries in surface squamous epithelium is an ordinary event, both in healthy persons and in peritumoral regions of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Glandular epithelial coverings, as well as transitional epithelium, do not contain blood vessels. In squamous epithelium, only basal cells are in contact with the membrane and underlying stroma, the cells of the upper layer receiving nutrients through diffusion. Thus, the cells of squamous epithelium are more vulnerable to blood deficiency, since for instance in the pseudo-multilayered respiratory epithelium each cell is attached directly to the basal membrane and has more ample access to the blood supply. Metaplastic squamous epithelium has a markedly reduced vascularization and seems to be more sensitive to carcinogenic stimuli. High-grade dysplastic squamous epithelium and carcinoma in situ do not contain blood vessels. The process of redistribution of vascular network occurring at the interface of epithelial-stromal frontier plays an important role in maintaining the adequate metabolism of cells including those of epithelial covering. Impairment of this mechanism most probably promotes precancerous alterations.

  20. In vitro culture of embryonic mouse intestinal epithelium: cell differentiation and introduction of reporter genes.

    PubMed

    Quinlan, Jonathan M; Yu, Wei-Yuan; Hornsey, Mark A; Tosh, David; Slack, Jonathan M W

    2006-05-25

    Study of the normal development of the intestinal epithelium has been hampered by a lack of suitable model systems, in particular ones that enable the introduction of exogenous genes. Production of such a system would advance our understanding of normal epithelial development and help to shed light on the pathogenesis of intestinal neoplasia. The criteria for a reliable culture system include the ability to perform real time observations and manipulations in vitro, the preparation of wholemounts for immunostaining and the potential for introducing genes. The new culture system involves growing mouse embryo intestinal explants on fibronectin-coated coverslips in basal Eagle's medium+20% fetal bovine serum. Initially the cultures maintain expression of the intestinal transcription factor Cdx2 together with columnar epithelial (cytokeratin 8) and mesenchymal (smooth muscle actin) markers. Over a few days of culture, differentiation markers appear characteristic of absorptive epithelium (sucrase-isomaltase), goblet cells (Periodic Acid Schiff positive), enteroendocrine cells (chromogranin A) and Paneth cells (lysozyme). Three different approaches were tested to express genes in the developing cultures: transfection, electroporation and adenoviral infection. All could introduce genes into the mesenchyme, but only to a small extent into the epithelium. However the efficiency of adenovirus infection can be greatly improved by a limited enzyme digestion, which makes accessible the lateral faces of cells bearing the Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor. This enables reliable delivery of genes into epithelial cells. We describe a new in vitro culture system for the small intestine of the mouse embryo that recapitulates its normal development. The system both provides a model for studying normal development of the intestinal epithelium and also allows for the manipulation of gene expression. The explants can be cultured for up to two weeks, they form the full repertoire of

  1. Increased Abundance of M Cells in the Gut Epithelium Dramatically Enhances Oral Prion Disease Susceptibility

    PubMed Central

    Sehgal, Anuj; Rios, Daniel

    2016-01-01

    Many natural prion diseases of humans and animals are considered to be acquired through oral consumption of contaminated food or pasture. Determining the route by which prions establish host infection will identify the important factors that influence oral prion disease susceptibility and to which intervention strategies can be developed. After exposure, the early accumulation and replication of prions within small intestinal Peyer’s patches is essential for the efficient spread of disease to the brain. To replicate within Peyer’s patches, the prions must first cross the gut epithelium. M cells are specialised epithelial cells within the epithelia covering Peyer’s patches that transcytose particulate antigens and microorganisms. M cell-development is dependent upon RANKL-RANK-signalling, and mice in which RANK is deleted only in the gut epithelium completely lack M cells. In the specific absence of M cells in these mice, the accumulation of prions within Peyer’s patches and the spread of disease to the brain was blocked, demonstrating a critical role for M cells in the initial transfer of prions across the gut epithelium in order to establish host infection. Since pathogens, inflammatory stimuli and aging can modify M cell-density in the gut, these factors may also influence oral prion disease susceptibility. Mice were therefore treated with RANKL to enhance M cell density in the gut. We show that prion uptake from the gut lumen was enhanced in RANKL-treated mice, resulting in shortened survival times and increased disease susceptibility, equivalent to a 10-fold higher infectious titre of prions. Together these data demonstrate that M cells are the critical gatekeepers of oral prion infection, whose density in the gut epithelium directly limits or enhances disease susceptibility. Our data suggest that factors which alter M cell-density in the gut epithelium may be important risk factors which influence host susceptibility to orally acquired prion diseases

  2. Polarity proteins and actin regulatory proteins are unlikely partners that regulate cell adhesion in the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, C. Yan; Wong, Elissa W.P.; Lie, Pearl P.Y.; Mruk, Dolores D.; Xiao, Xiang; Li, Michelle W.M.; Lui, Wing-Yee; Lee, Will M.

    2014-01-01

    Summary In mammalian testis, spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubule, which is composed of a series of cellular events. These include: (i) spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) renewal via mitosis and differentiation of SSC to spermatogenia, (ii) meiosis, (iii) spermiogenesis, and (iv) spermiation. Throughout these events, developing germ cells remain adhered to the Sertoli cell in the seminiferous epithelium amidst extensive cellular, biochemical, molecular and morphological changes to obtain structural support and nourishment. These events are coordinated via signal transduction at the cell-cell interface through cell junctions, illustrating the significance of cell junctions and adhesion in spermatogenesis. Additionally, developing germ cells migrate progressively across the seminiferous epithelium from the stem cell niche, which is located in the basal compartment near the basement membrane of the tunica propria adjacent to the interstitium. Recent studies have shown that some apparently unrelated proteins, such as polarity proteins and actin regulatory proteins, are in fact working in concert and synergistically to coordinate the continuous cyclic changes of adhesion at the Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell interface in the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis, such that developing germ cells remain attached to the Sertoli cell in the epithelium while they alter in cell shape and migrate across the epithelium. In this review, we highlight the physiological significance of endocytic vesicle-mediated protein trafficking events under the influence of polarity and actin regulatory proteins in conferring cyclic events of cell adhesion and de-adhesion. Furthermore, these recent findings have unraveled some unexpected molecules to be targeted for male contraceptive development, which are also targets of toxicant-induced male reproductive dysfunction. PMID:21938683

  3. Choline acetyltransferase and organic cation transporters are responsible for synthesis and propionate-induced release of acetylcholine in colon epithelium.

    PubMed

    Bader, Sandra; Klein, Jochen; Diener, Martin

    2014-06-15

    Acetylcholine is not only a neurotransmitter, but is found in a variety of non-neuronal cells. For example, the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), catalyzing acetylcholine synthesis, is expressed by the colonic epithelium of different species. These cells release acetylcholine across the basolateral membrane after luminal exposure to propionate, a short-chain fatty acid. The functional consequence is the induction of chloride secretion, measurable as increase in short-circuit current (Isc) in Ussing chamber experiments. It is unclear how acetylcholine is produced and released by colonic epithelium. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the identification (on mRNA and protein level) and functional characterization (in Ussing chamber experiments combined with HPLC detection of acetylcholine) of transporters/enzymes in the cholinergic system of rat colonic epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining as well as RT-PCR revealed the expression of high-affinity choline transporter, ChAT, carnitine acetyltransferase (CarAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and organic cation transporters (OCT 1, 2, 3) in colonic epithelium. In contrast to blockade of ChAT with bromoacetylcholine, inhibition of CarAT with mildronate did not inhibit the propionate-induced increase in Isc, suggesting a predominant synthesis of epithelial acetylcholine by ChAT. Although being expressed, blockade of VAChT with vesamicol was ineffective, whereas inhibition of OCTs with omeprazole and corticosterone inhibited propionate-induced Isc and the release of acetylcholine into the basolateral compartment. In summary, OCTs seem to be involved in regulated acetylcholine release by colonic epithelium, which is assumed to be involved in chemosensing of luminal short-chain fatty acids by the intestinal epithelium. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Similar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Epithelium microRNA Expression in Never Smokers and Ever Smokers

    PubMed Central

    Kolokythas, Antonia; Zhou, Yalu; Schwartz, Joel L.; Adami, Guy R.

    2015-01-01

    The incidence of oral tumors in patients who never used mutagenic agents such as tobacco is increasing. In an effort to better understand these tumors we studied microRNA (miRNA) expression in tumor epithelium of never tobacco users, tumor epithelium of ever tobacco users, and nonpathological control oral epithelium. A comparison of levels among 372 miRNAs in 12 never tobacco users with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) versus 10 healthy controls was made using the reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A similar analysis was done with 8 ever tobacco users with OSCC. These comparisons revealed miR-10b-5p, miR-196a-5p, and miR-31-5p as enriched in the tumor epithelium in OSCC of both never and ever tobacco users. Examination of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project miRNA data on 305 OSCCs and 30 controls revealed 100% of those miRNAs enriched in never smoker OSCCs in this patient group were also enriched in ever smoker OSCCs. Nonsupervised clustering of TCGA OSCCs was suggestive of two or four subgroups of tumors based on miRNA levels with limited evidence for differences in tobacco exposure among the groups. Results from both patient groups together stress the importance of miR196a-5p in OSCC malignancy in both never and ever smokers, and emphasize the overall similarity of miRNA expression in OSCCs in these two risk groups. It implies that there may be great similarity in etiology of OSCC in never and ever smokers and that classifying OSCC based on tobacco exposure may not be helpful in the clinic. PMID:26544609

  5. Quantification of transcriptome responses of the rumen epithelium to butyrate infusion

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, produced by gut microorganisms play an important role in energy metabolism and physiology in ruminants as well as in human health. Butyrate is a preferred substrate in the rumen epithelium where approximately 90% of butyrate is metabolized. Additi...

  6. Evolution of oesophageal adenocarcinoma from metaplastic columnar epithelium without goblet cells in Barrett's oesophagus.

    PubMed

    Lavery, Danielle L; Martinez, Pierre; Gay, Laura J; Cereser, Biancastella; Novelli, Marco R; Rodriguez-Justo, Manuel; Meijer, Sybren L; Graham, Trevor A; McDonald, Stuart A C; Wright, Nicholas A; Jansen, Marnix

    2016-06-01

    Barrett's oesophagus commonly presents as a patchwork of columnar metaplasia with and without goblet cells in the distal oesophagus. The presence of metaplastic columnar epithelium with goblet cells on oesophageal biopsy is a marker of cancer progression risk, but it is unclear whether clonal expansion and progression in Barrett's oesophagus is exclusive to columnar epithelium with goblet cells. We developed a novel method to trace the clonal ancestry of an oesophageal adenocarcinoma across an entire Barrett's segment. Clonal expansions in Barrett's mucosa were identified using cytochrome c oxidase enzyme histochemistry. Somatic mutations were identified through mitochondrial DNA sequencing and single gland whole exome sequencing. By tracing the clonal origin of an oesophageal adenocarcinoma across an entire Barrett's segment through a combination of histopathological spatial mapping and clonal ordering, we find that this cancer developed from a premalignant clonal expansion in non-dysplastic ('cardia-type') columnar metaplasia without goblet cells. Our data demonstrate the premalignant potential of metaplastic columnar epithelium without goblet cells in the context of Barrett's oesophagus. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  7. Midgut epithelium in molting silkworm: A fine balance among cell growth, differentiation, and survival.

    PubMed

    Franzetti, Eleonora; Casartelli, Morena; D'Antona, Paola; Montali, Aurora; Romanelli, Davide; Cappellozza, Silvia; Caccia, Silvia; Grimaldi, Annalisa; de Eguileor, Magda; Tettamanti, Gianluca

    2016-07-01

    The midgut of insects has attracted great attention as a system for studying intestinal stem cells (ISCs) as well as cell death-related processes, such as apoptosis and autophagy. Among insects, Lepidoptera represent a good model to analyze these cells and processes. In particular, larva-larva molting is an interesting developmental phase since the larva must deal with nutrient starvation and its organs are subjected to rearrangements due to proliferation and differentiation events. Several studies have analyzed ISCs in vitro and characterized key factors involved in their division and differentiation during molt. However, in vivo studies performed during larva-larva transition on these cells, and on the whole midgut epithelium, are fragmentary. In the present study, we analyzed the larval midgut epithelium of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, during larva-larva molting, focusing our attention on ISCs. Moreover, we investigated the metabolic changes that occur in the epithelium and evaluated the intervention of autophagy. Our data on ISCs proliferation and differentiation, autophagy activation, and metabolic and functional activities of the midgut cells shed light on the complexity of this organ during the molting phase. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Yki/YAP, Sd/TEAD and Hth/MEIS Control Tissue Specification in the Drosophila Eye Disc Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Pignoni, Francesca

    2011-01-01

    During animal development, accurate control of tissue specification and growth are critical to generate organisms of reproducible shape and size. The eye-antennal disc epithelium of Drosophila is a powerful model system to identify the signaling pathway and transcription factors that mediate and coordinate these processes. We show here that the Yorkie (Yki) pathway plays a major role in tissue specification within the developing fly eye disc epithelium at a time when organ primordia and regional identity domains are specified. RNAi-mediated inactivation of Yki, or its partner Scalloped (Sd), or increased activity of the upstream negative regulators of Yki cause a dramatic reorganization of the eye disc fate map leading to specification of the entire disc epithelium into retina. On the contrary, constitutive expression of Yki suppresses eye formation in a Sd-dependent fashion. We also show that knockdown of the transcription factor Homothorax (Hth), known to partner Yki in some developmental contexts, also induces an ectopic retina domain, that Yki and Scalloped regulate Hth expression, and that the gain-of-function activity of Yki is partially dependent on Hth. Our results support a critical role for Yki- and its partners Sd and Hth - in shaping the fate map of the eye epithelium independently of its universal role as a regulator of proliferation and survival. PMID:21811580

  9. Ex vivo generation of a functional and regenerative wound epithelium from axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) skin.

    PubMed

    Ferris, Donald R; Satoh, Akira; Mandefro, Berhan; Cummings, Gillian M; Gardiner, David M; Rugg, Elizabeth L

    2010-10-01

    Urodele amphibians (salamanders) are unique among adult vertebrates in their ability to regenerate structurally complete and fully functional limbs. Regeneration is a stepwise process that requires interactions between keratinocytes, nerves and fibroblasts. The formation of a wound epithelium covering the amputation site is an early and necessary event in the process but the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of the wound epithelium in regeneration remain unclear. We have developed an ex vivo model that recapitulates many features of in vivo wound healing. The model comprises a circular explant of axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) limb skin with a central circular, full thickness wound. Re-epithelialization of the wound area is rapid (typically <11 h) and is dependent on metalloproteinase activity. The ex vivo wound epithelium is viable, responds to neuronal signals and is able to participate in ectopic blastema formation and limb regeneration. This ex vivo model provides a reproducible and tractable system in which to study the cellular and molecular events that underlie wound healing and regeneration. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.

  10. Investigation of initial changes in the mouse olfactory epithelium following a single intravenous injection of vincristine sulphate.

    PubMed

    Kai, Kiyonori; Yoshida, Mitsuyoshi; Sugawara, Tadaki; Kato, Michiyuki; Uchida, Kazuyuki; Yamaguchi, Ryoji; Tateyama, Susumu; Furuhuma, Kazushisa

    2005-01-01

    To investigate initial changes in the olfactory epithelium, vincristine sulphate (VCR) was administered intravenously once to male BALB/c mice on day 1 in comparison with unilateral bulbectomy (UBT). The light and electron microscopy of the olfactory epithelium, nerve and/or bulb with BrdU-morphometry was performed sequentially. Further, whole-body radioluminography was conducted at 1 and 24 hours postdose. Apoptosis and an increased number of mitotic cells with a tendency toward decreasing BrdU-positive olfactory epithelial cell counts were observed in olfactory epithelial cells at 6 hours postdose of VCR and became more pronounced at 24 hours postdose. These changes disappeared on days 4 or 15, but minimal axonal degeneration was seen in the olfactory nerve from day 4 onward. Semiquantitative measurement of VCR levels in the ethmoturbinals elicited high drug retention even 24 hours after administration. In contrast, UBT showed no effect on mitosis and BrdU-positive cell counts at 6 hours postdose, but severe lesions in the olfactory epithelium and nerve were seen on days 2, 4, and/or 15. The above results suggest that the initial event of VCR-induced apoptosis in the mouse olfactory epithelium would be mitotic arrest with high drug retention, unlike that evoked by UBT.

  11. Sex chromatin in the epithelium of the mucosa and the vagina in antitumor therapy (in Russian)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mikhina, Z.P.

    1973-08-01

    Mean indicators of sex chromatin in cells of the mucosa and vagina do not differ before and after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and ovary excision. All forms of antitumor therapy cause large individual variation of the concentration of sex chromatin in parts of the sick both with decrease and increase of the indicators. With the introduction of sinestro1 and prednisolone a significant decrease of the sex chromatin concentration occurs in the epithelium of the mucosa. In all forms of hormona1 treatment the concentration of sex chromatin in the vaginal epithelium alters in dependence on the changes of the types of vaginalmore » greasing. The dependences between the reactions of the peripheral b1ood and the tumor on treatment on the one hand and the osciltations of the sex chromatin indicators in the epithelium of the mucosa and vagina on the other were not established. (tr-auth)« less

  12. The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Honeycomb Cyst Contains A Mucocilary Pseudostratified Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Seibold, Max A.; Smith, Russell W.; Urbanek, Cydney; Groshong, Steve D.; Cosgrove, Gregory P.; Brown, Kevin K.; Schwarz, Marvin I.

    2013-01-01

    Background We previously identified a MUC5B gene promoter-variant that is a risk allele for sporadic and familial Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (IPF/UIP). This allele was strongly associated with increased MUC5B gene expression in lung tissue from unaffected subjects. Despite the strong association of this airway epithelial marker with disease, little is known of mucin expressing structures or of airway involvement in IPF/UIP. Methods Immunofluorescence was used to subtype mucus cells according to MUC5B and MUC5AC expression and to identify ciliated, basal, and alveolar type II (ATII) cells in tissue sections from control and IPF/UIP subjects. Staining patterns were quantified for distal airways (Control and IPF/UIP) and in honeycomb cysts (HC). Results MUC5B-expressing cells (EC) were detected in the majority of control distal airways. MUC5AC-EC were identified in half of these airways and only in airways that contained MUC5B-EC. The frequency of MUC5B+ and MUC5AC+ distal airways was increased in IPF/UIP subjects. MUC5B-EC were the dominant mucus cell type in the HC epithelium. The distal airway epithelium from control and IPF/UIP subjects and HC was populated by basal and ciliated cells. Most honeycombing regions were distinct from ATII hyperplasic regions. ATII cells were undetectable in the overwhelming majority of HC. Conclusions The distal airway contains a pseudostratified mucocilary epithelium that is defined by basal epithelial cells and mucus cells that express MUC5B predominantly. These data suggest that the HC is derived from the distal airway. PMID:23527003

  13. 3D stromal tissue equivalent affects intestinal epithelium morphogenesis in vitro.

    PubMed

    De Gregorio, Vincenza; Imparato, Giorgia; Urciuolo, Francesco; Netti, Paolo A

    2018-04-01

    Current in vitro models of human intestine commonly fail to mimic the complex intestinal functions and features required for drug development and disease research. Here, we deeply investigate the interaction existing between epithelium and the underneath stroma, and its role in the epithelium morphogenesis. We cultured human intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs) in two different 3D configurations: 3D-collagen gel equivalent (3D-CGE) and 3D cell-synthetized stromal equivalent (3D-CSSE). The 3D-CGEs were obtained by means of the traditional collagen-based cell technique and the 3D-CSSE were obtained by bottom-up tissue engineering strategy. The biophysical properties of both 3D models with regard to cell growth and composition (via histological analysis, immunofluorescence, and multiphoton imaging) were assessed. Then, human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (CaCo-2) was cultured on both the 3D constructs in order to produce the intestinal model. We identified higher levels of matrix-associated proteins from ISEMFs cultured in 3D-CSSE compared to 3D-CGE. Furthermore, multiphoton investigation revealed differences in the collagen network architecture in both models. At last, the more physiologically relevant stromal environment of the 3D-CSSE drove the CaCo-2 cell differentiation toward the four different type of intestinal epithelial cells (absorptive, mucus-secretory, enteroendocrine, and Paneth) phenotype and promotes, in contrast to the 3D-CGE, the production of the basement membrane. Taken together, these results highlight a fundamental role of the 3D stromal environment in addressing a correct epithelium morphogenesis as well as epithelial-stromal interface establishment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Structural Development, Cellular Differentiation and Proliferation of the Respiratory Epithelium in the Bovine Fetal Lung.

    PubMed

    Drozdowska, J; Cousens, C; Finlayson, J; Collie, D; Dagleish, M P

    2016-01-01

    Fetal bovine lung samples of 11 different gestational ages were assigned to a classical developmental stage based on histological morphology. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the morphology of forming airways, proliferation rate of airway epithelium and the presence of epithelial cell types (i.e. ciliated cells, club cells, neuroepithelial cells (NECs) and type II pneumocytes). Typical structural organization of pseudoglandular (84-98 days gestational age [DGA]), canalicular (154-168 DGA) and alveolar (224-266 DGA) stages was recognized. In addition, transitional pseudoglandular-canalicular (112-126 DGA) and canalicular-saccular (182 DGA) morphologies were present. The embryonic stage was not observed. A significantly (P <0.05) higher proliferation rate of pulmonary epithelium, on average 5.5% and 4.4% in bronchi and bronchioles, respectively, was present in the transitional pseudoglandular-canalicular phase (112-126 DGA) compared with all other phases, while from 8 weeks before term (224-266 DGA) proliferation had almost ceased. The first epithelial cells identified by specific marker proteins in the earliest samples available for study (84 DGA) were ciliated cells and NECs. Club cells were present initially at 112 DGA and type II pneumocytes at 224 DGA. At the latest time points (224-226 DGA) these latter cell types were still present at a much lower percentage compared with adult cattle. This study characterized bovine fetal lung development by histological morphology and cellular composition of the respiratory epithelium and suggests that the apparent structural anatomical maturity of the bovine lung at term is not matched by functional maturity of the respiratory epithelium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Multilayered epithelium in a rat model and human Barrett's esophagus: Similar expression patterns of transcription factors and differentiation markers

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Xiaoxin; Qin, Rong; Liu, Ba; Ma, Yan; Su, Yinghao; Yang, Chung S; Glickman, Jonathan N; Odze, Robert D; Shaheen, Nicholas J

    2008-01-01

    Background In rats, esophagogastroduodenal anastomosis (EGDA) without concomitant chemical carcinogen treatment leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, multilayered epithelium (MLE, a presumed precursor in intestinal metaplasia), columnar-lined esophagus, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Previously we have shown that columnar-lined esophagus in EGDA rats resembled human Barrett's esophagus (BE) in its morphology, mucin features and expression of differentiation markers (Lab. Invest. 2004;84:753–765). The purpose of this study was to compare the phenotype of rat MLE with human MLE, in order to gain insight into the nature of MLE and its potential role in the development of BE. Methods Serial sectioning was performed on tissue samples from 32 EGDA rats and 13 patients with established BE. Tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for a variety of transcription factors and differentiation markers of esophageal squamous epithelium and intestinal columnar epithelium. Results We detected MLE in 56.3% (18/32) of EGDA rats, and in all human samples. As expected, both rat and human squamous epithelium, but not intestinal metaplasia, expressed squamous transcription factors and differentiation markers (p63, Sox2, CK14 and CK4) in all cases. Both rat and human intestinal metaplasia, but not squamous epithelium, expressed intestinal transcription factors and differentiation markers (Cdx2, GATA4, HNF1α, villin and Muc2) in all cases. Rat MLE shared expression patterns of Sox2, CK4, Cdx2, GATA4, villin and Muc2 with human MLE. However, p63 and CK14 were expressed in a higher proportion of rat MLE compared to humans. Conclusion These data indicate that rat MLE shares similar properties to human MLE in its expression pattern of these markers, not withstanding small differences, and support the concept that MLE may be a transitional stage in the metaplastic conversion of squamous to columnar epithelium in BE. PMID:18190713

  16. Multilayered epithelium in a rat model and human Barrett's esophagus: similar expression patterns of transcription factors and differentiation markers.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xiaoxin; Qin, Rong; Liu, Ba; Ma, Yan; Su, Yinghao; Yang, Chung S; Glickman, Jonathan N; Odze, Robert D; Shaheen, Nicholas J

    2008-01-11

    In rats, esophagogastroduodenal anastomosis (EGDA) without concomitant chemical carcinogen treatment leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, multilayered epithelium (MLE, a presumed precursor in intestinal metaplasia), columnar-lined esophagus, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Previously we have shown that columnar-lined esophagus in EGDA rats resembled human Barrett's esophagus (BE) in its morphology, mucin features and expression of differentiation markers (Lab. Invest. 2004;84:753-765). The purpose of this study was to compare the phenotype of rat MLE with human MLE, in order to gain insight into the nature of MLE and its potential role in the development of BE. Serial sectioning was performed on tissue samples from 32 EGDA rats and 13 patients with established BE. Tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for a variety of transcription factors and differentiation markers of esophageal squamous epithelium and intestinal columnar epithelium. We detected MLE in 56.3% (18/32) of EGDA rats, and in all human samples. As expected, both rat and human squamous epithelium, but not intestinal metaplasia, expressed squamous transcription factors and differentiation markers (p63, Sox2, CK14 and CK4) in all cases. Both rat and human intestinal metaplasia, but not squamous epithelium, expressed intestinal transcription factors and differentiation markers (Cdx2, GATA4, HNF1alpha, villin and Muc2) in all cases. Rat MLE shared expression patterns of Sox2, CK4, Cdx2, GATA4, villin and Muc2 with human MLE. However, p63 and CK14 were expressed in a higher proportion of rat MLE compared to humans. These data indicate that rat MLE shares similar properties to human MLE in its expression pattern of these markers, not withstanding small differences, and support the concept that MLE may be a transitional stage in the metaplastic conversion of squamous to columnar epithelium in BE.

  17. Generation of tooth-periodontium complex structures using high-odontogenic potential dental epithelium derived from mouse embryonic stem cells.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yancong; Li, Yongliang; Shi, Ruirui; Zhang, Siqi; Liu, Hao; Zheng, Yunfei; Li, Yan; Cai, Jinglei; Pei, Duanqing; Wei, Shicheng

    2017-06-08

    A number of studies have shown that tooth-like structures can be regenerated using induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. However, few studies have reported the regeneration of tooth-periodontium complex structures, which are more suitable for clinical tooth transplantation. We established an optimized approach to induce high-odontogenic potential dental epithelium derived from mES cells by temporally controlling bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) function and regenerated tooth-periodontium complex structures in vivo. First, immunofluorescence and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to identify the watershed of skin and the oral ectoderm. LDN193189 was then used to inhibit the BMP4 receptor around the watershed, followed by the addition of exogenous BMP4 to promote BMP4 function. The generated dental epithelium was confirmed by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The generated epithelium was ultimately combined with embryonic day 14.5 mouse mesenchyme and transplanted into the renal capsules of nude mice. After 4 weeks, the tooth-periodontium complex structure was examined by micro-computed tomography (CT) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Our study found that the turning point of oral ectoderm differentiation occurred around day 3 after the embryoid body was transferred to a common culture plate. Ameloblastin-positive dental epithelial cells were detected following the temporal regulation of BMP4. Tooth-periodontium complex structures, which included teeth, a periodontal membrane, and alveolar bone, were formed when this epithelium was combined with mouse dental mesenchyme and transplanted into the renal capsules of nude mice. Micro-CT and H&E staining revealed that the generated tooth-periodontium complex structures shared a similar histological structure with normal mouse teeth. An optimized induction method was established to promote the differentiation of mES cells into dental

  18. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors of Bothrops jararaca snake venom affect the structure of mice seminiferous epithelium.

    PubMed

    Alberto-Silva, Carlos; Gilio, Joyce M; Portaro, Fernanda C V; Querobino, Samyr M; Camargo, Antonio C M

    2015-01-01

    Considering the similarity between the testis-specific isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme and the C-terminal catalytic domain of somatic ACE as well as the structural and functional variability of its natural inhibitors, known as bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs), the effects of different synthetic peptides, BPP-10c (epithelium of male mice. The adult animals received either one of the synthetic peptides or captopril (120 nmol/dose per testis) via injection into the testicular parenchyma. After seven days, the mice were sacrificed, and the testes were collected for histopathological evaluation. BPP-10c and BPP-AP showed an intense disruption of the epithelium, presence of atypical multinucleated cells in the lumen and high degree of seminiferous tubule degeneration, especially in BPP-AP-treated animals. In addition, both synthetic peptides led to a significant reduction in the number of spermatocytes and round spermatids in stages I, V and VII/VIII of the seminiferous cycle, thickness of the seminiferous epithelium and diameter of the seminiferous tubule lumen. Interestingly, no morphological or morphometric alterations were observed in animals treated with captopril or BPP-11e. The major finding of the present study was that the demonstrated effects of BPP-10c and BPP-AP on the seminiferous epithelium are dependent on their primary structure and cannot be extrapolated to other BPPs.

  19. Localization of Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) in the developing gustatory epithelium of the rat.

    PubMed

    Taniguchi, Ryo; Shi, Lei; Honma, Shiho; Fujii, Masae; Ueda, Katsura; El-Sharaby, Ashraf; Wakisaka, Satoshi

    2004-09-01

    To understand the development of the gustatory structures necessitates a reliable marker for both immature and mature taste buds. It has been reported that the intragemmal cells within the taste buds of adult rats were bound to Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I), a specific lectin for alpha-linked fucose, but it has not been determined whether immature taste buds, i.e. taste buds without an apparent taste pore, are labeled with UEA-I. The present study was conducted to examine the UEA-I binding pattern during the development of the rat gustatory epithelium. In adult animals, UEA-I bound to the membrane of taste buds in all examined regions of the gustatory epithelium. Within the individual taste buds, UEA-I labeled almost all intragemmal cells. The binding of UEA-I was occasionally detected below the keratinized layer of the trench wall epithelium but could not be found in the lingual epithelium of the adult animal. During the development of circumvallate papilla, some cells within the immature taste buds were also labeled with UEA-I. The developmental changes in the UEA-I binding pattern in fungiform papillae were almost identical to those in the circumvallate papilla: both immature and mature taste buds were labeled with UEA-I. The present results indicate that UEA-I is a specific lectin for the intragemmal cells of both immature and mature taste buds and, thus, UEA-I can be used as a reliable marker for all taste buds in the rat.

  20. JAG1-Mediated Notch Signaling Regulates Secretory Cell Differentiation of the Human Airway Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Gomi, Kazunori; Staudt, Michelle R; Salit, Jacqueline; Kaner, Robert J; Heldrich, Jonna; Rogalski, Allison M; Arbelaez, Vanessa; Crystal, Ronald G; Walters, Matthew S

    2016-08-01

    Basal cells (BC) are the stem/progenitor cells of the human airway epithelium capable of differentiating into secretory and ciliated cells. Notch signaling activation increases BC differentiation into secretory cells, but the role of individual Notch ligands in regulating this process in the human airway epithelium is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to define the role of the Notch ligand JAG1 in regulating human BC differentiation. JAG1 over-expression in BC increased secretory cell differentiation, with no effect on ciliated cell differentiation. Conversely, knockdown of JAG1 decreased expression of secretory cell genes. These data demonstrate JAG1-mediated Notch signaling regulates differentiation of BC into secretory cells.

  1. [Changes in the vitamin A status in dysplastic epithelium of the cervix].

    PubMed

    Volz, J; van Rissenbeck, A; Blanke, M; Melchert, F; Schneider, A; Biesalski, H K

    1995-01-01

    In 34 patients with HVP-infection of the cervix and in 40 patients with CIN III standardised biopsies were taken from the involved area and normal cervical epithelium for determination of the local concentration of retinylester. In all cases diagnosis was confirmed colposcopically, cytologically and by histology. HPV infection was confirmed by in situ hybridisation. Determination of retinylester was performed by HPLC. No significant difference of local retinyl-plamitate concentration was detectable in HPV infected versus normal tissue. Retinyl-palmitate concentration was extremely lower in CIN III compared with normal cervical epithelium and HPV-infected tissue. The determination of plasma level of retinol showed no significant difference between the two groups. So it can be presumed that the reduction of retinyl-palmitat in CIN III is a local process and a local supplementation of Vitamin A might contribute to the prevention of cervical neoplasia.

  2. Expression of prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP4 in conjunctival epithelium of patients with ocular surface disorders: case-control study.

    PubMed

    Ueta, Mayumi; Sotozono, Chie; Yamada, Keiko; Yokoi, Norihiko; Inatomi, Tsutomu; Kinoshita, Shigeru

    2012-01-01

    To confirm the downregulation of PTGER4 mRNA in the conjunctiva of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) patients and to examine the expression of its EP4 protein in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with various ocular surface disorders. Case-control study. We performed quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of PTGER4 mRNA in conjunctival tissue sections from patients with SJS/TEN and OCP to confirm the downregulation of PTGER4 mRNA expression. We also analysed EP4 immunohistologically in other ocular surface disorders. Conjunctival tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgical reconstruction of the ocular surface due to chemical eye burns, subacute SJS/TEN or chronic SJS/TEN, chronic OCP, severe graft versus host disease (GVHD) and from patients with Mooren's ulcers treated by resection of the inflammatory conjunctiva. The expression of PTGER4 mRNA and EP4 protein assessed by quantitative RT-PCR assay and immunohistological methods. PTGER4 mRNA was significantly lower in conjunctival tissues from SJS and OCP patients than in the control conjunctivochalasis samples. EP4 protein was detected in conjunctival epithelium from patients with chemical eye burn and in control conjunctival epithelium from patients with conjunctivochalasis. Its expression varied in conjunctival epithelium from patients with Mooren's ulcer. We did not detect EP4 immunoreactivity in conjunctival epithelium from patients with subacute SJS/TEN, severe GVHD, chronic SJS/TEN or OCP. The strong downregulation of EP4 expression in conjunctival epithelium from patients with OCP or SJS/TEN may be attributable to ocular surface inflammation.

  3. Expression of prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP4 in conjunctival epithelium of patients with ocular surface disorders: case-control study

    PubMed Central

    Ueta, Mayumi; Sotozono, Chie; Yamada, Keiko; Yokoi, Norihiko; Inatomi, Tsutomu; Kinoshita, Shigeru

    2012-01-01

    Objectives To confirm the downregulation of PTGER4 mRNA in the conjunctiva of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) patients and to examine the expression of its EP4 protein in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with various ocular surface disorders. Design Case-control study. Setting and participants We performed quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of PTGER4 mRNA in conjunctival tissue sections from patients with SJS/TEN and OCP to confirm the downregulation of PTGER4 mRNA expression. We also analysed EP4 immunohistologically in other ocular surface disorders. Conjunctival tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgical reconstruction of the ocular surface due to chemical eye burns, subacute SJS/TEN or chronic SJS/TEN, chronic OCP, severe graft versus host disease (GVHD) and from patients with Mooren's ulcers treated by resection of the inflammatory conjunctiva. Primary and secondary outcome measures The expression of PTGER4 mRNA and EP4 protein assessed by quantitative RT-PCR assay and immunohistological methods. Results PTGER4 mRNA was significantly lower in conjunctival tissues from SJS and OCP patients than in the control conjunctivochalasis samples. EP4 protein was detected in conjunctival epithelium from patients with chemical eye burn and in control conjunctival epithelium from patients with conjunctivochalasis. Its expression varied in conjunctival epithelium from patients with Mooren's ulcer. We did not detect EP4 immunoreactivity in conjunctival epithelium from patients with subacute SJS/TEN, severe GVHD, chronic SJS/TEN or OCP. Conclusions The strong downregulation of EP4 expression in conjunctival epithelium from patients with OCP or SJS/TEN may be attributable to ocular surface inflammation. PMID:23065448

  4. The Balance of HCO3- Secretion vs. Reabsorption in the Endometrial Epithelium Regulates Uterine Fluid pH

    PubMed Central

    Xie, Zhang-Dong; Guo, Yi-Min; Ren, Mei-Juan; Yang, Jichun; Wang, Shao-Fang; Xu, Tong-Hui; Chen, Li-Ming; Liu, Ying

    2018-01-01

    Uterine fluid contains a high concentration of HCO3- which plays an essential role in sperm capacitation and fertilization. In addition, the HCO3- concentration in uterine fluid changes periodically during the estrous cycle. It is well-known that the endometrial epithelium contains machineries involving the apical SLC26 family anion exchangers for secreting HCO3- into the uterine fluid. In the present study, we find for the first time that the electroneutral Na+/HCO3- cotransporter NBCn1 is expressed at the apical membrane of the endometrial epithelium. The protein abundance of the apical NBCn1 and that of the apical SLC26A4 and SLC26A6 are reciprocally regulated during the estrous cycle in the uterus. NBCn1 is most abundant at diestrus, whereas SLC26A4/A6 are most abundant at proestrus/estrus. In the ovariectomized mice, the expression of uterine NBCn1 is inhibited by β-estradiol, but stimulated by progesterone, whereas that of uterine SLC26A4/A6 is stimulated by β-estradiol. In vivo perfusion studies show that the endometrial epithelium is capable of both secreting and reabsorbing HCO3-. Moreover, the activity for HCO3- secretion by the endometrial epithelium is significantly higher at estrus than it is at diestrus. The opposite is true for HCO3- reabsorption. We conclude that the endometrial epithelium simultaneously contains the activity for HCO3- secretion involving the apical SLC26A4/A6 and the activity for HCO3- reabsorption involving the apical NBCn1, and that the acid-base homeostasis in the uterine fluid is regulated by the finely-tuned balance of the two activities. PMID:29422866

  5. Species variation in biology and physiology of the ciliary epithelium: similarities and differences.

    PubMed

    Do, Chi Wai; Civan, Mortimer M

    2009-04-01

    Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only strategy documented to delay the appearance and retard the progression of vision loss. One major approach for lowering IOP is to slow the rate of aqueous humor formation by the ciliary epithelium. As discussed in the present review, the transport basis for this secretion is largely understood. However, several substantive issues are yet to be resolved, including the integrated regulation of secretion, the functional topography of the ciliary epithelium, and the degree and significance of species variation in aqueous humor inflow. This review discusses species differences in net secretion, particularly of Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-) secretion. Identifying animal models most accurately mimicking aqueous humor formation in the human will facilitate development of future novel initiatives to lower IOP.

  6. Olfactory epithelium: Cells, clinical disorders, and insights from an adult stem cell niche

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Rhea

    2018-01-01

    Disorders causing a loss of the sense of smell remain a therapeutic challenge. Basic research has, however, greatly expanded our knowledge of the organization and function of the olfactory system. This review describes advances in our understanding of the cellular components of the peripheral olfactory system, specifically the olfactory epithelium in the nose. The article discusses recent findings regarding the mechanisms involved in regeneration and cellular renewal from basal stem cells in the adult olfactory epithelium, considering the strategies involved in embryonic olfactory development and insights from research on other stem cell niches. In the context of clinical conditions causing anosmia, the current view of adult olfactory neurogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and failures in these processes is considered, along with current and future treatment strategies. Level of Evidence NA PMID:29492466

  7. [Pathways of lanthanum ion transport across the posterior epithelium of the cornea in rabbits].

    PubMed

    Virnik, V L

    1985-11-01

    Morphological estimation of the barrier-transport properties of the posterior epithelium in the donor cornea has been performed in the most early time of fanoxic lesions of the cells. Ionized lanthanum, as an effective inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation and simultaneously--as a marker of transport pathways for particles similar in their size to water molecule, is used in the investigation. The concentration gradient of rare-earth ions is produced by vital injection of lanthanum trichloride into the proper substance (stroma) of the cornea. From the microinjection focus the electron opaque marker is transported through the substrate of the basal substance of the stroma to the posterior epithelium and further along its intercellular and transcellular pathways into the anterior chamber of the eye. The rare-earth ions freely penetrate through the gap and tight junctions. Transcellular transport of lanthanum in the contents of the plasmolemmal microvesicles, vital absorption of the marker on the lateral and luminal parts of the plasmolemma and on the intracellular membranes, lesions of mitochondria and canaliculi of the endoplasmic reticulum of the anoxic character are stated. A suggestion is made on structural preservation of the pathways of convective and dissipative transition of the substance through the posterior epithelium of the cornea during the earliest time of the experimental anoxia.

  8. Reconstruction of corneal epithelium with cryopreserved corneal limbal stem cells in a goat model.

    PubMed

    Mi, Shengli; Yang, Xueyi; Zhao, Qingmei; Qu, Lei; Chen, Shuming; M Meek, Keith; Dou, Zhongying

    2008-11-01

    We describe a procedure to construct an artificial corneal epithelium from cryopreserved limbal stem cells (LSCs) for corneal transplantation. The LSCs were separated from limbal tissue of male goats. The primary LSCs were identified by flow cytometry and were expanded. They were examined for stem cell-relevant properties and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Cryopreserved LSCs were thawed and then transplanted onto human amniotic membrane, framed on a nitrocellulose sheet, to construct corneal epithelium sheets. The artificial corneal epithelium was transplanted into the right eye of pathological models of total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Then, the effects of reconstruction were evaluated by clinical observation and histological examination. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the SRY gene. The data showed that transplantation of cryopreserved LSCs, like fresh LSCs, successfully reconstructed damaged goat corneal surface gradually, but the SRY gene expression from male goat cells could only be detected in the first 2 months after transplantation. The therapeutic effect of the transplantation may be associated with the inhibition of inflammation-related angiogenesis after transplantation of cryopreserved LSCs. This study provides the first line of evidence that cryopreserved LSCs can be used for reconstruction of damaged corneas, presenting a remarkable potential source for transplantation in the treatment of corneal disorders.

  9. Activation of MTOR in pulmonary epithelium promotes LPS-induced acute lung injury.

    PubMed

    Hu, Yue; Lou, Jian; Mao, Yuan-Yuan; Lai, Tian-Wen; Liu, Li-Yao; Zhu, Chen; Zhang, Chao; Liu, Juan; Li, Yu-Yan; Zhang, Fan; Li, Wen; Ying, Song-Min; Chen, Zhi-Hua; Shen, Hua-Hao

    2016-12-01

    MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin [serine/threonine kinase]) plays a crucial role in many major cellular processes including metabolism, proliferation and macroautophagy/autophagy induction, and is also implicated in a growing number of proliferative and metabolic diseases. Both MTOR and autophagy have been suggested to be involved in lung disorders, however, little is known about the role of MTOR and autophagy in pulmonary epithelium in the context of acute lung injury (ALI). In the present study, we observed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation induced MTOR phosphorylation and decreased the expression of MAP1LC3B/LC3B (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 β)-II, a hallmark of autophagy, in mouse lung epithelium and in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. The activation of MTOR in HBE cells was mediated by TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4) signaling. Genetic knockdown of MTOR or overexpression of autophagy-related proteins significantly attenuated, whereas inhibition of autophagy further augmented, LPS-induced expression of IL6 (interleukin 6) and IL8, through NFKB signaling in HBE cells. Mice with specific knockdown of Mtor in bronchial or alveolar epithelial cells exhibited significantly attenuated airway inflammation, barrier disruption, and lung edema, and displayed prolonged survival in response to LPS exposure. Taken together, our results demonstrate that activation of MTOR in the epithelium promotes LPS-induced ALI, likely through downregulation of autophagy and the subsequent activation of NFKB. Thus, inhibition of MTOR in pulmonary epithelial cells may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing ALI induced by certain bacteria.

  10. The changes of stage distribution of seminiferous epithelium cycle and its correlations with Leydig cell stereological parameters in aging men.

    PubMed

    Huang, Rui; Zhu, Wei-Jie; Li, Jing; Gu, Yi-Qun

    2014-12-01

    To evaluate the changes of stage distribution of seminiferous epithelium cycle and its correlations with Leydig cell stereological parameters in aging men. Point counting method was used to analyze the stereological parameters of Leydig cells. The stage number of seminiferous epithelium cycle was calculated in the same testicular tissue samples which were used for Leydig cell stereological analysis. The aging group had shown more severe pathological changes as well as higher pathologic scores than the young group. Compared with the control group, the volume density (VV) and surface density (NA) of Leydig cells in the aging group were increased significantly. The stage number of seminiferous epithelium cycle in the aging group was decreased coincidently compared to the young group. Leydig cell Vv in the young group has a positive relationship with stages I, II, III, V and VI of seminiferous epithelium cycle, and Leydig cell NA and numerical density (NV) were positively related to stage IV. However, only the correlation between NV and stage II was found in the aging group. The stage number of seminiferous epithelium cycle was decreased in aging testes. Changes in the stage distribution in aging testes were related to the Leydig cell stereological parameters which presented as a sign of morphological changes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  11. Dendrimer Nanocarriers for Transport Modulation Across Models of the Pulmonary Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of PEGylation on the interaction of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer nanocarriers (DNCs) with in vitro and in vivo models of the pulmonary epithelium. Generation-3 PAMAM dendrimers with varying surface densities of PEG 1000 Da were synthesized and characterized. The results revealed that the apical to basolateral transport of DNCs across polarized Calu-3 monolayers increases with an increase in PEG surface density. DNC having the greatest number of PEG groups (n = 25) on their surface traversed at a rate 10-fold greater than its non-PEGylated counterpart, in spite of their larger size. This behavior was attributed to a significant reduction in charge density upon PEGylation. We also observed that PEGylation can be used to modulate cellular internalization. The total uptake of PEG-free DNC into polarized Calu-3 monolayers was 12% (w/w) vs 2% (w/w) for that with 25 PEGs. Polarization is also shown to be of great relevance in studying this in vitro model of the lung epithelium. The rate of absorption of DNCs administered to mice lungs increased dramatically when conjugated with 25 PEG groups, thus supporting the in vitro results. The exposure obtained for the DNC with 25PEG was determined to be very high, with peak plasma concentrations reaching 5 μg·mL–1 within 3 h. The combined in vitro and in vivo results shown here demonstrate that PEGylation can be potentially used to modulate the internalization and transport of DNCs across the pulmonary epithelium. Modified dendrimers thereby may serve as a valuable platform that can be tailored to target the lung tissue for treating local diseases, or the circulation, using the lung as pathway to the bloodstream, for systemic delivery. PMID:25455560

  12. Dendrimer nanocarriers for transport modulation across models of the pulmonary epithelium.

    PubMed

    Bharatwaj, Balaji; Mohammad, Abdul Khader; Dimovski, Radovan; Cassio, Fernando L; Bazito, Reinaldo C; Conti, Denise; Fu, Qiang; Reineke, Joshua; da Rocha, Sandro R P

    2015-03-02

    The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of PEGylation on the interaction of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer nanocarriers (DNCs) with in vitro and in vivo models of the pulmonary epithelium. Generation-3 PAMAM dendrimers with varying surface densities of PEG 1000 Da were synthesized and characterized. The results revealed that the apical to basolateral transport of DNCs across polarized Calu-3 monolayers increases with an increase in PEG surface density. DNC having the greatest number of PEG groups (n = 25) on their surface traversed at a rate 10-fold greater than its non-PEGylated counterpart, in spite of their larger size. This behavior was attributed to a significant reduction in charge density upon PEGylation. We also observed that PEGylation can be used to modulate cellular internalization. The total uptake of PEG-free DNC into polarized Calu-3 monolayers was 12% (w/w) vs 2% (w/w) for that with 25 PEGs. Polarization is also shown to be of great relevance in studying this in vitro model of the lung epithelium. The rate of absorption of DNCs administered to mice lungs increased dramatically when conjugated with 25 PEG groups, thus supporting the in vitro results. The exposure obtained for the DNC with 25PEG was determined to be very high, with peak plasma concentrations reaching 5 μg·mL(-1) within 3 h. The combined in vitro and in vivo results shown here demonstrate that PEGylation can be potentially used to modulate the internalization and transport of DNCs across the pulmonary epithelium. Modified dendrimers thereby may serve as a valuable platform that can be tailored to target the lung tissue for treating local diseases, or the circulation, using the lung as pathway to the bloodstream, for systemic delivery.

  13. Ontogeny and innervation of taste buds in mouse palatal gustatory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Rashwan, Ahmed; Konishi, Hiroyuki; El-Sharaby, Ashraf; Kiyama, Hiroshi

    2016-01-01

    We investigated the relationship between mouse taste bud development and innervation of the soft palate. We employed scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against protein gene product 9.5 and peripherin to detect sensory nerves, and cytokeratin 8 and α-gustducin to stain palatal taste buds. At E14, nerve fibers were observed along the medial border of the palatal shelves that tracked toward the epithelium. At E15.5, primordial stages of taste buds in the basal lamina of the soft palate first appeared. At E16, the taste buds became large spherical masses of columnar cells scattered in the soft palate basal lamina. At E17, the morphology and also the location of taste buds changed. At E18-19, some taste buds acquired a more elongated shape with a short neck, extending a variable distance from the soft palate basal lamina toward the surface epithelium. At E18, mature taste buds with taste pores and perigemmal nerve fibers were observed on the surface epithelium of the soft palate. The expression of α-gustducin was demonstrated at postnatal day 1 and the number of pored taste buds increased with age and they became pear-shaped at 8 weeks. The percent of pored fungiform-like papillae at birth was 58.3% of the whole palate; this increased to 83.8% at postnatal day 8 and reached a maximum of 95.7% at 12 weeks. The innervation of the soft palate was classified into three types of plexuses in relation to taste buds: basal nerve plexus, intragemmal and perigemmal nerve fibers. This study reveals that the nerve fibers preceded the development of taste buds in the palate of mice, and therefore the nerve fibers have roles in the initial induction of taste buds in the soft palate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase isozyme II in the gustatory epithelium of the adult rat.

    PubMed

    Daikoku, H; Morisaki, I; Ogawa, Y; Maeda, T; Kurisu, K; Wakisaka, S

    1999-06-01

    The distribution of carbonic anhydrase isozyme II (CA II)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in the gustatory epithelium was examined in the adult rat. In the circumvallate and foliate papillae, CA II-LI was observed in the cytoplasm of the spindle-shaped taste bud cells, with weak immunoreaction in the surface of the gustatory epithelium. No neuronal elements displayed CA II-LI in these papillae. There was no apparent difference in the distribution pattern between the anterior and posterior portions of the foliate papillae. In immunoelectron microscopy, immunoreaction products for CA II were diffusely distributed in the entire cytoplasm of the taste bud cells having dense round granules at the periphery of the cells. No taste bud cells displaying CA II-LI were detected in the fungiform papillae, but a few thick nerve fibers displayed CA II-LI. In the taste buds of the palatal epithelium, neither taste bud cells nor neuronal elements exhibited CA II-LI. The present results indicate that CA II was localized in the type I cells designated as supporting cells in the taste buds located in the posterior lingual papillae of the adult animal.

  15. Prostaglandin E2 promotes intestinal repair through an adaptive cellular response of the epithelium.

    PubMed

    Miyoshi, Hiroyuki; VanDussen, Kelli L; Malvin, Nicole P; Ryu, Stacy H; Wang, Yi; Sonnek, Naomi M; Lai, Chin-Wen; Stappenbeck, Thaddeus S

    2017-01-04

    Adaptive cellular responses are often required during wound repair. Following disruption of the intestinal epithelium, wound-associated epithelial (WAE) cells form the initial barrier over the wound. Our goal was to determine the critical factor that promotes WAE cell differentiation. Using an adaptation of our in vitro primary epithelial cell culture system, we found that prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2 ) signaling through one of its receptors, Ptger4, was sufficient to drive a differentiation state morphologically and transcriptionally similar to in vivo WAE cells. WAE cell differentiation was a permanent state and dominant over enterocyte differentiation in plasticity experiments. WAE cell differentiation was triggered by nuclear β-catenin signaling independent of canonical Wnt signaling. Creation of WAE cells via the PGE 2 -Ptger4 pathway was required in vivo, as mice with loss of Ptger4 in the intestinal epithelium did not produce WAE cells and exhibited impaired wound repair. Our results demonstrate a mechanism by which WAE cells are formed by PGE 2 and suggest a process of adaptive cellular reprogramming of the intestinal epithelium that occurs to ensure proper repair to injury. © 2016 The Authors.

  16. Diffusion of naltrexone across reconstituted human oral epithelium and histomorphological features.

    PubMed

    Giannola, Libero Italo; De Caro, Viviana; Giandalia, Giulia; Siragusa, Maria Gabriella; Campisi, Giuseppina; Florena, Ada Maria; Ciach, Tomasz

    2007-02-01

    In transbuccal absorption a major limitation could be the low permeability of the mucosa which implies low drug bioavailability. The ability of naltrexone hydrochloride (NLX) to penetrate a resembling histologically human buccal mucosa was assessed and the occurrence of any histomorphological changes observed. We used reconstituted human oral (RHO) non-keratinised epithelium as mucosal section and a Transwell diffusion cells system as bicompartmental model. Buccal permeation was expressed in terms of drug flux (J(s)) and permeability coefficients (K(p)). Data were collected using both artificial and natural human saliva. The main finding was that RHO does not restrain NLX permeation. Drug transport across the epithelium was observed also in presence of various concentrations of penetration enhancers, without any significant differences. On the contrary, the flux throughout the mucosa was extensively affected by iontophoresis. Histologically, no sign of flogosis was observed in any specimen under experiment without iontophoresis, whereas cytoarchitectural changes, up to nuclear pycnosis or cellular swelling, were determined as a consequence of the application of electric fields.

  17. Coexistence of mucous retention cyst and basal cell adenoma arising from the lining epithelium of the cyst. Report of two cases.

    PubMed

    Antoniades, D; Epivatianos, A; Markopoulos, A; Kolokotronis, A; Zaraboukas, T

    2009-01-01

    To report 2 cases of coexisting mucous retention cyst and basal cell adenoma arising from the lining epithelium of the cyst. Two cases of painless swellings, well-demarcated, soft to palpation, and located in the submucosa of the upper lip were clinically examined with the provisional diagnosis of mucocele or salivary gland tumor. Histological examination showed the presence of a large unilocular cystic cavity in many parts surrounded by single or bilayered lining epithelium composed of flattened to cuboidal cells, and in other parts surrounded by projections of cells arranged in a trabecular pattern far into the cystic cavity. The trabeculae were composed of basal and low columnar cells that sometimes formed small duct-like structures. Immunohistochemistry showed that the lining epithelium of the cystic cavity and the cells of the projections expressed cytokeratin 7 and high-molecular-weight cytokeratins. The cells of the projections were weakly positive for S-100 protein and negative for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Based on the results, a diagnosis of coexisting mucous retention cysts and basal cell adenomas arising from the lining epithelium of cysts was made. The coexistence of mucous retention cysts and basal cell adenomas arising from the lining epithelium of the cyst is reported. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  18. Aldehyde dehydrogenase induction in arsenic-exposed rat bladder epithelium.

    PubMed

    Huang, Ya-Chun; Yu, Hsin-Su; Chai, Chee-Yin

    2016-01-01

    Arsenic is widely distributed in the environment. Many human cancers, including urothelial carcinoma (UC), show a dose-dependent relationship with arsenic exposure in the south-west coast of Taiwan (also known as the blackfoot disease (BFD) areas). However, the molecular mechanisms of arsenic-mediated UC carcinogenesis has not yet been defined. In vivo study, the rat bladder epithelium were exposed with arsenic for 48 h. The proteins were extracted from untreated and arsenic-treated rat bladder cells and utilized two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Selected peptides were extracted from the gel and identified by quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF) Ultima-Micromass spectra. The significantly difference expression of proteins in arsenic-treated groups as compared with untreated groups was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting. We found that thirteen proteins were down-regulated and nine proteins were up-regulated in arsenic-treated rat bladder cells when compared with untreated groups. The IHC and western blotting results confirmed that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) protein was up-regulated in arsenic-treated rat bladder epithelium. Expression of ALDH protein was significantly higher in UC patients from BFD areas than those from non-BFD areas using IHC (p=0.018). In conclusion, the ALDH protein expression could be used as molecular markers for arsenic-induced transformation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  19. An in vitro model of murine middle ear epithelium.

    PubMed

    Mulay, Apoorva; Akram, Khondoker M; Williams, Debbie; Armes, Hannah; Russell, Catherine; Hood, Derek; Armstrong, Stuart; Stewart, James P; Brown, Steve D M; Bingle, Lynne; Bingle, Colin D

    2016-11-01

    Otitis media (OM), or middle ear inflammation, is the most common paediatric disease and leads to significant morbidity. Although understanding of underlying disease mechanisms is hampered by complex pathophysiology it is clear that epithelial abnormalities underpin the disease. There is currently a lack of a well-characterised in vitro model of the middle ear (ME) epithelium that replicates the complex cellular composition of the middle ear. Here, we report the development of a novel in vitro model of mouse middle ear epithelial cells (mMECs) at an air-liquid interface (ALI) that recapitulates the characteristics of the native murine ME epithelium. We demonstrate that mMECs undergo differentiation into the varied cell populations seen within the native middle ear. Proteomic analysis confirmed that the cultures secrete a multitude of innate defence proteins from their apical surface. We showed that the mMECs supported the growth of the otopathogen, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), suggesting that the model can be successfully utilised to study host-pathogen interactions in the middle ear. Overall, our mMEC culture system can help to better understand the cell biology of the middle ear and improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of OM. The model also has the potential to serve as a platform for validation of treatments designed to reverse aspects of epithelial remodelling that underpin OM development. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  20. Cell fate specification in the lingual epithelium is controlled by antagonistic activities of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid.

    PubMed

    El Shahawy, Maha; Reibring, Claes-Göran; Neben, Cynthia L; Hallberg, Kristina; Marangoni, Pauline; Harfe, Brian D; Klein, Ophir D; Linde, Anders; Gritli-Linde, Amel

    2017-07-01

    The interaction between signaling pathways is a central question in the study of organogenesis. Using the developing murine tongue as a model, we uncovered unknown relationships between Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Genetic loss of SHH signaling leads to enhanced RA activity subsequent to loss of SHH-dependent expression of Cyp26a1 and Cyp26c1. This causes a cell identity switch, prompting the epithelium of the tongue to form heterotopic minor salivary glands and to overproduce oversized taste buds. At developmental stages during which Wnt10b expression normally ceases and Shh becomes confined to taste bud cells, loss of SHH inputs causes the lingual epithelium to undergo an ectopic and anachronic expression of Shh and Wnt10b in the basal layer, specifying de novo taste placode induction. Surprisingly, in the absence of SHH signaling, lingual epithelial cells adopted a Merkel cell fate, but this was not caused by enhanced RA signaling. We show that RA promotes, whereas SHH, acting strictly within the lingual epithelium, inhibits taste placode and lingual gland formation by thwarting RA activity. These findings reveal key functions for SHH and RA in cell fate specification in the lingual epithelium and aid in deciphering the molecular mechanisms that assign cell identity.

  1. Cell fate specification in the lingual epithelium is controlled by antagonistic activities of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid

    PubMed Central

    Neben, Cynthia L.; Harfe, Brian D.; Linde, Anders

    2017-01-01

    The interaction between signaling pathways is a central question in the study of organogenesis. Using the developing murine tongue as a model, we uncovered unknown relationships between Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Genetic loss of SHH signaling leads to enhanced RA activity subsequent to loss of SHH-dependent expression of Cyp26a1 and Cyp26c1. This causes a cell identity switch, prompting the epithelium of the tongue to form heterotopic minor salivary glands and to overproduce oversized taste buds. At developmental stages during which Wnt10b expression normally ceases and Shh becomes confined to taste bud cells, loss of SHH inputs causes the lingual epithelium to undergo an ectopic and anachronic expression of Shh and Wnt10b in the basal layer, specifying de novo taste placode induction. Surprisingly, in the absence of SHH signaling, lingual epithelial cells adopted a Merkel cell fate, but this was not caused by enhanced RA signaling. We show that RA promotes, whereas SHH, acting strictly within the lingual epithelium, inhibits taste placode and lingual gland formation by thwarting RA activity. These findings reveal key functions for SHH and RA in cell fate specification in the lingual epithelium and aid in deciphering the molecular mechanisms that assign cell identity. PMID:28715412

  2. Adjudin, a potential male contraceptive, exerts its effects locally in the seminiferous epithelium of mammalian testes.

    PubMed

    Mok, Ka-Wai; Mruk, Dolores D; Lie, Pearl P Y; Lui, Wing-Yee; Cheng, C Yan

    2011-05-01

    Adjudin is a derivative of 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid that was shown to have potent anti-spermatogenic activity in rats, rabbits, and dogs. It exerts its effects most notably locally in the apical compartment of the seminiferous epithelium, behind the blood-testis barrier, by disrupting adhesion of germ cells, most notably spermatids to the Sertoli cells, thereby inducing release of immature spermatids from the epithelium that leads to infertility. After adjudin is metabolized, the remaining spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogonia repopulate the seminiferous epithelium gradually via spermatogonial self-renewal and differentiation, to be followed by meiosis and spermiogenesis, and thus fertility rebounds. Recent studies in rats have demonstrated unequivocally that the primary and initial cellular target of adjudin in the testis is the apical ectoplasmic specialization, a testis-specific anchoring junction type restricted to the interface between Sertoli cells and elongating spermatids (from step 8 to 19 spermatids). In this review, we highlight some of the recent advances and obstacles regarding the possible use of adjudin as a male contraceptive.

  3. Adjudin, a potential male contraceptive, exerts its effects locally in the seminiferous epithelium of mammalian testes

    PubMed Central

    Mok, Ka-Wai; Mruk, Dolores D; Lie, Pearl P Y; Lui, Wing-Yee; Cheng, C Yan

    2015-01-01

    Adjudin is a derivative of 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid that was shown to have potent anti-spermatogenic activity in rats, rabbits, and dogs. It exerts its effects most notably locally in the apical compartment of the seminiferous epithelium, behind the blood–testis barrier, by disrupting adhesion of germ cells, most notably spermatids to the Sertoli cells, thereby inducing release of immature spermatids from the epithelium that leads to infertility. After adjudin is metabolized, the remaining spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogonia repopulate the seminiferous epithelium gradually via spermatogonial self-renewal and differentiation, to be followed by meiosis and spermiogenesis, and thus fertility rebounds. Recent studies in rats have demonstrated unequivocally that the primary and initial cellular target of adjudin in the testis is the apical ectoplasmic specialization, a testis-specific anchoring junction type restricted to the interface between Sertoli cells and elongating spermatids (from step 8 to 19 spermatids). In this review, we highlight some of the recent advances and obstacles regarding the possible use of adjudin as a male contraceptive. PMID:21307270

  4. The tumor suppressor PTEN and the PDK1 kinase regulate formation of the columnar neural epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Grego-Bessa, Joaquim; Bloomekatz, Joshua; Castel, Pau; Omelchenko, Tatiana; Baselga, José; Anderson, Kathryn V

    2016-01-01

    Epithelial morphogenesis and stability are essential for normal development and organ homeostasis. The mouse neural plate is a cuboidal epithelium that remodels into a columnar pseudostratified epithelium over the course of 24 hr. Here we show that the transition to a columnar epithelium fails in mutant embryos that lack the tumor suppressor PTEN, although proliferation, patterning and apical-basal polarity markers are normal in the mutants. The Pten phenotype is mimicked by constitutive activation of PI3 kinase and is rescued by the removal of PDK1 (PDPK1), but does not depend on the downstream kinases AKT and mTORC1. High resolution imaging shows that PTEN is required for stabilization of planar cell packing in the neural plate and for the formation of stable apical-basal microtubule arrays. The data suggest that appropriate levels of membrane-associated PDPK1 are required for stabilization of apical junctions, which promotes cell elongation, during epithelial morphogenesis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12034.001 PMID:26809587

  5. Ultrastructural changes of the midgut epithelium in Isohypsibius granulifer granulifer Thulin, 1928 (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada) during oogenesis.

    PubMed

    Rost-Roszkowska, Magdalena M; Poprawa, Izabela; Wójtowicz, Maria; Kaczmarek, Lukasz

    2011-04-01

    The midgut epithelium of Isohypsibius granulifer granulifer (Eutardigrada) is composed of columnar digestive cells. At its anterior end, a group of cells with cytoplasm which differs from the cytoplasm of digestive cells is present. Probably, those cells respond to crescent-like cells (midgut regenerative cells) described for some tardigrade species. Their mitotic divisions have not been observed. We analyzed the ultrastructure of midgut digestive cells in relation to five different stages of oogenesis (previtellogenesis, beginning of the vitellogenesis, vitellogenesis--early choriogenesis, vitellogenesis--middle choriogenesis, late choriogenesis). In the midgut epithelium cells, the gradual accumulation of glycogen granules, lipid droplets and structures of varying electron density occurs. During vitellogenesis and choriogenesis, in the cytoplasm of midgut cells we observed the increasing number of organelles which are responsible for the intensive synthesis of lipids, proteins and saccharides such as cisterns of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. At the end of oogenesis, autophagy also intensifies in midgut epithelial cells, which is probably caused by the great amount of reserve material. Midgut epithelium of analyzed species takes part in the yolk precursor synthesis.

  6. Duox2-induced innate immune responses in the respiratory epithelium and intranasal delivery of Duox2 DNA using polymer that mediates immunization.

    PubMed

    Jeon, Yung Jin; Kim, Hyun Jik

    2018-05-01

    Respiratory mucosa especially nasal epithelium is well known as the first-line barrier of air-borne pathogens. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are detected in in vitro cultured human epithelial cells and in vivo lung. With identification of NADPH oxidase (Nox) system of respiratory epithelium, the antimicrobial role of ROS has been studied. Duox2 is the most abundant Nox isoform and produces the regulated amount of ROS in respiratory epithelium. Duox2-derived ROS are involved in antiviral innate immune responses but more studies are needed to verify the mechanism. In respiratory epithelium, Duox2-derived ROS is critical for recognition of virus through families retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) at the early stage of antiviral innate immune responses. Various secreted interferons (IFNs) play essential roles for antiviral host defense by downstream cell signaling, and transcription of IFN-stimulated genes is started to suppress viral replication. Type I and type III IFNs are verified more responsible for influenza A virus (IAV) infection in respiratory epithelium and Duox2 is required to regulate IFN-related immune responses. Transient overexpression of Duox2 using cationic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) induces secretion of type I and type III IFNs and significantly attenuated IAV replication in respiratory epithelium. Here, we discuss Duox2-mediated antiviral innate immune responses and the role of Duox2 as a mucosal vaccine to resist respiratory viral infection.

  7. Interactions of Giardia sp. with the intestinal barrier: Epithelium, mucus, and microbiota

    PubMed Central

    Amat, Christina B.; Buret, André G.

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Understanding how intestinal enteropathogens cause acute and chronic alterations has direct animal and human health perspectives. Significant advances have been made on this field by studies focusing on the dynamic crosstalk between the intestinal protozoan parasite model Giardia duodenalis and the host intestinal mucosa. The concept of intestinal barrier function is of the highest importance in the context of many gastrointestinal diseases such as infectious enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and post-infectious gastrointestinal disorders. This crucial function relies on 3 biotic and abiotic components, first the commensal microbiota organized as a biofilm, then an overlaying mucus layer, and finally the tightly structured intestinal epithelium. Herein we review multiple strategies used by Giardia parasite to circumvent these 3 components. We will summarize what is known and discuss preliminary observations suggesting how such enteropathogen directly and/ or indirectly impairs commensal microbiota biofilm architecture, disrupts mucus layer and damages host epithelium physiology and survival. PMID:28452685

  8. Mex3a marks slow-proliferating multilineage progenitors of the intestinal epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Barriga, Francisco M.; Montagni, Elisa; Mana, Miyeko; Guillaumet-Adkins, Amy; Hernando-Momblona, Xavier; Sevillano, Marta; Rodriguez-Esteban, Gustavo; Mendez-Lago, Maria; Buczacki, Simon J. A.; Gut, Ivo; Gut, Marta; Winton, Douglas J.; Yilmaz, Omer; Stephan-Otto, Camille; Hein, Holger; Batlle, Eduard

    2017-01-01

    SUMMARY The intestinal epithelium is continuously regenerated by highly proliferative Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs). The existence of a population of quiescent ISCs has been suggested yet its identity and features remain controversial. Here we describe that the expression of the RNA-binding protein Mex3a labels a subpopulation of Lgr5+ cells that divide less frequently and contribute to regenerate all intestinal lineages with slow kinetics. Single cell transcriptomic analysis revealed two classes of Lgr5-high cells, one of them defined by the Mex3a-expression program and by low levels of proliferation genes. Lineage tracing experiments show that large fraction of Mex3a+ cell population is continuously recalled into the rapidly dividing self-renewing ISC pool in homeostatic conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation target preferentially rapidly dividing Lgr5+ cells but spare the Mex3a-high/Lgr5+ population, which helps sustain the renewal of the intestinal epithelium during treatment. PMID:28285904

  9. Immunolocalization of osteopontin in dysplasias and squamous cell carcinomas arising from oral epithelium.

    PubMed

    Aravind, Thara; Janardhanan, Mahija; Rakesh, S; Savithri, Vindhya; Unnikrishnan, U G

    2017-01-01

    Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains one of the most efficient ways to ensure patient survival and improved quality of life. Although specific biomarkers related to OSCC have been investigated, a useful biomarker that assesses the transition potential of potentially malignant lesion to OSCC remains to be found. Osteopontin (OPN) has been recognized as an important factor in tumorigenesis and their expression in OSCC have been investigated earlier. In the present study, evaluation of OPN expression in premalignant and malignant lesions has been carried out to assess their possible role as a biomarker in the early diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of OPN as a biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. The study group consisted of archival paraffin-embedded blocks of ten cases each of varying grades of OSCC, oral epithelial dysplasias and epithelial hyperplasias. Sections were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for the biomarker OPN. A positive OPN expression was noticed in epithelial dysplasias and SCC arising from the oral epithelium. A progressive increase in the intensity of staining was seen with increasing grades of dysplasias and a decrease in OPN expression with an increase in grades was observed in OSCC. The expression of OPN in full thickness of epithelium in severe dysplasias, carcinoma in situ, and in the superficial epithelium of OSCC suggest the possibility of considering OPN expression in full epithelial thickness in dysplasias as an indicator for malignant transformation.

  10. A microengineered collagen scaffold for generating a polarized crypt-villus architecture of human small intestinal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yuli; Gunasekara, Dulan B; Reed, Mark I; DiSalvo, Matthew; Bultman, Scott J; Sims, Christopher E; Magness, Scott T; Allbritton, Nancy L

    2017-06-01

    The human small intestinal epithelium possesses a distinct crypt-villus architecture and tissue polarity in which proliferative cells reside inside crypts while differentiated cells are localized to the villi. Indirect evidence has shown that the processes of differentiation and migration are driven in part by biochemical gradients of factors that specify the polarity of these cellular compartments; however, direct evidence for gradient-driven patterning of this in vivo architecture has been hampered by limitations of the in vitro systems available. Enteroid cultures are a powerful in vitro system; nevertheless, these spheroidal structures fail to replicate the architecture and lineage compartmentalization found in vivo, and are not easily subjected to gradients of growth factors. In the current work, we report the development of a micropatterned collagen scaffold with suitable extracellular matrix and stiffness to generate an in vitro self-renewing human small intestinal epithelium that replicates key features of the in vivo small intestine: a crypt-villus architecture with appropriate cell-lineage compartmentalization and an open and accessible luminal surface. Chemical gradients applied to the crypt-villus axis promoted the creation of a stem/progenitor-cell zone and supported cell migration along the crypt-villus axis. This new approach combining microengineered scaffolds, biophysical cues and chemical gradients to control the intestinal epithelium ex vivo can serve as a physiologically relevant mimic of the human small intestinal epithelium, and is broadly applicable to model other tissues that rely on gradients for physiological function. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. [Comparison of paired box genes 8 and 2 expression in epithelium tissues and the related tumors].

    PubMed

    Song, Y; Huang, X; Shen, G H; Liu, X Y; Zhang, X

    2017-06-23

    Objective: To explore the expressional differences between paired box genes 2(Pax2) and 8 (Pax8) protein in different kinds of epitheliums and tumors, and to investigate the clinicopathologic significance. Methods: Expression levels of Pax2 and Pax8 protein were detected in 75 cases of different human epithelium tissues and 255 cases of different tumors on tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry. Results: Pax2 and Pax8 selectively expressed in different tissues. The positive rates of Pax8 protein expressed in the normal epithelium of the thyroid, urinary system and female reproductive system were 100% (2/2), 60.0% (3/5) and 76.9% (10/13), respectively. The positive rates of Pax2 expressed in the epithelium tissues of urinary system and the female reproductive system were 40.0% (2/5) and 38.5% (5/13) respectively. However, the expression of Pax2 protein was not detected in the normal thyroid epithelium. The positive rate of Pax8 protein expressing in the epithelium of reproductive system was significantly higher than that of Pax2 protein ( P <0.05). The tumors derived from different tissues also expressed different levels of protein Pax2 and Pax8. The positive rates of Pax8 in renal cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma were 65.2% (15/23), 66.7% (10/15) and 80.0% (4/5), respectively. The positive rates of Pax2 in renal cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma were 34.8% (8/23), 13.3% (2/15) and 20.0% (1/5), respectively. The positive rates of Pax8 protein expressed in renal cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those of Pax2 protein ( P <0.05). The positive rates of Pax8 in ovarian serous carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma were 92.9% (26/28), 81.8% (9/11) and 82.4% (14/17), respectively. The positive rates of Pax2 in ovarian serous carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma were 28.6% (8/28), 9.1% (1/11) and 17.6% (3

  12. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in the Epithelium of Inflammatory Periapical Lesions.

    PubMed Central

    Leonardi, R.; Perrotta, R.E.; Musumeci, G.; Crimi, S.; dos Santos, J.N.; Rusu, M.C.; Bufo, P.; Barbato, E.; Pannone, G.

    2015-01-01

    Toll-like receptors (TLR) are essential for the innate immune response against invading pathogens and have been described in immunocompetent cells of areas affected by periapical disease. Besides initiating the inflammatory response, they also directly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and survival in a variety of settings. This study evaluates the in situ expression of TLR4 in periapical granulomas (PG) and radicular cysts, focusing on the epithelial compartment. Twenty-one periapical cysts (PC) and 10 PG were analyzed; 7 dentigerous non-inflamed follicular cyst (DC) served as control. TLR4 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. TLR4 immunoreaction products were detected in the epithelium of all specimens, with a higher percentage of immunostained cells in PG. Although TLR4 overexpression was detected in both PG and PC, there were differences that seemed to be related to the nature of the lesion, since in PG all epithelial cells of strands, islands and trabeculae were strongly immunoreactive for TLR4, whereas in PC only some areas of the basal and suprabasal epithelial layers were immunostained. This staining pattern is consistent with the action of TLR4: in PG it could promote formation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez and in epithelial strands and islands the enhancement of cell survival, proliferation and migration, whereas in PC TLR4 could protect the lining epithelium from extensive apoptosis. These findings go some way towards answering the intriguing question of why many epithelial strands or islands in PG and the lining epithelium of apical cysts regress after non-surgical endodontic therapy, and suggest that TLR4 plays a key role in the pathobiology of the inflammatory process related to periapical disease. PMID:26708181

  13. Cleavage of E-Cadherin Contributes to Defective Barrier Function in Neosquamous Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Runge, Thomas M; Shaheen, Nicholas J; Djukic, Zorka; Hallquist, Suzanne; Orlando, Roy C

    2016-11-01

    After ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE), the esophagus heals with neosquamous epithelium (NSE). Despite normal endoscopic appearance, NSE exhibits defective barrier function with similarities to defects noted in the distal esophageal epithelium in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To determine whether patients with NSE, unlike patients with healthy esophageal epithelium, have C-terminal fragments (CTFs) of e-cad detectable on tissue biopsy. Secondly, to determine whether patients with NSE have elevated levels of N-terminal fragments (NTFs) of e-cad in the serum. Fifteen patients with ablated long-segment BE, who had healing with formation of NSE, were enrolled in this pilot study. Western blots for CTFs and NTFs were performed on biopsies of NSE. Venous blood was obtained to assess levels of NTFs. Endoscopic distal esophageal biopsies from patients without esophageal disease served as tissue controls. Control blood samples were obtained from healthy subjects. Blots of NSE were successful in 14/15 patients, and all 14 (100 %) had a 35-kD CTF of e-cad, while CTFs were absent in healthy control tissues. Despite CTFs in NSE, serum NTFs of e-cad in NSE were similar to controls, p > 0.05. However, unlike healthy controls, blots of NSE also showed NTFs with molecular weights of 70-90 kD. Cleavage of e-cad, as evidenced by the presence of CTFs and NTFs on biopsy, contributes to defective barrier function in NSE. However, unlike findings reported in GERD patients, serum NTFs are not elevated in NSE patients. This difference may reflect poor absorption with tissue entrapment of NTFs in previously ablated areas with poorly perfused NSE.

  14. Comparison of the effects of epithelium removal and of an enkephalinase inhibitor on the neurokinin-induced contractions of guinea-pig isolated trachea.

    PubMed Central

    Devillier, P.; Advenier, C.; Drapeau, G.; Marsac, J.; Regoli, D.

    1988-01-01

    1. The influence of epithelium removal and/or thiorphan on the effects of neurokinins (substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB)) and related peptides on airway contractility was investigated on the guinea-pig isolated trachea. 2. Removing the tracheal epithelium significantly enhanced the sensitivity but not the maximum contractile responses to the peptides. 3. After removal of the epithelial layer, the shifts to the left of the log concentration response curves were greater for SP and SP-OMe (1.62 and 1.94 log units, respectively) than for two SP analogues substituted in position 9 namely [Pro9]SP sulfone and [beta-Ala4, Sar9]SP(4-11) sulfone (0.66 and 0.68 log units, respectively). The leftward shifts for compounds related to NKA or NKB lay between 0.58 and 0.73 log units. 4. The leftward shifts of the log concentration-response curves for SP, SP-OMe, [Pro9]SP sulfone, [beta-Ala4, Sar9]SP(4-11) sulfone and NKA were of similar magnitude after removal of the epithelium or after pretreatment with thiorphan (10(-5) M), an enkephalinase inhibitor, in the presence of epithelium. No significant additional shift of the curves to the left was observed with thiorphan plus epithelium removal. 5. The results obtained with the selective agonists for each of the three classes of neurokinin receptor (i.e NK1, NK2, NK3) suggest that the guinea-pig trachea contains receptors for SP and NKA but few if any for NKB. 6. It was concluded that neurokinins and related peptides (especially SP and analogues not substituted in position 9) are degraded by enkephalinase mainly located in the tracheal epithelium and that the addition of thiorphan or epithelium removal results in an inhibition or loss of enkephalinase activity, thereby increasing similarly the potencies of these peptides. It was, therefore, suggested that the supersensitivity to neurokinins produced by epithelium removal was due neither to the elimination of a permeability barrier nor to reduced production of a

  15. In vitro enteroid-derived three-dimensional tissue model of human small intestinal epithelium with innate immune responses.

    PubMed

    Chen, Ying; Zhou, Wenda; Roh, Terrence; Estes, Mary K; Kaplan, David L

    2017-01-01

    There is a need for functional in vitro 3D human intestine systems that can bridge the gap between conventional cell culture studies and human trials. The successful engineering in vitro of human intestinal tissues relies on the use of the appropriate cell sources, biomimetic scaffolds, and 3D culture conditions to support vital organ functions. We previously established a compartmentalized scaffold consisting of a hollow space within a porous bulk matrix, in which a functional and physiologically relevant intestinal epithelium system was generated using intestinal cell lines. In this study, we adopt the 3D scaffold system for the cultivation of stem cell-derived human small intestinal enteriods (HIEs) to engineer an in vitro 3D model of a nonstransformed human small intestinal epithelium. Characterization of tissue properties revealed a mature HIE-derived epithelium displaying four major terminally differentiated epithelial cell types (enterocytes, Goblet cells, Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells), with tight junction formation, microvilli polarization, digestive enzyme secretion, and low oxygen tension in the lumen. Moreover, the tissue model demonstrates significant antibacterial responses to E. coli infection, as evidenced by the significant upregulation of genes involved in the innate immune response. Importantly, many of these genes are activated in human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), implicating the potential application of the 3D stem-cell derived epithelium for the in vitro study of host-microbe-pathogen interplay and IBD pathogenesis.

  16. Precocious development of lectin (Ulex europaeus agglutinin I) receptors in dome epithelium of gut-associated lymphoid tissues.

    PubMed

    Roy, M J

    1987-06-01

    Dome epithelium (DE), the tissue covering lymphoid domes of gut-associated lymphoid tissues, was examined in both adult and neonatal rabbit appendix or sacculus rotundus to determine if dome epithelial cells matured earlier than epithelial cells covering adjacent villi. The localization of well-differentiated epithelial cells in rabbit gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) was accomplished histochemically by use of molecular probes: fluorescein isothiocyanate or horseradish peroxidase conjugates of Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA), a lectin specific for terminal L-fucose molecules on certain glycoconjugates. The villus epithelial cells of newborn and 2-, 5-, or 10-day-old rabbits did not bind UEA, but between the twelfth and fifteenth days of postnatal life, UEA receptors were expressed by well-differentiated villus epithelial cells. In contrast to villus epithelium, DE in appendix and sacculus rotundus of neonatal rabbits expressed UEA receptors two days after birth, a feature that distinguished the DE of neonatal GALT for the next two weeks. In adult rabbits, UEA receptors were associated with dome epithelial cells extending from the mouths of glandular crypts to the upper domes; in contrast to the domes, UEA receptors were only present on well-differentiated epithelial cells at the villus tips. Results suggested that in neonatal rabbits most dome epithelial cells developed UEA receptors shortly after birth, reflecting precocious development of DE as compared to villus epithelium. In adult rabbit dome epithelium UEA receptors appeared on dome epithelial cells as they left the glandular crypts, representing accelerated epithelial maturation.

  17. Cellular distribution and function of ion channels involved in transport processes in rat tracheal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Hahn, Anne; Faulhaber, Johannes; Srisawang, Lalita; Stortz, Andreas; Salomon, Johanna J; Mall, Marcus A; Frings, Stephan; Möhrlen, Frank

    2017-06-01

    Transport of water and electrolytes in airway epithelia involves chloride-selective ion channels, which are controlled either by cytosolic Ca 2+ or by cAMP The contributions of the two pathways to chloride transport differ among vertebrate species. Because rats are becoming more important as animal model for cystic fibrosis, we have examined how Ca 2+ - dependent and cAMP- dependent Cl - secretion is organized in the rat tracheal epithelium. We examined the expression of the Ca 2+ -gated Cl - channel anoctamin 1 (ANO1), the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl - channel, the epithelial Na + channel ENaC, and the water channel aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in rat tracheal epithelium. The contribution of ANO1 channels to nucleotide-stimulated Cl - secretion was determined using the channel blocker Ani9 in short-circuit current recordings obtained from primary cultures of rat tracheal epithelial cells in Ussing chambers. We found that ANO1, CFTR and AQP5 proteins were expressed in nonciliated cells of the tracheal epithelium, whereas ENaC was expressed in ciliated cells. Among nonciliated cells, ANO1 occurred together with CFTR and Muc5b and, in addition, in a different cell type without CFTR and Muc5b. Bioelectrical studies with the ANO1-blocker Ani9 indicated that ANO1 mediated the secretory response to the nucleotide uridine-5'-triphosphate. Our data demonstrate that, in rat tracheal epithelium, Cl - secretion and Na + absorption are routed through different cell types, and that ANO1 channels form the molecular basis of Ca 2+ -dependent Cl - secretion in this tissue. These characteristic features of Cl - -dependent secretion reveal similarities and distinct differences to secretory processes in human airways. © 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

  18. Sessile alveolar macrophages communicate with alveolar epithelium to modulate immunity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Westphalen, Kristin; Gusarova, Galina A.; Islam, Mohammad N.; Subramanian, Manikandan; Cohen, Taylor S.; Prince, Alice S.; Bhattacharya, Jahar

    2014-02-01

    The tissue-resident macrophages of barrier organs constitute the first line of defence against pathogens at the systemic interface with the ambient environment. In the lung, resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) provide a sentinel function against inhaled pathogens. Bacterial constituents ligate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on AMs, causing AMs to secrete proinflammatory cytokines that activate alveolar epithelial receptors, leading to recruitment of neutrophils that engulf pathogens. Because the AM-induced response could itself cause tissue injury, it is unclear how AMs modulate the response to prevent injury. Here, using real-time alveolar imaging in situ, we show that a subset of AMs attached to the alveolar wall form connexin 43 (Cx43)-containing gap junction channels with the epithelium. During lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, the AMs remained sessile and attached to the alveoli, and they established intercommunication through synchronized Ca2+ waves, using the epithelium as the conducting pathway. The intercommunication was immunosuppressive, involving Ca2+-dependent activation of Akt, because AM-specific knockout of Cx43 enhanced alveolar neutrophil recruitment and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage. A picture emerges of a novel immunomodulatory process in which a subset of alveolus-attached AMs intercommunicates immunosuppressive signals to reduce endotoxin-induced lung inflammation.

  19. [Killing effects of PWZL plasmid-mediated double suicide gene on human lens epithelium cells].

    PubMed

    Yan, Xiao-ran; Wu, Hong; Yu, Hai-tao; Wang, Xiu; Zhang, Yu

    2008-04-01

    To investigate the killing efficiency of PWZL plasmid-mediated herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (TK) and E. coli cytosine deaminase (CD) on human lens epithelium cells followed by the treatment of prodrugs. PWZL plasmid was used as a vehicle, to transduce double suicide genes into the human lens epithelium in vitro, then the cells were treated with fluorocytosine (5-FC) and/or ganciclovir (GCV) at different concentrations. The cell growth of the lens epithelium cells was observed by light microscope. MTT analysis was used to estimate the cell survival rate and the bystander effect was analyzed simultaneously. The significance of difference between each group was treated by statistical tests. The CD and TK gene could be joined into PWZL plasmid successfully, and did not have any special effect on normal cells. There was no significant difference in cell viability between CD-TK transfected cells and control cells. Cell viability in cells treated with prodrugs was decreased in a time-dependent manner. At the end of the experiment, cell viability was lowest in GCV 10 mg/L +5-FC 60 mg/L group, GCV 10 mg/L + 5-FC 100 mg/L group and GCV 100 mg/L + 5-FC 100 mg/L group. There were no significant differences between these three groups (X2 = 1.25 , P > 0.01). Analysis of bystander effect indicated that the cell viability in GCV 100 mg/L + 5-FC 100 mg/L group and GCV 10 mg/L +5-FC 60 mg/L group was significantly lower than that in the controls (t = 10.26, 13.16; P < 0.01). PWZL plasmid can transfect the CD and TK genes into lens epithelium cells successfully and efficiently. CD and TK genes can be expressed steadily. Transfection of double suicide gene reduces the dosage of prodrugs required for killing cells. The combination of 5-FC with GCV shows the greatest killing effect and also has the bystander effect.

  20. [Cytogenetic characteristics of the uterine cervical epithelium in inflammatory diseases].

    PubMed

    Aleksieienko, O I

    2011-01-01

    Functional status of epithelial cells at inflammatory cervical pathologies has been studied with the use of cytogenetic method of detection of chromosome nucleolar organizer regions. The highest level of rRNA proliferation and synthesis has been detected in cylindrical epithelial cells using the indexes of compact and transitional nucleolonemic types of nucleolar organizer regions, a higher level--in squamous cells of intermediate type, and the lowest one in squamous epithelium of superficial type.

  1. Immunohistochemical study of parathyroid hormone-related protein in vesical transitional epithelium of patients with spinal cord injury.

    PubMed

    Vaidyanathan, S; McCreavy, D T; McDicken, I W; Soni, B M; Mansour, P; Wlodarski, B; Carron, J A; Fraser, W D; Singh, G; Sett, P; Gallagher, J A

    1999-11-01

    Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), in addition to the well-established role in endochrondral bone development, is believed to be an important mediator of cellular growth and differentiation in a number of non-bony tissues. To compare the immunohistochemical staining of vesical transitional epithelium to antibodies raised to synthetic peptides of PTHrP composed of amino acid sequences 43 - 52 and 127 - 138 in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neuropathic bladder (n=14), and control patients with intact neuraxis and no history of bladder cancer (n=10). Male SCI patients registered with Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, England. Endoscopic cold cup biopsy from the trigone of the urinary bladder was taken from patients with SCI while they were undergoing a therapeutic procedure in the urinary bladder. The control samples of bladder biopsies were taken from the archives of the Department of Histopathology, District General Hospital, Southport. Immunohistochemistry was performed using rabbit antibodies raised against synthetic peptides of human PTHrP (43 - 52) and PTHrP (127 - 138). The biopsies were examined for immunostaining of transitional epithelium. Of the 14 biopsies of SCI patients, positive immunostaining using antibodies to both the PTHrP peptides was found in four cases; five biopsies showed positive immunostaining only to anti-PTHrP (43 - 52); and five biopsies showed no immunostaining with either of the PTHrP peptides. In contrast, transitional epithelium in the biopsy specimens of ten control subjects with no history of bladder cancer showed no immunostaining with either of the PTHrP peptides. This study revealed that the transitional epithelium of neuropathic urinary bladder exhibits increased predilection for positive immunohistochemical staining for PTHrP (43 - 52), and to a lesser extent, to PTHrP (127 - 138), as compared to the vesical transitional epithelium of able bodied individuals with no history of vesical malignancy

  2. Reference spectra from squamous epithelium and connective tissue allow whole section proteomics analysis.

    PubMed

    Roesch-Ely, Mariana; Schnölzer, Martina; Nees, Matthias; Plinkert, Peter K; Bosch, Franz X

    2010-01-01

    We reasoned that micro-dissection of tumour cells for protein expression studies should be omitted since tumour-stroma interactions are an important part of the biology of solid tumours. To study such interactions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development, we generated reference protein spectra for normal squamous epithelium and connective tissue by SELDI-TOF-MS. Calgranulins A and B, Annexin1 and Histone H4 were found to be strongly enriched in the epithelium. The alpha-defensins 1-3 and the haemoglobin subunits were identified in the connective tissue. Tumour-distant epithelia, representing early pre-malignant lesions, showed up-regulated expression of the stromal alpha-defensins, whereas the epithelial Annexin 1 was down-regulated. Thus, tumour microenvironment interactions occur very early in the carcinogenic process. These data demonstrate that omitting micro-dissection is actually beneficial for studying changes in protein expression during development and progression of solid tumours.

  3. Chemodetection and Destruction of Host Urea Allows Helicobacter pylori to Locate the Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Julie Y.; Sweeney, Emily Goers; Sigal, Michael; Zhang, Hai C.; Remington, S. James; Cantrell, Michael A.; Kuo, Calvin J.; Guillemin, Karen; Amieva, Manuel R.

    2015-01-01

    SUMMARY The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori interacts intimately with the gastric mucosa to avoid the microbicidal acid in the stomach lumen. The cues H. pylori senses to locate and colonize the gastric epithelium have not been well defined. We show that metabolites emanating from human gastric organoids rapidly attract H. pylori. This response is largely controlled by the bacterial chemoreceptor TlpB, and the main attractant emanating from epithelia is urea. Our previous structural analyses show that TlpB binds urea with high affinity. Here we demonstrate that this tight binding controls highly sensitive responses, allowing detection of urea concentrations as low as 50 nanomolar. Attraction to urea requires that H. pylori urease simultaneously destroys the signal. We propose that H. pylori has evolved a sensitive urea chemodetection and destruction system that allows the bacterium to dynamically and locally modify the host environment to locate the epithelium. PMID:26269952

  4. The growth and differentiation of transitional epithelium in vitro.

    PubMed

    Chlapowski, F J; Haynes, L

    1979-12-01

    The development of rat transitional epithelial cells grown on conventional non-permeable surfaces was compared with development on permeable collagen supports. On glass or plastic surfaces, cells grew as expanding nomolayer sheets. Once confluent, growth continued with a bilayer being formed in most areas and apical cells being continuously sloughed off. Although most cells were interconnected by desmosomes, and junctional complexes were formed, no other indications of differentiation were observed. After 2-3 wk of growth, division stopped and cel death ensued. In contrast, single-cell suspensions plated on collagen-coated nylon disks reassociated into multicellular islands and commenced growth. Mitoses were confined to the basal cells in contact with the permeable substrate. The islands developed into epithelial trilayers, tapering to monolayers along spreading edges. Once the islands were confluent, stratification was completed and appeared similar to that observed in vivo. Germinal cells formed a basal lamina, and the upper layer was composed of large, flattened cells with an unusually thick asymmetrical plasma membrane on the apical surface. Electron microscopic and radioactive tracers demonstrated "leaky" zonulae occludentes with a restricted permeability to small molecules. The movement of urea was retarded in comparison to water. Unlike the slow turnover of adult epithelium in vivo, maturation and sloughing of apical cells were measurable. Transfer of cells could be effected and growth maintained for up to 4 mo. These results may indicate the necessity of a nutrient-permeable growth surface for the polarized differentiation of adult transitional epithelium.

  5. The growth and differentiation of transitional epithelium in vitro

    PubMed Central

    1979-01-01

    The development of rat transitional epithelial cells grown on conventional non-permeable surfaces was compared with development on permeable collagen supports. On glass or plastic surfaces, cells grew as expanding nomolayer sheets. Once confluent, growth continued with a bilayer being formed in most areas and apical cells being continuously sloughed off. Although most cells were interconnected by desmosomes, and junctional complexes were formed, no other indications of differentiation were observed. After 2-3 wk of growth, division stopped and cel death ensued. In contrast, single-cell suspensions plated on collagen-coated nylon disks reassociated into multicellular islands and commenced growth. Mitoses were confined to the basal cells in contact with the permeable substrate. The islands developed into epithelial trilayers, tapering to monolayers along spreading edges. Once the islands were confluent, stratification was completed and appeared similar to that observed in vivo. Germinal cells formed a basal lamina, and the upper layer was composed of large, flattened cells with an unusually thick asymmetrical plasma membrane on the apical surface. Electron microscopic and radioactive tracers demonstrated "leaky" zonulae occludentes with a restricted permeability to small molecules. The movement of urea was retarded in comparison to water. Unlike the slow turnover of adult epithelium in vivo, maturation and sloughing of apical cells were measurable. Transfer of cells could be effected and growth maintained for up to 4 mo. These results may indicate the necessity of a nutrient-permeable growth surface for the polarized differentiation of adult transitional epithelium. PMID:574872

  6. A 3-D well-differentiated model of pediatric bronchial epithelium demonstrates unstimulated morphological differences between asthmatic and nonasthmatic cells.

    PubMed

    Parker, Jeremy; Sarlang, Severine; Thavagnanam, Surendran; Williamson, Grace; O'donoghue, Dara; Villenave, Remi; Power, Ultan; Shields, Michael; Heaney, Liam; Skibinski, Grzegorz

    2010-01-01

    There is a need for reproducible and effective models of pediatric bronchial epithelium to study disease states such as asthma. We aimed to develop, characterize, and differentiate an effective, an efficient, and a reliable three-dimensional model of pediatric bronchial epithelium to test the hypothesis that children with asthma differ in their epithelial morphologic phenotype when compared with nonasthmatic children. Primary cell cultures from both asthmatic and nonasthmatic children were grown and differentiated at the air-liquid interface for 28 d. Tight junction formation, MUC5AC secretion, IL-8, IL-6, prostaglandin E2 production, and the percentage of goblet and ciliated cells in culture were assessed. Well-differentiated, multilayered, columnar epithelium containing both ciliated and goblet cells from asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects were generated. All cultures demonstrated tight junction formation at the apical surface and exhibited mucus production and secretion. Asthmatic and nonasthmatic cultures secreted similar quantities of IL-8, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2. Cultures developed from asthmatic children contained considerably more goblet cells and fewer ciliated cells compared with those from nonasthmatic children. A well-differentiated model of pediatric epithelium has been developed that will be useful for more in vivo like study of the mechanisms at play during asthma.

  7. Merkel-like cell distribution in the epithelium of the human vagina. An immunohistochemical and TEM study.

    PubMed

    Polakovičová, Simona; Csöbönyeiová, Mária; Filova, Barbora; Borovský, Miroslav; Maršík, Ladislav; Kvasilová, Alena; Polák, Štefan

    2018-02-16

    Human Merkel cells (MCs) were first described by Friedrich S. Merkel in 1875 and named "Tastzellen" (touch cells). Merkel cells are primarily localized in the basal layer of the epidermis and concentrated in touch-sensitive areas. In our previous work, we reported on the distribution of MCs in the human esophagus, so therefore we chose other parts of the human body to study them. We selected the human vagina, because it has a similar epithelium as the esophagus and plays very important roles in reproduction and sexual pleasure. Due to the fact that there are very few research studies focusing on the innervation of this region, we decided to investigate the occurrence of MCs in the anterior wall of the vagina. The aim of our research was to identify MCs in the stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium of the human vagina in 20 patients. For the identification of Merkel cells by light microscopy, we used antibodies against simple-epithelial cytokeratins (especially anti-cytokeratin 20). We also tried to identify them using transmission electron microscopy. Our investigation confirmed that 10 (50 %) of 20 patients had increased number of predominantly intraepithelial CK20 positive "Merkel-like" cells (MLCs) in the human vaginal epithelium. Subepithelial CK20 positive MLCs were observed in only one patient (5%). We tried to identify them also using transmission electron microscopy. Our investigation detected some unique cells that may be MCs. The purpose of vaginal innervation is still unclear. There are no data available concerning the distribution of MCs in the human vagina, so it would be interesting to study the role of MCs in the vaginal epithelium, in the context of innervation and epithelial biology.

  8. Chemosensory brush cells of the trachea. A stable population in a dynamic epithelium.

    PubMed

    Saunders, Cecil J; Reynolds, Susan D; Finger, Thomas E

    2013-08-01

    Tracheal brush cells (BCs) are specialized epithelial chemosensors that use the canonical taste transduction cascade to detect irritants. To test whether BCs are replaced at the same rate as other cells in the surrounding epithelium of adult mice, we used 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label dividing cells. Although scattered BrdU-labeled epithelial cells are present 5-20 days after BrdU, no BCs are labeled. These data indicate that BCs comprise a relatively static population. To determine how BCs are generated during development, we injected 5-day-old mice with BrdU and found labeled BCs and non-BC epithelial cells 5 days after BrdU. During the next 60 days, the percentage of labeled BCs increased, whereas the percentage of other labeled cell types decreased. These data suggest that BCs are generated from non-BC progenitor cells during postnatal tracheal growth. To test whether the adult epithelium retains the capacity to generate BCs, tracheal epithelial cells were recovered from adult mice and grown in an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture. After transition to differentiation conditions, BCs are detected, and comprise 1% of the total cell population by Day 14. BrdU added to cultures before the differentiation of BCs was chased into BCs, indicating that the increase in BC density is attributable to the proliferation of a non-BC progenitor. We conclude that: (1) BCs are normally a static population in adult mice; (2) BC progenitors proliferate and differentiate during neonatal development; and (3) BCs can be regenerated from a proliferative population resident in adult epithelium.

  9. Immunolocalization of osteopontin in dysplasias and squamous cell carcinomas arising from oral epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Aravind, Thara; Janardhanan, Mahija; Rakesh, S; Savithri, Vindhya; Unnikrishnan, U G

    2017-01-01

    Background: Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains one of the most efficient ways to ensure patient survival and improved quality of life. Although specific biomarkers related to OSCC have been investigated, a useful biomarker that assesses the transition potential of potentially malignant lesion to OSCC remains to be found. Osteopontin (OPN) has been recognized as an important factor in tumorigenesis and their expression in OSCC have been investigated earlier. In the present study, evaluation of OPN expression in premalignant and malignant lesions has been carried out to assess their possible role as a biomarker in the early diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of OPN as a biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of archival paraffin-embedded blocks of ten cases each of varying grades of OSCC, oral epithelial dysplasias and epithelial hyperplasias. Sections were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for the biomarker OPN. Results: A positive OPN expression was noticed in epithelial dysplasias and SCC arising from the oral epithelium. A progressive increase in the intensity of staining was seen with increasing grades of dysplasias and a decrease in OPN expression with an increase in grades was observed in OSCC. Conclusion: The expression of OPN in full thickness of epithelium in severe dysplasias, carcinoma in situ, and in the superficial epithelium of OSCC suggest the possibility of considering OPN expression in full epithelial thickness in dysplasias as an indicator for malignant transformation. PMID:28479681

  10. Ovarian surface epithelium at the junction area contains cancer-prone stem cell niche

    PubMed Central

    Flesken-Nikitin, Andrea; Hwang, Chang-Il; Cheng, Chieh-Yang; Michurina, Tatyana V.; Enikolopov, Grigori; Nikitin, Alexander Yu.

    2014-01-01

    Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood 1-3. Some epithelial cancers are known to occur in transitional zones between two types of epithelium, while others have been shown to originate in epithelial tissue stem cells 4-6. The stem cell niche of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), which is ruptured and regenerates during ovulation, has not yet been unequivocally defined. Here we identify the hilum region of the mouse ovary, the transitional/junction area between OSE, mesothelium and tubal (oviductal) epithelium as a previously unrecognized stem cell niche of the OSE. We find that cells of the hilum OSE are slowly-cycling and express stem/progenitor cell markers ALDH1, Lgr5, Lef1, CD133, and CK6b. These cells display long-term stem cell properties ex vivo and in vivo, as shown by our serial sphere generation and by long-term lineage tracing assays. Importantly, the hilum cells exhibit increased transformation potential after inactivation of tumour suppressor genes Trp53 and Rb1, whose pathways are frequently altered in the most aggressive and common type of human EOC, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma 7,8. Our study experimentally supports the notion that susceptibility of transitional zones to malignant transformation may be explained by the presence of stem cell niches in those areas. Identification of a stem cell niche for the OSE may have important implications for understanding EOC pathogenesis. PMID:23467088

  11. Increase of poorly proliferated p63+ /Ki67+ basal cells forming multiple layers in the aberrant remodeled epithelium in nasal polyps.

    PubMed

    Zhao, L; Li, Y Y; Li, C W; Chao, S S; Liu, J; Nam, H N; Dung, N T N; Shi, L; Wang, D Y

    2017-06-01

    Aberrant epithelial remodeling with the ectopic expression of p63 (basal cell markers) is an important pathologic phenomenon seen in chronically inflamed airway epithelium such as in nasal polyps (NPs). Biopsies were obtained from 55 NP patients and 18 healthy controls (inferior turbinate). Among NP patients, 15 were treated with oral and nasal steroids, so that two sets of NP biopsies were taken before and after the treatments. p63, Ki67, type IV β-tubulin, and cell cycle markers were investigated in these specimens. The number of p63 + cells is significantly higher in both hyperplastic (1.53-fold, P < 0.0001) and squamous metaplastic (2.02-fold, P < 0.0001) epithelium from NPs than from healthy controls. There are three types of proliferative basal cells (p63 + /Ki67 + ) which are in different phases of the cell cycle, such as G1 phase (type I cells), S to G2 phase (type II cells), and mitosis (type III cells). Of importance, some type I cells may arrest after proliferation although they may still be p63 + /Ki67 + . In healthy epithelium, the ratio of the type I and II cells is almost 50:50. However, less type II cells are found in hyperplastic epithelium (34.85%, P = 0.012) and in squamous metaplastic epithelium (30.77%, P = 0.02) together with the presence of type III cells (3.45%, P = 0.01). These findings were not changed after steroid treatments. An increase of poorly proliferated basal cells forming multiple layers, which may stain for basal cell markers but does not form a proper epidermal barrier, is an important histopathologic phenomenon in aberrant remodeled epithelium of NPs. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Spatial and spectral analysis of corneal epithelium injury using hyperspectral images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Md Noor, Siti Salwa; Michael, Kaleena; Marshall, Stephen; Ren, Jinchang

    2017-12-01

    Eye assessment is essential in preventing blindness. Currently, the existing methods to assess corneal epithelium injury are complex and require expert knowledge. Hence, we have introduced a non-invasive technique using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and an image analysis algorithm of corneal epithelium injury. Three groups of images were compared and analyzed, namely healthy eyes, injured eyes, and injured eyes with stain. Dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to reduce massive data and redundancies. The first 10 principal components (PCs) were selected for further processing. The mean vector of 10 PCs with 45 pairs of all combinations was computed and sent to two classifiers. A quadratic Bayes normal classifier (QDC) and a support vector classifier (SVC) were used in this study to discriminate the eleven eyes into three groups. As a result, the combined classifier of QDC and SVC showed optimal performance with 2D PCA features (2DPCA-QDSVC) and was utilized to classify normal and abnormal tissues, using color image segmentation. The result was compared with human segmentation. The outcome showed that the proposed algorithm produced extremely promising results to assist the clinician in quantifying a cornea injury.

  13. Expression of the type VI intermediate filament proteins CP49 and filensin in the mouse lens epithelium.

    PubMed

    FitzGerald, Paul; Sun, Ning; Shibata, Brad; Hess, John F

    2016-01-01

    The differentiated lens fiber cell assembles a filamentous cytoskeletal structure referred to as the beaded filament (BF). The BF requires CP49 (bfsp2) and filensin (bfsp1) for assembly, both of which are highly divergent members of the large intermediate filament (IF) family of proteins. Thus far, these two proteins have been reported only in the differentiated lens fiber cell. For this reason, both proteins have been considered robust markers of fiber cell differentiation. We report here that both proteins are also expressed in the mouse lens epithelium, but only after 5 weeks of age. Localization of CP49 was achieved with immunocytochemical probing of wild-type, CP49 knockout, filensin knockout, and vimentin knockout mice, in sections and in the explanted lens epithelium, at the light microscope and electron microscope levels. The relationship between CP49 and other cytoskeletal elements was probed using fluorescent phalloidin, as well as with antibodies to vimentin, GFAP, and α-tubulin. The relationship between CP49 and the aggresome was probed with antibodies to γ-tubulin, ubiquitin, and HDAC6. CP49 and filensin were expressed in the mouse lens epithelium, but only after 5 weeks of age. At the light microscope level, these two proteins colocalize to a large tubular structure, approximately 7 × 1 μm, which was typically present at one to two copies per cell. This structure is found in the anterior and anterolateral lens epithelium, including the zone where mitosis occurs. The structure becomes smaller and largely undetectable closer to the equator where the cell exits the cell cycle and commits to fiber cell differentiation. This structure bears some resemblance to the aggresome and is reactive with antibodies to HDAC6, a marker for the aggresome. However, the structure does not colocalize with antibodies to γ-tubulin or ubiquitin, also markers for the aggresome. The structure also colocalizes with actin but appears to largely exclude vimentin and

  14. Expression of the type VI intermediate filament proteins CP49 and filensin in the mouse lens epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Ning; Shibata, Brad; Hess, John F.

    2016-01-01

    Purpose The differentiated lens fiber cell assembles a filamentous cytoskeletal structure referred to as the beaded filament (BF). The BF requires CP49 (bfsp2) and filensin (bfsp1) for assembly, both of which are highly divergent members of the large intermediate filament (IF) family of proteins. Thus far, these two proteins have been reported only in the differentiated lens fiber cell. For this reason, both proteins have been considered robust markers of fiber cell differentiation. We report here that both proteins are also expressed in the mouse lens epithelium, but only after 5 weeks of age. Methods Localization of CP49 was achieved with immunocytochemical probing of wild-type, CP49 knockout, filensin knockout, and vimentin knockout mice, in sections and in the explanted lens epithelium, at the light microscope and electron microscope levels. The relationship between CP49 and other cytoskeletal elements was probed using fluorescent phalloidin, as well as with antibodies to vimentin, GFAP, and α-tubulin. The relationship between CP49 and the aggresome was probed with antibodies to γ-tubulin, ubiquitin, and HDAC6. Results CP49 and filensin were expressed in the mouse lens epithelium, but only after 5 weeks of age. At the light microscope level, these two proteins colocalize to a large tubular structure, approximately 7 × 1 μm, which was typically present at one to two copies per cell. This structure is found in the anterior and anterolateral lens epithelium, including the zone where mitosis occurs. The structure becomes smaller and largely undetectable closer to the equator where the cell exits the cell cycle and commits to fiber cell differentiation. This structure bears some resemblance to the aggresome and is reactive with antibodies to HDAC6, a marker for the aggresome. However, the structure does not colocalize with antibodies to γ-tubulin or ubiquitin, also markers for the aggresome. The structure also colocalizes with actin but appears to largely

  15. Nebulisation of receptor-targeted nanocomplexes for gene delivery to the airway epithelium.

    PubMed

    Manunta, Maria D I; McAnulty, Robin J; Tagalakis, Aristides D; Bottoms, Stephen E; Campbell, Frederick; Hailes, Helen C; Tabor, Alethea B; Laurent, Geoffrey J; O'Callaghan, Christopher; Hart, Stephen L

    2011-01-01

    Gene therapy mediated by synthetic vectors may provide opportunities for new treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) via aerosolisation. Vectors for CF must transfect the airway epithelium efficiently and not cause inflammation so they are suitable for repeated dosing. The inhaled aerosol should be deposited in the airways since the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) is expressed predominantly in the epithelium of the submucosal glands and in the surface airway epithelium. The aim of this project was to develop an optimised aerosol delivery approach applicable to treatment of CF lung disease by gene therapy. The vector suspension investigated in this study comprises receptor-targeting peptides, cationic liposomes and plasmid DNA that self-assemble by electrostatic interactions to form a receptor-targeted nanocomplex (RTN) of approximately 150 nm with a cationic surface charge of +50 mV. The aerodynamic properties of aerosolised nanocomplexes produced with three different nebulisers were compared by determining aerosol deposition in the different stages of a Next Generation Pharmaceutical Impactor (NGI). We also investigated the yield of intact plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis and densitometry, and transfection efficacies in vitro and in vivo. RTNs nebulised with the AeroEclipse II BAN were the most effective, compared to other nebulisers tested, for gene delivery both in vitro and in vivo. The biophysical properties of the nanocomplexes were unchanged after nebulisation while the deposition of RTNs suggested a range of aerosol aerodynamic sizes between 5.5 µm-1.4 µm cut off (NGI stages 3-6) compatible with deposition in the central and lower airways. RTNs showed their ability at delivering genes via nebulisation, thus suggesting their potential applications for therapeutic interventions of cystic fibrosis and other respiratory disorders.

  16. Early survival factor deprivation in the olfactory epithelium enhances activity-driven survival

    PubMed Central

    François, Adrien; Laziz, Iman; Rimbaud, Stéphanie; Grebert, Denise; Durieux, Didier; Pajot-Augy, Edith; Meunier, Nicolas

    2013-01-01

    The neuronal olfactory epithelium undergoes permanent renewal because of environmental aggression. This renewal is partly regulated by factors modulating the level of neuronal apoptosis. Among them, we had previously characterized endothelin as neuroprotective. In this study, we explored the effect of cell survival factor deprivation in the olfactory epithelium by intranasal delivery of endothelin receptors antagonists to rat pups. This treatment induced an overall increase of apoptosis in the olfactory epithelium. The responses to odorants recorded by electroolfactogram were decreased in treated animal, a result consistent with a loss of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). However, the treated animal performed better in an olfactory orientation test based on maternal odor compared to non-treated littermates. This improved performance could be due to activity-dependent neuronal survival of OSNs in the context of increased apoptosis level. In order to demonstrate it, we odorized pups with octanal, a known ligand for the rI7 olfactory receptor (Olr226). We quantified the number of OSN expressing rI7 by RT-qPCR and whole mount in situ hybridization. While this number was reduced by the survival factor removal treatment, this reduction was abolished by the presence of its ligand. This improved survival was optimal for low concentration of odorant and was specific for rI7-expressing OSNs. Meanwhile, the number of rI7-expressing OSNs was not affected by the odorization in non-treated littermates; showing that the activity-dependant survival of OSNs did not affect the OSN population during the 10 days of odorization in control conditions. Overall, our study shows that when apoptosis is promoted in the olfactory mucosa, the activity-dependent neuronal plasticity allows faster tuning of the olfactory sensory neuron population toward detection of environmental odorants. PMID:24399931

  17. Epithelium-dependent and -independent inhibitory effects of sivelestat, a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on substance P-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle in lipopolysaccharide-treated guinea-pigs.

    PubMed

    Takayama, Naomi; Uchida, Kohsuke

    2005-10-01

    The underlying mechanism involved in the interaction between neutrophil elastase inhibitors and tachykinins has not been elucidated. In this study we have examined the effects of sivelestat, a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on the in vitro responses of airways from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-untreated or -treated guinea-pigs to substance P. Substance P (0.01-30 micromol/l) produced concentration-dependent contractions of both tracheal and bronchial ring preparations of LPS-untreated or -treated guinea-pigs. Responsiveness to substance P in these isolated airway preparations was augmented by either epithelium removal or LPS treatment. In epithelium-intact tracheal ring preparations isolated from LPS-untreated guinea-pigs, sivelestat (100 micromol/l) significantly inhibited substance P-induced contractions. The inhibitory action was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with L-NAME (100 micromol/l) or indomethacin (2 micromol/l), and was almost undetected following removal of the epithelium. On the other hand, in bronchial ring preparations isolated from LPS-untreated guinea-pigs, sivelestat had only a very slight effect on substance P-induced contraction of the epithelium-intact preparation, whereas sivelestat greatly inhibited contraction in epithelium-removed bronchial ring preparations. In LPS-treated guinea-pigs, whether the epithelium was intact or not, sivelestat significantly inhibited the substance P-induced contraction of bronchial ring preparations. Pretreatment with L-NAME (100 micromol/l) or indomethacin (2 micromol/l) did not affect the inhibitory effect of sivelestat in bronchial ring preparations. In conclusion, epithelium removal or LPS treatment induced hyperreactivity to substance P in the guinea-pig airway. Sivelestat caused epithelium-, nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-dependent inhibition of the substance P-induced contraction of isolated guinea-pig tracheal ring preparations. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of sivelestat on substance P

  18. [Expansion of secretory cells in the fallopian tubal epithelium in the early stages of the pathogenesis of ovarian serous carcinomas].

    PubMed

    Asaturova, A V; Ezhova, L S; Faizullina, N M; Adamyan, L V; Khabas, G N; Sannikova, M V

    to investigate the frequency of the types of fallopian tubal secretory cell expansion (SCE) in diseases of the reproductive organs and to determine the immunophenotype and biological role of the cells in the early stages of the pathogenesis of high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas (HGOSC). The investigation enrolled 287 patients with extraovarian diseases and ovarian serous tumors varying in grade, whose fallopian tubes were morphologically and immunohistochemically examined using p53, Ki-67, PAX2, Bcl-2, beta-catenin, and ALDH1 markers. The material was statistically processed applying the Mann-Whitney test and χ2 test. The rate of secretory cell proliferation (SCP) (more than 10 consecutive secretory cells) and that of secretory cell overgrowth (SCO) (more than 30 consecutive secretory cells) increase with age in all investigated reproductive system diseases. The rate of SCP in the corpus fimbriatum of the patients with HGOSC was 5.9 times higher than that in those with extraovarian disease (p<0.01); when comparing the same patient groups, that of SCO was 3.4 times higher (p<0.05). The immunohistochemical characteristics of the investigated lesions (in scores) were as follows: PAX2 was expressed in the intact epithelium (2.8), in SCP (1.3), in SCO (1.2), in serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) (1.0), and in HGOSC (0.9); Bcl-2 was in the intact epithelium (2.2), in SCP (2.1), STIC (0.9), and in HGOSC (0.6), β-catenin was in the intact epithelium (0.5), in SCP (2.85), in SCO (2.95), in STIC (0.6), and in HGOSC (0.5); ALDH1 was in the intact epithelium (0.5), in SCP (2.91), in SCO (2.92), in STIC (1.2), and in HGOSC (0.6). There were statistically significant differences with a 95% confidence interval (p<0.05) for: 1) PAX2 between the intact epithelium and pathology (fallopian tube lesions and HGOSC); 2) Bcl-2 between the intact epithelium and SCE (SCP and SCO) and between SCE and HGOSC; 3) beta-catenin between the intact epithelium and SCE (SCP and SCO

  19. Ovarian surface epithelium at the junction area contains a cancer-prone stem cell niche.

    PubMed

    Flesken-Nikitin, Andrea; Hwang, Chang-Il; Cheng, Chieh-Yang; Michurina, Tatyana V; Enikolopov, Grigori; Nikitin, Alexander Yu

    2013-03-14

    Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Some epithelial cancers are known to occur in transitional zones between two types of epithelium, whereas others have been shown to originate in epithelial tissue stem cells. The stem cell niche of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), which is ruptured and regenerates during ovulation, has not yet been defined unequivocally. Here we identify the hilum region of the mouse ovary, the transitional (or junction) area between the OSE, mesothelium and tubal (oviductal) epithelium, as a previously unrecognized stem cell niche of the OSE. We find that cells of the hilum OSE are cycling slowly and express stem and/or progenitor cell markers ALDH1, LGR5, LEF1, CD133 and CK6B. These cells display long-term stem cell properties ex vivo and in vivo, as shown by our serial sphere generation and long-term lineage-tracing assays. Importantly, the hilum cells show increased transformation potential after inactivation of tumour suppressor genes Trp53 and Rb1, whose pathways are altered frequently in the most aggressive and common type of human EOC, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma. Our study supports experimentally the idea that susceptibility of transitional zones to malignant transformation may be explained by the presence of stem cell niches in those areas. Identification of a stem cell niche for the OSE may have important implications for understanding EOC pathogenesis.

  20. Epithelium-Stroma Classification via Convolutional Neural Networks and Unsupervised Domain Adaptation in Histopathological Images.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yue; Zheng, Han; Liu, Chi; Ding, Xinghao; Rohde, Gustavo K

    2017-11-01

    Epithelium-stroma classification is a necessary preprocessing step in histopathological image analysis. Current deep learning based recognition methods for histology data require collection of large volumes of labeled data in order to train a new neural network when there are changes to the image acquisition procedure. However, it is extremely expensive for pathologists to manually label sufficient volumes of data for each pathology study in a professional manner, which results in limitations in real-world applications. A very simple but effective deep learning method, that introduces the concept of unsupervised domain adaptation to a simple convolutional neural network (CNN), has been proposed in this paper. Inspired by transfer learning, our paper assumes that the training data and testing data follow different distributions, and there is an adaptation operation to more accurately estimate the kernels in CNN in feature extraction, in order to enhance performance by transferring knowledge from labeled data in source domain to unlabeled data in target domain. The model has been evaluated using three independent public epithelium-stroma datasets by cross-dataset validations. The experimental results demonstrate that for epithelium-stroma classification, the proposed framework outperforms the state-of-the-art deep neural network model, and it also achieves better performance than other existing deep domain adaptation methods. The proposed model can be considered to be a better option for real-world applications in histopathological image analysis, since there is no longer a requirement for large-scale labeled data in each specified domain.

  1. Loss of Aβ-nerve endings associated with the Merkel cell-neurite complex in the lesional oral mucosa epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis.

    PubMed

    Carrión, Daniela Calderón; Korkmaz, Yüksel; Cho, Britta; Kopp, Marion; Bloch, Wilhelm; Addicks, Klaus; Niedermeier, Wilhelm

    2016-03-30

    The Merkel cell-neurite complex initiates the perception of touch and mediates Aβ slowly adapting type I responses. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with T-cell-mediated inflammation, whereas hyperkeratosis is characterized with or without epithelial dysplasia in the oral mucosa. To determine the effects of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis on the Merkel cell-neurite complex, healthy oral mucosal epithelium and lesional oral mucosal epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis patients were stained by immunohistochemistry (the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex and double immunofluorescence methods) using pan cytokeratin, cytokeratin 20 (K20, a Merkel cell marker), and neurofilament 200 (NF200, a myelinated Aβ- and Aδ-nerve fibre marker) antibodies. NF200-immunoreactive (ir) nerve fibres in healthy tissues and in the lesional oral mucosa epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis were counted and statistically analysed. In the healthy oral mucosa, K20-positive Merkel cells with and without close association to the intraepithelial NF200-ir nerve fibres were detected. In the lesional oral mucosa of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis patients, extremely rare NF200-ir nerve fibres were detected only in the lamina propria. Compared with healthy tissues, lichen planus and hyperkeratosis tissues had significantly decreased numbers of NF200-ir nerve fibres in the oral mucosal epithelium. Lichen planus and hyperkeratosis were associated with the absence of Aβ-nerve endings in the oral mucosal epithelium. Thus, we conclude that mechanosensation mediated by the Merkel cell-neurite complex in the oral mucosal epithelium is impaired in lichen planus and hyperkeratosis.

  2. Loss of Aβ-nerve endings associated with the Merkel cell-neurite complex in the lesional oral mucosa epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis

    PubMed Central

    Carrión, Daniela Calderón; Korkmaz, Yüksel; Cho, Britta; Kopp, Marion; Bloch, Wilhelm; Addicks, Klaus; Niedermeier, Wilhelm

    2016-01-01

    The Merkel cell-neurite complex initiates the perception of touch and mediates Aβ slowly adapting type I responses. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with T-cell-mediated inflammation, whereas hyperkeratosis is characterized with or without epithelial dysplasia in the oral mucosa. To determine the effects of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis on the Merkel cell-neurite complex, healthy oral mucosal epithelium and lesional oral mucosal epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis patients were stained by immunohistochemistry (the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex and double immunofluorescence methods) using pan cytokeratin, cytokeratin 20 (K20, a Merkel cell marker), and neurofilament 200 (NF200, a myelinated Aβ- and Aδ-nerve fibre marker) antibodies. NF200-immunoreactive (ir) nerve fibres in healthy tissues and in the lesional oral mucosa epithelium of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis were counted and statistically analysed. In the healthy oral mucosa, K20-positive Merkel cells with and without close association to the intraepithelial NF200-ir nerve fibres were detected. In the lesional oral mucosa of lichen planus and hyperkeratosis patients, extremely rare NF200-ir nerve fibres were detected only in the lamina propria. Compared with healthy tissues, lichen planus and hyperkeratosis tissues had significantly decreased numbers of NF200-ir nerve fibres in the oral mucosal epithelium. Lichen planus and hyperkeratosis were associated with the absence of Aβ-nerve endings in the oral mucosal epithelium. Thus, we conclude that mechanosensation mediated by the Merkel cell-neurite complex in the oral mucosal epithelium is impaired in lichen planus and hyperkeratosis. PMID:27025263

  3. Matrilysin (Matrix Metalloproteinase-7) Mediates E-Cadherin Ectodomain Shedding in Injured Lung Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    McGuire, John K.; Li, Qinglang; Parks, William C.

    2003-01-01

    Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinase-7) is highly expressed in lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and other conditions associated with airway and alveolar injury. Although matrilysin is required for closure of epithelial wounds ex vivo, the mechanism of its action in repair is unknown. We demonstrate that matrilysin mediates shedding of E-cadherin ectodomain from injured lung epithelium both in vitro and in vivo. In alveolar-like epithelial cells, transfection of activated matrilysin resulted in shedding of E-cadherin and accelerated cell migration. In vivo, matrilysin co-localized with E-cadherin at the basolateral surfaces of migrating tracheal epithelium, and the reorganization of cell-cell junctions seen in wild-type injured tissue was absent in matrilysin-null samples. E-cadherin ectodomain was shed into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of bleomycin-injured wild-type mice, but was not shed in matrilysin-null mice. These findings identify E-cadherin as a novel substrate for matrilysin and indicate that shedding of E-cadherin ectodomain is required for epithelial repair. PMID:12759241

  4. Fetal adenoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium associated with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous.

    PubMed

    Doro, S; Werblin, T P; Haas, B; Iwamoto, T; Jakobiec, F A

    1986-10-01

    A 1.5-year-old girl presented with a peripheral iris mass. When the girl was 3 years old, the lesion was excised after it had manifested significant growth. A stalk of fibrovascular tissue was noted to extend from the lesion to the optic disc. Histopathologically, the tumor was a well-circumscribed, pigmented ciliary body adenoma. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic neuroepithelial melanosomes, distinct from those of choroidal melanocytes, and occasional annulate lamellae. A fibrovascular membrane extended over the tumor surface and was adherent to lens capsule. The association of this adenoma with a persistent stalk of primary vitreous indicates a congenital origin of this tumor. Both adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelium tend to be disorders of adults. The authors report the youngest presentation of a pigment epithelium adenoma, the only well-documented case associated with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, and the only documentation of annulate lamellae in a ciliary body tumor.

  5. SCF/C-Kit/JNK/AP-1 Signaling Pathway Promotes Claudin-3 Expression in Colonic Epithelium and Colorectal Carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yaxi; Sun, Tingyi; Sun, Haimei; Yang, Shu; Li, Dandan; Zhou, Deshan

    2017-04-06

    Claudin-3 is a major protein of tight junctions (TJs) in the intestinal epithelium and is critical for maintaining cell-cell adhesion, barrier function, and epithelium polarity. Recent studies have shown high claudin-3 levels in several solid tumors, but the regulation mechanism of claudin-3 expression remains poorly understood. In the present study, colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, HT-29 and DLD-1 CRC cell lines, CRC murine model (C57BL/6 mice) and c-kit loss-of-function mutant mice were used. We demonstrated that elevated claudin-3 levels were positively correlated with highly expressed c-kit in CRC tissues based upon analysis of protein expression. In vitro, claudin-3 expression was clearly increased in CRC cells by overexpressed c-kit or stimulated by exogenous recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF), while significantly decreased by the treatment with c-kit or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assay showed that SCF/c-kit signaling significantly promoted activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding with CLDN-3 promoter and enhanced its transcription activity. Furthermore, decreased expression of claudin-3 was obtained in the colonic epithelium from the c-Kit loss-of-function mutant mice. In conclusion, SCF/c-kit-JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway significantly promoted claudin-3 expression in colonic epithelium and CRC, which could contribute to epithelial barrier function maintenance and to CRC development.

  6. Ultrastructural characteristics of carcinogen-induced nondysplastic changes in tracheal epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Klein-Szanto, A. J.; Topping, D. C.; Heckman, C. A.; Nettesheim, P.

    1980-01-01

    Nondysplastic hypotrophic and metaplastic epithelial alterations induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in isogenic tracheal transplants were studied by light and electron microscopy 3--24 months after cessation of a 4-week carcinogen exposure. Hypotrophic epithelium observed at all time points was characterized by the presence of nonciliated cells that adopted either cuboidal or squamous shapes, forming simple or bistratified epithelia. Most of these cells, as well as some metaplastic cells, exhibited features of mucin-secreting cells. The metaplastic epithelia showed nonkeratinizing squamous metaplasia, closely related to transitional metaplasia, and keratinizing squamous metaplasia, which presented either an atrophic or an acanthotic epithelium. Although many of these epithelia showed morphologic features of normal stratified epithelia, several nonkeratinizing squamous metaplasias and acanthotic keratinizing squamous metaplasias exhibited some irregularities, probably representing very early atypical ultrastructural features (ie, perinuclear concentration of tonofilament bundles, the presence of dark and clear basal epithelial cells, interruptions and alterations of the basal lamina). These features were not observed in a group of early squamous metaplasias studied for comparative purposes 2 weeks after cessation of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene exposure, which were characterized by a combination of degenerative phenomena and increased cell proliferation. Images Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 6 Figure 7 PMID:6766047

  7. Purification and characterization of factors produced by Aspergillus fumigatus which affect human ciliated respiratory epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Amitani, R; Taylor, G; Elezis, E N; Llewellyn-Jones, C; Mitchell, J; Kuze, F; Cole, P J; Wilson, R

    1995-01-01

    The mechanisms by which Aspergillus fumigatus colonizes the respiratory mucosa are unknown. Culture filtrates of eight of nine clinical isolates of A. fumigatus slowed ciliary beat frequency and damaged human respiratory epithelium in vitro. These changes appeared to occur concurrently. Culture filtrates of two clinical isolates of Candida albicans had no effect on ciliated epithelium. We have purified and characterized cilioinhibitory factors of a clinical isolate of A. fumigatus. The cilioinhibitory activity was heat labile, reduced by dialysis, and partially extractable into chloroform. The activity was associated with both high- and low-molecular-weight factors, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. A low-molecular-weight cilioinhibitory factor was further purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and shown by mass spectrometry to be gliotoxin, a known metabolite of A. fumigatus. Gliotoxin significantly slowed ciliary beat frequency in association with epithelial damage at concentrations above 0.2 microgram/ml; other Aspergillus toxins, i.e., fumagillin and helvolic acid, were also cilioinhibitory but at much higher concentrations. High-molecular-weight (> or = 35,000 and 25,000) cilioinhibitory materials had neither elastolytic nor proteolytic activity and remain to be identified. Thus, A. fumigatus produces a number of biologically active substances which slow ciliary beating and damage epithelium and which may influence colonization of the airways. PMID:7543879

  8. Purification and characterization of factors produced by Aspergillus fumigatus which affect human ciliated respiratory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Amitani, R; Taylor, G; Elezis, E N; Llewellyn-Jones, C; Mitchell, J; Kuze, F; Cole, P J; Wilson, R

    1995-09-01

    The mechanisms by which Aspergillus fumigatus colonizes the respiratory mucosa are unknown. Culture filtrates of eight of nine clinical isolates of A. fumigatus slowed ciliary beat frequency and damaged human respiratory epithelium in vitro. These changes appeared to occur concurrently. Culture filtrates of two clinical isolates of Candida albicans had no effect on ciliated epithelium. We have purified and characterized cilioinhibitory factors of a clinical isolate of A. fumigatus. The cilioinhibitory activity was heat labile, reduced by dialysis, and partially extractable into chloroform. The activity was associated with both high- and low-molecular-weight factors, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. A low-molecular-weight cilioinhibitory factor was further purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and shown by mass spectrometry to be gliotoxin, a known metabolite of A. fumigatus. Gliotoxin significantly slowed ciliary beat frequency in association with epithelial damage at concentrations above 0.2 microgram/ml; other Aspergillus toxins, i.e., fumagillin and helvolic acid, were also cilioinhibitory but at much higher concentrations. High-molecular-weight (> or = 35,000 and 25,000) cilioinhibitory materials had neither elastolytic nor proteolytic activity and remain to be identified. Thus, A. fumigatus produces a number of biologically active substances which slow ciliary beating and damage epithelium and which may influence colonization of the airways.

  9. Endolymphatic Sodium Homeostasis by Extramacular Epithelium of the Saccule

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Sung Huhn

    2009-01-01

    The saccule is a vestibular sensory organ that depends upon regulation of its luminal fluid, endolymph, for normal transduction of linear acceleration into afferent neural transmission. Previous studies suggested that endolymph in the saccule was merely derived from cochlear endolymph. We developed and used a preparation of isolated mouse saccule to measure transepithelial currents from the extramacular epithelium with a current density probe. The direction and pharmacology of transepithelial current was consistent with Na+ absorption by the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and was blocked by the ENaC-specific inhibitors benzamil and amiloride. Involvement of Na+,K+-ATPase and K+ channels was demonstrated by reduction of the current by ouabain and the K+ channel blockers Ba2+, XE991, and 4-AP. Glucocorticoids upregulated the current via glucocorticoid receptors. Dexamethasone stimulated the current after 24 h and the stimulation was blocked by mifepristone but not spironolactone. No acute response was observed to elevated cAMP in the presence of amiloride nor to bumetanide, a blocker of Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter. The results are consistent with a canonical model of corticosteroid-regulated Na+ absorption that includes entry of luminal Na+ through apical membrane Na+ channels and active basolateral exit of Na+ via a Na+ pump, with recycling of K+ at the basolateral membrane via K+-permeable channels. These observations provide our first understanding of the active role played by saccular epithelium in the local regulation of the [Na+] of endolymph for maintenance of our sense of balance. PMID:20016101

  10. Msx homeobox genes critically regulate embryo implantation by controlling paracrine signaling between uterine stroma and epithelium.

    PubMed

    Nallasamy, Shanmugasundaram; Li, Quanxi; Bagchi, Milan K; Bagchi, Indrani C

    2012-01-01

    The mammalian Msx homeobox genes, Msx1 and Msx2, encode transcription factors that control organogenesis and tissue interactions during embryonic development. We observed overlapping expression of these factors in uterine epithelial and stromal compartments of pregnant mice prior to embryo implantation. Conditional ablation of both Msx1 and Msx2 in the uterus resulted in female infertility due to a failure in implantation. In these mutant mice (Msx1/2(d/d)), the uterine epithelium exhibited persistent proliferative activity and failed to attach to the embryos. Gene expression profiling of uterine epithelium and stroma of Msx1/2(d/d) mice revealed an elevated expression of several members of the Wnt gene family in the preimplantation uterus. Increased canonical Wnt signaling in the stromal cells activated β-catenin, stimulating the production of a subset of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in these cells. The secreted FGFs acted in a paracrine manner via the FGF receptors in the epithelium to promote epithelial proliferation, thereby preventing differentiation of this tissue and creating a non-receptive uterus refractory to implantation. Collectively, these findings delineate a unique signaling network, involving Msx1/2, Wnts, and FGFs, which operate in the uterus at the time of implantation to control the mesenchymal-epithelial dialogue critical for successful establishment of pregnancy.

  11. Bacterial Population Adherent to the Epithelium on the Roo of the Dorsal Rumen of Sheep †

    PubMed Central

    Dehority, Burk A.; Grubb, Jean A.

    1981-01-01

    By anaerobic procedures, the total number of adherent bacteria was determined on tissue samples obtained from the roof of the dorsal rumen of three sheep. After four washings, 1.91 × 107, 0.34 × 107, and 1.23 × 107 bacteria per cm2 were still attached to the rumen epithelium in sheep 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A total of 95 strains of bacteria were isolated from these three samples. Based on morphology, Gram stain, anaerobiosis, motility, and fermentation end products, they were presumptively identified as follows: Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, 30 strains; atypical Butyrivibrio, 5 strains; Bacteroides ruminicola, 22 strains; Lactobacillus, 1 strain; and unknown Bacteroides species, 37 strains. For sheep 3, washing the rumen epithelium a total of 10 times reduced the adherent bacterial population by 93% (8.4 × 105 bacteria per cm2). Of 30 strains isolated from this sample, 22 were presumptively identified as Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides types. These results suggest that the epithelium on the roof of the dorsal rumen is primarily colonized by two genera of bacteria, Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides. Most Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides ruminicola strains appeared to be similar to previously isolated rumen strains. However, the unknown Bacteroides species differed considerably from the three species of this genus which are commonly isolated from rumen contents. PMID:16345797

  12. HIV Impairs Lung Epithelial Integrity and Enters the Epithelium to Promote Chronic Lung Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Brune, Kieran A; Ferreira, Fernanda; Mandke, Pooja; Chau, Eric; Aggarwal, Neil R; D'Alessio, Franco R; Lambert, Allison A; Kirk, Gregory; Blankson, Joel; Drummond, M Bradley; Tsibris, Athe M; Sidhaye, Venkataramana K

    2016-01-01

    Several clinical studies show that individuals with HIV are at an increased risk for worsened lung function and for the development of COPD, although the mechanism underlying this increased susceptibility is poorly understood. The airway epithelium, situated at the interface between the external environment and the lung parenchyma, acts as a physical and immunological barrier that secretes mucins and cytokines in response to noxious stimuli which can contribute to the pathobiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We sought to determine the effects of HIV on the lung epithelium. We grew primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and primary lung epithelial cells isolated from bronchial brushings of patients to confluence and allowed them to differentiate at an air- liquid interface (ALI) to assess the effects of HIV on the lung epithelium. We assessed changes in monolayer permeability as well as the expression of E-cadherin and inflammatory modulators to determine the effect of HIV on the lung epithelium. We measured E-cadherin protein abundance in patients with HIV compared to normal controls. Cell associated HIV RNA and DNA were quantified and the p24 viral antigen was measured in culture supernatant. Surprisingly, X4, not R5, tropic virus decreased expression of E-cadherin and increased monolayer permeability. While there was some transcriptional regulation of E-cadherin, there was significant increase in lysosome-mediated protein degradation in cells exposed to X4 tropic HIV. Interaction with CXCR4 and viral fusion with the epithelial cell were required to induce the epithelial changes. X4 tropic virus was able to enter the airway epithelial cells but not replicate in these cells, while R5 tropic viruses did not enter the epithelial cells. Significantly, X4 tropic HIV induced the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We demonstrate that HIV can enter airway

  13. Colonization of the Stratified Squamous Epithelium of the Nonsecreting Area of Horse Stomach by Lactobacilli

    PubMed Central

    Yuki, Norikatsu; Shimazaki, Tomoko; Kushiro, Akira; Watanabe, Koichi; Uchida, Kazumi; Yuyama, Teruhiko; Morotomi, Masami

    2000-01-01

    Selective adhesion to only certain epithelia is particularly common among the bacterial members of the indigenous microflora of mammals. We have found that the stratified squamous epithelium of the nonsecreting area of horse stomach is colonized by gram-positive rods. The microscopic features of a dense layer of these bacteria on the epithelium were found to be similar to those reported in mice, rats, and swine. Adhering microorganisms were isolated and identified as Lactobacillus salivarius, L. crispatus, L. reuteri, and L. agilis by DNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques. These lactobacilli associated with the horse, except for L. reuteri, were found to adhere to horse epithelial cells in vitro but not to those of rats. A symbiotic relationship of these lactobacilli with the horse is suggested. PMID:11055960

  14. Differences in adhesion of Candida albicans 3153A cells exhibiting switch phenotypes to buccal epithelium and stratum corneum.

    PubMed

    Vargas, K; Wertz, P W; Drake, D; Morrow, B; Soll, D R

    1994-04-01

    Cells of the laboratory strain 3153A of Candida albicans can be stimulated to undergo high-frequency phenotypic switching by a low dose of UV. We have compared the adhesive properties of cells exhibiting the basic original smooth (o-smooth) phenotype and three switch phenotypes (star, irregular wrinkle, and revertant smooth) to buccal epithelium and stratum corneum. The generalized hierarchy of adhesion is as follows: o-smooth > irregular wrinkle > revertant smooth > star. This is the inverse of the hierarchy of the proportions of elongate hyphae formed by these phenotypes in culture. These results suggest that the differences in adhesion between o-smooth and the three switch phenotypes of strain 3153A reflect, at least in part, the level of interference due to the formation of elongate hyphae, which tend to cause clumping in suspension. No major differences in the levels of adhesion of cells of the different phenotypes between buccal epithelium and stratum corneum were observed. Results which demonstrate that buccal epithelium induces germination (hypha formation) by conditioning the medium are also presented.

  15. Microbiota promote secretory cell determination in the intestinal epithelium by modulating host Notch signaling.

    PubMed

    Troll, Joshua V; Hamilton, M Kristina; Abel, Melissa L; Ganz, Julia; Bates, Jennifer M; Stephens, W Zac; Melancon, Ellie; van der Vaart, Michiel; Meijer, Annemarie H; Distel, Martin; Eisen, Judith S; Guillemin, Karen

    2018-02-23

    Resident microbes promote many aspects of host development, although the mechanisms by which microbiota influence host tissues remain unclear. We showed previously that the microbiota is required for allocation of appropriate numbers of secretory cells in the zebrafish intestinal epithelium. Because Notch signaling is crucial for secretory fate determination, we conducted epistasis experiments to establish whether the microbiota modulates host Notch signaling. We also investigated whether innate immune signaling transduces microbiota cues via the Myd88 adaptor protein. We provide the first evidence that microbiota-induced, Myd88-dependent signaling inhibits host Notch signaling in the intestinal epithelium, thereby promoting secretory cell fate determination. These results connect microbiota activity via innate immune signaling to the Notch pathway, which also plays crucial roles in intestinal homeostasis throughout life and when impaired can result in chronic inflammation and cancer. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  16. Candida tropicalis biofilm and human epithelium invasion is highly influenced by environmental pH.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Carina; Gonçalves, Bruna; Vilas Boas, Diana; Oliveira, Hugo; Henriques, Mariana; Azeredo, Joana; Silva, Sónia

    2016-11-01

    The main goal of this study was to investigate the role of pH on Candida tropicalis virulence determinants, namely the ability to form biofilms and to colonize/invade reconstituted human vaginal epithelia. Biofilm formation was evaluated by enumeration of cultivable cells, total biomass quantification and structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Candida tropicalis human vaginal epithelium colonization and invasiveness were examined qualitatively by epifluorescence microscopy and quantitatively by a novel quantitative real-time PCR protocol for Candida quantification in tissues. The results revealed that environmental pH influences C. tropicalis biofilm formation as well as the colonization and potential to invade human epithelium with intensification at neutral and alkaline conditions compared to acidic conditions. For the first time, we have demonstrated that C. tropicalis biofilm formation and invasion is highly influenced by environmental pH. © Crown copyright 2016.

  17. Ubiquitin modifications

    PubMed Central

    Swatek, Kirby N; Komander, David

    2016-01-01

    Protein ubiquitination is a dynamic multifaceted post-translational modification involved in nearly all aspects of eukaryotic biology. Once attached to a substrate, the 76-amino acid protein ubiquitin is subjected to further modifications, creating a multitude of distinct signals with distinct cellular outcomes, referred to as the 'ubiquitin code'. Ubiquitin can be ubiquitinated on seven lysine (Lys) residues or on the N-terminus, leading to polyubiquitin chains that can encompass complex topologies. Alternatively or in addition, ubiquitin Lys residues can be modified by ubiquitin-like molecules (such as SUMO or NEDD8). Finally, ubiquitin can also be acetylated on Lys, or phosphorylated on Ser, Thr or Tyr residues, and each modification has the potential to dramatically alter the signaling outcome. While the number of distinctly modified ubiquitin species in cells is mind-boggling, much progress has been made to characterize the roles of distinct ubiquitin modifications, and many enzymes and receptors have been identified that create, recognize or remove these ubiquitin modifications. We here provide an overview of the various ubiquitin modifications present in cells, and highlight recent progress on ubiquitin chain biology. We then discuss the recent findings in the field of ubiquitin acetylation and phosphorylation, with a focus on Ser65-phosphorylation and its role in mitophagy and Parkin activation. PMID:27012465

  18. Neuropilin 1 Receptor Is Up-Regulated in Dysplastic Epithelium and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Shahrabi-Farahani, Shokoufeh; Gallottini, Marina; Martins, Fabiana; Li, Erik; Mudge, Dayna R; Nakayama, Hironao; Hida, Kyoko; Panigrahy, Dipak; D'Amore, Patricia A; Bielenberg, Diane R

    2016-04-01

    Neuropilins are receptors for disparate ligands, including proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibitory class 3 semaphorin (SEMA3) family members. Differentiated cells in skin epithelium and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma highly express the neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor. We examined the expression of NRP1 in human and mouse oral mucosa. NRP1 was significantly up-regulated in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). NRP1 receptor localized to the outer suprabasal epithelial layers in normal tongue, an expression pattern similar to the normal skin epidermis. However, dysplastic tongue epithelium and OSCC up-regulated NRP1 in basal and proliferating epithelial layers, a profile unseen in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. NRP1 up-regulation is observed in a mouse carcinogen-induced OSCC model and in human tongue OSCC biopsies. Human OSCC cell lines express NRP1 protein in vitro and in mouse tongue xenografts. Sites of capillary infiltration into orthotopic OSCC tumors correlate with high NRP1 expression. HSC3 xenografts, which express the highest NRP1 levels of the cell lines examined, showed massive intratumoral lymphangiogenesis. SEMA3A inhibited OSCC cell migration, suggesting that the NRP1 receptor was bioactive in OSCC. In conclusion, NRP1 is regulated in the oral epithelium and is selectively up-regulated during epithelial dysplasia. NRP1 may function as a reservoir to sequester proangiogenic ligands within the neoplastic compartment, thereby recruiting neovessels toward tumor cells. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer by Tumor Epithelium-Targeted Molecular Ultrasound

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-10-01

    successful pregnancy outcome. *PIF Proprietary G-12 IL-33-responsive group 2 innate lymphoid cells are present in mouse uterine tissue and may play roles in... innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) that are responsive to IL-33 drive helminth immunity, type 2 immune responses, and tissue pathology and homeostasis in...16 (IL-16) secreted by immune cells . Inflammation of the ovary and tubal epithelium due to frequent ovulation leads to the development of oxidative

  20. Luminal epithelium in endometrial fragments affects their vascularization, growth and morphological development into endometriosis-like lesions in mice.

    PubMed

    Feng, Dilu; Menger, Michael D; Wang, Hongbo; Laschke, Matthias W

    2014-02-01

    In endometriosis research, endometriosis-like lesions are usually induced in rodents by transplantation of isolated endometrial tissue fragments to ectopic sites. In the present study, we investigated whether this approach is affected by the cellular composition of the grafts. For this purpose, endometrial tissue fragments covered with luminal epithelium (LE(+)) and without luminal epithelium (LE(-)) were transplanted from transgenic green-fluorescent-protein-positive (GFP(+)) donor mice into the dorsal skinfold chamber of GFP(-) wild-type recipient animals to analyze their vascularization, growth and morphology by means of repetitive intravital fluorescence microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry during a 14-day observation period. LE(-) fragments developed into typical endometriosis-like lesions with cyst-like dilated endometrial glands and a well-vascularized endometrial stroma. In contrast, LE(+) fragments exhibited a polypoid morphology and a significantly reduced blood perfusion after engraftment, because the luminal epithelium prevented the vascular interconnection with the microvasculature of the surrounding host tissue. This was associated with a markedly decreased growth rate of LE(+) lesions compared with LE(-) lesions. In addition, we found that many GFP(+) microvessels grew outside the LE(-) lesions and developed interconnections to the host microvasculature, indicating that inosculation is an important mechanism in the vascularization process of endometriosis-like lesions. Our findings demonstrate that the luminal epithelium crucially affects the vascularization, growth and morphology of endometriosis-like lesions. Therefore, it is of major importance to standardize the cellular composition of endometrial grafts in order to increase the validity and reliability of pre-clinical rodent studies in endometriosis research.

  1. The effects of hypoxia on active ionic transport processes in the gill epithelium of hyperregulating crab, Carcinus maneas.

    PubMed

    Lucu, Čedomil; Ziegler, Andreas

    2017-09-01

    Effects of hypoxia on the osmorespiratory functions of the posterior gills of the shore crab Carcinus maenas acclimated to 12ppt seawater (DSW) were studied. Short-circuit current (Isc) across the hemilamella (one epithelium layer supported by cuticle) was substantially reduced under exposure to 1.6, 2.0, or 2.5mg O 2 /L hypoxic saline (both sides of epithelium) and fully recovered after reoxygenation. Isc was reduced equally in the epithelium exposed to 1.6mg O 2 /L on both sides and when the apical side was oxygenated and the basolateral side solely exposed to hypoxia. Under 1.6mg O 2 /L, at the level of maximum inhibition of Isc, conductance was decreased from 40.0mScm -2 to 34.7mScm -2 and fully recovered after reoxygenation. Isc inhibition under hypoxia and reduced 86 Rb + (K + ) fluxes across apically located K + channels were caused preferentially by reversible inhibition of basolaterally located and ouabain sensitive Na + ,K + -ATPase mediated electrogenic transport. Reversible inhibition of Isc is discussed as decline in active transport energy supply down regulating metabolic processes and saving energy during oxygen deprivation. In response to a 4day exposure of Carcinus to 2.0mg O 2 /L, hemolymph Na + and Cl - concentration decreased, i.e. hyperosmoregulation was weakened. Variations of the oxygen concentration level and exposure time to hypoxia lead to an increase of the surface of mitochondria per epithelium area and might in part compensate for the decrease in oxygen availability under hypoxic conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Simultaneous LFA-1 and CD40 ligand antagonism prevents airway remodeling in orthotopic airway transplantation: implications for the role of respiratory epithelium as a modulator of fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Murakawa, Tomohiro; Kerklo, Michelle M; Zamora, Martin R; Wei, Yi; Gill, Ronald G; Henson, Peter M; Grover, Frederick L; Nicolls, Mark R

    2005-04-01

    Airway remodeling is a prominent feature of certain immune-mediated lung diseases such as asthma and chronic lung transplant rejection. Under conditions of airway inflammation, the respiratory epithelium may serve an important role in this remodeling process. Given the proposed role of respiratory epithelium in nonspecific injury models, we investigated the respiratory epithelium in an immune-specific orthotopic airway transplant model. MHC-mismatched tracheal transplants in mice were used to generate alloimmune-mediated airway lesions. Attenuation of this immune injury and alteration of antidonor reactivity were achieved by the administration of combined anti-LFA-1/anti-CD40L mAbs. By contrast, without immunotherapy, transplanted airways remodeled with a flattening of respiratory epithelium and significant subepithelial fibrosis. Unopposed alloimmune injury for 10 days was associated with subsequent epithelial transformation and subepithelial fibrosis that could not be reversed with immunotherapy. The relining of donor airways with recipient-derived epithelium was delayed with immunotherapy resulting in partially chimeric airways by 28 days. Partial chimerism was sufficient to prevent luminal fibrosis. However, epithelial chimerism was also associated with airway remodeling. Therefore, there appears to be an intimate relationship between the morphology and level of chimerism of the respiratory epithelium and the degree of airway remodeling following alloimmune injury.

  3. Isolation and functional studies of human fetal gastric epithelium in primary culture.

    PubMed

    Chailler, Pierre; Beaulieu, Jean-François; Ménard, Daniel

    2012-01-01

    Our understanding of gastric epithelial physiology in man is limited by the absence of normal or appropriate cancer cell lines that could serve as an in vitro model. Research mostly relied on primary culture of gastric epithelial cells of animal species, enriched with surface mucous cells, and devoid of glandular zymogenic chief cells. We successfully applied a new nonenzymatic procedure using Matrisperse Cell Recovery Solution to dissociate the entire epithelium from human fetal stomach. Cultures were generated by seeding multicellular aggregates prepared by mechanical fragmentation. We further demonstrate that this simple and convenient technique allows for the maintenance of heterogenous gastric epithelial primary cultures on plastic without a biological matrix as well as the persistence of viable chief cells able to synthesize and secrete gastric digestive enzymes, i.e., pepsinogen and gastric lipase. In wounding experiments, epithelial restitution occurred in serum-reduced conditions and was modulated by exogenous agents. This culture system is thus representative of the foveolus-gland axis and offers new perspectives to establish the influence of individual growth factors and extracellular matrix components as well as their combinatory effects on gastric epithelium homeostasis.

  4. Radon induced hyperplasia: effective adaptation reducing the local doses in the bronchial epithelium.

    PubMed

    Madas, Balázs G

    2016-09-01

    There is experimental and histological evidence that chronic irritation and cell death may cause hyperplasia in the exposed tissue. As the heterogeneous deposition of inhaled radon progeny results in high local doses at the peak of the bronchial bifurcations, it was proposed earlier that hyperplasia occurs in these deposition hot spots upon chronic radon exposure. The objective of the present study is to quantify how the induction of basal cell hyperplasia modulates the microdosimetric consequences of a given radon exposure. For this purpose, computational epithelium models were constructed with spherical cell nuclei of six different cell types based on histological data. Basal cell hyperplasia was modelled by epithelium models with additional basal cells and increased epithelium thickness. Microdosimetry for alpha-particles was performed by an own-developed Monte-Carlo code. Results show that the average tissue dose, and the average hit number and dose of basal cells decrease by the increase of the measure of hyperplasia. Hit and dose distribution reveal that the induction of hyperplasia may result in a basal cell pool which is shielded from alpha-radiation. It highlights that the exposure history affects the microdosimetric consequences of a present exposure, while the biological and health effects may also depend on previous exposures. The induction of hyperplasia can be considered as a radioadaptive response at the tissue level. Such an adaptation of the tissue challenges the validity of the application of the dose and dose rate effectiveness factor from a mechanistic point of view. As the location of radiosensitive target cells may change due to previous exposures, dosimetry models considering the tissue geometry characteristic of normal conditions may be inappropriate for dose estimation in case of protracted exposures. As internal exposures are frequently chronic, such changes in tissue geometry may be highly relevant for other incorporated radionuclides.

  5. Assessment of conjunctival epithelium after severe burns and surgical reconstruction with Tenon plasty by means of a modified impression cytology procedure.

    PubMed

    Reim, M; Becker, J; Genser, C; Salla, S

    1998-07-01

    Tenon plasty has been used to reconstruct the conjunctival surface in severe burns in which ischemic sclera was exposed or undergoing ulceration. A modified impression cytology procedure was applied to investigate the conjunctival epithelium. The quality of the regenerated epithelium on the advanced Tenon sheets was assessed. The 63 conjunctival samples of eye-burn patients were investigated. Among these, 41 patients had very severe bums. Conjunctival samples were collected from 6 weeks after surgery to 5 years after the accident. They were compared with conjunctival epithelia obtained from 53 normal eyes of healthy volunteers. A 25-mm2 Biopore membrane (Millipore Catalogue PICM 01250) was placed on the bulbar conjunctiva surface in the lower temporal quadrant, at a distance of 3-5 mm from the limbus, till it was soaked with fluid. The ablated cell sheets were stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). In all cases, an intact conjunctival epithelium was observed. In healthy eyes, 2,338 epithelial cells/mm2 and 155 goblet cells/ mm2 were found. Eyes after a surgical reconstruction with Tenon plasty resulted only in 1,575 epithelial cells/mm2 and 72 goblet cells/mm2. The differences were highly significant. The ratio of epithelial to goblet cell counts revealed an increase of goblet cells during the postoperative period. Conjunctival epithelium as well as goblet cell densities were reduced after heat, lime, alkali, and acid burns. However, after concrete burns, cell densities were increased. Tenon plasty provided the regeneration of the fully intact conjunctival epithelium. Goblet cells were present from 6 weeks after the surgery on; their number increased gradually. The stimulation of the goblet cell mucous secretion is discussed.

  6. Langerhans cells from human oral epithelium are more effective at stimulating allogeneic T cells in vitro than Langerhans cells from skin.

    PubMed

    Hasséus, B; Jontell, M; Bergenholtz, G; Dahlgren, U I

    2004-06-01

    This report is focused on the functional capacity of Langerhans cells (LC) in the epithelium of skin and oral mucosa, which both meet different antigenic challenges. The capacity of LC from human oral and skin epithelium to provide co-stimulatory signals to T cells in vitro was compared. LC in a crude suspension of oral epithelial cells had a significantly enhanced T cell co-stimulatory capacity compared to skin epithelial cells. This applied both to cultures with concanavalin A (con-A)-stimulated syngeneic T cells and to a mixed epithelial cell lymphocyte reaction involving allogeneic T cells. The co-stimulatory capacity of oral and skin epithelial cells was reduced by >70% if monoclonal antibodies against HLA-DR, -DP and -DQ were added to the cultures with allogeneic T cells, indicating the involvement of HLA class II expressing LC. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 6% of the epithelial cells were CD1a + LC in sections from both oral and skin epithelium. Interleukin (IL)-8 production was higher in cultures of oral epithelial cells and con-A stimulated T cells than in corresponding cultures with skin epithelial cells as accessory cells. The results suggest that LC in human oral epithelium are more efficient at stimulating T cells than those of skin.

  7. Interferon-gamma increased epithelial barrier function via upregulating claudin-7 expression in human submandibular gland duct epithelium.

    PubMed

    Abe, Ayumi; Takano, Kenichi; Kojima, Takashi; Nomura, Kazuaki; Kakuki, Takuya; Kaneko, Yakuto; Yamamoto, Motohisa; Takahashi, Hiroki; Himi, Tetsuo

    2016-06-01

    Tight junctions (TJs) are necessary for salivary gland function and may serve as indicators of salivary gland epithelial dysfunction. IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized fibro-inflammatory condition which disrupts the TJ associated epithelial barrier. The salivary glands are one of the most frequently involved organs in IgG4-RD, however, changes of the TJ associated epithelial barrier in salivary gland duct epithelium is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the regulation and function of TJs in human submandibular gland ductal epithelial cells (HSDECs) in normal and IgG4-RD. We examined submandibular gland (SMG) tissue from eight control individuals and 22 patients with IgG4-RD and established an HSDEC culture system. Immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were performed. Claudin-4, claudin-7, occludin, and JAM-A were expressed at the apical side of the duct epithelium in submandibular gland (SMG) tissue and at the cell borders in HSDECs of normal and IgG4-RD. The expression and distribution of TJs in SMG tissue were not different in control individuals and patients with IgG4-RD in vivo and in vitro. Although interferon-gamma (IFNγ) generally disrupts the integrity and function of TJs, as manifested by decreased epithelial barrier function, IFNγ markedly increased the epithelial barrier function of HSDECs via upregulation of claudin-7 expression in HSDECs from patients with IgG4-RD. This is the first report showing an IFNγ-dependent increase in epithelial barrier function in the salivary gland duct epithelium. Our results provide insights into the functional significance of TJs in salivary gland duct epithelium in physiological and pathological conditions, including IgG4-RD.

  8. The chronicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis: the microbium, the human oral epithelium and their interplay

    PubMed Central

    Yilmaz, Özlem

    2009-01-01

    The microbiota of the human oral mucosa consists of a myriad of bacterial species that normally exist in commensal harmony with the host. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an aetiological agent in severe forms of periodontitis (a chronic inflammatory disease), is a prominent component of the oral microbiome and a successful colonizer of the oral epithelium. This Gram-negative anaerobe can also exist within the host epithelium without the existence of overt disease. Gingival epithelial cells, the outer lining of the gingival mucosa, which function as an important part of the innate immune system, are among the first host cells colonized by P. gingivalis. This review describes recent studies implicating the co-existence and intracellular adaptation of the organism in these target host cells. Specifically, recent findings on the putative mechanisms of persistence, intercellular dissemination and opportunism are highlighted. These new findings may also represent an original and valuable model for mechanistic characterization of other successful host-adapted, self-limiting, persistent intracellular bacteria in human epithelial tissues. PMID:18832296

  9. The chronicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis: the microbium, the human oral epithelium and their interplay.

    PubMed

    Yilmaz, Ozlem

    2008-10-01

    The microbiota of the human oral mucosa consists of a myriad of bacterial species that normally exist in commensal harmony with the host. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an aetiological agent in severe forms of periodontitis (a chronic inflammatory disease), is a prominent component of the oral microbiome and a successful colonizer of the oral epithelium. This Gram-negative anaerobe can also exist within the host epithelium without the existence of overt disease. Gingival epithelial cells, the outer lining of the gingival mucosa, which function as an important part of the innate immune system, are among the first host cells colonized by P. gingivalis. This review describes recent studies implicating the co-existence and intracellular adaptation of the organism in these target host cells. Specifically, recent findings on the putative mechanisms of persistence, intercellular dissemination and opportunism are highlighted. These new findings may also represent an original and valuable model for mechanistic characterization of other successful host-adapted, self-limiting, persistent intracellular bacteria in human epithelial tissues.

  10. Msx Homeobox Genes Critically Regulate Embryo Implantation by Controlling Paracrine Signaling between Uterine Stroma and Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Nallasamy, Shanmugasundaram; Li, Quanxi; Bagchi, Milan K.; Bagchi, Indrani C.

    2012-01-01

    The mammalian Msx homeobox genes, Msx1 and Msx2, encode transcription factors that control organogenesis and tissue interactions during embryonic development. We observed overlapping expression of these factors in uterine epithelial and stromal compartments of pregnant mice prior to embryo implantation. Conditional ablation of both Msx1 and Msx2 in the uterus resulted in female infertility due to a failure in implantation. In these mutant mice (Msx1/2 d/d), the uterine epithelium exhibited persistent proliferative activity and failed to attach to the embryos. Gene expression profiling of uterine epithelium and stroma of Msx1/2 d/d mice revealed an elevated expression of several members of the Wnt gene family in the preimplantation uterus. Increased canonical Wnt signaling in the stromal cells activated β-catenin, stimulating the production of a subset of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in these cells. The secreted FGFs acted in a paracrine manner via the FGF receptors in the epithelium to promote epithelial proliferation, thereby preventing differentiation of this tissue and creating a non-receptive uterus refractory to implantation. Collectively, these findings delineate a unique signaling network, involving Msx1/2, Wnts, and FGFs, which operate in the uterus at the time of implantation to control the mesenchymal-epithelial dialogue critical for successful establishment of pregnancy. PMID:22383889

  11. Spatial pattern of receptor expression in the olfactory epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Nef, P; Hermans-Borgmeyer, I; Artières-Pin, H; Beasley, L; Dionne, V E; Heinemann, S F

    1992-01-01

    A PCR-based strategy for amplifying putative receptors involved in murine olfaction was employed to isolate a member (OR3) of the seven-transmembrane-domain receptor superfamily. During development, the first cells that express OR3 appear adjacent to the wall of the telencephalic vesicle at embryonic day 10. The OR3 receptor is uniquely expressed in a subset of olfactory cells that have a characteristic bilateral symmetry in the adult olfactory epithelium. This receptor and its specific pattern of expression may serve a functional role in odor coding or, alternatively, may play a role in the development of the olfactory system. Images PMID:1384038

  12. Diet, Microbiome, and the Intestinal Epithelium: An Essential Triumvirate?

    PubMed Central

    Guzman, Javier Rivera; Conlin, Victoria Susan; Jobin, Christian

    2013-01-01

    The intestinal epithelium represents a critical barrier protecting the host against diverse luminal noxious agents, as well as preventing the uncontrolled uptake of bacteria that could activate an immune response in a susceptible host. The epithelial monolayer that constitutes this barrier is regulated by a meshwork of proteins that orchestrate complex biological function such as permeability, transepithelial electrical resistance, and movement of various macromolecules. Because of its key role in maintaining host homeostasis, factors regulating barrier function have attracted sustained attention from the research community. This paper will address the role of bacteria, bacterial-derived metabolism, and the interplay of dietary factors in controlling intestinal barrier function. PMID:23586037

  13. Immunohistochemical localization of thrombomodulin in the stratified epithelium of the rat is restricted to the keratinizing epidermis.

    PubMed

    Daimon, T; Nakano, M

    1999-12-01

    The expression and function of thrombomodulin (TM), an endothelial cofactor protein for thrombin-mediated protein C activation, in the epithelium are not fully characterized. This report describes the distribution and localization of TM in the various types of epithelia in the rat by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. TM showed a limited distribution and was expressed by the keratinizing stratified epithelia of the skin, tongue, and esophagus, but was not present on the non-keratinizing epithelia of the vagina, ureter, trachea, stomach, or gut. An identical pattern of TM expression was seen in mucocutaneous junctions, transitional zones from a non-keratinizing stratified epithelium to a keratinizing epithelium at the edge of the eyelid and in the anal canal. As the keratinization of the stratified epithelia proceeded, the staining intensity increased in the transitional zones. Within the keratinizing stratified epithelia, TM staining was limited to the keratinocytes of the spinous layer, the spinous cells. The subcellular localization of TM on the spinous cells was restricted to the plasma membrane facing the intercellular spaces. TM was not detectable on the desmosomes or the two membranes making up the junction, presumably the nexus. The functional significance of TM in keratinizing epithelia is discussed.

  14. Origin of Ameloblastoma From Basal Cells of the Oral Epithelium- Establishing the Relation Using Neuroectodermal Markers

    PubMed Central

    Suneela, S; Narayan, T V; Shreedhar, Balasundari; Mohanty, Leeky; Shenoy, Sadhana; Swaminathan, Uma

    2014-01-01

    Background and Objectives: Basal cell layer of the oral epithelium has been rightfully regarded as a potential source of odontogenic tumours and cysts, but, without substantial evidence. Also, whether the basal cell layer retains within it, some properties of ectomesenchyme, which was imbibed during the early embryogenesis and hence its neuroectodermal relation, is not known. Here, an attempt is made to establish the hidden neuroectodermal potential of the oral epithelium, especially the basal layer, by observing the expression of known neuroectodermal markers, NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase), Synaptophysin and CD99. The expression of the same markers has also been studied in Ameloblastoma, connecting it with oral epithelium, in turn establishing basal cell layer as a potential source of Ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods: Sections of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue samples of 20 cases of Ameloblastoma and 10 cases of Normal Retromolar mucosa, were stained immunohistochemically with NSE, Synaptophysin, CD99 and also with CK-19 and evaluated for positive expression. Results: Positive reaction was obtained in all the cases of Ameloblastoma and NRM (Normal Retromolar mucosa) with NSE, all the cases of Ameloblastoma and eight cases of NRM with Synaptophysin and in six cases of Ameloblastoma and NRM with CD99. The staining was diffuse and more marked in case of NSE than Synaptophysin and CD99. CK19 staining done to assure that the tissue antigenicity was maintained was positive in all the samples. Interpretation and Conclusion: A strong relationship between the neuroectoderm, Ameloblastoma and the basal layer of the oral epithelium is established by the study. It favours the hypothesis that the basal cell layer of oral mucosa may be the sought out culprit in most cases of the Ameloblastomas, especially those occurring in the non-tooth bearing area. This would call for the need to incorporate additional therapy in the form of mucosal striping along with the

  15. APR-246/PRIMA-1Met Inhibits and Reverses Squamous Metaplasia in Human Conjunctival Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Li, Jing; Li, Cheng; Wang, Guoliang; Liu, Zhen; Chen, Pei; Yang, Qichen; Dong, Nuo; Wu, Huping; Liu, Zuguo; Li, Wei

    2016-02-01

    Squamous metaplasia is a common pathologic condition in ocular surface diseases for which there is no therapeutic medication in clinic. In this study, we investigated the effect of a small molecule, APR-246/PRIMA-1(Met), on squamous metaplasia in human conjunctival epithelium. Human conjunctival explants were cultured for up to 12 days under airlifting conditions. Epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation were assessed by Cytokeratin 10 (K10), K14, K19, Pax6, MUC5AC, and p63 immunostaining patterns. β-catenin and TCF-4 immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR characterized Wnt signaling pathway involvement. Pterygium clinical samples were cultured under airlifting conditions with or without APR-246 for 4 days. p63, K10, β-catenin, and TCF-4 expression in pterygial epithelium was determined by immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR. Airlift conjunctival explants resulted in increased stratification and intrastromal epithelial invagination. Such pathology was accompanied by increases in K10, K14, and p63 expression, whereas K19 and Pax6 levels declined when compared to those in freshly isolated tissue. On the other hand, APR-246 reversed all of these declines in K10, K14, and p63 expression. Furthermore, K19 and Pax6 increased along with rises in goblet cell density. These effects of APR-246 were accompanied by near restoration of normal conjunctival epithelial histology. APR-246 also reversed squamous metaplasia in pterygial epithelium that had developed after 4 days in ex vivo culture. Reductions in squamous metaplasia induced by APR-246 suggest it may provide a novel therapeutic approach in different squamous metaplasia-associated ocular surface diseases.

  16. Chlamydia trachomatis Is Responsible for Lipid Vacuolation in the Amniotic Epithelium of Fetal Gastroschisis.

    PubMed

    Feldkamp, Marcia L; Ward, Diane M; Pysher, Theodore J; Chambers, Christina T

    2017-07-17

    Vacuolated amniotic epithelium with lipid droplets in gastroschisis placentas is an unusual finding. Mass spectrometry of lipid droplets identified triglycerides, ester-linked to an unusual pattern of fatty acids. We hypothesize that these findings result from a Chlamydia trachomatis infection during the periconceptional period. The rising incidence of chlamydia infections has paralleled the increasing prevalence of gastroschisis among women less than 25 years of age. Histologically, young women are at greatest risk for a chlamydia infection due to their immature columnar epithelium, the preferential site for attachment of Chlamydia trachomatis infectious particle (elementary body). Chlamydia trachomatis survive in an inclusion, relying on its host to acquire essential nutrients, amino acids, and nucleotides for survival and replication. If essential nutrients are not available, the bacteria cannot replicate and may be trafficked to the lysosome for degradation or remain quiescent, within the inclusion, subverting innate immunologic clearance. Chlamydiae synthesize several lipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphoatidylglycerol); however, their lipid content reveal eukaryotic lipids (sphingomyelin, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol), evidence that chlamydiae "hijack" host lipids for expansion and replication. The abnormal amniotic epithelial findings are supported by experimental evidence of the trafficking of host lipids into the chlamydiae inclusion. If not lethal, what harm will elementary bodies inflict to the developing embryo? Do these women have a greater pro-inflammatory response to an environmental exposure, whether cigarette smoking, change in partner, or a pathogen? Testing the hypothesis that Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for amniotic epithelium vacuoles will be a critical first step. Birth Defects Research 109:1003-1010, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. A Rotating Bioreactor for Scalable Culture and Differentiation of Respiratory Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Raredon, Micha Sam Brickman; Ghaedi, Mahboobe; Calle, Elizabeth A.; Niklason, Laura E.

    2015-01-01

    Respiratory epithelium is difficult to grow in vitro, as it requires a well-maintained polarizing air–liquid interface (ALI) to maintain differentiation. Traditional methods rely on permeable membrane culture inserts, which are difficult to work with and are ill-suited for the production of large numbers of cells, such as the quantities required for cell-based clinical therapies. Herein, we investigate an alternative form of culture in which the cells are placed on a porous substrate that is continuously rolled, such that the monolayer of cells is alternately submerged in media or apically exposed to air. Our prototype bioreactor is reliable for up to 21 days of continuous culture and is designed for scale-up for large-scale cell culture with continuous medium and gas exchange. Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were cultured on an absorbent substrate in the reactor for periods of 7, 14, and 21 days and were compared to static controls that were submerged in media. Quantification by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR of markers specific to differentiated respiratory epithelium indicated increased cilia, mucous production, and tight junction formation in the rolled cultures, compared to static. Together with scanning electron microscopy and paraffin histology, the data indicate that the intermittent ALI provided by the rolling bioreactor promotes a polarized epithelial phenotype over a period of 21 days. PMID:26858899

  18. Classify epithelium-stroma in histopathological images based on deep transferable network.

    PubMed

    Yu, X; Zheng, H; Liu, C; Huang, Y; Ding, X

    2018-04-20

    Recently, the deep learning methods have received more attention in histopathological image analysis. However, the traditional deep learning methods assume that training data and test data have the same distributions, which causes certain limitations in real-world histopathological applications. However, it is costly to recollect a large amount of labeled histology data to train a new neural network for each specified image acquisition procedure even for similar tasks. In this paper, an unsupervised domain adaptation is introduced into a typical deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model to mitigate the repeating of the labels. The unsupervised domain adaptation is implemented by adding two regularisation terms, namely the feature-based adaptation and entropy minimisation, to the object function of a widely used CNN model called the AlexNet. Three independent public epithelium-stroma datasets were used to verify the proposed method. The experimental results have demonstrated that in the epithelium-stroma classification, the proposed method can achieve better performance than the commonly used deep learning methods and some existing deep domain adaptation methods. Therefore, the proposed method can be considered as a better option for the real-world applications of histopathological image analysis because there is no requirement for recollection of large-scale labeled data for every specified domain. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

  19. Quantitative proteomic analysis of microdissected oral epithelium for cancer biomarker discovery.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Hua; Langerman, Alexander; Zhang, Yan; Khalid, Omar; Hu, Shen; Cao, Cheng-Xi; Lingen, Mark W; Wong, David T W

    2015-11-01

    Specific biomarkers are urgently needed for the detection and progression of oral cancer. The objective of this study was to discover cancer biomarkers from oral epithelium through utilizing high throughput quantitative proteomics approaches. Morphologically malignant, epithelial dysplasia, and adjacent normal epithelial tissues were laser capture microdissected (LCM) from 19 patients and used for proteomics analysis. Total proteins from each group were extracted, digested and then labelled with corresponding isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Labelled peptides from each sample were combined and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein identification and quantification. In total, 500 proteins were identified and 425 of them were quantified. When compared with adjacent normal oral epithelium, 17 and 15 proteins were consistently up-regulated or down-regulated in malignant and epithelial dysplasia, respectively. Half of these candidate biomarkers were discovered for oral cancer for the first time. Cornulin was initially confirmed in tissue protein extracts and was further validated in tissue microarray. Its presence in the saliva of oral cancer patients was also explored. Myoglobin and S100A8 were pre-validated by tissue microarray. These data demonstrated that the proteomic biomarkers discovered through this strategy are potential targets for oral cancer detection and salivary diagnostics. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. TRANSCRIPTOMIC ANALYSIS OF F344 RAT NASAL EPITHELIUM SUGGESTS THAT THE LACK OF CARCINOGENIC RESPONSE TO GLUTARALDEHYDE IS DUE TO ITS GREATER TOXICITY COMPARED TO FORMALDEHYDE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Formaldehyde is cytotoxic and carcinogenic to the rat nasal respiratory epithelium inducing tumors after 12 months. Glutaraldehyde is also cytotoxic but is not carcinogenic to nasal epithelium even after 24 months. Both aldehydes induce similar acute and subchronic histopathology...

  1. Histology, Immunohistochemistry and Ultrastructure of the Bovine Palatine Tonsil with Special Emphasis on Reticular Epithelium

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The paired palatine tonsils are located at the junction of the nasopharynx and oropharynx; ideally positioned to sample antigens entering through either the nasal cavity or oral cavity. Entering antigens will first contact tonsilar epithelium. To better understand the cellular and functional composi...

  2. Squamous epithelium formation in the respiratory intestine of the bronze Corydoras Corydoras aeneus (Callichthyidae Teleostei).

    PubMed

    Satora, Leszek; Kozioł, Katarzyna; Zebrowski, Jacek

    2017-06-01

    Accessory respiratory organs in fish exhibit great diversity but share the presence of numerous capillaries covered by a simple squamous epithelium. The adoption of the intestine for respiratory function needs certain special modifications. In this study, we explored immunohistochemical and metabolic fingerprint features that could underlay this adaptation in bronze corydoras Corydoras aeneus. Immunohistochemical localization of the cytoplasmic domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the respiratory part of intestine demonstrated a strong positive immunoreaction in epithelial cells and connective tissue. Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics discriminated between anterior and posterior region of intestine in terms of secondary structure of proteins and the abundance of p-cresol and other phenolics. The latter were reduced in the posterior part of intestine, indicating the cessation of digestive function in this region. It has been suggested that aquatic hypoxia via endocrine cells (hypoxia-sensitive) activate EGFR, which induce proliferation of squamous epithelial cells, thereby enabling gas diffusion in the posterior part of intestine. It seems that hypoxia and normoxia are opposed conditions adjusting the production of squamous epithelial cells in this intestine. The physiological role of EGFR in the respiratory intestine of bronze corydoras is of interest not only from an evolutionary aspect but also in terms of a potential model for observations process proliferation squamous epithelial cells. Future investigations on the molecular responses to different water oxygen levels in air-breathing bronze corydoras fish are required to clarify the mechanism responsible for squamous cell proliferation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  3. Regeneration of Corneal Epithelium With Dental Pulp Stem Cells Using a Contact Lens Delivery System.

    PubMed

    Kushnerev, Evgeny; Shawcross, Susan G; Sothirachagan, Shankari; Carley, Fiona; Brahma, Arun; Yates, Julian M; Hillarby, M Chantal

    2016-10-01

    The corneal epithelium is sloughed off surface of the eye by the action of blinking and is continually replaced by division and maturation of the limbal stem cells (LSCs). In the case of injury or disease, LSCs can be lost or damaged to a point at which the corneal epithelial layer is no longer maintained. leading to LSC deficiencies (LSCDs). When this occurs, the opaque conjunctiva overgrows the anterior surface of the eye, leading to vision impairment or loss. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are promising candidates as autologous LSC substitutes. In this study, contact lenses (CLs) are used as a novel medical device to deliver DPSCs onto corneal surface to enhance corneal epithelium regeneration. Dental pulp stem cells labeled with green fluorescent Qtracker 525 were seeded onto the pretreated CLs, allowed to adhere, then delivered to debrided human corneas. Expression of KRT3, 12, 13, and 19 was investigated by immunostaining, then standard and confocal microscopy. Dental pulp stem cells were successfully isolated, labeled, and delivered to the corneal surface using CLs. Following removal of CLs, confocal microscopy showed that the DPSCs had migrated onto the cornea. Coexpression of KRT12 and green fluorescent Qtracker 525 confirmed that the DPSCs had transdifferentiated into corneal epithelial progenitors. Delimitation of KRT 19 and green fluorescence provides evidence that Qtracker 525-labeled DPSCs establish a barrier to the invasion of the cornea by conjunctiva. In this study we show that DPSCs, delivered using CLs, can be used to enhance repair and regeneration of the human corneal epithelium.

  4. E-cadherin regulators are differentially expressed in the epithelium and stroma of keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

    PubMed

    Porto, Lia Pontes Arruda; dos Santos, Jean Nunes; Ramalho, Luciana Maria Pedreira; Figueiredo, Andreia Leal; Carneiro Júnior, Bráulio; Gurgel, Clarissa Araújo; Paiva, Katiúcia Batista Silva; Xavier, Flávia Caló Aquino

    2016-04-01

    The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process where cells lose their epithelial features and acquire properties of typical mesenchymal cells. The dissociation of tumor cells due to changes in cell-cell adhesion is one of the key principles of tumor invasion and EMT. Thus, the knowledge of the molecular features of EMT in keratocyst odontogenic tumor (KOT) can provide useful markers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis and perhaps contribute to an alternative therapeutic approach as it shows an aggressive clinical behavior and high recurrence rates. This study aimed to evaluate the EMT in KOT by the immunoexpression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug and comparing to radicular cysts and dental follicles. Thirty-two KOTs, 15 radicular cysts, and 08 dental follicles were used for immunohistochemistry, evaluating the extent, intensity, labeling pattern, cellular compartment in the epithelium and stroma, and the presence of inflammation. E-cadherin was preserved in most cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumor. N-cadherin was increased in the tumor epithelium, a result that was positively correlated with the heterogeneous and nuclear immunoexpression of Slug in the epithelium; Slug also correlated with high Snail immunoexpression. N-cadherin was positively correlated with Slug in the stroma of keratocystic odontogenic tumors. The high immunoexpression of Snail and nuclear Slug in keratocystic odontogenic tumors suggests these proteins as transcription factors without necessarily participating in 'cadherin switching'. However, the knowledge of their induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in odontogenic tumors is still limited. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Biological and genetic properties of the p53 null preneoplastic mammary epithelium

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Medina, Daniel; Kittrell, Frances S.; Shepard, Anne; Stephens, L. Clifton; Jiang, Cheng; Lu, Junxuan; Allred, D. Craig; McCarthy, Maureen; Ullrich, Robert L.

    2002-01-01

    The absence of the tumor suppressor gene p53 confers an increased tumorigenic risk for mammary epithelial cells. In this report, we describe the biological and genetic properties of the p53 null preneoplastic mouse mammary epithelium in a p53 wild-type environment. Mammary epithelium from p53 null mice was transplanted serially into the cleared mammary fat pads of p53 wild-type BALB/c female to develop stable outgrowth lines. The outgrowth lines were transplanted for 10 generations. The outgrowths were ductal in morphology and progressed through ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ before invasive cancer. The preneoplastic outgrowth lines were immortal and exhibited activated telomerase activity. They are estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive, and aneuploid, and had various levels of tumorigenic potential. The biological and genetic properties of these lines are distinct from those found in most hyperplastic alveolar outgrowth lines, the form of mammary preneoplasia occurring in most traditional models of murine mammary tumorigenesis. These results indicate that the preneoplastic cell populations found in this genetically engineered model are similar in biological properties to a subset of precurser lesions found in human breast cancer and provide a unique model to identify secondary events critical for tumorigenicity and invasiveness.

  6. ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF ABSORPTION OF TRACER MATERIALS BY TOAD URINARY BLADDER EPITHELIUM

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Jae Kwon

    1965-01-01

    The absorption of Thorotrast and saccharated iron oxide by the epithelium of the toad urinary bladder was studied by electron microscopy. Whether the toads were hydrated, dehydrated, or given Pitressin, no significant differences in transport of colloidal particles by epithelial cells were observed. This implies that these physiological factors had little effect on the transport of the tracer particles. Tracer particles were encountered in three types of epithelial cells which line the bladder lumen, but most frequently in the mitochondria-rich cells. Tracer materials were incorporated into the cytoplasm of epithelial cells after being adsorbed to the coating layer covering the luminal surface of the cells. In the intermediate stage (1 to 3 hours after introducing tracer) particles were present in small vesicles, tubules, and multivesicular bodies. In the later stages (up to 65 hours), the particles were more commonly seen to be densely packed within large membrane-bounded bodies which were often found near the Golgi region. These large bodies probably were formed by the fusion of small vesicles. Irrespective of the stages of absorption, no particles were found in the intercellular spaces or in the submucosa. Particles apparently did not penetrate the intercellular spaces of the epithelium beyond the level of the tight junction. PMID:14287173

  7. DEMONSTRATION OF ACID PHOSPHATASE-CONTAINING GRANULES AND CYTOPLASMIC BODIES IN THE EPITHELIUM OF FOETAL RAT DUODENUM DURING CERTAIN STAGES OF DIFFERENTIATION

    PubMed Central

    Behnke, O.

    1963-01-01

    Dense cytoplasmic bodies surrounded by one or two unit membranes and containing mitochondria, vesicles, ribosomes, rough and smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and lamellated membranes (myelin figures) have been observed in the differentiating mucosa of the duodenum of rat foetuses by electron microscopy. Generally, the cytoplasmic components in the bodies seem to be in varying stages of disintegration. The bodies are found in greatest number on the 17th and 18th day of gestation, i.e. at the onset of differentiation. At this period of development the epithelium is stratified, and the villus formation is initiated by invagination of the epithelium by buds of mesenchyme followed by a splitting of the epithelium along the sides of the invaginations. When the villi have formed, the stratified epithelium has changed to the simple columnar type and the dense bodies have largely disappeared. Simultaneously, the lumen has widened considerably. In a parallel study with the light microscope, frozen sections incubated for the demonstration of acid phosphatase activity revealed the reaction product to be localized in bodies of the same size and distribution as the dense bodies found by electron microscopy. Hence, it seems that the bodies are altered and enlarged lysosomes (cytolysomes) active during the intensive differentiative events in the small intestine during the last part of intra-uterine life. PMID:14079488

  8. Cytophysiological Changes in the Follicular Epithelium of the Thyroid Gland after Long-Term Exposure to Low Doses of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT).

    PubMed

    Yaglova, N V; Yaglov, V V

    2017-03-01

    Exposure to endocrine disruptors is considered as a risk factor thyroid gland diseases. We analyzed cytophysiological changes in rat thyroid follicular epithelium after long-term exposure to low doses of the most widespread disruptor DDT. Analysis of thyroid hormone production and light and electron microscopy of thyroid gland samples revealed cytophysiological changes in thyroid epithelium related to impaired transport through the apical membrane, suppressed Golgi complex activity, and impaired thyrotrophic hormone regulation of the secretory functions of thyroid cells, which led to compensatory transition from merocrine to microapocrine secret release.

  9. Morphological and glycan features of the camel oviduct epithelium.

    PubMed

    Accogli, Gianluca; Monaco, Davide; El Bahrawy, Khalid Ahmed; El-Sayed, Ashraf Abd El-Halim; Ciannarella, Francesca; Beneult, Benedicte; Lacalandra, Giovanni Michele; Desantis, Salvatore

    2014-07-01

    This study describes regional differences in the oviduct of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) during the growth phase (GP) and the mature phase (MP) of the follicular wave by means of morphometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and glycohistochemistry investigations. Epithelium height significantly increased in the ampulla and decreased in the isthmus passing from the GP to the MP. Under SEM, non-ciliated cells displayed apical blebs (secretory) or short microvilli. Cilia glycocalyx expressed glycans terminating with sialic acid linked α2,6 to Gal/GalNAc (SNA affinity) throughout the oviducts of GP and MP and sialic acid linked α2,3 to Galβ1,3GalNAc (MAL II and KOH-sialidase (K-s)-PNA staining) throughout the MP oviducts. Non-ciliated cells displayed lectin-binding sites from the supra-nuclear cytoplasm to the luminal surface. Ampulla non-ciliated cells showed O-linked (mucin-type) sialoglycans (MAL II and K-s-PNA) during GP and MP and N-linked sialoglycans (SNA) during the MP. Isthmus non-ciliated cells expressed SNA reactivity in GP and MP, also K-s-PNA binders in MP, and MAL II and PNA affinity (Galβ1,3GalNAc) during GP. Galβ1,3GalNAc was sialilated in the non-ciliated cells of GP UTJ. Luminal surface lacked of Galβ1,3GalNAc in GP and MP, whereas it expressed α2,6- and α2,3-linked sialic acids. In GP intraluminal substance reacted with SNA, MAL II, K-s-PNA in ampulla and only with MAL II in the isthmus and UTJ. These results demonstrate that the morphology and the glycan pattern of the camel oviductal epithelium vary during the follicular wave and that could relate to the region-specific functions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  10. Vitiligo and disorders of the retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Albert, D M; Wagoner, M D; Pruett, R C; Nordlund, J J; Lerner, A B

    1983-01-01

    The association of vitiligo with inflammation of the uveal tract is well established. The relationship between vitiligo and hypopigmentation and/or degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) not secondary to ocular inflammation has not been adequately investigated. Sixty (27%) of 223 consecutive patients with vitiligo were found to have some evidence of RPE hypopigmentation ranging from mild, focal areas of involvement in most cases to extensive RPE degeneration with a retinitis pigmentosa-like syndrome in one patient. Fifteen (25%) patients complained of night blindness. Only 6 (4%) of 148 patients in a control group had similar funduscopic findings (p less than 0.001). None of these patients were symptomatic. There have been isolated reports of vitiligo occurring with tapetoretinal degeneration. We report 2 patients with both vitiligo and retinitis pigmentosa. Images PMID:6824621

  11. Intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's oesophagus may be an epiphenomenon rather than a preneoplastic condition, and CDX2-positive cardiac-type epithelium is associated with minute Barrett's tumour.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, Gen; Ajioka, Yoichi; Takeuchi, Manabu; Annenkov, Alexey; Kato, Takashi; Watanabe, Kaori; Tani, Yusuke; Ikegami, Kikuo; Yokota, Yoko; Fukuda, Mutsumi

    2015-01-01

    Although intestinal-type epithelium in Barrett's oesophagus has been traditionally recognized as having a distinct malignant potential, whether this also holds true for cardiac-type epithelium remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify a type of epithelium that is highly associated with Barrett's tumour. We analysed tumours and the corresponding background mucosa with special regard to tumour size in 40 cases of superficial Barrett's tumour by using immunohistochemical staining for CDX2, CD10, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6. Intestinal metaplasia in tumour-adjacent mucosa was not associated with tumour size, but was significantly correlated with the extent of Barrett's oesophagus (P < 0.001). The majority (69.2%, 9/13) of small tumours (≤10 mm) had no intestinal metaplasia in adjacent non-neoplastic mucosae. Minute (≤5 mm) tumours were significantly associated with a gastric immunophenotype (P < 0.001). Purely gastric-immunophenotype tumour cells expressed CDX2, and cardiac-type epithelium adjacent to small tumours also showed low-level CDX2 expression. Our data suggest that intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's oesophagus is an epiphenomenon rather than a preneoplastic condition, and that CDX2-positive cardiac-type epithelium is highly associated with minute Barrett's tumour. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the risk of malignancy of cardiac-type epithelium with regard to sub-morphological intestinalization. © 2014 The Authors. Histopathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Bacillus licheniformis in geogenic dust induces inflammation in respiratory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Pickering, Janessa; Teo, Teck Hui; Thornton, Ruth B; Kirkham, Lea-Ann; Zosky, Graeme R; Clifford, Holly D

    2018-07-01

    Exposure to environmental geogenic (or earth-derived) dust can lead to more frequent and severe infections in the human airway. Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM 10 ) is the component of air pollution that is commonly associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. We have previously demonstrated that mice exposed to geogenic dust PM 10 experienced an exacerbation of inflammatory responses to influenza A virus. Whether geogenic dust PM 10 also exacerbates respiratory bacterial infection is not yet known, nor are the components of the dust that drive these responses. We treated airway bronchial epithelial cells (NuLi-1) with UV-irradiated geogenic dust PM 10 from six remote Western Australian towns. High levels of IL-6 and IL-8 production were observed, as well as persistent microbial growth. 16 S rRNA sequencing of the growth identified the microbe as Bacillus licheniformis, a spore-forming, environmentally abundant bacterium. We next investigated the interaction of B. licheniformis with respiratory epithelium in vitro to determine whether this exacerbated infection with a bacterial respiratory pathogen (non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, NTHi). Heat treatment (100 °C) of all PM 10 samples eliminated B. licheniformis contamination and reduced epithelial inflammatory responses, suggesting that heat-labile and/or microbial factors were involved in the host response to geogenic dust PM 10 . We then exposed NuLi-1 epithelium to increasing doses of the isolated Bacillus licheniformis (multiplicity of infection of 10:1, 1:1 or 0.1:1 bacteria: cells) for 1, 3, and 24 h. B. licheniformis and NTHi infection (association and invasion) was assessed using a standard gentamicin survival assay, and epithelial release of IL-6 and IL-8 was measured using a bead based immunoassay. B. licheniformis was cytotoxic to NuLi-1 cells at 24 h. At 3 h post-challenge, B. licheniformis elicited high IL-6 and IL-8 inflammatory responses from NuLi-1 cells compared with

  13. Characterizing the heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancers using microdissected normal ductal epithelium and RNA-sequencing

    PubMed Central

    Radovich, Milan; Clare, Susan E.; Atale, Rutuja; Pardo, Ivanesa; Hancock, Bradley A.; Solzak, Jeffrey P.; Kassem, Nawal; Mathieson, Theresa; Storniolo, Anna Maria V.; Rufenbarger, Connie; Lillemoe, Heather A.; Blosser, Rachel J.; Choi, Mi Ran; Sauder, Candice A.; Doxey, Diane; Henry, Jill E.; Hilligoss, Eric E.; Sakarya, Onur; Hyland, Fiona C.; Hickenbotham, Matthew; Zhu, Jin; Glasscock, Jarret; Badve, Sunil; Ivan, Mircea; Liu, Yunlong; Sledge, George W.; Schneider, Bryan P.

    2014-01-01

    Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are a heterogeneous set of tumors defined by an absence of actionable therapeutic targets (ER−,PR−,HER2−). Microdissected normal ductal epithelium from healthy volunteers represents a novel comparator to reveal insights into TNBC heterogeneity and to inform drug development. Using RNA-sequencing data from our institution and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) we compared the transcriptomes of 94 TNBCs, 20 microdissected normal breast tissues from healthy volunteers from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank, and 10 histologically normal tissues adjacent to tumor. Pathway analysis comparing TNBCs to optimized normal controls of microdissected normal epithelium versus classic controls composed of adjacent normal tissue revealed distinct molecular signatures. Differential gene expression of TNBC compared with normal comparators demonstrated important findings for TNBC-specific clinical trials testing targeted agents; lack of over-expression for negative studies and over-expression in studies with drug activity. Next, by comparing each individual TNBC to the set of microdissected normals, we demonstrate that TNBC heterogeneity is attributable to transcriptional chaos, is associated with non-silent DNA mutational load, and explains transcriptional heterogeneity in addition to known molecular subtypes. Finally, chaos analysis identified 146 core genes dysregulated in >90% of TNBCs revealing an over-expressed central network. In conclusion, Use of microdissected normal ductal epithelium from healthy volunteers enables an optimized approach for studying TNBC and uncovers biological heterogeneity mediated by transcriptional chaos. PMID:24292813

  14. Characterizing the heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancers using microdissected normal ductal epithelium and RNA-sequencing.

    PubMed

    Radovich, Milan; Clare, Susan E; Atale, Rutuja; Pardo, Ivanesa; Hancock, Bradley A; Solzak, Jeffrey P; Kassem, Nawal; Mathieson, Theresa; Storniolo, Anna Maria V; Rufenbarger, Connie; Lillemoe, Heather A; Blosser, Rachel J; Choi, Mi Ran; Sauder, Candice A; Doxey, Diane; Henry, Jill E; Hilligoss, Eric E; Sakarya, Onur; Hyland, Fiona C; Hickenbotham, Matthew; Zhu, Jin; Glasscock, Jarret; Badve, Sunil; Ivan, Mircea; Liu, Yunlong; Sledge, George W; Schneider, Bryan P

    2014-01-01

    Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are a heterogeneous set of tumors defined by an absence of actionable therapeutic targets (ER, PR, and HER-2). Microdissected normal ductal epithelium from healthy volunteers represents a novel comparator to reveal insights into TNBC heterogeneity and to inform drug development. Using RNA-sequencing data from our institution and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) we compared the transcriptomes of 94 TNBCs, 20 microdissected normal breast tissues from healthy volunteers from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank, and 10 histologically normal tissues adjacent to tumor. Pathway analysis comparing TNBCs to optimized normal controls of microdissected normal epithelium versus classic controls composed of adjacent normal tissue revealed distinct molecular signatures. Differential gene expression of TNBC compared with normal comparators demonstrated important findings for TNBC-specific clinical trials testing targeted agents; lack of over-expression for negative studies and over-expression in studies with drug activity. Next, by comparing each individual TNBC to the set of microdissected normals, we demonstrate that TNBC heterogeneity is attributable to transcriptional chaos, is associated with non-silent DNA mutational load, and explains transcriptional heterogeneity in addition to known molecular subtypes. Finally, chaos analysis identified 146 core genes dysregulated in >90 % of TNBCs revealing an over-expressed central network. In conclusion, use of microdissected normal ductal epithelium from healthy volunteers enables an optimized approach for studying TNBC and uncovers biological heterogeneity mediated by transcriptional chaos.

  15. T-Lymphocytes Traffic into the Brain across the Blood-CSF Barrier: Evidence Using a Reconstituted Choroid Plexus Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Strazielle, Nathalie; Creidy, Rita; Malcus, Christophe; Boucraut, José; Ghersi-Egea, Jean-François

    2016-01-01

    An emerging concept of normal brain immune surveillance proposes that recently and moderately activated central memory T lymphocytes enter the central nervous system (CNS) directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the choroid plexus. Within the CSF space, T cells inspect the CNS environment for cognate antigens. This gate of entry into the CNS could also prevail at the initial stage of neuroinflammatory processes. To actually demonstrate T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium forming the blood-CSF barrier, an in vitro model of the rat blood-CSF barrier was established in an “inverse” configuration that enables cell transmigration studies in the basolateral to apical, i.e. blood/stroma to CSF direction. Structural barrier features were evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis of tight junction proteins, functional barrier properties were assessed by measuring the monolayer permeability to sucrose and the active efflux transport of organic anions. The migratory behaviour of activated T cells across the choroidal epithelium was analysed in the presence and absence of chemokines. The migration pathway was examined by confocal microscopy. The inverse rat BCSFB model reproduces the continuous distribution of tight junction proteins at cell margins, the restricted paracellular permeability, and polarized active transport mechanisms, which all contribute to the barrier phenotype in vivo. Using this model, we present experimental evidence of T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium. Cell migration appears to occur via a paracellular route without disrupting the restrictive barrier properties of the epithelial interface. Apical chemokine addition strongly stimulates T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium. The present data provide evidence for the controlled migration of T cells across the blood-CSF barrier into brain. They further indicate that this recruitment route is sensitive to CSF-borne chemokines, extending the relevance of this

  16. The α-Amylase Induction in Endosperm during Rice Seed Germination Is Caused by Gibberellin Synthesized in Epithelium1

    PubMed Central

    Kaneko, Miyuki; Itoh, Hironori; Ueguchi-Tanaka, Miyako; Ashikari, Motoyuki; Matsuoka, Makoto

    2002-01-01

    We recently isolated two genes (OsGA3ox1 and OsGA3ox2) from rice (Oryza sativa) encoding 3β-hydroxylase, which catalyzes the final step of active gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis (H. Itoh, M. Ueguchi-Tanaka, N. Sentoku, H. Kitano, M. Matsuoka, M. Kobayashi [2001] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98: 8909–8914). Using these cloned cDNAs, we analyzed the temporal and spatial expression patterns of the 3β-hydroxylase genes and also an α-amylase gene (RAmy1A) during rice seed germination to investigate the relationship between GA biosynthesis and α-amylase expression. Northern-blot analyses revealed that RAmy1A expression in the embryo occurs before the induction of 3β-hydroxylase expression, whereas in the endosperm, a high level of RAmy1A expression occurs 1 to 2 d after the peak of OsGA3ox2 expression and only in the absence of uniconazol. Based on the analysis of an OsGA3ox2 null mutant (d18-Akibare dwarf), we determined that 3β-hydroxylase produced by OsGA3ox2 is important for the induction of RAmy1A expression and that the OsGA3ox1 product is not essential for α-amylase induction. The expression of OsGA3ox2 was localized to the shoot region and epithelium of the embryo, strongly suggesting that active GA biosynthesis occurs in these two regions. The synthesis of active GA in the epithelium is important for α-amylase expression in the endosperm, because an embryonic mutant defective in shoot formation, but which developed epithelium cells, induced α-amylase expression in the endosperm, whereas a mutant defective in epithelium development did not. PMID:11950975

  17. T-Lymphocytes Traffic into the Brain across the Blood-CSF Barrier: Evidence Using a Reconstituted Choroid Plexus Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Strazielle, Nathalie; Creidy, Rita; Malcus, Christophe; Boucraut, José; Ghersi-Egea, Jean-François

    2016-01-01

    An emerging concept of normal brain immune surveillance proposes that recently and moderately activated central memory T lymphocytes enter the central nervous system (CNS) directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the choroid plexus. Within the CSF space, T cells inspect the CNS environment for cognate antigens. This gate of entry into the CNS could also prevail at the initial stage of neuroinflammatory processes. To actually demonstrate T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium forming the blood-CSF barrier, an in vitro model of the rat blood-CSF barrier was established in an "inverse" configuration that enables cell transmigration studies in the basolateral to apical, i.e. blood/stroma to CSF direction. Structural barrier features were evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis of tight junction proteins, functional barrier properties were assessed by measuring the monolayer permeability to sucrose and the active efflux transport of organic anions. The migratory behaviour of activated T cells across the choroidal epithelium was analysed in the presence and absence of chemokines. The migration pathway was examined by confocal microscopy. The inverse rat BCSFB model reproduces the continuous distribution of tight junction proteins at cell margins, the restricted paracellular permeability, and polarized active transport mechanisms, which all contribute to the barrier phenotype in vivo. Using this model, we present experimental evidence of T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium. Cell migration appears to occur via a paracellular route without disrupting the restrictive barrier properties of the epithelial interface. Apical chemokine addition strongly stimulates T cell migration across the choroidal epithelium. The present data provide evidence for the controlled migration of T cells across the blood-CSF barrier into brain. They further indicate that this recruitment route is sensitive to CSF-borne chemokines, extending the relevance of this

  18. In vitro 3D corneal tissue model with epithelium, stroma, and innervation.

    PubMed

    Wang, Siran; Ghezzi, Chiara E; Gomes, Rachel; Pollard, Rachel E; Funderburgh, James L; Kaplan, David L

    2017-01-01

    The interactions between corneal nerve, epithelium, and stroma are essential for maintaining a healthy cornea. Thus, corneal tissue models that more fully mimic the anatomy, mechanical properties and cellular components of corneal tissue would provide useful systems to study cellular interactions, corneal diseases and provide options for improved drug screening. Here a corneal tissue model was constructed to include the stroma, epithelium, and innervation. Thin silk protein film stacks served as the scaffolding to support the corneal epithelial and stromal layers, while a surrounding silk porous sponge supported neuronal growth. The neurons innervated the stromal and epithelial layers and improved function and viability of the tissues. An air-liquid interface environment of the corneal tissue was also mimicked in vitro, resulting in a positive impact on epithelial maturity. The inclusion of three cell types in co-culture at an air-liquid interface provides an important advance for the field of in vitro corneal tissue engineering, to permit improvements in the study of innervation and corneal tissue development, corneal disease, and tissue responses to environmental factors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Electrogenic transport and K+ ion channel expression by the human endolymphatic sac epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Sung Huhn; Kim, Bo Gyung; Kim, Jin Young; Roh, Kyung Jin; Suh, Michelle J.; Jung, JinSei; Moon, In Seok; Moon, Sung K.; Choi, Jae Young

    2015-01-01

    The endolymphatic sac (ES) is a cystic organ that is a part of the inner ear and is connected to the cochlea and vestibule. The ES is thought to be involved in inner ear ion homeostasis and fluid volume regulation for the maintenance of hearing and balance function. Many ion channels, transporters, and exchangers have been identified in the ES luminal epithelium, mainly in animal studies, but there has been no functional study investigating ion transport using human ES tissue. We designed the first functional experiments on electrogenic transport in human ES and investigated the contribution of K+ channels in the electrogenic transport, which has been rarely identified, even in animal studies, using electrophysiological/pharmacological and molecular biological methods. As a result, we identified functional and molecular evidence for the essential participation of K+ channels in the electrogenic transport of human ES epithelium. The identified K+ channels involved in the electrogenic transport were KCNN2, KCNJ14, KCNK2, and KCNK6, and the K+ transports via those channels are thought to play an important role in the maintenance of the unique ionic milieu of the inner ear fluid. PMID:26655723

  20. Normal gene expression in male F344 rat nasal transitional and respiratory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Hester, Susan D; Benavides, Gina B; Sartor, Maureen; Yoon, Lawrence; Wolf, Douglas C; Morgan, Kevin T

    2002-02-20

    The nasal epithelium is an important target site for chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity in rodents. Gene expression profiles were determined in order to provide normal baseline data for nasal transitional/respiratory epithelium from healthy rats. Cells lining the rat nasal passages were collected and gene expression analysis was performed using Clontech cDNA Rat Atlas 1.2 arrays (1185 genes). The percentages of genes within specific average expression ranges were 4.2% at 45,000-1000, 14.8% at 1000-200, 25.0% at 200-68, and 56.0% below 68. Nine out of a subset of ten genes were confirmed for relative signal intensity using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The most highly expressed genes included those involved in phase I (e.g. cytochrome P450s) and phase II (e.g. glutathione S-transferases) xenobiotic metabolism, bioenergetics (e.g. cytochrome oxidase), osmotic balance (e.g. Na(+)/K(+) ATPase) and epithelial ionic homeostasis (e.g. ion channels). Such baseline data will contribute to further understanding the normal physiology of these cells and facilitate the interpretation of responses by the nasal epithelial cells to xenobiotic treatment or disease.

  1. Effect of Systemically Used Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Medication on the Corneal Epithelium and Stroma of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

    PubMed

    Arikan, Sedat; Gokmen, Ferhat; Ersan, Ismail; Akbal, Ayla; Resorlu, Hatice; Gencer, Baran; Ali Tufan, Hasan; Kara, Selcuk

    2017-04-01

    To evaluate the effect of systemically used anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) medication on the thickness of corneal epithelium and stroma in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 125 eyes of 69 participants were included in this retrospective study of three groups: healthy participants (Group 1), AS patients receiving anti-TNF-α medication (Group 2), and AS patients receiving a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (Group 3). According to anterior segment optical coherence tomography, the mean thickness of the corneal epithelium was significantly thicker in Group 2 than in Group 3 (51.6 ± 3.2 µm versus 50.4 ± 3 µm, p = 0.01), as was that of the stroma (475 ± 33 µm versus 443 ± 29 µm, p = 0.002). Anti-TNF-α medication and/or avoidance of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could improve the thickness of both the corneal epithelium and stroma in AS patients.

  2. Global Expression Profiling of Globose Basal Cells and Neurogenic Progression Within the Olfactory Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Krolewski, Richard C.; Packard, Adam; Schwob, James E.

    2013-01-01

    Ongoing, lifelong neurogenesis maintains the neuronal population of the olfactory epithelium in the face of piecemeal neuronal turnover and restores it following wholesale loss. The molecular phenotypes corresponding to different stages along the progression from multipotent globose basal cell (GBC) progenitor to differentiated olfactory sensory neuron are poorly characterized. We used the transgenic expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and cell surface markers to FACS-isolate ΔSox2-eGFP(+) GBCs, Neurog1-eGFP(+) GBCs and immature neurons, and ΔOMP-eGFP(+) mature neurons from normal adult mice. In addition, the latter two populations were also collected 3 weeks after olfactory bulb ablation, a lesion that results in persistently elevated neurogenesis. Global profiling of mRNA from the populations indicates that all stages of neurogenesis share a cohort of >2,100 genes that are upregulated compared to sustentacular cells. A further cohort of >1,200 genes are specifically upregulated in GBCs as compared to sustentacular cells and differentiated neurons. The increased rate of neurogenesis caused by olfactory bulbectomy had little effect on the transcriptional profile of the Neurog1-eGFP(+) population. In contrast, the abbreviated lifespan of ΔOMP-eGFP(+) neurons born in the absence of the bulb correlated with substantial differences in gene expression as compared to the mature neurons of the normal epithelium. Detailed examination of the specific genes upregulated in the different progenitor populations revealed that the chromatin modifying complex proteins LSD1 and coREST were expressed sequentially in upstream ΔSox2-eGFP(+) GBCs and Neurog1-eGFP(+) GBCs/immature neurons. The expression patterns of these proteins are dynamically regulated after activation of the epithelium by methyl bromide lesion. PMID:22847514

  3. The effect of the corneal epithelium on the intraocular penetration of fluoroquinolone ophthalmic solution.

    PubMed

    Fukuda, Masamichi; Inoue, Amane; Sasaki, Kazuyuki; Takahashi, Nobuo

    2004-01-01

    Pharmacokinetic studies of antibacterial agents for infectious eye diseases have usually been performed on normal rabbit eyes. In this study, the intraocular penetration of fluoroquinolone ophthalmic solutions was determined in normal rabbit eyes and in rabbit eyes that had the corneal epithelium intentionally removed. We determined the intraocular penetration of ofloxacin (OFLX), levofloxacin (LVFX), and norfloxacin (NFLX), fluoroquinolone ophthalmic solutions that are already on the market and undergoing clinical studies, by injecting 50 microl of each solution into the cul-de-sacs of rabbit eyes three times at 15-min intervals. The drug concentration at 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after final instillation was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The maximum concentration in the aqueous humor of normal rabbit eyes was 2.09 +/- 1.56 microg/ml (60 min, OFLX), 2.57 +/- 1.00 microg/ml (30 min, LVFX), and 0.42 +/- 0.12 microg/ml (120 min, NFLX). The drug concentration in the aqueous humor of eyes with intentionally removed corneal epithelium was 12.50 +/- 5.62 microg/ml (30 min, OFLX), 9.02 +/- 2.45 microg/ml (60 min, LVFX), and 8.54 +/- 5.17 microg/ml (30 min, NFLX). The drug penetration of the eye drops into eyes with removed corneal epithelium was around 6 times (OFLX), 3.5 times (LVFX), and 20 times (NFLX) higher than the penetration into the eye with normal cornea. Among the pharmacokinetic parameters of the three ophthalmic solutions according to the one-compartment model, the maximum concentration in the aqueous and the area under the concentration-time curve in the aqueous tended to be higher in the eyes with intentionally removed corneal epithelia than in those with normal corneas.

  4. Role of OSGIN1 in mediating smoking-induced autophagy in the human airway epithelium.

    PubMed

    Wang, Guoqing; Zhou, Haixia; Strulovici-Barel, Yael; Al-Hijji, Mohammed; Ou, Xuemei; Salit, Jacqueline; Walters, Matthew S; Staudt, Michelle R; Kaner, Robert J; Crystal, Ronald G

    2017-07-03

    Enhanced macroautophagy/autophagy is recognized as a component of the pathogenesis of smoking-induced airway disease. Based on the knowledge that enhanced autophagy is linked to oxidative stress and the DNA damage response, both of which are linked to smoking, we used microarray analysis of the airway epithelium to identify smoking upregulated genes known to respond to oxidative stress and the DNA damage response. This analysis identified OSGIN1 (oxidative stress induced growth inhibitor 1) as significantly upregulated by smoking, in both the large and small airway epithelium, an observation confirmed by an independent small airway microarray cohort, TaqMan PCR of large and small airway samples and RNA-Seq of small airway samples. High and low OSGIN1 expressors have different autophagy gene expression patterns in vivo. Genome-wide correlation of RNAseq analysis of airway basal/progenitor cells showed a direct correlation of OSGIN1 mRNA levels to multiple classic autophagy genes. In vitro cigarette smoke extract exposure of primary airway basal/progenitor cells was accompanied by a dose-dependent upregulation of OSGIN1 and autophagy induction. Lentivirus-mediated expression of OSGIN1 in human primary basal/progenitor cells induced puncta-like staining of MAP1LC3B and upregulation of MAP1LC3B mRNA and protein and SQSTM1 mRNA expression level in a dose and time-dependent manner. OSGIN1-induction of autophagosome, amphisome and autolysosome formation was confirmed by colocalization of MAP1LC3B with SQSTM1 or CD63 (endosome marker) and LAMP1 (lysosome marker). Both OSGIN1 overexpression and knockdown enhanced the smoking-evoked autophagic response. Together, these observations support the concept that smoking-induced upregulation of OSGIN1 is one link between smoking-induced stress and enhanced-autophagy in the human airway epithelium.

  5. Generation of a human airway epithelium derived basal cell line with multipotent differentiation capacity

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background As the multipotent progenitor population of the airway epithelium, human airway basal cells (BC) replenish the specialized differentiated cell populations of the mucociliated airway epithelium during physiological turnover and repair. Cultured primary BC divide a limited number of times before entering a state of replicative senescence, preventing the establishment of long-term replicating cultures of airway BC that maintain their original phenotype. Methods To generate an immortalized human airway BC cell line, primary human airway BC obtained by brushing the airway epithelium of healthy nonsmokers were infected with a retrovirus expressing human telomerase (hTERT). The resulting immortalized cell line was then characterized under non-differentiating and differentiating air-liquid interface (ALI) culture conditions using ELISA, TaqMan quantitative PCR, Western analysis, and immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical staining analysis for cell type specific markers. In addition, the ability of the cell line to respond to environmental stimuli under differentiating ALI culture was assessed. Results We successfully generated an immortalized human airway BC cell line termed BCi-NS1 via expression of hTERT. A single cell derived clone from the parental BCi-NS1 cells, BCi-NS1.1, retains characteristics of the original primary cells for over 40 passages and demonstrates a multipotent differentiation capacity into secretory (MUC5AC, MUC5B), goblet (TFF3), Clara (CC10) and ciliated (DNAI1, FOXJ1) cells on ALI culture. The cells can respond to external stimuli such as IL-13, resulting in alteration of the normal differentiation process. Conclusion Development of immortalized human airway BC that retain multipotent differentiation capacity over long-term culture should be useful in understanding the biology of BC, the response of BC to environmental stress, and as a target for assessment of pharmacologic agents. PMID:24298994

  6. Neuropilins: expression and roles in the epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Wild, Jonathan R L; Staton, Carolyn A; Chapple, Keith; Corfe, Bernard M

    2012-01-01

    Summary Initially found expressed in neuronal and then later in endothelial cells, it is well established that the transmembrane glycoproteins neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2) play essential roles in axonal growth and guidance and in physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Neuropilin expression and function in epithelial cells has received little attention when compared with neuronal and endothelial cells. Overexpression of NRPs is shown to enhance growth, correlate with invasion and is associated with poor prognosis in various tumour types, especially those of epithelial origin. The contribution of NRP and its ligands to tumour growth and metastasis has spurred a strong interest in NRPs as novel chemotherapy drug targets. Given NRP’s role as a multifunctional co-receptor with an ability to bind with disparate ligand families, this has sparked new areas of research implicating NRPs in diverse biological functions. Here, we review the growing body of research demonstrating NRP expression and role in the normal and neoplastic epithelium. PMID:22414290

  7. Integrins beta 5, beta 3 and alpha v are apically distributed in endometrial epithelium.

    PubMed

    Aplin, J D; Spanswick, C; Behzad, F; Kimber, S J; Vićovac, L

    1996-07-01

    Several adhesion molecules have been shown to occur at the surface of endometrial cells. One of these is the integrin alpha v subunit which associates with various beta chains including beta 5. We demonstrate the presence of integrin beta 5 polypeptide in human endometrial epithelial cells throughout the menstrual cycle using immunocytochemistry with monospecific antibodies, and at the mRNA level by thermal amplification from endometrial cDNA. Integrin beta 5 is also found in a population of bone marrow-derived cells. A notable feature of the distribution of the beta 5 subunit in the glandular and luminal epithelium is its apical localization, which may suggest an involvement in implantation. However, no evidence was found for regulated expression of epithelial beta 5. In mouse, the beta 5 subunit is found at both the apical and basal surface of epithelial cells and expression is essentially oestrous cycle-independent. Comparisons are made in both species with the distribution of the alpha v and beta 3 subunits which also localize to the apical epithelium.

  8. Does autophagy in the midgut epithelium of centipedes depend on the day/night cycle?

    PubMed

    Rost-Roszkowska, M M; Chajec, Ł; Vilimova, J; Tajovský, K; Kszuk-Jendrysik, M

    2015-01-01

    The midgut epithelium of two centipedes, Lithobius forficatus and Scolopendra cingulata, is composed of digestive, secretory and regenerative cells. In L. forficatus, the autophagy occurred only in the cytoplasm of the digestive cells as a sporadic process, while in S. cingulata, it occurred intensively in the digestive, secretory and regenerative cells of the midgut epithelium. In both of the species that were analyzed, this process proceeded in a continuous manner and did not depend on the day/night cycle. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the autophagosomes and autolysosomes were located mainly in the apical and perinuclear cytoplasm of the digestive cells in L. forficatus. However, in S. cingulata, the entire cytoplasm was filled with autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Initially the membranes of phagophores surround organelles during autophagosome formation. Autolysosomes result from the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Residual bodies which are the last stage of autophagy were released into the midgut lumen due to necrosis. Autophagy in the midgut epithelia that were analyzed was confirmed using acid phosphatase and mono-dansyl-cadaverine stainings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Analysis of clonal expansions through the normal and premalignant human breast epithelium reveals the presence of luminal stem cells.

    PubMed

    Cereser, Biancastella; Jansen, Marnix; Austin, Emily; Elia, George; McFarlane, Taneisha; van Deurzen, Carolien Hm; Sieuwerts, Anieta M; Daidone, Maria G; Tadrous, Paul J; Wright, Nicholas A; Jones, Louise; McDonald, Stuart Ac

    2018-01-01

    It is widely accepted that the cell of origin of breast cancer is the adult mammary epithelial stem cell; however, demonstrating the presence and location of tissue stem cells in the human breast has proved difficult. Furthermore, we do not know the clonal architecture of the normal and premalignant mammary epithelium or its cellular hierarchy. Here, we use deficiency in the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), typically caused by somatic mutations in the mitochondrial genome, as a means to perform lineage tracing in the human mammary epithelium. PCR sequencing of laser-capture microdissected cells in combination with immunohistochemistry for markers of lineage differentiation was performed to determine the clonal nature of the mammary epithelium. We have shown that in the normal human breast, clonal expansions (defined here by areas of CCO deficiency) are typically uncommon and of limited size, but can occur at any site within the adult mammary epithelium. The presence of a stem cell population was shown by demonstrating multi-lineage differentiation within CCO-deficient areas. Interestingly, we observed infrequent CCO deficiency that was restricted to luminal cells, suggesting that niche succession, and by inference stem cell location, is located within the luminal layer. CCO-deficient areas appeared large within areas of ductal carcinoma in situ, suggesting that the rate of clonal expansion was altered in the premalignant lesion. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

  10. Automated segmentation of serous pigment epithelium detachment in SD-OCT images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Zhuli; Shi, Fei; Xiang, Dehui; Chen, Haoyu; Chen, Xinjian

    2015-03-01

    Pigment epithelium detachment (PED) is an important clinical manifestation of multiple chorio-retinal disease processes, which can cause the loss of central vision. A 3-D method is proposed to automatically segment serous PED in SD-OCT images. The proposed method consists of five steps: first, a curvature anisotropic diffusion filter is applied to remove speckle noise. Second, the graph search method is applied for abnormal retinal layer segmentation associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deformation. During this process, Bruch's membrane, which doesn't show in the SD-OCT images, is estimated with the convex hull algorithm. Third, the foreground and background seeds are automatically obtained from retinal layer segmentation result. Fourth, the serous PED is segmented based on the graph cut method. Finally, a post-processing step is applied to remove false positive regions based on mathematical morphology. The proposed method was tested on 20 SD-OCT volumes from 20 patients diagnosed with serous PED. The average true positive volume fraction (TPVF), false positive volume fraction (FPVF), dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and positive predictive value (PPV) are 97.19%, 0.03%, 96.34% and 95.59%, respectively. Linear regression analysis shows a strong correlation (r = 0.975) comparing the segmented PED volumes with the ground truth labeled by an ophthalmology expert. The proposed method can provide clinicians with accurate quantitative information, including shape, size and position of the PED regions, which can assist diagnose and treatment.

  11. Loss of Retinal Function and Pigment Epithelium Changes in a Patient with Common Variable Immunodeficiency

    PubMed Central

    Halborg, Jakob; Sørensen, Torben L.

    2012-01-01

    Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) has only scarcely been associated with ocular symptoms and rarely with retinal disease. In this case we describe a patient with distinct morphological and functional alterations in the retina. The patient presents with characteristic changes in retinal pigment epithelium, autofluorescence, and electrophysiology. PMID:23056974

  12. Toll-like receptor 4 expression in the epithelium of inflammatory periapical lesions. An immunohistochemical study.

    PubMed

    Leonardi, R; Perrotta, R E; Loreto, C; Musumeci, G; Crimi, S; Dos Santos, J N; Rusu, M C; Bufo, P; Barbato, E; Pannone, G

    2015-10-26

    Toll-like receptors (TLR) are essential for the innate immune response against invading pathogens and have been described in immunocompetent cells of areas affected by periapical disease. Besides initiating the inflammatory response, they also directly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and survival in a variety of settings. This study evaluates the in situ expression of TLR4 in periapical granulomas (PG) and radicular cysts, focusing on the epithelial compartment. Twenty-one periapical cysts (PC) and 10 PG were analyzed; 7 dentigerous non-inflamed follicular cyst (DC) served as control. TLR4 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. TLR4 immunoreaction products were detected in the epithelium of all specimens, with a higher percentage of immunostained cells in PG. Although TLR4 overexpression was detected in both PG and PC, there were differences that seemed to be related to the nature of the lesion, since in PG all epithelial cells of strands, islands and trabeculae were strongly immunoreactive for TLR4, whereas in PC only some areas of the basal and suprabasal epithelial layers were immunostained. This staining pattern is consistent with the action of TLR4: in PG it could promote formation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez and in epithelial strands and islands the enhancement of cell survival, proliferation and migration, whereas in PC TLR4 could protect the lining epithelium from extensive apoptosis. These findings go some way towards answering the intriguing question of why many epithelial strands or islands in PG and the lining epithelium of apical cysts regress after non-surgical endodontic therapy, and suggest that TLR4 plays a key role in the pathobiology of the inflammatory process related to periapical disease.

  13. CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein–α Regulates the Protease/Antiprotease Balance Required for Bronchiolar Epithelium Regeneration

    PubMed Central

    Sato, Atsuyasu; Xu, Yan; Whitsett, Jeffrey A.

    2012-01-01

    Many transcription factors that regulate lung morphogenesis during development are reactivated to mediate repairs of the injured adult lung. We hypothesized that CCAAT/enhancer binding protein–α (C/EBPα), a transcription factor critical for perinatal lung maturation, regulates genes required for the normal repair of the bronchiolar epithelium after injury. Transgenic CebpαΔ/Δ mice, in which Cebpa was conditionally deleted from Clara cells and Type II cells after birth, were used in this study. Airway injury was induced in mice by the intraperitoneal administration of naphthalene to ablate bronchiolar epithelial cells. Although the deletion of C/EBPα did not influence lung structure and function under unstressed conditions, C/EBPα was required for the normal repair of terminal bronchiolar epithelium after naphthalene injury. To identify cellular processes that are influenced by C/EBPα during repair, mRNA microarray was performed on terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells isolated by laser-capture microdissection. Normal repair of the terminal bronchiolar epithelium was highly associated with the mRNAs regulating antiprotease activities, and their induction required C/EBPα. The defective deposition of fibronectin in CebpαΔ/Δ mice was associated with increased protease activity and delayed differentiation of FoxJ1-expressing ciliated cells. The fibronectin and ciliated cells were restored by the intratracheal treatment of CebpαΔ/Δ mice with the serine protease inhibitor. In conclusion, C/EBPα regulates the expression of serine protease inhibitors that are required for the normal increase of fibronectin and the restoration of ciliated cells after injury. Treatment with serine protease inhibitor may aid in the recovery of injured bronchiolar epithelial cells, and prevent common chronic lung diseases. PMID:22652201

  14. Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the breast with endocervical-like mucinous epithelium.

    PubMed

    Lin, Dong-Liang; Hu, Ji-Lin; Shao, Shi-Hong; Sun, Dong-Mei; Wang, Ji-Gang

    2013-12-01

    Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, only 17 patients have been described in the PubMed database. Here, we report a primary breast mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with endocervical-like mucinous epithelium in a 62-year-old woman. The patient was followed for 5 months without any adjuvant treatment and she continues to be disease free. Primary breast mucinous cystadenocarcinoma usually displays unique pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics simulating its ovarian counterparts; it seems to have a good prognosis after complete resection.

  15. Ultrastructural study on the embryonic development of the orthokeratinized epithelium and its cornified layer (lingual nail) on the ventral surface of the lingual apex in the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica).

    PubMed

    Skieresz-Szewczyk, Kinga; Jackowiak, Hanna; Ratajczak, Marlena

    2018-02-01

    The lingual nail as the cornified layer of the orthokeratinized epithelium in birds is responsible for the collection of solid food by pecking. The aim of the present study is to determine the manner of orthokeratinized epithelium development and assess the degree of readiness of the epithelium to fulfill its mechanical function at hatching. Three developmental phases are distinguished, i.e. embryonic, transformation and pre-hatching stage. In the embryonic stage lasting until day 13 of incubation the epithelium is composed of several layers of undifferentiated cells. During the transformation stage, from day 14 to 20 of incubation, the epithelium becomes differentiated to form three layers. A characteristic feature is the formation of osmophilic granules in the superficial layer, referred to as periderm granules. Until the pre-hatching stage the fibrous cytoskeleton of epithelial cells and an impermeable epithelial barrier are gradually developed. In the pre-hatching stage, a cornified lingual nail is formed, while the periderm is exfoliated. At hatching the orthokeratinized epithelium and lingual nail are fully developed and ready to perform feeding activities. The presence of periderm, similarly as in the epidermis, indicates the ectodermal derivation of the oral cavity epithelium. Moreover, occurrence of osmophilic granules may be considered as evidence for the phylogenetic affinity of birds and reptiles. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  16. Bidirectional Signaling of Mammary Epithelium and Stroma: Implications for Breast Cancer—Preventive Actions of Dietary Factors

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The mammary gland is composed of two major cellular compartments: a highly dynamic epithelium that undergoes cycles of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in response to local and endocrine signals and the underlying stroma comprised of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and adipocytes that c...

  17. Epithelial architectural destruction is necessary for bone marrow derived cell contribution to regenerating prostate epithelium.

    PubMed

    Palapattu, Ganesh S; Meeker, Alan; Harris, Timothy; Collector, Michael I; Sharkis, Saul J; DeMarzo, Angelo M; Warlick, Christopher; Drake, Charles G; Nelson, William G

    2006-08-01

    Using various nonphysiological tissue injury/repair models numerous studies have demonstrated the capacity of bone marrow derived cells to contribute to the repopulation of epithelial tissues following damage. To investigate whether this phenomenon might also occur during periods of physiological tissue degeneration/regeneration we compared the ability of bone marrow derived cells to rejuvenate the prostate gland in mice that were castrated and then later treated with dihydrotestosterone vs mice with prostate epithelium that had been damaged by lytic virus infection. Using allogenic bone marrow grafts from female donor transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein transplanted into lethally irradiated males we were able to assess the contributions of bone marrow derived cells to recovery of the prostatic epithelium in 2 distinct systems, including 1) surgical castration followed 1 week later by dihydrotestosterone replacement and 2) intraprostatic viral injection. Eight to 10-week-old male C57/Bl6 mice were distributed among bone marrow donor-->recipient/prostate injury groups, including 5 with C57/Bl6-->C57/Bl6/no injury, 3 with green fluorescent protein-->C57/Bl6/no injury, 3 with green fluorescent protein-->C57/Bl6/vehicle injection, 4 with green fluorescent protein-->C57/Bl6/virus injection and 3 each with green fluorescent protein-->C57/Bl6/castration without and with dihydrotestosterone, respectively. Prostate tissues were harvested 3 weeks after dihydrotestosterone replacement or 14 days following intraprostatic viral injection. Prostate tissue immunofluorescence was performed with antibodies against the epithelial marker cytokeratin 5/8, the hematopoietic marker CD45 and green fluorescent protein. Mice that sustained prostate injury from vaccinia virus infection with concomitant severe inflammation and glandular disruption showed evidence of bone marrow derived cell reconstitution of prostate epithelium, that is approximately 4% of all green

  18. In vivo RNAi in the Drosophila Follicular Epithelium: Analysis of Stem Cell Maintenance, Proliferation, and Differentiation.

    PubMed

    Riechmann, Veit

    2017-01-01

    In vivo RNAi in Drosophila facilitates simple and rapid analysis of gene functions in a cell- or tissue-specific manner. The versatility of the UAS-GAL4 system allows to control exactly where and when during development the function of a gene is depleted. The epithelium of the ovary is a particularly good model to study in a living animal how stem cells are maintained and how their descendants proliferate and differentiate. Here I provide basic information about the publicly available reagents for in vivo RNAi, and I describe how the oogenesis system can be applied to analyze stem cells and epithelial development at a histological level. Moreover, I give helpful hints to optimize the use of the UAS-GAL4 system for RNAi induction in the follicular epithelium. Finally, I provide detailed step-by-step protocols for ovary dissection, antibody stainings, and ovary mounting for microscopic analysis.

  19. Quantification and visualization of injury and regeneration in the developing ciliated epithelium using quantitative flow imaging and speckle variance optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gamm, Ute A.; Huang, Brendan K.; Mis, Emily K.; Khokha, Mustafa K.; Choma, Michael A.

    2017-02-01

    Premature infants are at a high risk for respiratory diseases owing to an underdeveloped respiratory system that is very susceptible to infection and inflammation. One aspect of respiratory health is the state of the ciliated respiratory epithelium which lines the trachea and bronchi. The ciliated epithelium is responsible for trapping and removing pathogens and pollutants from the lungs and an impairment of ciliary functionality can lead to recurring respiratory infections and subsequent lung damage. Mechanisms of cilia-driven fluid flow itself but also factors influenced by development like ciliary density and flow generation are incompletely understood. Furthermore, medical interventions like intubation and accidental aspiration can lead to focal or diffuse loss of cilia and disruption of flow. In this study we use two animal models, Xenopus embryo and ex vivo mouse trachea, to analyze flow defects in the injured ciliated epithelium. Injury is generated either mechanically with a scalpel or chemically by calcium chloride (CaCl2) shock, which efficiently but reversibly deciliates the embryo skin. In this study we used optical coherence tomography (OCT) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) to quantify cilia driven fluid flow over the surface of the Xenopus embryo. We additionally visualized damage to the ciliated epithelium by capturing 3D speckle variance images that highlight beating cilia. Mechanical injury disrupted cilia-driven fluid flow over the injured site, which led to a reduction in cilia-driven fluid flow over the whole surface of the embryo (n=7). The calcium chloride shock protocol proved to be highly effective in deciliating embryos (n=6). 3D speckle variance images visualized a loss of cilia and cilia-driven flow was halted immediately after application. We also applied CaCl2-shock to cultured ex vivo mouse trachea (n=8) and found, similarly to effects in Xenopus embryo, an extensive loss of cilia with resulting cessation of flow. We

  20. Using the Modification Index and Standardized Expected Parameter Change for Model Modification

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Whittaker, Tiffany A.

    2012-01-01

    Model modification is oftentimes conducted after discovering a badly fitting structural equation model. During the modification process, the modification index (MI) and the standardized expected parameter change (SEPC) are 2 statistics that may be used to aid in the selection of parameters to add to a model to improve the fit. The purpose of this…

  1. Revisiting the human seminiferous epithelium cycle.

    PubMed

    Nihi, F; Gomes, M L M; Carvalho, F A R; Reis, A B; Martello, R; Melo, R C N; Almeida, F R C L; Chiarini-Garcia, H

    2017-06-01

    Can all types of testicular germ cells be accurately identified by microscopy techniques and unambiguously distributed in stages of the human seminiferous epithelium cycle (SEC)? By using a high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM) method, which enables an improved visualization of germ cell morphological features, we identified all testicular germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium and precisely grouped them in six well-delimitated SEC stages, thus providing a reliable reference source for staging in man. Morphological characterization of germ cells in human has been done decades ago with the use of conventional histological methods (formaldehyde-based fixative -Zenker-formal- and paraffin embedding). These early studies proposed a classification of the SEC in six stages. However, the use of stages as baseline for morphofunctional evaluations of testicular parenchyma has been difficult because of incomplete morphological identification of germ cells and their random distribution in the human SEC. Testicular tissue from adult and elderly donors with normal spermatogenesis according to Levin's, Johnsen's and Bergmann's scores were used to evaluate germ cell morphology and validate their distribution and frequency in stages throughout human spermatogenesis. Testicular tissue from patients diagnosed with congenital bilateral agenesis of vas deferens (n = 3 adults) or prostate cancer (n = 3 elderly) were fixed in glutaraldehyde and embedded in araldite epoxy resin. Morphological analyses were performed by both light and transmission electron microscopy. HRLM method enabled a reliable morphological identification of all germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids) based on high-resolution aspects of euchromatin, heterochromatin and nucleolus. Moreover, acrosomal development of spermatids was clearly revealed. Altogether, our data redefined the limits of each stage leading to a more reliable determination of the SEC in man. Occasionally, germ cells can be

  2. Quantification and visualization of injury and regeneration to the ciliated epithelium using quantitative flow imaging and speckle variance optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gamm, Ute A.; Huang, Brendan K.; Mis, Emily K.; Khokha, Mustafa K.; Choma, Michael A.

    2017-04-01

    Mucociliary flow is an important defense mechanism in the lung to remove inhaled pathogens and pollutants. A disruption of ciliary flow can lead to respiratory infections. Even though patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) either have or are very susceptible to respiratory infections, mucociliary flow is not well understood in the ICU setting. We recently demonstrated that hyperoxia, a consequence of administering supplemental oxygen to a patient in respiratory failure, can lead to a significant reduction of cilia-driven fluid flow in mouse trachea. There are other factors that are relevant to ICU medicine that can damage the ciliated tracheal epithelium, including inhalation injury and endotracheal tube placement. In this study we use two animal models, Xenopus embryo and ex vivo mouse trachea, to analyze flow defects in the injured ciliated epithelium. Injury is generated either mechanically with a scalpel or chemically by calcium chloride (CaCl2) shock, which efficiently but reversibly deciliates the embryo skin. In this study we used optical coherence tomography (OCT) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) to quantify cilia driven fluid flow over the surface of the Xenopus embryo. We additionally visualized damage to the ciliated epithelium by capturing 3D speckle variance images that highlight beating cilia. Mechanical injury disrupted cilia-driven fluid flow over the injured site, which led to a reduction in cilia-driven fluid flow over the whole surface of the embryo (n=7). The calcium chloride shock protocol proved to be highly effective in deciliating embryos (n=6). 3D speckle variance images visualized a loss of cilia and cilia-driven flow was halted immediately after application. We also applied CaCl2-shock to cultured ex vivo mouse trachea (n=8) and found, similarly to effects in Xenopus embryo, an extensive loss of cilia with resulting cessation of flow. We investigated the regeneration of the ciliated epithelium after an 8 day incubation period

  3. An investigation into the enzyme histochemistry of adenocarcinomas of human large intestine and of the transitional epithelium immediately adjacent to them

    PubMed Central

    Marsden, J. R.; Dawson, I. M. P.

    1974-01-01

    Histochemical enzymatic studies were performed on 30 freshly resected large bowel carcinomas, 30 samples of normal colonic epithelium, and six samples of the histologically normal epithelium (so-called transitional epithelium) immediately adjacent to a carcinoma. Five enzymes were studied: nicotine adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, monoamine oxidase, and acid phosphatase. Quantitative and qualitative differences in enzyme activity were observed between normal, transitional, and carcinomatous mucosa as follows: monoamine oxidase activity was moderate in normal mucosa, high in transitional mucosa, and low in carcinoma. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was high in transitional mucosa and low or moderate in normal and carcinomatous mucosa. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity showed a gradation from low in normal mucosa to high in carcinoma while acid phosphatase showed the reverse of this pattern. The tetrazolium reductase activity was low or moderate in normal and transitional mucosa and high in carcinoma. These differences in enzyme activity and their possible clinical and metabolic significance are discussed. ImagesFig 2Fig 3 PMID:4154840

  4. Molecular characterization and differential gene induction of the neuroendocrine-specific genes neurotensin, neurotensin receptor, PC1, PC2, and 7B2 in the human ocular ciliary epithelium.

    PubMed

    Ortego, J; Coca-Prados, M

    1997-11-01

    The ocular ciliary epithelium is a bilayer of neuroepithelial cells specialized in the secretion of aqueous humor fluid and the regulation of intraocular pressure. In this study, we report on the expression of the regulatory peptide neurotensin (NT) and a set of differentiated neuroendocrine markers including neurotensin receptors (NTrs), the prohormone convertases furin, PC1, and PC2, and the neuroendocrine polypeptide 7B2 in the ciliary epithelium. Using a human cell line, ODM-2, derived from the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium, we demonstrate that (1) NT expression is highly activated by nerve growth factor, glucocorticoid, and activators of adenylate cyclase; (2) NTr expression is up-regulated by selective ligand-activated beta2-adrenergic receptor; and (3) PC1 and PC2 expression are up-regulated via distinct signaling transduction pathways. PC1 gene expression is activated by phorbol ester, and PC2 by the same inducers as those of NT expression. A radioimmunoassay for NT detected an NT-like immunoreactivity in human ciliary epithelium and ODM-2 cell extracts, in aqueous humor, and in conditioned culture medium. The results support the view that the entire ciliary epithelium functions as a neuroendocrine tissue, synthesizing, processing, and releasing NT into the aqueous humor where it may exert important physiological functions through autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms.

  5. Fine structure of the dorsal lingual epithelium of the juvenile hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata bissa.

    PubMed

    Iwasaki, S; Asami, T; Wanichanon, C

    1996-04-01

    Various species of turtles are adapted to different environments, such as freshwater, seawater, and terrestrial habitats. Comparisons of histological and ultrastructural features of the tongue of the juvenile Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata bissa, with those of freshwater turtles should reveal some aspects of the relationship between the structure of the lingual epithelium and the environment. The light microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used. Light microscopy revealed that the mucosal epithelium of the tongue was of the keratinized, stratified squamous type. Under the scanning electron microscope, no lingual papillae were visible on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Micropits and the thickening of cell margins were clearly seen on the surface of cells located on the outermost side. The transmission electron microscope revealed that the cells in the intermediate layer were gradually flattened from the basal side to the surface side, as were their nuclei. In the shallow intermediate layer, the cells were significantly flattened, and their nuclei were condensed or had disappeared. The cytoplasm contained keratohyalin granules, tonofibrils, free ribosomes, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Numerous free ribosomes were attached to the surface of small keratohyalin granules. The cells of the keratinized layer were significantly flattened, and their nuclei had completely disappeared. Most of cytoplasm was filled with keratin fibers of high electron density. Keratin fibers of the shedding cells, which were located on the outermost side of the keratinized layer, appeared looser, and each fiber, which was somewhat thicker than the tonofibrils and tonofilaments, was clearly distinguishable. The lingual epithelium of the juvenile Hawksbill turtle differs significantly from that of the adult freshwater turtle, in spite of the similarity in gross morphology of the tongues of these species.

  6. The eicosanoid, 15-(S)-HETE, stimulates secretion of mucin-like glycoprotein by the corneal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Jackson , R S; Van Dyken, S J; McCartney, M D; Ubels, J L

    2001-07-01

    The eicosanoid, 15-(S)-hydroxyeicosa-5Z, 8Z-11Z, 13E-tetraenoic acid (15-(S)-HETE), is known to stimulate production of mucin glycoprotein by airway epithelium. This study investigated the effect of 15-(S)-HETE on the mucin glycoprotein secretion by the corneal epithelium. To determine the effect of dose, corneas of anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits were treated with 50, 500, or 5,000 nM 15-(S)-HETE in artificial tears for 120 minutes. To determine the time to onset of the response, corneas were treated with 500 or 1,000 nM 15-(S)-HETE in balanced salt solution for periods ranging from 5 to 120 minutes. Corneas were fixed for electron microscopy in fixative containing 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to stabilize the layer of mucin-like glycoprotein on the corneal surface. The mucin layer thickness was measured by image analysis of electron micrographs. The layer of CPC-fixed mucin-like glycoprotein on the surface of control corneas was 0.46 +/- 0.04 microm thick. After treatment with 15-(S)-HETE, the thickness of the mucin layer increased to 0.64 +/- 0.1 microm at 50 or 5,000 nM HETE and as much as 1.02 +/- 0.2 microm in response to 500 nM HETE. Mucin thickness reached a statistical maximum of 0.59 +/- 0.1 microm after only 5 minutes of exposure to 500 or 1,000 nM HETE. Exposure of the cornea to 15-(S)-HETE causes a rapid-onset increase in the thickness of a layer of mucin-like glycoprotein on the surface of the corneal epithelium. This supports previous reports that corneal epithelial cells produce mucin and suggests that treatment with topical 15-(S)-HETE may be effective in treating ocular surface mucin deficiency in dry eye syndrome.

  7. Mdm4 loss in the intestinal epithelium leads to compartmentalized cell death but no tissue abnormalities

    PubMed Central

    Valentin-Vega, Yasmine A.; Box, Neil; Terzian, Tamara; Lozano, Guillermina

    2014-01-01

    Mdm4 is a critical inhibitor of the p53 tumor suppressor. Mdm4 null mice die early during embryogenesis due to increased p53 activity. In this study, we explore the role that Mdm4 plays in the intestinal epithelium by crossing mice carrying the Mdm4 floxed allele to mice with the Villin Cre transgene. Our data show that loss of Mdm4 (Mdm4intΔ) in this tissue resulted in viable animals with no obvious morphological abnormalities. However, these mutants displayed increased p53 levels and apoptosis exclusively in the proliferative compartment of the intestinal epithelium. This phenotype was completely rescued in a p53 null background. Notably, the observed compartmentalized apoptosis in proliferative intestinal epithelial cells was not due to restricted Mdm4 expression in this region. Thus, in this specific cellular context, p53 is negatively regulated by Mdm4 exclusively in highly proliferative cells. PMID:19371999

  8. The core planar cell polarity gene, Vangl2, maintains apical-basal organisation of the corneal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Panzica, D Alessio; Findlay, Amy S; van Ladesteijn, Rianne; Collinson, J Martin

    2017-08-17

    The role of the core planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway protein, Vangl2, was investigated in the corneal epithelium of the mammalian eye, a paradigm anatomical model of planar cell migration. The gene was conditionally knocked out in vivo and knocked down by siRNA, followed by immunohistochemical, behavioural and morphological analysis of corneal epithelial cells. The primary defects observed in vivo were of apical-basal organisation of the corneal epithelium, with abnormal stratification throughout life, mislocalisation of the cell membrane protein, Scribble, to the basal side of cells, and partial loss of the epithelial basement membrane. Planar defects in migration after wounding and in the presence of an applied electric field were noted. However, knockdown of Vangl2 also retarded cell migration in individual cells that had no contact with their neighbours, which precluded a classic PCP mechanism. It is concluded that some of the planar polarity phenotypes in PCP mutants may arise from disruption of apical-basal polarity. © 2017 Anatomical Society.

  9. Effects of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the replacement of the midgut epithelium in the lacewing Ceraeochrysa claveri during larval-pupal metamorphosis.

    PubMed

    Scudeler, Elton Luiz; Padovani, Carlos Roberto; Santos, Daniela Carvalho Dos

    2014-06-01

    Larvae of the lacewing Ceraeochrysa claveri were fed on eggs of Diatraeasaccharalis treated with neem oil at concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 2% throughout the larval period. Pupae obtained from treated larvae were used in the study at five days after the completion of cocoon spinning to investigate the effects of neem oil on the replacement of the midgut epithelium during the larval-pupal transition. We observed that the old larval epithelium was shed into the midgut lumen and transformed into the yellow body. Old cells from the yellow body were destroyed by apoptosis and autophagy and were not affected by neem oil. However, neem oil did affect the new pupal epithelium. Cells from treated pupae showed cellular injuries such as a loss of microvilli, cytoplasmic vacuolization, an increase of glycogen stores, deformation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and dilation of the perinuclear space. Additionally, the neem oil treatment resulted in the release of cytoplasmic protrusions, rupture of the plasma membrane and leakage of cellular debris into the midgut lumen, characteristics of cell death by necrosis. The results indicate that neem oil ingestion affects the replacement of midgut epithelium, causing cytotoxic effects that can alter the organism's physiology due to extensive cellular injuries. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  10. Ultra-slow mechanical stimulation of olfactory epithelium modulates consciousness by slowing cerebral rhythms in humans.

    PubMed

    Piarulli, A; Zaccaro, A; Laurino, M; Menicucci, D; De Vito, A; Bruschini, L; Berrettini, S; Bergamasco, M; Laureys, S; Gemignani, A

    2018-04-26

    The coupling between respiration and neural activity within olfactory areas and hippocampus has recently been unambiguously demonstrated, its neurophysiological basis sustained by the well-assessed mechanical sensitivity of the olfactory epithelium. We herein hypothesize that this coupling reverberates to the whole brain, possibly modulating the subject's behavior and state of consciousness. The olfactory epithelium of 12 healthy subjects was stimulated with periodical odorless air-delivery (frequency 0.05 Hz, 8 s on, 12 off). Cortical electrical activity (High Density-EEG) and perceived state of consciousness have been studied. The stimulation induced i) an enhancement of delta-theta EEG activity over the whole cortex mainly involving the Limbic System and Default Mode Network structures, ii) a reversal of the overall information flow directionality from wake-like postero-anterior to NREM sleep-like antero-posterior, iii) the perception of having experienced an Altered State of Consciousness. These findings could shed further light via a neurophenomenological approach on the links between respiration, cerebral activity and subjective experience, suggesting a plausible neurophysiological basis for interpreting altered states of consciousness induced by respiration-based meditative practices.

  11. Constitutively active mutation of ACVR1 in oral epithelium causes submucous cleft palate in mice.

    PubMed

    Noda, Kazuo; Mishina, Yuji; Komatsu, Yoshihiro

    2016-07-15

    Cleft palate is among the most common human birth defects. Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) is a subgroup of cleft palate, which may be as common as overt cleft palate. Despite the high frequency of SMCP in humans, only recently have several animal models of SMCP begun to provide insight into the mechanisms by which SMCP develops. In this study, we show that enhanced BMP signaling through constitutively active ACVR1 in palatal epithelium causes submucous cleft palate in mice. In these mutant mice, the fusion of both palatal mesenchyme in hard palate, and muscles in soft palate were hampered by epithelial tissue. During palatal fusion, enhanced SMAD-dependent BMP signaling impaired cell death and altered cell proliferation rate in medial edge epithelium (MEE), and resulted in MEE persistence. At the molecular level, downregulation of ΔNp63, which is crucial for normal palatal fusion, in MEE cells was impaired, leading to a reduction in caspase-3 activation. Our study provides a new insight into the etiology of SMCP caused by augmented BMP signaling. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Acidification of uterine epithelium during embryo implantation in mice†

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Shuo; Li, Rong; El Zowalaty, Ahmed E.; Diao, Honglu; Zhao, Fei; Choi, Yongwon; Ye, Xiaoqin

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Uterine luminal epithelium (LE) is essential for establishing uterine receptivity. Previous microarray analysis revealed upregulation of Atp6v0d2 in gestation day 4.5 (D4.5) LE in mice. Realtime PCR showed upregulation of uterine Atp6v0d2 starting right before embryo attachment ∼D4.0. In situ hybridization demonstrated specific uterine localization of Atp6v0d2 in LE upon embryo implantation. Atp6v0d2 encodes one subunit for vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), which regulates acidity of intracellular organelles and extracellular environment. LysoSensor Green DND-189 detected acidic signals in LE and glandular epithelium upon embryo implantation, correlating with Atp6v0d2 upregulation in early pregnant uterus. Atp6v0d2−/− females had significantly reduced implantation rate and marginally reduced delivery rate from first mating only, but comparable number of implantation sites and litter size compared to control and comparable fertility to control from subsequent matings, suggesting a nonessential role of Atp6v0d2 subunit in embryo implantation. Successful implantation in both control and Atp6v0d2−/− females was associated with uterine epithelial acidification. No significant compensatory upregulation of Atp6v0d1 mRNA was detected in D4.5 Atp6v0d2−/− uteri. To determine the role of V-ATPase instead of a single subunit in embryo implantation, a specific V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (2.5 μg/kg) was injected via uterine fat pad on D3 18:00 h. This treatment resulted in reduced uterine epithelial acidification, delayed implantation, and reduced number of implantation sites. It also suppressed oil-induced artificial decidualization. These data demonstrate uterine epithelial acidification as a novel phenomenon during embryo implantation and V-ATPase is involved in uterine epithelial acidification and uterine preparation for embryo implantation. PMID:28395338

  13. Primary Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of the Breast with Endocervical-Like Mucinous Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Dong-Liang; Hu, Ji-Lin; Shao, Shi-Hong; Sun, Dong-Mei; Wang, Ji-Gang

    2013-01-01

    Summary Background Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, only 17 patients have been described in the PubMed database. Case Report Here, we report a primary breast mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with endocervical-like mucinous epithelium in a 62-year-old woman. The patient was followed for 5 months without any adjuvant treatment and she continues to be disease free. Conclusions Primary breast mucinous cystadenocarcinoma usually displays unique pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics simulating its ovarian counterparts; it seems to have a good prognosis after complete resection. PMID:24550753

  14. Acidic pH and short-chain fatty acids activate Na+ transport but differentially modulate expression of Na+/H+ exchanger isoforms 1, 2, and 3 in omasal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Lu, Zhongyan; Yao, Lei; Jiang, Zhengqian; Aschenbach, Jörg R; Martens, Holger; Shen, Zanming

    2016-01-01

    Low sodium content in feed and large amounts of salivary sodium secretion are essential requirements to efficient sodium reabsorption in the dairy cow. It is already known that Na(+)/H(+) exchange (NHE) of the ruminal epithelium plays a key role in Na(+) absorption, and its function is influenced by the presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and mucosal pH. By contrast, the functional role and regulation of NHE in omasal epithelium have not been completely understood. In the present study, we used model studies in small ruminants (sheep and goats) to investigate NHE-mediated Na(+) transport and the effects of pH and SCFA on NHE activity in omasal epithelium and on the expression of NHE isoform in omasal epithelial cells. Conventional Ussing chamber technique, primary cell culture, quantitative PCR, and Western blot were used. In native omasal epithelium of sheep, the Na(+) transport was electroneutral, and it was inhibited by the specific NHE3 inhibitor 3-[2-(3-guanidino-2-methyl-3-oxo-propenyl)-5-methyl-phenyl]-N-isopropylidene-2-methyl-acrylamide dihydrochloride, which decreased mucosal-to-serosal, serosal-to-mucosal, and net flux rates of Na(+) by 80% each. The application of low mucosal pH (6.4 or 5.8) in the presence of SCFA activated the Na(+) transport across omasal epithelium of sheep compared with that at pH 7.4. In cultured omasal epithelial cells of goats, mRNA and protein of NHE1, NHE2, and NHE3 were detected. The application of SCFA increased NHE1 mRNA and protein expression, which was most prominent when the culture medium pH decreased from 7.4 to 6.8. At variance, the mRNA and protein expression of NHE2 and NHE3 were decreased with low pH and SCFA, which was contrary to the published data from ruminal epithelial studies. In conclusion, this paper shows that (1) NHE1, NHE2, and NHE3 are expressed in omasal epithelium; (2) NHE3 mediates the major portion of transepithelial Na(+) transport in omasal epithelium; and (3) SCFA and acidic pH acutely

  15. Dietary antioxidants prevent age-related retinal pigment epithelium actin damage and blindness in mice lacking αvβ5 integrin

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Chia-Chia; Nandrot, Emeline F.; Dun, Ying; Finnemann, Silvia C.

    2011-01-01

    In the aging human eye, oxidative damage and accumulation of pro-oxidant lysosomal lipofuscin cause functional decline of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which contributes to age-related macular degeneration. In mice with an RPE-specific phagocytosis defect due to lack of αvβ5 integrin receptors, RPE accumulation of lipofuscin suggests that the age-related blindness we previously described in this model may also result from oxidative stress. Cellular and molecular targets of oxidative stress in the eye remain poorly understood. Here we identify actin among 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) adducts formed specifically in β5−/− RPE but not neural retina with age. HNE modification directly correlated with loss of resistance of actin to detergent extraction, suggesting cytoskeletal damage in aging RPE. Dietary enrichment with natural antioxidants grapes or marigold extract containing macular pigments lutein/zeaxanthin was sufficient to prevent HNE-adduct formation, actin solubility, lipofuscin accumulation, and age-related cone and rod photoreceptor dysfunction in β5−/− mice. Acute generation of HNE-adducts directly destabilized actin but not tubulin cytoskeletal elements of RPE cells. These findings identify destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton as a consequence of physiological, sublethal oxidative burden of RPE cells in vivo that is associated with age-related blindness and that can be prevented by consuming an antioxidant-rich diet. PMID:22178979

  16. Evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett's epithelium.

    PubMed

    Evans, Richard P T; Mourad, Moustafa Mabrouk; Fisher, Simon G; Bramhall, Simon R

    2016-12-21

    Oesophageal cancer affects more than 450000 people worldwide and despite continued medical advancements the incidence of oesophageal cancer is increasing. Oesophageal cancer has a 5 year survival of 15%-25% and now globally attempts are made to more aggressively diagnose and treat Barrett's oesophagus the known precursor to invasive disease. Currently diagnosis the of Barrett's oesophagus is predominantly made after endoscopic visualisation and histopathological confirmation. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed to improve the viability of screening programs. The management of Barrett's oesophagus can vary greatly dependent on the presence and severity of dysplasia. There is no consensus between the major international medical societies to determine and agreed surveillance and intervention pathway. In this review we analysed the current literature to demonstrate the evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett's epithelium.

  17. Detachment of retinal pigment epithelium in retinopathy due to malaria.

    PubMed

    Rocha Cabrera, P; Rodríguez Talavera, I; Losada Castillo, M J; Alemán Valls, R; Lorenzo Morales, J

    2018-05-25

    A 45-year-old man was diagnosed with malaria with neurological involvement. Two months later he referred metamorphopsia in the left eye. Malarial retinopathy was observed in the fundus examination. The Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the macula showed parafoveal pigment epithelium detachment (DEP). Specific anti-malarial treatment was initiated, with the disappearance of the retinopathy being observed. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the retinopathy in neurological malaria. A funduscopic examination and macular OCT should be performed in these patients, as it is associated with a higher mortality when there is a retinal involvement. Copyright © 2018 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  18. Surface Modification of Intraocular Lenses

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Qi; Cheng, George Pak-Man; Chiu, Kin; Wang, Gui-Qin

    2016-01-01

    Objective: This paper aimed to review the current literature on the surface modification of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Data Sources: All articles about surface modification of IOLs published up to 2015 were identified through a literature search on both PubMed and ScienceDirect. Study Selection: The articles on the surface modification of IOLs were included, but those on design modification and surface coating were excluded. Results: Technology of surface modification included plasma, ion beam, layer-by-layer self-assembly, ultraviolet radiation, and ozone. The main molecules introduced into IOLs surface were poly (ethylene glycol), polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, TiO2, heparin, F-heparin, titanium, titanium nitride, vinyl pyrrolidone, and inhibitors of cytokines. The surface modification either resulted in a more hydrophobic lens, a more hydrophilic lens, or a lens with a hydrophilic anterior and hydrophobic posterior surface. Advances in research regarding surface modification of IOLs had led to a better biocompatibility in both in vitro and animal experiments. Conclusion: The surface modification is an efficient, convenient, economic and promising method to improve the biocompatibility of IOLs. PMID:26830993

  19. Claudin-19 and the Barrier Properties of the Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Peng, Shaomin; Rao, Veena S.; Adelman, Ron A.

    2011-01-01

    Purpose. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) separates photoreceptors from choroidal capillaries, but in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) capillaries breach the RPE barrier. Little is known about human RPE tight junctions or the effects of serum on the retinal side of the RPE. Methods. Cultured human fetal RPE (hfRPE) was assessed by the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the transepithelial diffusion of methylated polyethylene glycol (mPEG). Claudins and occludin were monitored by quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. Results. Similar to freshly isolated hfRPE, claudin-19 mRNA was 25 times more abundant than claudin-3. Other detectable claudin mRNAs were found in even lesser amounts, as little as 3000 times less abundant than claudin-19. Claudin-1 and claudin-10b were detected only in subpopulations of cells, whereas others were undetectable. Knockdown of claudin-19 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) eliminated the TER. siRNAs for other claudins had minimal effects. Serum affected tight junctions only when presented to the retinal side of the RPE. The TER increased 2 times, and the conductance of K+ relative to Na+ decreased without affecting the permeability of mPEG. These effects correlated with increased steady-state levels of occludin. Conclusions. Fetal human RPE is a claudin-19–dominant epithelium that has regional variations in claudin-expression. Apical serum decreases RPE permeability, which might be a defense mechanism that would retard the spread of edema due to AMD. PMID:21071746

  20. Circular flow patterns induced by ciliary activity in reconstituted human bronchial epithelium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Viallat, Annie; Khelloufi, Kamel; Gras, Delphine; Chanez, Pascal; Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, CINaM, Marseille, France Team; Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, Inserm, LAI, Marseille, France Team

    2016-11-01

    Mucociliary clearance is the transport at the surface of airways of a complex fluid layer, the mucus, moved by the beats of microscopic cilia present on epithelial ciliated cells. We explored the coupling between the spatial organisation and the activity of cilia and the transport of surface fluids on reconstituted cultures of human bronchial epithelium at air-liquid interface, obtained by human biopsies. We reveal the existence of stable local circular surface flow patterns of mucus or Newtonian fluid at the epithelium surface. We find a power law over more than 3 orders of magnitude showing that the average ciliated cell density controls the size of these flow patterns, and, therefore the distance over which mucus can be transported. We show that these circular flow patterns result from the radial linear increase of the local propelling forces (due to ciliary beats) on each flow domain. This linear increase of local forces is induced by a fine self-regulation of both cilia density and orientation of ciliary beats. Local flow domains grow and merge during ciliogenesis to provide macroscopic mucus transport. This is possible only when the viscoelastic mucus continuously exerts a shear stress on beating cilia, revealing a mechanosensitive function of cilia. M. K. Khelloufi thanks the society MedBioMed for financial support. This work was supported by the ANR MUCOCIL project, Grant ANR-13-BSV5-0015 of the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche.

  1. Zinc attenuates forskolin-stimulated electrolyte secretion without involvement of the enteric nervous system in small intestinal epithelium from weaned piglets.

    PubMed

    Feng, Zike; Carlson, Dorthe; Poulsen, Hanne Damgaard

    2006-11-01

    In a previous study, we found that secretagogue-stimulated electrolyte secretion was attenuated by dietary and serosal zinc in piglet small intestinal epithelium in Ussing chambers. Several studies show that the enteric nervous system (ENS) is involved in regulation of electrolyte and/or fluid transport in intestinal epithelium from many species. The aim of the present study is to examine the mechanisms behind the attenuating effect of zinc on electrolyte secretion and to study whether the ENS is involved in this effect of zinc in vitro. Twenty-four piglets (six litters of four piglets) were allocated randomly to one of two dietary treatments consisting of a basic diet supplemented with 100 mg zinc/kg (Zn(100)) or 2500 mg zinc/kg (Zn(2500)), as ZnO. All the piglets were killed at 5-6 days after weaning and in vitro experiments with small intestinal epithelium in Ussing chambers were carried out. Furthermore, zinc, copper, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and metallothionein (MT) in mucosa, liver, and plasma were measured. These measurements showed that zinc status was increased in the Zn(2500) compared to the Zn(100) fed piglets. The in vitro studies did not confirm previous findings of attenuating effects of dietary zinc and zinc in vitro on the 5-HT induced secretion. But it showed that the addition of zinc at the serosal side attenuated the forskolin (FSK) (cAMP-dependent) induced ion secretion in epithelium from piglets fed with Zn(100) diet. Blocking the ENS with lidocaine or hexamethonium apparently slightly reduced this effect of zinc in vitro, but did not remove the effect of zinc. Consequently, it is suggested that zinc attenuates the cAMP dependent ion secretion mainly due to an effect on epithelial cells rather than affecting the mucosal neuronal pathway.

  2. A fragile X mosaic male with a cryptic full mutation detected in epithelium but not in blood

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Maddalena, A.; Yadvish, K.N.; Spence, W.C.

    1996-08-09

    Individuals with developmental delay who are found to have only fragile X premutations present an interpretive dilemma. The presence of the premutation could be an unrelated coincidence, or it could be a sign of mosaicism involving a full mutation in other tissues. To investigate three cases of this type, buccal epithelium was collected on cytology brushes for Southern blot analysis. In one notable case, the blood specimen of a boy with developmental delay was found to have a premutation of 0.1 extra kb, which was shown by PCR to be an allele of 60 {+-} 3 repeats. There was nomore » trace of a full mutation. Mosaicism was investigated as an explanation for his developmental delay, although the condition was confounded by prematurity and other factors. The cheek epithelium DNA was found to contain the premutation, plus a methylated full mutation with expansions of 0.9 and 1.5 extra kb. The three populations were nearly equal in frequency but the 1.5 kb expansion was the most prominent. Regardless of whether this patient has clinical signs of fragile X syndrome, he illustrates that there can be gross tissue-specific differences in molecular subpopulations in mosaic individuals. Because brain and epithelium are more closely related embryonically than are brain and blood, cryptic full mutations in affected individuals may be evident in epithelial cells while being absent or difficult to detect in blood. This phenomenon may explain some typical cases of the fragile X phenotype associated with premutations or near-normal DNA findings. 21 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.« less

  3. Phenotypic and physiologic variability in nasal epithelium cultured from smokers and non-smokers exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke

    EPA Science Inventory

    The emergence of air-liquid interface (ALI) culturing of mammalian airway epithelium is a recent innovation for experimental modeling of airway epithelial development, function, and pathogenic mechanisms associated with infectious agent and irritant exposure. This construct provi...

  4. Testicular receptor 2, Nr2c1, is associated with stem cells in the developing olfactory epithelium and other cranial sensory and skeletal structures.

    PubMed

    Baker, Jennifer L; Wood, Bernard; Karpinski, Beverly A; LaMantia, Anthony-S; Maynard, Thomas M

    2016-01-01

    Comparative genomic analysis of the nuclear receptor family suggests that the testicular receptor 2, Nr2c1, undergoes positive selection in the human-chimpanzee clade based upon a significant increase in nonsynonymous compared to synonymous substitutions. Previous in situ analyses of Nr2c1 lacked the temporal range and spatial resolution necessary to characterize cellular expression of this gene from early to mid gestation, when many nuclear receptors are key regulators of tissue specific stem or progenitor cells. Thus, we asked whether Nr2c1 protein is associated with stem cell populations in the mid-gestation mouse embryo. Nr2c1 is robustly expressed in the developing olfactory epithelium. Its expression in the olfactory epithelium shifts from multiple progenitor classes at early stages to primarily transit amplifying cells later in olfactory epithelium development. In the early developing central nervous system, Nr2c1 is limited to the anterior telencephalon/olfactory bulb anlagen, coincident with Nestin-positive neuroepithelial stem cells. Nr2c1 is also seen in additional cranial sensory specializations including cells surrounding the mystacial vibrissae, the retinal pigment epithelium and Scarpa's ganglion. Nr2c1 was also detected in a subset of mesenchymal cells in developing teeth and cranial bones. The timing and distribution of embryonic expression suggests that Nr2c1 is primarily associated with the early genesis of mammalian cranial sensory neurons and craniofacial skeletal structures. Thus, Nr2c1 may be a candidate for mediating parallel adaptive changes in cranial neural sensory specializations such as the olfactory epithelium, retina and mystacial vibrissae and in non-neural craniofacial features including teeth. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Tongue Epithelium Cells from shRNA Mediated Transgenic Goat Show High Resistance to Foot and Mouth Disease Virus

    PubMed Central

    Li, Wenting; Wang, Kejun; Kang, Shimeng; Deng, Shoulong; Han, Hongbing; Lian, Ling; Lian, Zhengxing

    2015-01-01

    Foot and mouth disease induced by foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is severe threat to cloven-hoofed domestic animals. The gene 3Dpol in FMDV genome encodes the viral RNA polymerase, a vital element for FMDV replication. In this study, a conserved 3D-7414shRNA targeting FMDV-3Dpol gene was designed and injected into pronuclear embryos to produce the transgenic goats. Sixty-one goats were produced, of which, seven goats positively integrated 3D-7414shRNA. Loss of function assay demonstrated that siRNA effectively knockdown 3Dpol gene in skin epithelium cells of transgenic goats. Subsequently, the tongue epithelium cells from transgenic and non-transgenic goats were infected with FMDV O/YS/CHA/05 strain. A significant decrease of virus titres and virus copy number was observed in cells of transgenic goats compared with that of non-transgenic goats, which indicated that 3D-7414siRNA inhibited FMDV replication by interfering FMDV-3Dpol gene. Furthermore, we found that expression of TLR7, RIG-I and TRAF6 was lower in FMDV infected cells from transgenic goats compared to that from non-transgenic goats, which might result from lower virus copy number in transgenic goats’ cells. In conclusion, we successfully produced transgenic goats highly expressing 3D-7414siRNA targeting 3Dpol gene, and the tongue epithelium cells from the transgenic goats showed effective resistance to FMDV. PMID:26671568

  6. Stimulation of TLRs by LMW-HA induces self-defense mechanisms in vaginal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Dusio, Giuseppina F; Cardani, Diego; Zanobbio, Laura; Mantovani, Martina; Luchini, Patrizia; Battini, Lorenzo; Galli, Valentina; Diana, Angela; Balsari, Andrea; Rumio, Cristiano

    2011-07-01

    The innate immune system is present throughout the female reproductive tract and functions in synchrony with the adaptive immune system to provide protection in a way that enhances the chances for fetal survival, while protecting against potential pathogens. Recent data show that activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and 4 by low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) in the epidermis induces secretion of the antimicrobial peptide β-defensin 2. In the present work, we show that LMW-HA induces vaginal epithelial cells to release different antimicrobial peptides, via activation of TLR2 and TLR4. Further, we found that LMW-HA favors repair of vaginal epithelial injury, involving TLR2 and TLR4, and independently from its classical receptor CD44. This wound-healing activity of LMW-HA is dependent from an Akt/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase pathway. Therefore, these findings suggest that the vaginal epithelium is more than a simple physical barrier to protect against invading pathogens: on the contrary, this surface acts as efficient player of innate host defense, which may modulate its antimicrobial properties and injury restitution activity, following LMW-HA stimulation; this activity may furnish an additional protective activity to this body compartment, highly and constantly exposed to microbiota, ameliorating the self-defense of the vaginal epithelium in both basal and pathological conditions.

  7. Segment-specific responses of intestinal epithelium transcriptome to in-feed antibiotics in pigs.

    PubMed

    Yu, Kaifan; Mu, Chunlong; Yang, Yuxiang; Su, Yong; Zhu, Weiyun

    2017-10-01

    Despite widespread use of antibiotics for treatment of human diseases and promotion of growth of agricultural animals, our understanding of their effects on the host is still very limited. We used a model in which pigs were fed with or without a cocktail of antibiotics and found, based on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) patterns, that the fecal bacteria from the treatment and control animals were distinct. Furthermore, the total bacterial population in the feces tended to be decreased by the antibiotic treatment ( P = 0.07), and the counts of Lactobacillus and Clostridium XIVa were significantly reduced ( P < 0.05). To explore the effects of antibiotics on host intestinal epithelium, we assessed gene expression profiles of the jejunum and ileum and their response to antibiotic administration. The results indicate that in-feed antibiotics increased expression of genes involved in immune functions in both the jejunum and ileum, some of which were clustered in the coexpression network. Gene ontology terms of metabolic processes were altered predominantly in the jejunum but not in the ileum. Notably, antibiotics diminished intestinal segment-specific transcriptional changes, especially for genes associated with metabolic functions. This study reveals segment-specific responses of host intestinal epithelium to in-feed antibiotics, which can be a valuable resource for deciphering antibiotic-microbiota-host interactions. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  8. Decreased Fibronectin Production Significantly Contributes to Dysregulated Repair of Asthmatic Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Kicic, Anthony; Hallstrand, Teal S.; Sutanto, Erika N.; Stevens, Paul T.; Kobor, Michael S.; Taplin, Christopher; Paré, Peter D.; Beyer, Richard P.; Stick, Stephen M.; Knight, Darryl A.

    2010-01-01

    Rationale: Damage to airway epithelium is followed by deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and migration of adjacent epithelial cells. We have shown that epithelial cells from children with asthma fail to heal a wound in vitro. Objectives: To determine whether dysregulated ECM production by the epithelium plays a role in aberrant repair in asthma. Methods: Airway epithelial cells (AEC) from children with asthma (n = 36), healthy atopic control subjects (n = 23), and healthy nonatopic control subjects (n = 53) were investigated by microarray, gene expression and silencing, transcript regulation analysis, and ability to close mechanical wounds. Measurements and Main Results: Time to repair a mechanical wound in vitro by AEC from healthy and atopic children was not significantly different and both were faster than AEC from children with asthma. Microarray analysis revealed differential expression of multiple gene sets associated with repair and remodeling in asthmatic AEC. Fibronectin (FN) was the only ECM component whose expression was significantly lower in asthmatic AEC. Expression differences were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, and reduced FN expression persisted in asthmatic cells over passage. Silencing of FN expression in nonasthmatic AEC inhibited wound repair, whereas addition of FN to asthmatic AEC restored reparative capacity. Asthmatic AEC failed to synthesize FN in response to wounding or cytokine/growth factor stimulation. Exposure to 5′, 2′deoxyazacytidine had no effect on FN expression and subsequent analysis of the FN promoter did not show evidence of DNA methylation. Conclusions: These data show that the reduced capacity of asthmatic epithelial cells to secrete FN is an important contributor to the dysregulated AEC repair observed in these cells. PMID:20110557

  9. Anti-VEGF and its impact on the outer retina: retinal pigment epithelium tear after an injection of aflibercept in contralateral eye.

    PubMed

    Campos Polo, R; Rubio Sánchez, C

    2016-05-01

    A 62-year-old woman with a history of bilateral retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED), secondary of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), who presented with a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear on her left eye after an aflibercept injection in the contralateral eye one month earlier. A RPE tear is the main complication when the anti-VEGF therapy is used for the management of the PED. Furthermore, it should be noted that systemic absorption of the drug can induce an effect on the untreated eye. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  10. Evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett's epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Evans, Richard P T; Mourad, Moustafa Mabrouk; Fisher, Simon G; Bramhall, Simon R

    2016-01-01

    Oesophageal cancer affects more than 450000 people worldwide and despite continued medical advancements the incidence of oesophageal cancer is increasing. Oesophageal cancer has a 5 year survival of 15%-25% and now globally attempts are made to more aggressively diagnose and treat Barrett’s oesophagus the known precursor to invasive disease. Currently diagnosis the of Barrett’s oesophagus is predominantly made after endoscopic visualisation and histopathological confirmation. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed to improve the viability of screening programs. The management of Barrett’s oesophagus can vary greatly dependent on the presence and severity of dysplasia. There is no consensus between the major international medical societies to determine and agreed surveillance and intervention pathway. In this review we analysed the current literature to demonstrate the evolving management of metaplasia and dysplasia in Barrett’s epithelium. PMID:28058012

  11. Public perceptions of hurricane modification.

    PubMed

    Klima, Kelly; Bruine de Bruin, Wändi; Morgan, M Granger; Grossmann, Iris

    2012-07-01

    If hurricane modification were to become a feasible strategy for potentially reducing hurricane damages, it would likely generate public discourse about whether to support its implementation. To facilitate an informed and constructive discourse, policymakers need to understand how people perceive hurricane modification. Here, we examine Florida residents' perceptions of hurricane modification techniques that aim to alter path and wind speed. Following the mental models approach, we conducted a survey study about public perceptions of hurricane modification that was guided by formative interviews on the topic. We report a set of four primary findings. First, hurricane modification was perceived as a relatively ineffective strategy for damage reduction, compared to other strategies for damage reduction. Second, hurricane modification was expected to lead to changes in projected hurricane path, but not necessarily to the successful reduction of projected hurricane strength. Third, more anger was evoked when a hurricane was described as having changed from the initially forecasted path or strength after an attempted modification. Fourth, unlike what we expected, participants who more strongly agreed with statements that recognized the uncertainty inherent in forecasts reported more rather than less anger at scientists across hurricane modification scenarios. If the efficacy of intensity-reduction techniques can be increased, people may be willing to support hurricane modification. However, such an effort would need to be combined with open and honest communications to members of the general public. © 2011 Society for Risk Analysis.

  12. [Microscopic structure of the epithelium of the oviducts in cows during the estrus cycle].

    PubMed

    Uhrín, V

    1983-03-01

    The mucous membrane of a cow is covered with ciliary and secretory cells. The so-called basal cells occur at the basal membrane. The counts of ciliary cells vary during the sexual cycle: they reach the maximum (up to 68%) during oestrus. About 13% of cells lose cilia during metoestrus and at the beginning of dioestrus. Reciliation occurs during pro-oestrus. Light and dark ciliary cells can be discerned by the staining of cytoplasm and by the density of nuclei. A higher variability was found in the secretory cells. There are light and dark cells, cells with a wedge shape and rod-shaped cells. Their frequency and function are discussed. Mitoses of epithelium were found in rare cases. The relative volume of epithelium and the mucous membrane of connective tissues change during the sexual cycle. The volume of secretory cells increases during metoestrus and dioestrus and the volume of ciliary cells increases during pro-oestrus and heat. The volume of nuclei decreases in metoestrus and mainly in dioestrus. PAS positive granules occur in the cytoplasm of secretory cells, mainly during metoestrus, in the apical regions. Ptyalin-resistant polysaccharides, besides glycogen, were detected in the cells. The occurrence rate of lipids varies just slightly during the oestrous cycle.

  13. Asthmatic bronchial epithelium activated by the proteolytic allergen Der p 1 increases selective dendritic cell recruitment.

    PubMed

    Pichavant, Muriel; Charbonnier, Anne-Sophie; Taront, Solenne; Brichet, Anne; Wallaert, Benoît; Pestel, Joel; Tonnel, André-Bernard; Gosset, Philippe

    2005-04-01

    Airway dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for allergen-induced sensitization and inflammation in allergic asthma. After allergen challenge, an increased number of DCs is observed in airway epithelium from patients with allergy. Because Der p 1, a cysteine protease allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , induces chemokine production by bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the capacity of BEC exposed to Der p 1 to recruit DCs. Chemotactic activity of BEAS-2B, a bronchial epithelial cell line, and BECs from nonatopic controls and patients with allergic asthma was evaluated on the migration of precursors, immature and mature monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs), and CD34 + -derived Langerhans cells (LCs). C-C chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, CCL5, and C-X-C chemokine ligand 10 production by BEAS-2B and BEC was increased after Der p 1 exposure, whereas the proenzyme proDer p 1 devoid of enzymatic activity had no effect. Der p 1 stimulation of BEAS-2B and BEC from both groups increased significantly the recruitment of MDDC precursors, depending on CCL2, CCL5, and C-X-C chemokine ligand 10 production. In a reconstituted polarized epithelium, apical application of Der p 1 enhanced MDDC precursor migration into the epithelial layer. Moreover, Der p 1 stimulation of BEC from patients with asthma but not from controls increased the migration of LC precursors, mainly dependent on CCL20 secretion. No migration of immature and mature DCs was observed. These data confirmed that BECs participate in the homeostasis of the DC network present within the bronchial epithelium through the secretion of chemokines. In allergic asthma, upregulation of CCL20 production induced LC recruitment, the role of which remains to be determined.

  14. Smoking-Induced Upregulation of AKR1B10 Expression in the Airway Epithelium of Healthy Individuals

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Rui; Wang, Guoqing; Ricard, Megan J.; Ferris, Barbara; Strulovici-Barel, Yael; Salit, Jacqueline; Hackett, Neil R.; Gudas, Lorraine J.

    2010-01-01

    Background: The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) gene superfamily codes for monomeric, soluble reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent oxidoreductases that mediate elimination reactions. AKR1B10, an AKR that eliminates retinals, has been observed as upregulated in squamous metaplasia and non-small cell lung cancer and has been suggested as a diagnostic marker specific to tobacco-related carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that upregulation of AKR1B10 expression may be initiated in healthy smokers prior to the development of evidence of lung cancer. Methods: Expression of AKR1B10 was assessed at the mRNA level using microarrays with TaqMan confirmation in the large airway epithelium (21 healthy nonsmokers, 31 healthy smokers) and small airway epithelium (51 healthy nonsmokers, 58 healthy smokers) obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy and brushing. Results: Compared with healthy nonsmokers, AKR1B10 mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in both large and small airway epithelia of healthy smokers. Consistent with the mRNA data, AKR1B10 protein was significantly upregulated in the airway epithelium of healthy smokers as assessed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, with AKR1B10 expressed in both differentiated and basal cells. Finally, cigarette smoke extract mediated upregulation of AKR1B10 in airway epithelial cells in vitro, and transfection of AKR1B10 into airway epithelial cells enhanced the conversion of retinal to retinol. Conclusions: Smoking per se mediates upregulation of AKR1B10 expression in the airway epithelia of healthy smokers with no evidence of lung cancer. In the context of these observations and the link of AKR1B10 to the metabolism of retinals and to lung cancer, the smoking-induced upregulation of AKR1B10 may be an early process in the multiple events leading to lung cancer. PMID:20705797

  15. Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors elicits pigment granule dispersion in retinal pigment epithelium isolated from bluegill.

    PubMed

    González, Alfredo; Crittenden, Elizabeth L; García, Dana M

    2004-07-13

    In fish, melanin pigment granules in the retinal pigment epithelium disperse into apical projections as part of the suite of responses the eye makes to bright light conditions. This pigment granule dispersion serves to reduce photobleaching and occurs in response to neurochemicals secreted by the retina. Previous work has shown that acetylcholine may be involved in inducing light-adaptive pigment dispersion. Acetylcholine receptors are of two main types, nicotinic and muscarinic. Muscarinic receptors are in the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily, and five different muscarinic receptors have been molecularly cloned in human. These receptors are coupled to adenylyl cyclase, calcium mobilization and ion channel activation. To determine the receptor pathway involved in eliciting pigment granule migration, we isolated retinal pigment epithelium from bluegill and subjected it to a battery of cholinergic agents. The general cholinergic agonist carbachol induces pigment granule dispersion in isolated retinal pigment epithelium. Carbachol-induced pigment granule dispersion is blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine, by the M1 antagonist pirenzepine, and by the M3 antagonist 4-DAMP. Pigment granule dispersion was also induced by the M1 agonist 4-[N-(4-chlorophenyl) carbamoyloxy]-4-pent-2-ammonium iodide. In contrast the M2 antagonist AF-DX 116 and the M4 antagonist tropicamide failed to block carbachol-induced dispersion, and the M2 agonist arecaidine but-2-ynyl ester tosylate failed to elicit dispersion. Our results suggest that carbachol-mediated pigment granule dispersion occurs through the activation of Modd muscarinic receptors, which in other systems couple to phosphoinositide hydrolysis and elevation of intracellular calcium. This conclusion must be corroborated by molecular studies, but suggests Ca2+-dependent pathways may be involved in light-adaptive pigment dispersion.

  16. Transitional metaplasia in intestinal epithelium of rats submitted to intestinal cystoplasty and treatment with L -lysine.

    PubMed

    Santos, Alessandra Marques Dos; Coelho, Joao Paulo Ferreira; Juanes, Camila de Carvalho; Azevedo, Rafael Barbosa de; Diniz, Clara Araujo; Jamacaru, Francisco Vagnaldo Fechine; Dornelas, Conceição Aparecida

    2017-04-01

    To evaluated the effects of L-lysine on the intestinal and urothelial epithelia in cystoplasty in rats. Twenty-eight 9-week-old rats were assigned to 4 groups: Group A (n=8) cystoplasty followed by administration of L-lysine (150 mg/kg body weight by gavage) for 30 weeks; Group B (n=8) cystoplasty + water for 30 weeks; Group C (n=6) L-lysine for 30 weeks; Group D (n=6) water for 30 weeks. On histopathology with hematoxylin and eosin, mild to moderate hyperplasia transitional was observed in at the site of anastomosis in all animals submitted to cystoplasty (Groups A and B), but "transitional metaplasia" of the intestinal glandular epithelium was more accentuated in Group A (p=0.045). No inflammatory cells, dysplasia or abnormalities were observed. Staining with Alcian blue revealed a substantial reduction of goblet cells and mucins in the colon segment (Groups A and B). The administration of L-lysine to rats accelerated the development of transitional metaplasia in the epithelium of the colon segment in cystoplasty.

  17. The human TLR4 variant D299G mediates inflammation-associated cancer progression in the intestinal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Cario, Elke

    2013-07-01

    Homeostatic TLR4 signaling protects the intestinal epithelium in health. Evidence suggests that perturbed TLR4 signaling is linked to carcinogenesis. We have recently demonstrated that the common human TLR4 variant D299G exerts pro-inflammatory effects and drives malignant tumor progression in human colon cancer.

  18. High mammographic density is associated with an increase in stromal collagen and immune cells within the mammary epithelium.

    PubMed

    Huo, Cecilia W; Chew, Grace; Hill, Prue; Huang, Dexing; Ingman, Wendy; Hodson, Leigh; Brown, Kristy A; Magenau, Astrid; Allam, Amr H; McGhee, Ewan; Timpson, Paul; Henderson, Michael A; Thompson, Erik W; Britt, Kara

    2015-06-04

    Mammographic density (MD), after adjustment for a women's age and body mass index, is a strong and independent risk factor for breast cancer (BC). Although the BC risk attributable to increased MD is significant in healthy women, the biological basis of high mammographic density (HMD) causation and how it raises BC risk remain elusive. We assessed the histological and immunohistochemical differences between matched HMD and low mammographic density (LMD) breast tissues from healthy women to define which cell features may mediate the increased MD and MD-associated BC risk. Tissues were obtained between 2008 and 2013 from 41 women undergoing prophylactic mastectomy because of their high BC risk profile. Tissue slices resected from the mastectomy specimens were X-rayed, then HMD and LMD regions were dissected based on radiological appearance. The histological composition, aromatase immunoreactivity, hormone receptor status and proliferation status were assessed, as were collagen amount and orientation, epithelial subsets and immune cell status. HMD tissue had a significantly greater proportion of stroma, collagen and epithelium, as well as less fat, than LMD tissue did. Second harmonic generation imaging demonstrated more organised stromal collagen in HMD tissues than in LMD tissues. There was significantly more aromatase immunoreactivity in both the stromal and glandular regions of HMD tissues than in those regions of LMD tissues, although no significant differences in levels of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or Ki-67 expression were detected. The number of macrophages within the epithelium or stroma did not change; however, HMD stroma exhibited less CD206(+) alternatively activated macrophages. Epithelial cell maturation was not altered in HMD samples, and no evidence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition was seen; however, there was a significant increase in vimentin(+)/CD45(+) immune cells within the epithelial layer in HMD tissues. We confirmed increased

  19. NLRP3 Upregulation in Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yujuan; Hanus, Jakub W; Abu-Asab, Mones S; Shen, Defen; Ogilvy, Alexander; Ou, Jingxing; Chu, Xi K; Shi, Guangpu; Li, Wei; Wang, Shusheng; Chan, Chi-Chao

    2016-01-08

    Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and possibly associated with an activation of neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein/class II transcription activator of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)/heterokaryon incompatibility/telomerase-associated protein 1, leucine-rich repeat or nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In the present study, we used a translational approach to address this hypothesis. In patients with AMD, we observed increased mRNA levels of NLRP3, pro-interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and pro-IL-18 in AMD lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor. In vitro, a similar increase was evoked by oxidative stress or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in the adult retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cell line, and the increase was reduced in siRNA transfected cells to knockdown NLRP3. Ultrastructural studies of ARPE-19 cells showed a swelling of the cytoplasm, mitochondrial damage, and occurrence of autophagosome-like structures. NLRP3 positive dots were detected within autophagosome-like structures or in the extracellular space. Next, we used a mouse model of AMD, Ccl2/Cx3cr1 double knockout on rd8 background (DKO rd8) to ascertain the in vivo relevance. Ultrastructural studies of the RPE of these mice showed damaged mitochondria, autophagosome-like structures, and cytoplasmic vacuoles, which are reminiscent of the pathology seen in stressed ARPE-19 cells. The data suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome may contribute in AMD pathogenesis.

  20. Cells of origin of ovarian cancer: ovarian surface epithelium or fallopian tube?

    PubMed

    Klotz, Daniel Martin; Wimberger, Pauline

    2017-12-01

    Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women and one of the leading causes of death from gynecological malignancies. Despite of its clinical importance, ovarian tumorigenesis is poorly understood and prognosis remains poor. This is particularly true for the most common type of ovarian cancer, high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Two models are considered, whether it arises from the ovarian surface epithelium or from the fallopian tube. The first model is based on (1) the pro-inflammatory environment caused by ovulation events, (2) the expression pattern of ovarian inclusion cysts, and (3) biomarkers that are shared by the ovarian surface epithelium and malignant growth. The model suggesting a non-ovarian origin is based on (1) tubal precursor lesions, (2) genetic evidence of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, and (3) recent animal studies. Neither model has clearly demonstrated superiority over the other. Therefore, one can speculate that high-grade serous ovarian cancer may arise from two different sites that undergo similar changes. Both tissues are derived from the same embryologic origin, which may explain how progenitor cells from different sites can respond similar to stimuli within the ovaries. However, distinct molecular drivers, such as BRCA deficiency, may still preferentially arise from one site of origin as precancerous mutations are frequently seen in the fallopian tube. Confirming the origin of ovarian cancer has important clinical implications when deciding on cancer risk-reducing prophylactic surgery. It will be important to identify key biomarker to uncover the sequence of ovarian tumorigenesis.

  1. NLRP3 Upregulation in Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yujuan; Hanus, Jakub W.; Abu-Asab, Mones S.; Shen, Defen; Ogilvy, Alexander; Ou, Jingxing; Chu, Xi K.; Shi, Guangpu; Li, Wei; Wang, Shusheng; Chan, Chi-Chao

    2016-01-01

    Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and possibly associated with an activation of neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein/class II transcription activator of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)/heterokaryon incompatibility/telomerase-associated protein 1, leucine-rich repeat or nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In the present study, we used a translational approach to address this hypothesis. In patients with AMD, we observed increased mRNA levels of NLRP3, pro-interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and pro-IL-18 in AMD lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor. In vitro, a similar increase was evoked by oxidative stress or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in the adult retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cell line, and the increase was reduced in siRNA transfected cells to knockdown NLRP3. Ultrastructural studies of ARPE-19 cells showed a swelling of the cytoplasm, mitochondrial damage, and occurrence of autophagosome-like structures. NLRP3 positive dots were detected within autophagosome-like structures or in the extracellular space. Next, we used a mouse model of AMD, Ccl2/Cx3cr1 double knockout on rd8 background (DKO rd8) to ascertain the in vivo relevance. Ultrastructural studies of the RPE of these mice showed damaged mitochondria, autophagosome-like structures, and cytoplasmic vacuoles, which are reminiscent of the pathology seen in stressed ARPE-19 cells. The data suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome may contribute in AMD pathogenesis. PMID:26760997

  2. Genetic modification and genetic determinism

    PubMed Central

    Resnik, David B; Vorhaus, Daniel B

    2006-01-01

    In this article we examine four objections to the genetic modification of human beings: the freedom argument, the giftedness argument, the authenticity argument, and the uniqueness argument. We then demonstrate that each of these arguments against genetic modification assumes a strong version of genetic determinism. Since these strong deterministic assumptions are false, the arguments against genetic modification, which assume and depend upon these assumptions, are therefore unsound. Serious discussion of the morality of genetic modification, and the development of sound science policy, should be driven by arguments that address the actual consequences of genetic modification for individuals and society, not by ones propped up by false or misleading biological assumptions. PMID:16800884

  3. Stromal loss of TGFβ drives cancer growth in the epithelium via inflammation | Center for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    Interactions between epithelial and stromal cells play an important role in cancer development and progression. Epithelial cancers develop when changes occur to tumor suppressor genes in stromal fibroblast cells. For example, loss of tumor suppressor, p53, in stromal fibroblasts leads to p53 inactivation in the epithelium in a prostate cancer model, and disruption of the

  4. Multicolor immunofluorescence reveals that p63- and/or K5-positive progenitor cells contribute to normal breast epithelium and usual ductal hyperplasia but not to low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the breast.

    PubMed

    Boecker, Werner; Stenman, Göran; Schroeder, Tina; Schumacher, Udo; Loening, Thomas; Stahnke, Lisa; Löhnert, Catharina; Siering, Robert Michael; Kuper, Arthur; Samoilova, Vera; Tiemann, Markus; Korsching, Eberhard; Buchwalow, Igor

    2017-05-01

    We contend that knowledge about the cellular composition of normal breast epithelium is a prerequisite for understanding proliferative breast disease. Against this background, we used multicolor immunofluorescence to study normal breast epithelium and two types of intraepithelial proliferative breast lesion for expression of the p63, basal keratin K5, glandular keratin K8/18, SMA, ER-alpha, and Ki67. We studied eight normal breast epithelium samples, 12 cases of usual ductal hyperplasia, and 33 cases of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (9 flat epithelial atypia, 14 low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ and 10 cases of lobular neoplasia). Usual ductal hyperplasia showed striking similarity to normal luminal breast epithelium including p63+ and/or K5+ luminal progenitor cells and the full spectrum of luminal progeny cells. In normal breast epithelium and usual ductal hyperplasia, expression of ER-alpha was associated with lack of expression of the proliferation antigen Ki67. In contrast, we found in both types of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia robust expression of keratin K8/18 and a positive association between ER-alpha and Ki67 expression. However, these lesions were consistently negative for p63 and/or K5. Our observational study supports the view that usual ductal hyperplasia and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia are different entities rather than part of a spectrum of the same disease. We propose a new operational model of cell differentiation that may serve to better understand correlations between normal breast epithelium and proliferative breast diseases. From our data we conclude that p63+ and/or K5+ progenitor cells contribute to maintenance of normal epithelium and usual ductal hyperplasia, but not to low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the breast.

  5. Detection of molecular signatures of oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal epithelium - application of a novel methodology for unsupervised segmentation of imaging mass spectrometry data.

    PubMed

    Widlak, Piotr; Mrukwa, Grzegorz; Kalinowska, Magdalena; Pietrowska, Monika; Chekan, Mykola; Wierzgon, Janusz; Gawin, Marta; Drazek, Grzegorz; Polanska, Joanna

    2016-06-01

    Intra-tumor heterogeneity is a vivid problem of molecular oncology that could be addressed by imaging mass spectrometry. Here we aimed to assess molecular heterogeneity of oral squamous cell carcinoma and to detect signatures discriminating normal and cancerous epithelium. Tryptic peptides were analyzed by MALDI-IMS in tissue specimens from five patients with oral cancer. Novel algorithm of IMS data analysis was developed and implemented, which included Gaussian mixture modeling for detection of spectral components and iterative k-means algorithm for unsupervised spectra clustering performed in domain reduced to a subset of the most dispersed components. About 4% of the detected peptides showed significantly different abundances between normal epithelium and tumor, and could be considered as a molecular signature of oral cancer. Moreover, unsupervised clustering revealed two major sub-regions within expert-defined tumor areas. One of them showed molecular similarity with histologically normal epithelium. The other one showed similarity with connective tissue, yet was markedly different from normal epithelium. Pathologist's re-inspection of tissue specimens confirmed distinct features in both tumor sub-regions: foci of actual cancer cells or cancer microenvironment-related cells prevailed in corresponding areas. Hence, molecular differences detected during automated segmentation of IMS data had an apparent reflection in real structures present in tumor. © 2016 The Authors. Proteomics Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. The human TLR4 variant D299G mediates inflammation-associated cancer progression in the intestinal epithelium

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Homeostatic TLR4 signaling protects the intestinal epithelium in health. Evidence suggests that perturbed TLR4 signaling is linked to carcinogenesis. We have recently demonstrated that the common human TLR4 variant D299G exerts pro-inflammatory effects and drives malignant tumor progression in human colon cancer. PMID:24073372

  7. [Regulatory analysis of hypoxia on innate immunity of human corneal epithelium].

    PubMed

    Pang, K P; Pan, H; Wu, X Y

    2016-11-15

    Objective: To investigate the role of hypoxia on the regulation of innate immunity of human corneal epithelium. Methods: Telomerase-immortalized human epithelial cells (THCEs) were incubated under normoxia (21% O 2 ) or hypoxic (1% O 2 ) conditions respectively. After 6, 12, 24, 48 h culture, the mRNA and protein levels of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. After 24 h culture, THCEs of each group were challenged respectively with TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/ml) for 6 h. RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA level of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin(IL)6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Western blot was used to examine the protein level of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B α (IκBα) and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Results: The results of RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of TLR4 downregulated 90% and 55% respectively after hypoxic exposure for 48 h. Hypoxia also inhibited LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, expression of MyD88 and activation of NF-κB. The mRNA level of MyD88 was diminished 63%, and the protein expression of p-IκBα was also lowered. Meanwhile, the secretions of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α under hypoxia were reduced (31%, 55% and 50% respectively). Conclusion: Hypoxia attenuated immune and inflammatory response of the cornea epithelium by suppressing TLR4 signaling, and could enhance cell susceptibility to microorganism infection.

  8. Detection of sialomucin complex (MUC4) in human ocular surface epithelium and tear fluid.

    PubMed

    Pflugfelder, S C; Liu, Z; Monroy, D; Li, D Q; Carvajal, M E; Price-Schiavi, S A; Idris, N; Solomon, A; Perez, A; Carraway, K L

    2000-05-01

    To evaluate human ocular surface epithelium and tear fluid for the presence of sialomucin complex (MUC4), a high-molecular-weight heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of mucin (ASGP-1) and transmembrane (ASGP-2) subunits. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis assays were used to identify sialomucin complex RNA in ocular surface epithelia. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis were used to identify immunoreactive species in human tears and in the corneal and conjunctival epithelia using antibodies specific for carbohydrate and peptide epitopes on the sialomucin complex subunits. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect sialomucin complex in frozen sections and impression cytology specimens of human cornea and conjunctival epithelia. ASGP-1- and ASGP-2-specific sequences were amplified from RNA extracted from both conjunctival and corneal epithelial biopsies by RT-PCR. Sialomucin complex transcripts were also detected in these tissues by Northern blot analysis, with a greater level of RNA detected in the peripheral than the central corneal epithelium. Sialomucin complex was immunoprecipitated from tear fluid samples and both corneal and conjunctival epithelia and detected by immunoblot analysis with specific anti-ASGP-1 and anti-ASGP-2 antibodies. The ASGP-1 peptide antibody HA-1 stained the full thickness of the corneal and conjunctival epithelia. In contrast, antibody 15H10, which reacts against a carbohydrate epitope on ASGP-1, stained only the superficial epithelial layers of these tissues. No staining was observed in the conjunctival goblet cells. Sialomucin complex was originally identified in rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells and has recently been shown to be produced by the ocular surface epithelia of rats. Furthermore, it has been identified as the rat homologue of human MUC4 mucin. The present studies show that it is expressed in the stratified epithelium covering the surface of the human eye and is

  9. Thyroid hormone responsive protein Spot14 enhances catalysis of fatty acid synthase in lactating mammary epithelium[S

    PubMed Central

    Rudolph, Michael C.; Wellberg, Elizabeth A.; Lewis, Andrew S.; Terrell, Kristina L.; Merz, Andrea L.; Maluf, N. Karl; Serkova, Natalie J.; Anderson, Steven M.

    2014-01-01

    Thyroid hormone responsive protein Spot 14 has been consistently associated with de novo fatty acid synthesis activity in multiple tissues, including the lactating mammary gland, which synthesizes large quantities of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) exclusively via FASN. However, the molecular function of Spot14 remains undefined during lactation. Spot14-null mice produce milk deficient in total triglyceride and de novo MCFA that does not sustain optimal neonatal growth. The lactation defect was rescued by provision of a high fat diet to the lactating dam. Transgenic mice overexpressing Spot14 in mammary epithelium produced total milk fat equivalent to controls, but with significantly greater MCFA. Spot14-null dams have no diminution of metabolic gene expression, enzyme protein levels, or intermediate metabolites that accounts for impaired de novo MCFA. When [13C] fatty acid products were quantified in vitro using crude cytosolic lysates, native FASN activity was 1.6-fold greater in control relative to Spot14-null lysates, and add back of Spot14 partially restored activity. Recombinant FASN catalysis increased 1.4-fold and C = 14:0 yield was enhanced 4-fold in vitro following addition of Spot14. These findings implicate Spot14 as a direct protein enhancer of FASN catalysis in the mammary gland during lactation when maximal MCFA production is needed. PMID:24771867

  10. Gelsolin Restores Aβ-Induced Alterations in Choroid Plexus Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Vargas, Teo; Antequera, Desiree; Ugalde, Cristina; Spuch, Carlos; Carro, Eva

    2010-01-01

    Histologically, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits. In previous studies we demonstrated that in AD patients, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide also accumulates in choroid plexus, and that this process is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and epithelial cell death. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Aβ accumulation at the choroid plexus epithelium remain unclear. Aβ clearance, from the brain to the blood, involves Aβ carrier proteins that bind to megalin, including gelsolin, a protein produced specifically by the choroid plexus epithelial cells. In this study, we show that treatment with gelsolin reduces Aβ-induced cytoskeletal disruption of blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier at the choroid plexus. Additionally, our results demonstrate that gelsolin plays an important role in decreasing Aβ-induced cytotoxicity by inhibiting nitric oxide production and apoptotic mitochondrial changes. Taken together, these findings make gelsolin an appealing tool for the prophylactic treatment of AD. PMID:20369065

  11. Intranasal Location and Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Equine Olfactory Epithelium.

    PubMed

    Kupke, Alexandra; Wenisch, Sabine; Failing, Klaus; Herden, Christiane

    2016-01-01

    The olfactory epithelium (OE) is the only body site where neurons contact directly the environment and are therefore exposed to a broad variation of substances and insults. It can serve as portal of entry for neurotropic viruses which spread via the olfactory pathway to the central nervous system. For horses, it has been proposed and concluded mainly from rodent studies that different viruses, e.g., Borna disease virus, equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), hendra virus, influenza virus, rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus can use this route. However, little is yet known about cytoarchitecture, protein expression and the intranasal location of the equine OE. Revealing differences in cytoarchitecture or protein expression pattern in comparison to rodents, canines, or humans might help to explain varying susceptibility to certain intranasal virus infections. On the other hand, disclosing similarities especially between rodents and other species, e.g., horses would help to underscore transferability of rodent models. Analysis of the complete noses of five adult horses revealed that in the equine OE two epithelial subtypes with distinct marker expression exist, designated as types a and b which resemble those previously described in dogs. Detailed statistical analysis was carried out to confirm the results obtained on the descriptive level. The equine OE was predominantly located in caudodorsal areas of the nasal turbinates with a significant decline in rostroventral direction, especially for type a . Immunohistochemically, olfactory marker protein and doublecortin (DCX) expression was found in more cells of OE type a , whereas expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and tropomyosin receptor kinase A was present in more cells of type b . Accordingly, type a resembles the mature epithelium, in contrast to the more juvenile type b . Protein expression profile was comparable to canine and rodent OE but equine types a and b were located differently within the nose

  12. Intranasal Location and Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Equine Olfactory Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Kupke, Alexandra; Wenisch, Sabine; Failing, Klaus; Herden, Christiane

    2016-01-01

    The olfactory epithelium (OE) is the only body site where neurons contact directly the environment and are therefore exposed to a broad variation of substances and insults. It can serve as portal of entry for neurotropic viruses which spread via the olfactory pathway to the central nervous system. For horses, it has been proposed and concluded mainly from rodent studies that different viruses, e.g., Borna disease virus, equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), hendra virus, influenza virus, rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus can use this route. However, little is yet known about cytoarchitecture, protein expression and the intranasal location of the equine OE. Revealing differences in cytoarchitecture or protein expression pattern in comparison to rodents, canines, or humans might help to explain varying susceptibility to certain intranasal virus infections. On the other hand, disclosing similarities especially between rodents and other species, e.g., horses would help to underscore transferability of rodent models. Analysis of the complete noses of five adult horses revealed that in the equine OE two epithelial subtypes with distinct marker expression exist, designated as types a and b which resemble those previously described in dogs. Detailed statistical analysis was carried out to confirm the results obtained on the descriptive level. The equine OE was predominantly located in caudodorsal areas of the nasal turbinates with a significant decline in rostroventral direction, especially for type a. Immunohistochemically, olfactory marker protein and doublecortin (DCX) expression was found in more cells of OE type a, whereas expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and tropomyosin receptor kinase A was present in more cells of type b. Accordingly, type a resembles the mature epithelium, in contrast to the more juvenile type b. Protein expression profile was comparable to canine and rodent OE but equine types a and b were located differently within the nose and

  13. Permit application modifications

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    NONE

    1995-11-01

    This document contains the Permit Application Modifications for the Y-12 Industrial Landfill V site on the Oak Ridge Reservation. These modifications include the assessment of stability of the proposed Landfill V under static and loading conditions. Analyses performed include the general slope stability, veneer stability of the bottom liner and cover system, and a liquefaction potential assessment of the foundation soils.

  14. Expression of Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel Subunits in Native Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Dongli; Zhang, Xiaoming; Hughes, Bret A.

    2008-01-01

    Previously, we demonstrated that the inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channel subunit Kir7.1 is highly expressed in bovine and human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The purpose of this study was to determine whether any of the 14 other members of the Kir gene family are expressed in native human RPE. Conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that in addition to Kir7.1, 7 other Kir channel subunits (Kir1.1, Kir2.1, Kir2.2, Kir3.1, Kir3.4, Kir4.2 and Kir6.1) are expressed in the RPE, whereas in neural retina, all 14 of the Kir channel subunits examined are expressed. The identities of RT-PCR products in the RPE were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed, however, that transcripts of these channels are significantly less abundant than Kir7.1 in the RPE. Western blot analysis of the Kir channel subunits detected in the RPE by RT-PCR revealed the expression of Kir2.1, Kir3.1, Kir3.4, Kir4.2, Kir6.1, and possibly Kir2.2, but not Kir1.1, in both human RPE and neural retina. Our results indicate that human RPE expresses at least 5 other Kir channel subtypes in addition to Kir7.1, suggesting that multiple members of the Kir channel family may function in this epithelium. PMID:18653180

  15. Chemical Modification of the Olfactory Receptor Epithelium of Vertebrate Species

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-28

    Pre-column Derivatization Procedure: 1.0 mL of the Jeffamine solution was mixed with 1.0 mL of NaCN, 5.0 mL of phosphate buffer pH 9.5 followed by 1.0...running buffer. All the unprotonated components elute at the same time because their rate of elution is controlled only by the rate of electroosmotic ...elecarosomotic mobility under our experimental conditions. Using an average elution time of 22.2 min the measured electroosmotic mobility is 1.3 x 10-4 cm2

  16. [Defense mechanisms of the surface epithelium of the human esophageal mucosa].

    PubMed

    Bykov, V L; Iseeva, E A

    2006-01-01

    This review, which is based on the literature data and the results of personal research, contains an analysis of the current concepts on the tissue, cellular and molecular mechanisms, protecting human esophageal epithelium (EE) from gastric juice, bile, hot and rough food, microorganisms, alcohol, carcinogens, drugs and oxidizing agents. The response of EE to concrete environmental factors includes both specific and non-specific components, which depend on the nature of injurious agent. EE is damaged structurally and functionally only when it is exposed to the injurious factors of high intensity and/or long duration, which result in the exhaustion of resources of defense mechanisms. The insufficiency of EE defense mechanisms may be based on various genetic defects.

  17. SUMOylation pathway alteration coupled with downregulation of SUMO E2 enzyme at mucosal epithelium modulates inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease

    PubMed Central

    Mustfa, Salman Ahmad; Singh, Mukesh; Suhail, Aamir; Mohapatra, Gayatree; Verma, Smriti; Chakravorty, Debangana; Rana, Sarika; Rampal, Ritika; Dhar, Atika; Saha, Sudipto; Ahuja, Vineet

    2017-01-01

    Post-translational modification pathways such as SUMOylation are integral to all cellular processes and tissue homeostasis. We investigated the possible involvement of SUMOylation in the epithelial signalling in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Initially in a murine model of IBD, induced by dextran–sulfate–sodium (DSS mice), we observed inflammation accompanied by a lowering of global SUMOylation of colonic epithelium. The observed SUMOylation alteration was due to a decrease in the sole SUMO E2 enzyme (Ubc9). Mass-spectrometric analysis revealed the existence of a distinct SUMOylome (SUMO-conjugated proteome) in DSS mice with alteration of key cellular regulators, including master kinase Akt1. Knocking-down of Ubc9 in epithelial cells resulted in dramatic activation of inflammatory gene expression, a phenomenon that acted via reduction in Akt1 and its SUMOylated form. Importantly, a strong decrease in Ubc9 and Akt1 was also seen in endoscopic biopsy samples (N = 66) of human CD and UC patients. Furthermore, patients with maximum disease indices were always accompanied by severely lowered Ubc9 or SUMOylated-Akt1. Mucosal tissues with severely compromised Ubc9 function displayed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and compromised wound-healing markers. Thus, our results reveal an important and previously undescribed role for the SUMOylation pathway involving Ubc9 and Akt1 in modulation of epithelial inflammatory signalling in IBD. PMID:28659381

  18. Behavior Modification in Coaching.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lynch, Annette Rutt; Stillman, Stephen M.

    1979-01-01

    An example of behavior modification used in athletic coaching is presented. The case study involves a member of a women's basketball team and details the use of behavior modification for both weight reduction and skill improvement. (JMF)

  19. Effect of azelastine on sulphur dioxide induced impairment of ciliary motility in airway epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Tamaoki, J; Chiyotani, A; Sakai, N; Takeyama, K; Konno, K

    1993-01-01

    OBJECTIVE--The effect of azelastine on airway mucociliary transport function was studied by measuring ciliary motility of human bronchial epithelium in vitro with a photoelectric method. METHOD--Bronchial epithelial cells were obtained by fibreoptic bronchoscopy, mounted in a Rose chamber, and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. The preparations were placed on a microscope stage equipped with an illuminator, and the variations of light intensity caused by ciliary beating were detected by a photometer. RESULTS--The addition of azelastine to the perfusate increased ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in a dose dependent manner without ciliary discoordination. The mean (SE) maximal increase from the baseline value and the concentration required to produce a half maximal effect were 27.0 (4.2)% and 9.2 x 10(-6) mol/l, respectively. Exposure of the cells to the perfusate containing 3 ppm sulphur dioxide rapidly decreased CBF by 59.2 (5.0)%, and was accompanied by a reduction in intracellular cyclic AMP levels from 38.1 (4.3) to 10.1 (2.4) pmol/mg protein. This effect was prevented by pretreatment of cells with azelastine in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS--Azelastine not only stimulates ciliary motility of airway epithelium and hence mucociliary transport function, but may also protect against sulphur dioxide induced ciliary dysfunction, probably by inhibiting intracellular cyclic AMP loss. PMID:8322244

  20. Identification of Short Hairpin RNA Targeting Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus with Transgenic Bovine Fetal Epithelium Cells

    PubMed Central

    He, Hongbin; Ding, Fangrong; Yang, Hongjun; Cheng, Lei; Liu, Wenhao; Zhong, Jifeng; Dai, Yunping; Li, Guangpeng; He, Chengqiang; Yu, Li; Li, Jianbin

    2012-01-01

    Background Although it is known that RNA interference (RNAi) targeting viral genes protects experimental animals, such as mice, from the challenge of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), it has not been previously investigated whether shRNAs targeting FMDV in transgenic dairy cattle or primary transgenic bovine epithelium cells will confer resistance against FMDV challenge. Principal Finding Here we constructed three recombinant lentiviral vectors containing shRNA against VP2 (RNAi-VP2), VP3 (RNAi-VP3), or VP4 (RNAi-VP4) of FMDV, and found that all of them strongly suppressed the transient expression of a FLAG-tagged viral gene fusion protein in 293T cells. In BHK-21 cells, RNAi-VP4 was found to be more potent in inhibition of viral replication than the others with over 98% inhibition of viral replication. Therefore, recombinant lentiviral vector RNAi-VP4 was transfected into bovine fetal fibroblast cells to generate transgenic nuclear donor cells. With subsequent somatic cell cloning, we generated forty transgenic blastocysts, and then transferred them to 20 synchronized recipient cows. Three transgenic bovine fetuses were obtained after pregnant period of 4 months, and integration into chromosome in cloned fetuses was confirmed by Southern hybridization. The primary tongue epithelium cells of transgenic fetuses were isolated and inoculated with 100 TCID50 of FMDV, and it was observed that shRNA significantly suppressed viral RNA synthesis and inhibited over 91% of viral replication after inoculation of FMDV for 48 h. Conclusion RNAi-VP4 targeting viral VP4 gene appears to prevent primary epithelium cells of transgenic bovine fetus from FMDV infection, and it could be a candidate shRNA used for cultivation of transgenic cattle against FMDV. PMID:22905125

  1. Temporal regulation of epithelium formation mediated by FoxA, MKLP1, MgcRacGAP, and PAR-6

    PubMed Central

    Von Stetina, Stephen E.; Liang, Jennifer; Marnellos, Georgios; Mango, Susan E.

    2017-01-01

    To establish the animal body plan, embryos link the external epidermis to the internal digestive tract. In Caenorhabditis elegans, this linkage is achieved by the arcade cells, which form an epithelial bridge between the foregut and epidermis, but little is known about how development of these three epithelia is coordinated temporally. The arcade cell epithelium is generated after the epidermis and digestive tract epithelia have matured, ensuring that both organs can withstand the mechanical stress of embryo elongation; mistiming of epithelium formation leads to defects in morphogenesis. Using a combination of genetic, bioinformatic, and imaging approaches, we find that temporal regulation of the arcade cell epithelium is mediated by the pioneer transcription factor and master regulator PHA-4/FoxA, followed by the cytoskeletal regulator and kinesin ZEN-4/MKLP1 and the polarity protein PAR-6. We show that PHA-4 directly activates mRNA expression of a broad cohort of epithelial genes, including junctional factor dlg-1. Accumulation of DLG-1 protein is delayed by ZEN-4, acting in concert with its binding partner CYK-4/MgcRacGAP. Our structure–function analysis suggests that nuclear and kinesin functions are dispensable, whereas binding to CYK-4 is essential, for ZEN-4 function in polarity. Finally, PAR-6 is necessary to localize polarity proteins such as DLG-1 within adherens junctions and at the apical surface, thereby generating arcade cell polarity. Our results reveal that the timing of a landmark event during embryonic morphogenesis is mediated by the concerted action of four proteins that delay the formation of an epithelial bridge until the appropriate time. In addition, we find that mammalian FoxA associates with many epithelial genes, suggesting that direct regulation of epithelial identity may be a conserved feature of FoxA factors and a contributor to FoxA function in development and cancer. PMID:28539408

  2. Roles of cyclic AMP and Ca in epithelial ion transport across corneal epithelium: a review.

    PubMed

    Reinach, P S

    1985-04-01

    The messenger roles of cyclic AMP and the calcium ion in stimulus-secretion coupling are considered in the frog and bovine corneal epithelium, respectively. In the frog cornea, epinephrine stimulates net C1 transport by increasing cyclic AMP content. This stimulation is associated with a larger apical membrane C1 conductance and basolateral membrane ionic conductance. The response of the apical membrane conductance is thought to result from an increase in cyclic AMP content whereas the basolateral membrane ionic conductance increase is unrelated based on measurements of the effects of the calcium channel antagonist, diltiazem, and the beta agonist, isoproterenol, on the electrical parameters and cyclic AMP content. The basolateral membrane is essentially K permselective since the K channel blocker, Ba, depolarized the intracellular potential difference and increased the basolateral membrane resistance. Diltiazem had even larger effects on these parameters suggesting that this compound is a more effective inhibitor of K channel activity than barium. In broken cell preparations of bovine corneal epithelium, a high affinity form of Ca + Mg activated ATPase is present (Km = .06 microM for Ca) and is essentially of plasma membrane origin. This ATPase activation is at a Ca activity similar to the expected intracellular value and suggests that this activity is the enzymatic basis for net Ca transport.

  3. PM2.5 induces autophagy-mediated cell death via NOS2 signaling in human bronchial epithelium cells

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Xiao-Ming; Wang, Qin; Xing, Wei-Wei; Long, Min-Hui; Fu, Wen-Liang; Xia, Wen-Rong; Jin, Chen; Guo, Ning; Xu, Dong-Qun; Xu, Dong-Gang

    2018-01-01

    The biggest victim of ambient air pollution is the respiratory system. Mainly because of the harmful components, especially the particulate matters with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5µm (PM2.5), can be directly inhaled and deeply penetrate into the lung alveoli, thus causing severe lung dysfunction, including chronic cough, bronchitis and asthma, even lung cancer. Unfortunately, the toxicological mechanisms of PM2.5 associations with these adverse respiratory outcomes have still not been clearly unveiled. Here, we found that PM2.5 rapidly induced inflammatory responses, oxidative injure and cell death in human bronchial epithelium cells through upregulation of IL-6 expression, ROS production and apoptosis. Furthermore, PM2.5 specifically induced nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) expression and NO generation to elevate excessive autophagy. Finally, disruption of NOS2 signaling effectively blocked autophayosome formation and the subsequent cell death. Our novel findings systemically reveled the role of autophagy-mediated cell death in PM2.5-treated human bronchial epithelium cells and provided potential strategy for future clinic intervention.

  4. Cyclophilin A is a new M cell marker of bovine intestinal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Hondo, Tetsuya; Someya, Shunsuke; Nagasawa, Yuya; Terada, Shunsuke; Watanabe, Hitoshi; Chen, Xiangning; Watanabe, Kouichi; Ohwada, Shyuichi; Kitazawa, Haruki; Rose, Michael T; Nochi, Tomonori; Aso, Hisashi

    2016-06-01

    Microfold (M) cells in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of Peyer's patches contribute to the mucosal immune response by the transcytosis of microorganisms. The mechanism by which M cells take up microorganisms, and the functional proteins by which they do this, are not clear. In order to explore one such protein, we developed a 2H5-F3 monoclonal antibody (2H5-F3 mAb) through its binding to bovine M cells, and identified the antibody reactive molecule as cyclophilin A (Cyp-A). The localization patterns of Cyp-A were very similar to the localization pattern of cytokeratin (CK) 18-positive M cells. Cyp-A was identified at the luminal surface of CK18-positive M cells in bovine jejunal and ileal FAE. The membranous localization of Cyp-A in the bovine intestinal cell line (BIE cells) increased as cells differentiated toward M cells, as determined by flow cytometry analysis. Additionally, BIE cells released Cyp-A to the extracellular space and the differentiation of BIE cells to M cells increased the secretion of Cyp-A, as determined by western blotting. Accordingly, Cyp-A may be localized in M cells in the small intestinal epithelium of cattle. The rise of the membranous localization and secretion of Cyp-A by differentiation toward M cells indicates that Cyp-A has an important role in the function of M cells. While Cyp-A of the M cell membrane may contribute to the uptake of viruses with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity, in the extracellular space Cyp-A may work as a chemokine and contribute to the distribution of immuno-competent cells.

  5. Cellular internalization and transport of biodegradable polyester dendrimers on a model of the pulmonary epithelium and their formulation in pressurized metered-dose inhalers.

    PubMed

    Heyder, Rodrigo S; Zhong, Qian; Bazito, Reinaldo C; da Rocha, Sandro R P

    2017-03-30

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of generation and surface PEGylation of degradable polyester-based dendrimers nanocarriers on their interactions with an in vitro model of the pulmonary epithelium as well as to assess the ability to formulate such carriers in propellant-based, portable oral-inhalation devices to determine their potential for local and systemic delivery of drugs to and through the lungs. Hydroxyl (-OH) terminated polyester dendrimers of generation 3 and 4 (G3, and G4) were synthesized using a divergent approach. G4 was surface-modified with PEG (1,000Da). All dendrimers and their building blocks were determined to be highly compatible with the model pulmonary epithelium, with toxicity profiles much more favorable than non-degradable polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM). The transport of the species from the apical to basolateral side across polarized Calu-3 monolayers showed to be generation and surface-chemistry (PEGylation) dependent. The extent of the transport is modulated by their interaction with the polarized epithelium and their transient opening of the tight junctions. G3 was the one most efficiently internalized by the epithelium, and had a small impact on the integrity of the monolayer. On the other hand, the PEGylated G4 was the one least internalized by the polarized epithelium, and at the same time had a more pronounced transient impact on the cellular junctions, resulting in more efficient transport across the cell monolayer. PEGylation of the dendrimer surface played other roles as well. PEGylation modulated the degradation profile of the dendrimer, slowing the process in a step-wise fashion - first the PEG layer is shed and then the dendrimer starts degrading. PEGylation also helped increase the solvation of the nanocarriers by the hydrofluoroalkane propellant used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers, resulting in formulations with excellent dispersibility and aerosol quality (deep lung deposition of 88

  6. Acute exposure to ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue does not alter absorptive or barrier function of the isolated bovine ruminal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Foote, A P; Penner, G B; Walpole, M E; Klotz, J L; Brown, K R; Bush, L P; Harmon, D L

    2014-07-01

    Ergot alkaloids in endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) have been shown to cause a reduction in blood flow to the rumen epithelium as well as a decrease in volatile fatty acids (VFA) absorption from the washed rumen of steers. Previous data also indicates that incubating an extract of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed causes an increase in the amount of VFA absorbed per unit of blood flow, which could result from an alteration in the absorptive or barrier function of the rumen epithelium. An experiment was conducted to determine the acute effects of an endophyte-infected tall fescue seed extract (EXT) on total, passive or facilitated acetate and butyrate flux across the isolated bovine rumen as well as the barrier function measured by inulin flux and tissue conductance (G t ). Flux of ergovaline across the rumen epithelium was also evaluated. Rumen tissue from the caudal dorsal sac of Holstein steers (n=6), fed a common diet, was collected and isolated shortly after slaughter and mounted between two halves of Ussing chambers. In vitro treatments included vehicle control (80% methanol, 0.5% of total volume), Low EXT (50 ng ergovaline/ml) and High EXT (250 ng ergovaline/ml). Results indicate that there is no effect of acute exposure to ergot alkaloids on total, passive or facilitated flux of acetate or butyrate across the isolate bovine rumen epithelium (P>0.51). Inulin flux (P=0.16) and G t (P>0.17) were not affected by EXT treatment, indicating no alteration in barrier function due to acute ergot alkaloid exposure. Ergovaline was detected in the serosal buffer of the High EXT treatment indicating that the flux rate is ~0.25 to 0.44 ng/cm2 per hour. Data indicate that specific pathways for VFA absorption and barrier function of the rumen epithelium are not affected by acute exposure to ergot alkaloids from tall fescue at the concentrations tested. Ergovaline has the potential to be absorbed from the rumen of cattle that

  7. Histone modification: cause or cog?

    PubMed

    Henikoff, Steven; Shilatifard, Ali

    2011-10-01

    Histone modifications are key components of chromatin packaging but whether they constitute a 'code' has been contested. We believe that the central issue is causality: are histone modifications responsible for differences between chromatin states, or are differences in modifications mostly consequences of dynamic processes, such as transcription and nucleosome remodeling? We find that inferences of causality are often based on correlation and that patterns of some key histone modifications are more easily explained as consequences of nucleosome disruption in the presence of histone modifying enzymes. We suggest that the 35-year-old DNA accessibility paradigm provides a mechanistically sound basis for understanding the role of nucleosomes in gene regulation and epigenetic inheritance. Based on this view, histone modifications and variants contribute to diversification of a chromatin landscape shaped by dynamic processes that are driven primarily by transcription and nucleosome remodeling. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Oxidatively damaged DNA in the nasal epithelium of workers occupationally exposed to silica dust in Tuscany region, Italy.

    PubMed

    Peluso, Marco E M; Munnia, Armelle; Giese, Roger W; Chellini, Elisabetta; Ceppi, Marcello; Capacci, Fabio

    2015-07-01

    Chronic silica exposure has been associated to cancer and silicosis. Furthermore, the induction of oxidative stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species have been indicated to play a main role in the carcinogenicity of respirable silica. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of 3-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentafuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-α]purin-10(3H)-one deoxyguanosine (M1dG) adducts, a biomarker of oxidative stress and peroxidation of lipids, in the nasal epithelium of 135 silica-exposed workers, employed in pottery, ceramic and marble manufacturing plants as well as in a stone quarry, in respect to 118 controls living in Tuscany region, Italy. The M1dG generation was measured by the (32)P-postlabelling assay. Significant higher levels of M1dG adducts per 10(8) normal nucleotides were observed in the nasal epithelium of smokers, 77.9±9.8 (SE), and in those of former smokers, 80.7±9.7 (SE), as compared to non-smokers, 57.1±6.2 (SE), P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively. Significant increments of M1dG adducts were found in the nasal epithelium of workers that handle artificial marble conglomerates, 184±36.4 (SE), and in those of quarry workers, 120±34.7 (SE), with respect to controls, 50.6±2.7 (SE), P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively. Null increments were observed in association with the pottery and the ceramic factories. After stratification for different exposures, silica-exposed workers that were co-exposed to organic solvents, and welding and exhaust fumes have significantly higher M1dG levels, 90.4±13.4 (SE), P = 0.014 vs. Our data suggested that silica exposure might be associated with genotoxicity in the nasal epithelial cells of silica-exposed workers that handle of artificial marble conglomerates and quarry workers. Importantly, we observed that co-exposures to other respiratory carcinogens may have contributed to enhance the burden of M1dG adducts in the nasal epithelium of silica-exposed workers. © The

  9. The effect of long-term administered CRAC channels blocker on the functions of respiratory epithelium in guinea pig allergic asthma model.

    PubMed

    Sutovska, Martina; Kocmalova, Michaela; Joskova, Marta; Adamkov, Marian; Franova, Sona

    2015-04-01

    Previously, therapeutic potency of CRAC channels blocker was evidenced as a significant decrease in airway smooth muscle hyperreactivity, antitussive and anti-inflammatory effects. The major role of the respiratory epithelium in asthma pathogenesis was highlighted only recently and CRAC channels were proposed as the most significant route of Ca2+ entry into epithelial cells. The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of long-term administered CRAC channels blocker on airway epithelium, e.g. cytokine production and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) using an animal model of allergic asthma. Ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation of guinea pigs was followed by long-term (14 days lasted) therapy by CRAC blocker (3-fluoropyridine-4-carboxylic acid, FPCA). The influence of long-term therapy on cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in BALF and in plasma, immunohistochemical staining of pulmonary tissue (c-Fos positivity) and CBF in vitro were used for analysis. Decrease in cytokine levels and in c-Fos positivity confirmed an anti-inflammatory effect of long-term administered FPCA. Cytokine levels in BALF and distribution of c-Fos positivity suggested that FPCA was a more potent inhibitor of respiratory epithelium secretory functions than budesonide. FPCA and budesonide reduced CBF only insignificantly. All findings supported CRAC channels as promising target in the new strategy of antiasthmatic treatment.

  10. Expression and distribution of the intermediate filament protein nestin and other stem cell related molecules in the human olfactory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Minovi, Amir; Witt, Martin; Prescher, Andreas; Gudziol, Volker; Dazert, Stefan; Hatt, Hanns; Benecke, Heike

    2010-02-01

    The olfactory epithelium (OE) is unique in regenerating throughout life and thus is an attractive target for examining neurogenesis. The nestin protein was shown to be expressed in the OE of rodents and is suggested to be essentially involved in the process of regeneration. Here we report the expression and distribution of nestin in the human OE at RNA and protein level. Moreover, we analysed the expression profiles in dependence on age and olfactory capacity. After sinus surgery, biopsies were taken from the olfactory epithelium of 16 patients aged 20-80 years with documented differences in their olfactory function. Our studies revealed that nestin is constantly detectable in the apical protuberances of sustentacular cells within the human OE of healthy adults. Its expression is not dependent on age, but rather appears to be related to the olfactory function, as a comparison with specimens obtained from patients suffering either from persistent anosmia or hyposmia suggests. Particularly, in the course of dystrophy, often accompanied with impaired olfaction, nestin expression was occasionally decreased. Contrarily, the expression of the p75-NGFR protein, a marker for human OE basal cells, was not altered, indicating that at least in the tested samples olfactory impairment is not connected with abnormalities at the basal cell level. These observations emphasize an essential role of nestin for the process of regeneration, and also highlight this factor as a candidate marker for sustentacular cells in the human olfactory epithelium.

  11. Demonstration of carboxylesterase in cytology samples of human nasal respiratory epithelium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rodgers, D.A.; Nikula, K.J.; Avila, K.

    1995-12-01

    The epithelial lining of the nasal airways is a target for responses induced by a variety of toxicant exposures. The high metabolic capacity of this tissue has been suggested to play a role in both protection of the airways through detoxication of certain toxicants, as well as in activation of other compounds to more toxic metabolites. Specifically, nasal carboxylesterase (CE) has been shown to mediate the toxicity of inhaled esters and acrylates by converting them to more toxic acid and alcohol metabolites which can be cytotoxic and/or carcinogenic to the nasal mucosa. Due to difficulties in extrapolating rodent models tomore » human, new paradigms using human cells and tissues are essential to understanding and evaluating the metabolic processes in human nasal epithelium.« less

  12. Human forniceal region is the stem cell-rich zone of the conjunctival epithelium.

    PubMed

    Harun, Mohd Hairul Nizam; Sepian, Siti Norzalehawati; Chua, Kien-Hui; Ropilah, Abd Rahman; Abd Ghafar, Norzana; Che-Hamzah, Jemaima; Bt Hj Idrus, Ruszymah; Annuar, Faridah Hanom

    2013-03-01

    The anterior surface of the eye is covered by several physically contiguous but histologically distinguishable epithelia overlying the cornea, limbus, bulbar conjunctiva, fornix conjunctiva, and palpebral conjunctiva. The self-renewing nature of the conjunctival epithelia makes their long-term survival ultimately dependent on small populations of stem cells. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the expression of the stem cell genes Sox2, OCT4, NANOG, Rex1, NES, and ABCG2 in cultured human conjunctival epithelium from different conjunctival zones, namely, the bulbar, palpebral and fornix zones. Three samples were taken from patients with primary pterygium and cataract (age range 56-66 years) who presented to our eye clinic at the UKM Medical Centre. The eye was examined with slit lamp to ensure there was no underlying ocular surface diseases and glaucoma. Conjunctival tissue was taken from patients who underwent a standard cataract or pterygium operation as a primary procedure. Tissues were digested, cultured, and propagated until an adequate number of cells was obtained. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to expression analysis of conjunctival epithelium genes (KRT4, KRT13, KRT19) and stem cell genes (Sox2, OCT4, NANOG, Rex1, NES, ABCG2) by reverse transcriptase-PCR and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of Sox2, OCT4, and NANOG genes were detected in the fornical cells, while bulbar cells only expressed Sox2 and palpebral cells only expressed OCT4. Based on these results, the human forniceal region expresses a higher number of stem cell genes than the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva.

  13. Thermodynamic analysis of active sodium and potassium transport in the frog corneal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Candia, O A; Reinach, P S

    1982-06-01

    The formalism of linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics for a three-flow system was applied to the isolated frog corneal epithelium to study the coupling between metabolism and the Na-K transport system across this layer. There is little or no net ion transport across the isolated frog corneal epithelium bathed in Na2SO4 Ringer. Addition of amphotericin B to the tear side solution increases apical membrane permeability, which results in a net Na transport (from tear to stroma) and a net K transport in the opposite direction. Corneas were mounted in a modified Ussing chamber that permitted the simultaneous measurements of electrical parameters and O2 consumption by means of Clark-type oxygen electrodes. The overall degree of coupling, q, of the Na-K transport system to metabolism was calculated from measuring the suprabasal O2 consumption rate at "static head" and "level flow" conditions and by a second independent technique. Measurements of electrical conductance used in conjunction with other previously measured parameters allowed the calculation of the affinity, A, of the metabolic reaction driving transport, all phenomenological coefficients, and the electromotive forces of sodium (ENa) and potassium transport (EK). Values of q determined by the two techniques agreed (q = 0.80 and 0.84, respectively). This indicates incomplete coupling and a variable stoichiometric relationship among O2 consumption rate, net Na transport, and net K transport. The value calculated for A was 70.5 kcal.mol-1, for ENa 142.5 mV, and for EK -34.9 mV.

  14. Antibodies against Escherichia coli O24 and O56 O-Specific Polysaccharides Recognize Epitopes in Human Glandular Epithelium and Nervous Tissue

    PubMed Central

    Korzeniowska-Kowal, Agnieszka; Kochman, Agata; Gamian, Elżbieta; Lis-Nawara, Anna; Lipiński, Tomasz; Seweryn, Ewa; Ziółkowski, Piotr; Gamian, Andrzej

    2015-01-01

    Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, contains the O-polysaccharide, which is important to classify bacteria into different O-serological types within species. The O-polysaccharides of serotypes O24 and O56 of E. coli contain sialic acid in their structures, already established in our previous studies. Here, we report the isolation of specific antibodies with affinity chromatography using immobilized lipopolysaccharides. Next, we evaluated the reactivity of anti-O24 and anti-O56 antibody on human tissues histologically. The study was conducted under the assumption that the sialic acid based molecular identity of bacterial and tissue structures provides not only an understanding of the mimicry-based bacterial pathogenicity. Cross-reacting antibodies could be used to recognize specific human tissues depending on their histogenesis and differentiation, which might be useful for diagnostic purposes. The results indicate that various human tissues are recognized by anti-O24 and anti-O56 antibodies. Interestingly, only a single specific reactivity could be found in the anti-O56 antibody preparation. Several tissues studied were not reactive with either antibody, thus proving that the presence of cross-reactive antigens was tissue specific. In general, O56 antibody performed better than O24 in staining epithelial and nervous tissues. Positive staining was observed for both normal (ganglia) and tumor tissue (ganglioneuroma). Epithelial tissue showed positive staining, but an epitope recognized by O56 antibody should be considered as a marker of glandular epithelium. The reason is that malignant glandular tumor and its metastasis are stained, and also epithelium of renal tubules and glandular structures of the thyroid gland are stained. Stratified epithelium such as that of skin is definitely not stained. Therefore, the most relevant observation is that the epitope recognized by anti-O56 antibodies is a new marker

  15. The Favorable Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment on the Antioxidant Protective Mechanism in the Corneal Epithelium and Renewal of Corneal Optical Properties Changed after Alkali Burns.

    PubMed

    Cejka, Cestmir; Holan, Vladimir; Trosan, Peter; Zajicova, Alena; Javorkova, Eliska; Cejkova, Jitka

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this study was to examine whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or corneal limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) influence restoration of an antioxidant protective mechanism in the corneal epithelium and renewal of corneal optical properties changed after alkali burns. The injured rabbit corneas (with 0.25 N NaOH) were untreated or treated with nanofiber scaffolds free of stem cells, with nanofiber scaffolds seeded with bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs), with adipose tissue MSCs (Ad-MSCs), or with LSCs. On day 15 following the injury, after BM-MSCs or LSCs nanofiber treatment (less after Ad-MSCs treatment) the expression of antioxidant enzymes was restored in the regenerated corneal epithelium and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) were low. The central corneal thickness (taken as an index of corneal hydration) increased after the injury and returned to levels before the injury. In injured untreated corneas the epithelium was absent and numerous cells revealed the expressions of iNOS, MMP9, α-SMA, TGF-β1, and VEGF. In conclusion, stem cell treatment accelerated regeneration of the corneal epithelium, restored the antioxidant protective mechanism, and renewed corneal optical properties.

  16. Human Rights and Behavior Modification

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Roos, Philip

    1974-01-01

    Criticisms of behavior modification, which charge that it violates ethical and legal principles, are discussed and reasons are presented to explain behavior modification's susceptibility to attack. (GW)

  17. In vitro evidence for UV-protection of the eye by the corneal epithelium mediated by the cytoplasmic protein, RNA, and ascorbate.

    PubMed

    Ringvold, A

    1997-10-01

    (1) To evaluate the effect of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and ascorbate on UV-absorption and their impact on ultraviolet-induced (UV) fluorescence from various proteins, and (2) to compare RNA and DNA reduction of protein fluorescence. These informations will be useful for later work on the UV-filtering effect of the corneal epithelium. Spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry. (1) RNA and ascorbate caused a significant UV-absorption and reduced the fluorescence from various water-soluble proteins, the degree of reduction varying independently from one protein to the other. (2) RNA and DNA showed protein fluorescence reduction of roughly the same order. The results are discussed both in the context of UV-protection of the cell nucleus in general, and the possible UV-filtering effect for the eye of bovine corneal epithelium.

  18. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is related to nuclear grade in ductal carcinoma in situ and is increased in its normal adjacent epithelium

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shim, Veronica; Gauthier, Mona L.; Sudilovsky, Daniel; Mantei, Kristin; Chew, Karen L.; Moore, Dan H.; Cha, Imok; Tlsty, Thea D.; Esserman, Laura J.

    2003-01-01

    Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is emerging as an important cancer biomarker and is now an experimental target for solid tumor treatment.However, no study has exclusively focused on COX-2 expression in early lesions such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We examined COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in 46 cases of women undergoing surgical resection for DCIS. We found that COX-2 expression was detected in 85% of all DCIS specimens, with increased COX-2 staining correlating with higher nuclear grade. Strikingly, COX-2 staining intensity in the normal adjacent epithelium was stronger than in the DCIS lesion itself. Our observations demonstrate that COX-2 is up-regulated in the normal adjacent epithelium and supports the hypothesis that the surrounding epithelial tissue is part of the disease process in DCIS.

  19. Review: Exogenous butyrate: implications for the functional development of ruminal epithelium and calf performance.

    PubMed

    Niwińska, B; Hanczakowska, E; Arciszewski, M B; Klebaniuk, R

    2017-09-01

    The importance of the use of exogenous butyrate in calves' diets is due to its role as a factor stimulating the functional development of ruminal epithelium and improving calf performance during the transition from preruminant to ruminant status. Our review will first present results related to effects of the administration of butyrate in calves' diets on the development of ruminal epithelium toward a more effective absorption and metabolism of fermentation products from the rumen. The introduction of sodium butyrate at a level of about 0.3% of diet dry matter is accompanied by an increase to 35% in butyrate concentration in the rumen of 33-day-old calves. Mutual reliance between an enhanced ruminal concentration of butyrate and the activities of transcription factors, genes and proteins involved in cell proliferation, ketogenesis and the maintenance of cell pH homeostasis in the ruminal epithelial cells has been clearly confirmed in many experiments. Second, the review presents results related to the effects of the introduction of butyrate salts in the diet on calf performance. Of 11 studies a positive effect was found in six; five of these were obtained from the calves that started receiving butyrate supplement at a level of about 0.3% diet dry matter from the age of 3 to 5 days. Results indicate that when a supplement is given to calves soon after birth the functional development of ruminal epithelium in cooperation with the endocrine and digestion systems is transferred into improving the efficiency of rearing. There have been no studies on the effects of greater amounts of butyrate salts in milk replacer; butyrate constitutes about 1.2% of the whole cow's milk dry matter. In older calves, when butyrate administration is provided as a component of a starter concentrate at the increasing inclusion rate from 0.3% to 3.0%, the practical effect in calf performance relates to the risk of depression of rumen pH below 5.5 and accompanying disruption of the

  20. A Proinflammatory Function of Toll-Like Receptor 2 in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium as a Novel Target for Reducing Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

    PubMed

    Feng, Lili; Ju, Meihua; Lee, Kei Ying V; Mackey, Ashley; Evangelista, Mariasilvia; Iwata, Daiju; Adamson, Peter; Lashkari, Kameran; Foxton, Richard; Shima, David; Ng, Yin Shan

    2017-10-01

    Current treatments for choroidal neovascularization, a major cause of blindness for patients with age-related macular degeneration, treat symptoms but not the underlying causes of the disease. Inflammation has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization. We examined the inflammatory role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in age-related macular degeneration. TLR2 was robustly expressed by the retinal pigment epithelium in mouse and human eyes, both normal and with macular degeneration/choroidal neovascularization. Nuclear localization of NF-κB, a major downstream target of TLR2 signaling, was detected in the retinal pigment epithelium of human eyes, particularly in eyes with advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration. TLR2 antagonism effectively suppressed initiation and growth of spontaneous choroidal neovascularization in a mouse model, and the combination of anti-TLR2 and antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 yielded an additive therapeutic effect on both area and number of spontaneous choroidal neovascularization lesions. Finally, in primary human fetal retinal pigment epithelium cells, ligand binding to TLR2 induced robust expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and end products of lipid oxidation had a synergistic effect on TLR2 activation. Our data illustrate a functional role for TLR2 in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization, likely by promoting inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium, and validate TLR2 as a novel therapeutic target for reducing choroidal neovascularization. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activities in the transitional epithelium of the rat urinary bladder.

    PubMed

    Zhang, S X; Kobayashi, T; Okada, T; García del Saz, E; Seguchi, H

    1991-07-01

    The cerium-based method was used to demonstrate cytochemically the ultrastructural localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) and magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg-ATPase) on the transitional epithelium of the rat urinary bladder. The reaction product for ALPase was found on the plasma membrane of all epithelial cells, except the luminal surface of superficial cells. The activity of 5'-Nase appeared on the plasma membrane of all bladder transitional epithelial cells, including the free surface of superficial cells. The Mg-ATPase reaction product was seen on the plasma membrane of superficial, intermediate and basal cells, but never on the luminal surface of superficial cells and it was only occasionally seen on the basal surface. The possible functions of these phosphatases have been discussed, and it was emphasized that the 5'-Nase activity present on the luminal surface of superficial cells may play a special role in the membrane movement of these cells in the transitional epithelium.

  2. Transport rather than diffusion-dependent route for nitric oxide gas activity in alveolar epithelium.

    PubMed

    Brahmajothi, Mulugu V; Mason, S Nicholas; Whorton, A Richard; McMahon, Timothy J; Auten, Richard L

    2010-07-15

    The pathway by which inhaled NO gas enters pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells has not been directly tested. Although the expected mechanism is diffusion, another route is the formation of S-nitroso-L-cysteine, which then enters the cell through the L-type amino acid transporter (LAT). To determine if NO gas also enters alveolar epithelium this way, we exposed alveolar epithelial-rat type I, type II, L2, R3/1, and human A549-cells to NO gas at the air liquid interface in the presence of L- and D-cysteine+/-LAT competitors. NO gas exposure concentration dependently increased intracellular NO and S-nitrosothiol levels in the presence of L- but not D-cysteine, which was inhibited by LAT competitors, and was inversely proportional to diffusion distance. The effect of L-cysteine on NO uptake was also concentration dependent. Without preincubation with L-cysteine, NO uptake was significantly reduced. We found similar effects using ethyl nitrite gas in place of NO. Exposure to either gas induced activation of soluble guanylyl cylase in a parallel manner, consistent with LAT dependence. We conclude that NO gas uptake by alveolar epithelium achieves NO-based signaling predominantly by forming extracellular S-nitroso-L-cysteine that is taken up through LAT, rather than by diffusion. Augmenting extracellular S-nitroso-L-cysteine formation may augment pharmacological actions of inhaled NO gas. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Testicular histomorphometry and the proliferative and apoptotic activities of the seminiferous epithelium in Syrian hamster during spontaneous recrudescence after exposure to short photoperiod.

    PubMed

    Martínez-Hernández, Jesús; Seco-Rovira, Vicente; Beltrán-Frutos, Ester; Ferrer, Concepción; Canteras, Manuel; Sánchez-Huertas, María Del Mar; Pastor, Luis Miguel

    2018-05-21

    Syrian hamsters are photoperiodic rodents in which reproduction, including testicular function, is stimulated by long photoperiod exposure and curtailed by exposure to a short photoperiod. The objectives of this study were to characterize the testis histomorphometrically and to determine the role of the proliferation and apoptosis phenomena in the recovery of the seminiferous epithelium during spontaneous recrudescence after exposure to short photoperiod. The study was performed using conventional light microscopy, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling staining, image analysis software, and transmission electron microscopy in three recrudescence groups: initial recrudescence (IR), advanced recrudescence (AR) and total recrudescence (TR). The results morphometrically pointed to the gradual recovery of the testicular and tubular volumes, as well as of the seminiferous epithelium. Among the IR and AR groups, the increase in testicular and tubular volumes was accompanied by an increase in tubular diameter and length, with an increase in interstitial volume. From AR to TR, there was an increase in the tubular and total volumes, but, in this case, with a gradual increase in tubular diameter. Recovery of the seminiferous epithelium was accompanied by changes in apoptosis and proliferation activities. The first decreased halfway through the process, and the second remained higher than the control levels throughout the recrudescence stage. Alterations in the spermatozoa were ultrastructurally observed, which indicated that spermiogenesis was not yet completely normal. In conclusion, spontaneous testicular recrudescence in Syrian hamster comprises two histomorphometrical phases: the first related to an increase in tubular length and diameter and interstitial volume and the second depending principally on the gradual increase in tubular diameter. The restoration of the seminiferous

  4. Response of the macaque nasal epithelium to ambient levels of ozone. A morphologic and morphometric study of the transitional and respiratory epithelium.

    PubMed Central

    Harkema, J. R.; Plopper, C. G.; Hyde, D. M.; St George, J. A.; Wilson, D. W.; Dungworth, D. L.

    1987-01-01

    Although ozone (O3)-induced bronchiolitis has been morphologically characterized, effects of O3 on the upper respiratory tract have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposures to ambient levels of O3 induce lesions in the nasal mucosa. Bonnet monkeys were exposed to 0.00, 0.15, or 0.30 ppm O3 for 6 or 90 days, 8 hours/day. After exposure, nasal mucosa was processed for light and electron microscopy. Quantitative changes were evident in the nasal transitional and respiratory epithelium. At 6 or 90 days of exposure to 0.15 or 0.30 ppm O3 lesions consisted of ciliated cell necrosis, shortened cilia, and secretory cell hyperplasia. Inflammatory cell influx was only present at 6 days of exposure. Ultrastructural changes in goblet cells were evident at 90 days. Ambient levels of O3 can induce significant nasal epithelial lesions, which may compromise upper respiratory defense mechanisms. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 PMID:3605312

  5. Transport mechanism of lipid covered saquinavir pure drug nanoparticles in intestinal epithelium.

    PubMed

    Xia, Dengning; He, Yuan; Li, Qiuxia; Hu, Cunde; Huang, Wei; Zhang, Yunhai; Wan, Feng; Wang, Chi; Gan, Yong

    2018-01-10

    Pure drug nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising formulation for improved drug solubility and controlled dissolution velocity. However, limited absorption by the intestinal epithelium remains challenge to their clinical application, and little is known about how these NPs within the cells are transported. To improve cellular uptake and transport of pure nanodrug in cells, here, a lipid covered saquinavir (SQV) pure drug NP (Lipo@nanodrug) was designed by modifying a pure SQV NP (nanodrug) with a phospholipid bilayer. We studied their endocytosis, intracellular trafficking mechanism using Caco-2 cell model. Uptake of Lipo@nanodrug by Caco-2 cells was 1.91-fold greater than that of pure nanodrug via processes involving cell lipid raft. The transcellular transport of Lipo@nanodrug across Caco-2 monolayers was 3.75-fold and 1.92-fold higher than that of coarse crystals and pure nanodrug, respectively. Within cells, Lipo@nanodrug was mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, leading to transcytosis of Lipo@nanodrug across intestinal epithelial cells, whereas pure nanodrug tended to be retained and to dissolve in cell and removed by P-gp-mediated efflux. In rats, the oral bioavailability of the model drug SQV after Lipo@nanodrug administration was 4.29-fold and 1.77-fold greater than after coarse crystal and pure nanodrug administration, respectively. In conclusion, addition of a phospholipid bilayer to pure drug NP increased their cellular uptake and altered their intracellular processing, helping to improve drug transport across intestinal epithelium. To our knowledge, this is the first presentation of the novel phospholipid bilayer covered SQV pure drug NP design, and a mechanistic study on intracellular trafficking in in vitro cell models has been described. The findings provide a new platform for oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Immunohistochemical expression of Notch signaling in the lining epithelium of periapical cysts.

    PubMed

    Meliou, Eleni; Kerezoudis, Nikolaos; Tosios, Konstantinos; Lafkas, Daniel; Kiaris, Hippokratis

    2011-02-01

    In this study we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of the receptors Notch 1 and Notch 2, the ligand Delta 1, and the transcription factors HES 1 and HES 5 in the epithelium of well-defined periapical cysts. Immunohistochemistry was carried out on 55 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, well-defined periapical cysts with minimum inflammation, obtained from the archival tissue database of the Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the specificity of the anti-Notch antibody and the expression of Notch signaling in 5 fresh-frozen periapical cysts. The levels of staining intensity were estimated by the performance of a semiautomated image analysis system. Descriptive statistic of mean values obtained by computerized image analysis method was performed. Immunostaining reaction of all Notch signaling components was observed in the cytoplasm and/or the cytoplasmic membrane in the majority of epithelial cells of periapical cysts. Nuclear staining was observed occasionally in all cases. Notch 2 showed strong staining in 52.83% of the cases, followed by Notch 1 (35.85%), HES 1 and HES 5 moderate staining in 72.73% and 57.69% of the cases, respectively, and Delta 1 weak staining in 58.33% of the cases. No statistical correlation was found between the antibodies and the sex or the age of the study group. Notch is an evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanism that regulates cell fate decisions during development and postnatal life in organisms as diverse as worms, flies, and humans. The present observations indicate that Notch pathway is active downstream in the lining epithelium of periapical cysts, suggesting an involvement of this pathway in periapical cyst growth and expansion. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. In vivo effects of endotoxin on DNA synthesis in rat nasal epithelium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Harkema, J.R.; Hotchkiss, J.A.

    Airway inflammation in bacterial infections is characterized by the presence of neutrophils and often epithelial injury and repair. Release of endotoxin from bacteria may contribute to these processes. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo effects of repeated endotoxin exposure on DNA synthesis in rat nasal epithelium in the presence and absence of neutrophilic influx. Rats were intranasally instilled, once a day for 3 days, with endotoxin or saline (controls). Before the first and third instillations, half of the saline and endotoxin-instilled animals were depleted of circulating blood neutrophils by administering a rabbit anti-rat neutrophil antiserum.more » Rats were sacrificed 6 or 24 h after the last instillation. Two hours prior to sacrifice, rats were intraperitoneally injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), an analog of thymidine that is incorporated in the nucleus of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle. Nasal tissues were processed for light microscopy and immunohistochemical detection of BrdU in nasal epithelial cells. The numbers of nasal epithelial cells, BrdU-labeled epithelial nuclei, and neutrophils per millimeter of basal lamina in the epithelium lining the nasal turbinates in the proximal nasal passages were determined by morphometric analysis. The authors did not observe a neutrophilic influx in the nasal tissues of neutrophil-depleted rats at 6 or 24 h after the last endotoxin instillation; however, the numbers of nasal epithelial cells and the BrdU-labeling index were significantly increased compared to saline-instilled controls. In contrast, non-neutrophil-depleted rats instilled with endotoxin had a marked neutrophilic influx, but no significant differences in the number of nasal epithelial cells at 6 or 24 h, compared to controls. In addition, the BrdU-labeling index in neutrophil-sufficient rats was increased only 6 h after the last instillation, compared to controls.« less

  8. Reconstituted human gingival epithelium: nonsubmerged in vitro model.

    PubMed

    Delcourt-Huard, A; Corlu, A; Joffre, A; Magloire, H; Bonnaure-Mallet, M

    1997-01-01

    Many studies have shown that human gingival keratinocytes grown in submerged culture fail to attain optimal differentiation. This study reports an in vitro culture system for oral gingival epithelial cells, in which they are grown at the air-liquid interface, on polycarbonate inserts, in the presence of an NIH-3T3 feeder layer. This model was compared with two submerged culture methods for gingival keratinocytes, on type 1 collagen gel and on an NIH-3T3 feeder layer. Transmission electron microscopy showed an advanced level of stratification (over six layers of cells) for cultures grown at the air-liquid interface. Immunofluorescence and electrophoretic patterns showed the presence of cytokeratins 10 and 11 in cytoskeletal protein extracts of these cultured keratinocytes. In this air-liquid interface culture model, in the presence of NIH-3T3 feeder cells, keratinocytes can achieve an advanced level of stratification and differentiation and a resemblance to in vivo gingiva. The obtention of a highly differentiated epithelium will permit in vitro pharmacological studies and studies on the biocompatability of certain alloys with the superficial periodontium; it will also provide grafts for patients undergoing periodontal surgery.

  9. Behavior Modification in the Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Whitman, Mryon; Whitman, Joan

    1971-01-01

    This article presents the theoretical rationale for behavior modification, principally through its comparison with traditional psychotherapies, and suggests some behavior modification techniques for the classroom management of maladaptive behavior. (Author)

  10. Stem/progenitor cells derived from the cochlear sensory epithelium give rise to spheres with distinct morphologies and features.

    PubMed

    Diensthuber, Marc; Oshima, Kazuo; Heller, Stefan

    2009-06-01

    Nonmammalian vertebrates regenerate lost sensory hair cells by means of asymmetric division of supporting cells. Inner ear or lateral line supporting cells in birds, amphibians, and fish consequently serve as bona fide stem cells resulting in high regenerative capacity of hair cell-bearing organs. Hair cell regeneration does not happen in the mammalian cochlea, but cells with proliferative capacity can be isolated from the neonatal cochlea. These cells have the ability to form clonal floating colonies, so-called spheres, when cultured in nonadherent conditions. We noticed that the sphere population derived from mouse cochlear sensory epithelium cells was heterogeneous, consisting of morphologically distinct sphere types, hereby classified as solid, transitional, and hollow. Cochlear sensory epithelium-derived stem/progenitor cells initially give rise to small solid spheres, which subsequently transition into hollow spheres, a change that is accompanied by epithelial differentiation of the majority of sphere cells. Only solid spheres, and to a lesser extent, transitional spheres, appeared to harbor self-renewing stem cells, whereas hollow spheres could not be consistently propagated. Solid spheres contained significantly more rapidly cycling Pax-2-expressing presumptive otic progenitor cells than hollow spheres. Islet-1, which becomes upregulated in nascent sensory patches, was also more abundant in solid than in hollow spheres. Likewise, hair cell-like cells, characterized by the expression of multiple hair cell markers, differentiated in significantly higher numbers in cell populations derived from solid spheres. We conclude that cochlear sensory epithelium cell populations initially give rise to small solid spheres that have self-renewing capacity before they subsequently convert into hollow spheres, a process that is accompanied by loss of stemness and reduced ability to spontaneously give rise to hair cell-like cells. Solid spheres might, therefore, represent

  11. Clinical and histopathological features of adenomas of the ciliary pigment epithelium.

    PubMed

    Chang, Ying; Wei, Wen Bin; Shi, Ji Tong; Xian, Jun Fang; Yang, Wen Li; Xu, Xiao Lin; Bai, Hai Xia; Li, Bin; Jonas, Jost B

    2016-11-01

    Adenomas of the ciliary pigment epithelium (CPE) are rare benign tumours which have mainly to be differentiated from malignant ciliary body melanomas. Here we report on a consecutive series of patients with CPE adenomas and describe their characteristics. The retrospective hospital-based case series study included all patients who were consecutively operated for CPE adenomas. Of the 110 patients treated for ciliary body tumours, five patients (4.5%) had a CPE adenoma. Mean age was 59.0 ± 9.9 years (range: 46-72 years). Mean tumour apical thickness was 6.6 ± 1.7 mm. Tumour colour was mostly homogenously brown to black, and the tumour surface was smooth. The tumour masses pushed the iris tissue forward without infiltrating iris or anterior chamber angle. Sonography revealed an irregular echogram with sharp lesion borders and signs of blood flow in Color Doppler flow imaging. Ultrasonographic biomicroscopy demonstrated medium-low internal reflectivity and acoustic attenuation. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumours as compared to brain were hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images. Tumour tissue consisted of cords and nests of pigment epithelium cells separated by septa of vascularized fibrous connective tissue, leading to a pseudo-glandular appearance. The melanin granules in the cytoplasm were large and mostly spherical in shape. In four patients, the tumours were hyperpigmented. Tumour cells were large with round or oval nuclei and clearly detectable nucleoli. These clinical characteristics of CPE adenomas, such as homogenous dark brown colour, smooth surface, iris dislocation and anterior chamber angle narrowing but no iris infiltration, segmental cataract, pigment dispersion, and, as compared to brain tissue, hypointensity and, as compared to extraocular muscles or lacrimal gland, hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI images, may be helpful for the differentiation from ciliary body malignant melanomas. © 2016 Acta

  12. Dispatched mediates Hedgehog basolateral release to form the long-range morphogenetic gradient in the Drosophila wing disk epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Callejo, Ainhoa; Bilioni, Aphrodite; Mollica, Emanuela; Gorfinkiel, Nicole; Andrés, Germán; Ibáñez, Carmen; Torroja, Carlos; Doglio, Laura; Sierra, Javier; Guerrero, Isabel

    2011-01-01

    Hedgehog (Hh) moves from the producing cells to regulate the growth and development of distant cells in a variety of tissues. Here, we have investigated the mechanism of Hh release from the producing cells to form a morphogenetic gradient in the Drosophila wing imaginal disk epithelium. We describe that Hh reaches both apical and basolateral plasma membranes, but the apical Hh is subsequently internalized in the producing cells and routed to the basolateral surface, where Hh is released to form a long-range gradient. Functional analysis of the 12-transmembrane protein Dispatched, the glypican Dally-like (Dlp) protein, and the Ig-like and FNNIII domains of protein Interference Hh (Ihog) revealed that Dispatched could be involved in the regulation of vesicular trafficking necessary for basolateral release of Hh, Dlp, and Ihog. We also show that Dlp is needed in Hh-producing cells to allow for Hh release and that Ihog, which has been previously described as an Hh coreceptor, anchors Hh to the basolateral part of the disk epithelium. PMID:21690386

  13. Proliferative and transcriptional identity of distinct classes of neural precursors in the mammalian olfactory epithelium.

    PubMed

    Tucker, Eric S; Lehtinen, Maria K; Maynard, Tom; Zirlinger, Mariela; Dulac, Catherine; Rawson, Nancy; Pevny, Larysa; Lamantia, Anthony-Samuel

    2010-08-01

    Neural precursors in the developing olfactory epithelium (OE) give rise to three major neuronal classes - olfactory receptor (ORNs), vomeronasal (VRNs) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Nevertheless, the molecular and proliferative identities of these precursors are largely unknown. We characterized two precursor classes in the olfactory epithelium (OE) shortly after it becomes a distinct tissue at midgestation in the mouse: slowly dividing self-renewing precursors that express Meis1/2 at high levels, and rapidly dividing neurogenic precursors that express high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1. Precursors expressing high levels of Meis genes primarily reside in the lateral OE, whereas precursors expressing high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1 primarily reside in the medial OE. Fgf8 maintains these expression signatures and proliferative identities. Using electroporation in the wild-type embryonic OE in vitro as well as Fgf8, Sox2 and Ascl1 mutant mice in vivo, we found that Sox2 dose and Meis1 - independent of Pbx co-factors - regulate Ascl1 expression and the transition from lateral to medial precursor state. Thus, we have identified proliferative characteristics and a dose-dependent transcriptional network that define distinct OE precursors: medial precursors that are most probably transit amplifying neurogenic progenitors for ORNs, VRNs and GnRH neurons, and lateral precursors that include multi-potent self-renewing OE neural stem cells.

  14. The expression of bcl-2 and bcl-6 protein in normal and malignant transitional epithelium.

    PubMed

    Lin, Zhenhua; Kim, Hankyeom; Park, Hongseok; Kim, Youngsik; Cheon, Jun; Kim, Insun

    2003-08-01

    The bcl-2 proto-oncogene plays a key role in cell longevity by preventing apoptosis. Bcl-2 is important in developing and maintaining the normal function of lymphoid and epithelial tissues. The bcl-6 protein is a 96 kDa nuclear protein selectively expressed in mature B cells within normal germinal centers as well as in their transformed counterparts in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Recently, the bcl-6 protein has also been reported to be expressed in normal skin and epidermal neoplasms. In this study, 47 cases of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) were immunohistochemically studied for bcl-2 and bcl-6 protein expression. The results showed that bcl-2 was expressed only on basal layer cells, whereas bcl-6 expression was restricted to the superficial layers in the normal transitional epithelium. Von Brunn's nests showed strong immunostaining to bcl-2, but were negative to bcl-6. Among 47 TCCs, 15 (32.6%) and 29 (61.7%) cases were positive for bcl-2 and bcl-6, respectively. Compared with the normal transitional epithelium, the expression of bcl-2 was significantly decreased, whereas bcl-6 expression was significantly increased in TCCs. Additionally, the strong expression of bcl-6 had a positive correlation with the histopathologic grade of TCC. In conclusion, bcl-2 and bcl-6 proteins may play a role in the pathogenesis of TCCs, and bcl-6 expression reflects histopathologic grade.

  15. Proliferative and transcriptional identity of distinct classes of neural precursors in the mammalian olfactory epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Tucker, Eric S.; Lehtinen, Maria K.; Maynard, Tom; Zirlinger, Mariela; Dulac, Catherine; Rawson, Nancy; Pevny, Larysa; LaMantia, Anthony-Samuel

    2010-01-01

    Neural precursors in the developing olfactory epithelium (OE) give rise to three major neuronal classes – olfactory receptor (ORNs), vomeronasal (VRNs) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Nevertheless, the molecular and proliferative identities of these precursors are largely unknown. We characterized two precursor classes in the olfactory epithelium (OE) shortly after it becomes a distinct tissue at midgestation in the mouse: slowly dividing self-renewing precursors that express Meis1/2 at high levels, and rapidly dividing neurogenic precursors that express high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1. Precursors expressing high levels of Meis genes primarily reside in the lateral OE, whereas precursors expressing high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1 primarily reside in the medial OE. Fgf8 maintains these expression signatures and proliferative identities. Using electroporation in the wild-type embryonic OE in vitro as well as Fgf8, Sox2 and Ascl1 mutant mice in vivo, we found that Sox2 dose and Meis1 – independent of Pbx co-factors – regulate Ascl1 expression and the transition from lateral to medial precursor state. Thus, we have identified proliferative characteristics and a dose-dependent transcriptional network that define distinct OE precursors: medial precursors that are most probably transit amplifying neurogenic progenitors for ORNs, VRNs and GnRH neurons, and lateral precursors that include multi-potent self-renewing OE neural stem cells. PMID:20573694

  16. Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis presenting as juxtapapillary retinal fold mimicking combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed

    Pointdujour-Lim, Renelle; Say, Emil Anthony T; Shields, Carol L

    2017-04-01

    A 21-month-old boy presumptively diagnosed with combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium was found to have juvenile X-linked retinoschisis with vitreomacular traction and prominent retinal folding. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. 49 CFR 22.59 - Loan modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Loan modifications. 22.59 Section 22.59 Transportation Office of the Secretary of Transportation SHORT-TERM LENDING PROGRAM (STLP) Loan Administration § 22.59 Loan modifications. Any modification to the terms of the DOT OSDBU guarantee agreement must...

  18. Effects of grain processing methods on the expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acid transport and pH regulation, and keratinization in rumen epithelium of beef cattle

    PubMed Central

    Del Bianco Benedeti, Pedro; Silva, Breno de Castro; Pacheco, Marcos Vinícius Carneiro; Carvalho Filho, Ivan; Lopes, Mariana Mescouto; Marcondes, Marcos Inácio; Mantovani, Hilário Cuquetto; Valadares Filho, Sebastião de Campos; Detmann, Edenio

    2018-01-01

    Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of corn and sorghum with different processing methods on the expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acids transport and pH regulation, and ruminal keratinization in rumen epithelium of finishing bulls. For Exp. 1, five rumen cannulated Nellore bulls were used in a 5x5 Latin square arrangement, with 14 d for adaptation and 9 d for sample collection. Treatments were: dry ground corn, dry ground sorghum, reconstituted corn, reconstituted sorghum, and control (forage-based diet). Samples of rumen epithelium from ventral sac were excised, rinsed, snap-frozen and stored at -80°C until total RNA isolation and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. In the Exp. 2, 24 Nellore bulls were assigned to a completely randomized design lasting 168 d. Experimental treatments were similar to those at Exp. 1, but without the control treatment. After the experimental period, bulls were slaughtered and rumen epithelium samples were rapidly excised for further histological analysis. Rumen epithelial tissue from animals fed reconstituted corn had lower expression of downregulated-in-adenoma (P = 0.03) and Na+/H+ exchanger 2 (trend; P = 0.09). The expression of Na+/ H+ exchanger 1 (P = 0.10) and putative anion transporter (P = 0.06) tended to be lower in rumen epithelium of bulls fed reconstituted grains. Ruminal concentration of valerate was greater for animals fed reconstituted grain (P = 0.01). Likewise, animals fed reconstituted corn tended to have greater butyrate ruminal concentration (P = 0.08). Keratinized layer thickness did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). Therefore, reconstituted grains (especially corn) decrease the mRNA expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acids transport and pH control in the rumen epithelium. PMID:29902237

  19. Diethylstilbestrol induces vaginal adenosis by disrupting SMAD/RUNX1-mediated cell fate decision in the Müllerian duct epithelium.

    PubMed

    Laronda, Monica M; Unno, Kenji; Ishi, Kazutomo; Serna, Vanida A; Butler, Lindsey M; Mills, Alea A; Orvis, Grant D; Behringer, Richard R; Deng, Chuxia; Sinha, Satrajit; Kurita, Takeshi

    2013-09-01

    Women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero frequently develop vaginal adenosis, from which clear cell adenocarcinoma can arise. Despite decades of extensive investigation, the molecular pathogenesis of DES-associated vaginal adenosis remains elusive. Here we report that DES induces vaginal adenosis by inhibiting the BMP4/Activin A-regulated vaginal cell fate decision through a downregulation of RUNX1. BMP4 and Activin A produced by vaginal mesenchyme synergistically activated the expression of ΔNp63, thus deciding vaginal epithelial cell fate in the Müllerian duct epithelial cells (MDECs) via direct binding of SMADs on the highly conserved 5' sequence of ΔNp63. Therefore, mice in which Smad4 was deleted in MDECs failed to express ΔNp63 in vaginal epithelium and developed adenosis. This SMAD-dependent ΔNp63 activation required RUNX1, a binding partner of SMADs. Conditional deletion of Runx1 in the MDECs induced adenosis in the cranial portion of vagina, which mimicked the effect of developmental DES-exposure. Furthermore, neonatal DES exposure downregulated RUNX1 in the fornix of the vagina, where DES-associated adenosis is frequently found. This observation strongly suggests that the downregulation of RUNX1 is the cause of vaginal adenosis. However, once cell fate was determined, the BMP/Activin-SMAD/RUNX1 signaling pathway became dispensable for the maintenance of ΔNp63 expression in vaginal epithelium. Instead, the activity of the ΔNp63 locus in vaginal epithelium was maintained by a ΔNp63-dependent mechanism. This is the first demonstration of a molecular mechanism through which developmental chemical exposure causes precancerous lesions by altering cell fate. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Cell dynamics in cervical loop epithelium during transition from crown to root: implications for Hertwig's epithelial root sheath formation.

    PubMed

    Sakano, M; Otsu, K; Fujiwara, N; Fukumoto, S; Yamada, A; Harada, H

    2013-04-01

    Some clinical cases of hypoplastic tooth root are congenital. Because the formation of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) is an important event for root development and growth, we have considered that understanding the HERS developmental mechanism contributes to elucidate the causal factors of the disease. To find integrant factors and phenomenon for HERS development and growth, we studied the proliferation and mobility of the cervical loop (CL). We observed the cell movement of CL by the DiI labeling and organ culture system. To examine cell proliferation, we carried out immunostaining of CL and HERS using anti-Ki67 antibody. Cell motility in CL was observed by tooth germ slice organ culture using green fluorescent protein mouse. We also examined the expression of paxillin associated with cell movement. Imaging using DiI labeling showed that, at the apex of CL, the epithelium elongated in tandem with the growth of outer enamel epithelium (OEE). Cell proliferation assay using Ki67 immunostaining showed that OEE divided more actively than inner enamel epithelium (IEE) at the onset of HERS formation. Live imaging suggested that mobility of the OEE and cells in the apex of CL were more active than in IEE. The expression of paxillin was observed strongly in OEE and the apex of CL. The more active growth and movement of OEE cells contributed to HERS formation after reduction of the growth of IEE. The expression pattern of paxillin was involved in the active movement of OEE and HERS. The results will contribute to understand the HERS formation mechanism and elucidate the cause of anomaly root. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  1. Multilayered epithelium in mucosal biopsy specimens from the gastroesophageal junction region is a histologic marker of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

    PubMed

    Glickman, Jonathan N; Spechler, Stuart J; Souza, Rhonda F; Lunsford, Tisha; Lee, Edward; Odze, Robert D

    2009-06-01

    Barrett esophagus (BE) is defined as a columnar metaplasia of the distal esophagus that develops as a result of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A distinctive type of multilayered epithelium (ME) that exhibits features of both squamous and columnar epithelium has been hypothesized to represent an early, or intermediate, phase in the development of BE. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the prevalence and specificity of ME in mucosal biopsies of the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) from patients who had GERD, either with or without BE. During endoscopic examination of the esophagus, 2 biopsy specimens were obtained from across the SCJ from 27 patients with BE, 12 patients who had GERD without BE, and 14 controls who had no symptoms or endoscopic or histologic signs of GERD. ME was present at the SCJ in 33%, 33%, and 0% of BE, GERD, and control patients, respectively. Compared with control subjects, the prevalence of ME was significantly higher in both GERD and BE patients (P<0.05). In GERD patients without BE, ME was always detected adjacent to areas of cardia-type mucosa composed of mucous glands. ME from GERD patients and BE patients had a similar immunophenotype, showing expression of the intestinal markers MUC2 and cdx-2 in 38% and 77% of cases, respectively. The prevalence of expression of these markers in ME was significantly different from nongoblet epithelium in control patients. Our results provide further evidence that ME may represent an early, transitional form of columnar metaplasia, and that ME may be used as a histologic marker of reflux disease in mucosal biopsies from the gastroesophageal junction region.

  2. Diethylstilbestrol induces vaginal adenosis by disrupting SMAD/RUNX1-mediated cell fate decision in the Müllerian duct epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Laronda, Monica M.; Unno, Kenji; Ishi, Kazutomo; Serna, Vanida A.; Butler, Lindsey M.; Mills, Alea A.; Orvis, Grant D.; Behringer, Richard R.; Deng, Chuxia; Sinha, Satrajit; Kurita, Takeshi

    2013-01-01

    Women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero frequently develop vaginal adenosis, from which clear cell adenocarcinoma can arise. Despite decades of extensive investigation, the molecular pathogenesis of DES-associated vaginal adenosis remains elusive. Here we report that DES induces vaginal adenosis by inhibiting the BMP4/Activin A-regulated vaginal cell fate decision through a downregulation of RUNX1. BMP4 and Activin A produced by vaginal mesenchyme synergistically activated the expression of ΔNp63, thus deciding vaginal epithelial cell fate in the Müllerian duct epithelial cells (MDECs) via direct binding of SMADs on the highly conserved 5′sequence of ΔNp63. Therefore, mice in which Smad4 was deleted in MDECs failed to express ΔNp63 in vaginal epithelium and developed adenosis. This SMAD-dependent ΔNp63 activation required RUNX1, a binding partner of SMADs. Conditional deletion of Runx1 in the MDECs induced adenosis in the cranial portion of vagina, which mimicked the effect of developmental DES-exposure. Furthermore, neonatal DES exposure downregulated RUNX1 in the fornix of the vagina, where DES-associated adenosis is frequently found. This observation strongly suggests that the downregulation of RUNX1 is the cause of vaginal adenosis. However, once cell fate was determined, the BMP/Activin-SMAD/RUNX1 signaling pathway became dispensable for the maintenance of ΔNp63 expression in vaginal epithelium. Instead, the activity of the ΔNp63 locus in vaginal epithelium was maintained by a ΔNp63-dependent mechanism. This is the first demonstration of a molecular mechanism through which developmental chemical exposure causes precancerous lesions by altering cell fate. PMID:23830984

  3. A Novel Wounding Device Suitable for Quantitative Biochemical Analysis of Wound Healing and Regeneration of Cultured Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Lan, Rongpei; Geng, Hui; Hwang, Yoon; Mishra, Pramod; Skloss, Wayne L.; Sprague, Eugene A.; Saikumar, Pothana; Venkatachalam, Manjeri

    2010-01-01

    We describe the fabrication and use of an in vitro wounding device that denudes cultured epithelium in patterns designed to leave behind strips or islands of cells sufficiently narrow or small to ensure that all remaining cells become rapidly activated and then migrate, dedifferentiate and proliferate in near synchrony. The design ensures that signals specific to regenerating cells do not become diluted by quiescent differentiated cells that are not affected by wound induced activation. The device consists of a flat circular disk of rubber engraved to produce alternating ridges and grooves in patterns of concentric circles or parallel lines. The disk is mounted at the end of a pneumatically controlled piston assembly. Application of controlled pressure and circular or linear movement of the disk on cultures produced highly reproducible wounding patterns. The near synchronous regenerative activity of cell bands or islands permitted the collection of samples large enough for biochemical studies to sensitively detect alterations involving mRNA for several early response genes and protein phosphorylation in major signaling pathways. The method is versatile, easy to use and reproducible, and should facilitate biochemical, proteomic and genomic studies of wound induced regeneration of cultured epithelium. PMID:20230600

  4. Comparison of the effects of an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor on the intestinal epithelium and on intestinal tumors.

    PubMed

    Tutton, P J; Barkla, D H

    1986-12-01

    Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of polyamines, it has a short half-life, and its synthesis is under hormonal control. Recently, insight into the role of ODC and thus into the physiology of polyamines has been gained by the use of an inhibitor of ODC, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). In the present report cell proliferation was measured by a stathmokinetic method in the crypt epithelium of the jejunum and colon of normal rats and in dimethylhydrazine-induced colonic tumors. Growth of human colon tumor xenografts in immunosuppressed mice and mouse colon tumor isografts was also assessed. Cell proliferation in primary colonic tumors was substantially suppressed by a single dose of DFMO at 100 mg/kg whereas the normal crypt epithelium of the small and large intestine required two doses at 400 mg/kg to produce a similar magnitude of inhibition of cell proliferation. DFMO was also found to suppress cell proliferation in, and the growth of, the transplantable colon cancers. Because of the apparent selectivity of the antimitotic activity of DFMO towards tumors, ODC inhibitors may prove to be useful anticancer drugs.

  5. Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Pavlov, Tengis S.; Ilatovskaya, Daria V.; Palygin, Oleg; Levchenko, Vladislav; Pochynyuk, Oleh; Staruschenko, Alexander

    2015-01-01

    Cyst initiation and expansion during polycystic kidney disease is a complex process characterized by abnormalities in tubular cell proliferation, luminal fluid accumulation and extracellular matrix formation. Activity of ion channels and intracellular calcium signaling are key physiologic parameters which determine functions of tubular epithelium. We developed a method suitable for real-time observation of ion channels activity with patch-clamp technique and registration of intracellular Ca2+ level in epithelial monolayers freshly isolated from renal cysts. PCK rats, a genetic model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), were used here for ex vivo analysis of ion channels and calcium flux. Described here is a detailed step-by-step procedure designed to isolate cystic monolayers and non-dilated tubules from PCK or normal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and monitor single channel activity and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. This method does not require enzymatic processing and allows analysis in a native setting of freshly isolated epithelial monolayer. Moreover, this technique is very sensitive to intracellular calcium changes and generates high resolution images for precise measurements. Finally, isolated cystic epithelium can be further used for staining with antibodies or dyes, preparation of primary cultures and purification for various biochemical assays. PMID:26381526

  6. Retinal pigment epithelium expansion around the neural retina occurs in two separate phases with distinct mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Cechmanek, Paula Bernice; McFarlane, Sarah

    2017-08-01

    The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a specialized monolayer of epithelial cells that forms a tight barrier surrounding the neural retina. RPE cells are indispensable for mature photoreceptor renewal and survival, yet how the initial RPE cell population expands around the neural retina during eye development is poorly understood. Here we characterize the differentiation, proliferation, and movements of RPE progenitors in the Zebrafish embryo over the period of optic cup morphogenesis. RPE progenitors are present in the dorsomedial eye vesicle shortly after eye vesicle evagination. We define two separate phases that allow for full RPE expansion. The first phase involves a previously uncharacterized antero-wards expansion of the RPE progenitor domain in the inner eye vesicle leaflet, driven largely by an increase in cell number. During this phase, RPE progenitors start to express differentiation markers. In the second phase, the progenitor domain stretches in the dorsoventral and posterior axes, involving cell movements and shape changes, and coinciding with optic cup morphogenesis. Significantly, cell division is not required for RPE expansion. RPE development to produce the monolayer epithelium that covers the back of the neural retina occurs in two distinct phases driven by distinct mechanisms. Developmental Dynamics 246:598-609, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Submucosal glands in the columnar-lined oesophagus: evidence of an association with metaplasia and neosquamous epithelium.

    PubMed

    Lörinc, Ester; Öberg, Stefan

    2012-07-01

    A multipotential stem cell, possibly located in the submucosal gland ducts, has been suggested as the origin of metaplastic mucosa in the oesophagus. The topographic distribution of these glands and their excretory ducts (SMG) within the columnar lined oesophagus (CLO) is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of SMG in relation to the type of overlying epithelium in patients with CLO. Seven oesophageal resection specimens were examined histologically in toto. The median frequency of SMG was similar in the metaplastic segments (0.12 SMG/mm) and the normal squamous segments (0.10 SMG/mm). Within the metaplastic segments, the median frequency of SMG beneath the squamous islands was significantly higher than that observed under the columnar lined parts (0.22 versus 0.08 SMG/mm, P = 0.046), There was a strong accumulation of SMG at the squamo-columnar transition zones (0.53 SMG/mm), which was significantly greater than that found in the columnar and squamous parts (P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The relative accumulation of SMG beneath squamous islands and the squamo-columnar junctions within the metaplastic segment supports the hypothesis that both metaplastic columnar mucosa and neosquamous epithelium originate from a progenitor in the SMG. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  8. Alternative materials for subgrade modification

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2001-10-01

    This study examines the laboratory and field performance of two alternative materials used for the modification of unstable (CBR<6) subgrade soils. Modification is temporarily enhancing subgrade : stability to improve the constructability of successi...

  9. Human fallopian tube epithelium co-culture with murine ovarian follicles reveals crosstalk in the reproductive cycle

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Jie; Xu, Yuanming; Rashedi, Alexandra S.; Pavone, Mary Ellen; Kim, J. Julie; Woodruff, Teresa K.; Burdette, Joanna E.

    2016-01-01

    Study question Do interactions between human fallopian tube epithelium and murine follicles occur during an artificial reproductive cycle in a co-culture system in vitro? Summary answer In a co-culture system, human fallopian tissues responded to the menstrual cycle mimetic by changes in morphology and levels of secreted factors, and increasing murine corpus luteum progesterone secretion. What is known already The entire fallopian tube epithelium, including ciliated and secretory cells, can be regulated in the reproductive cycle. Currently, there are no in vitro culture models that can monitor fallopian tissues in real time in response to factors produced by the ovary. In addition, there are no reports on the impact of fallopian tissue on ovarian function during the menstrual cycle. Study design, samples/materials, methods Human fallopian tissue (n = 24) was obtained by routine hysterectomies from women (aged 26–50 years, mean age = 43.6) who had not undergone exogenous hormonal treatment for at least 3 months prior to surgery. CD1 female mice were used for ovarian follicle isolation. The human fallopian epithelium layers were either co-cultured with five murine multilayer secondary follicles (150–180 μm follicles, encapsulated in one alginate gel bead) for 15 days or received stepwise steroid hormone additions for 13 days. The fallopian tissue morphology and cilia beating rate, as measured by an Andor Spinning Disk Confocal, were investigated. Oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1), human insulin-like growth factor 1 (hIGF1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and interleukin 8 (IL8) as biological functional markers were measured either by ELISA or western blot to indicate dynamic changes in the fallopian epithelium during the reproductive cycle generated by mouse follicles or by stepwise steroid hormone induction. Three or four patients in each experiment were recruited for replicates. Data were presented as mean ± SD and further analyzed

  10. Human fallopian tube epithelium co-culture with murine ovarian follicles reveals crosstalk in the reproductive cycle.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Jie; Xu, Yuanming; Rashedi, Alexandra S; Pavone, Mary Ellen; Kim, J Julie; Woodruff, Teresa K; Burdette, Joanna E

    2016-11-01

    Do interactions between human fallopian tube epithelium and murine follicles occur during an artificial reproductive cycle in a co-culture system in vitro? In a co-culture system, human fallopian tissues responded to the menstrual cycle mimetic by changes in morphology and levels of secreted factors, and increasing murine corpus luteum progesterone secretion. The entire fallopian tube epithelium, including ciliated and secretory cells, can be regulated in the reproductive cycle. Currently, there are no in vitro culture models that can monitor fallopian tissues in real time in response to factors produced by the ovary. In addition, there are no reports on the impact of fallopian tissue on ovarian function during the menstrual cycle. Human fallopian tissue (n = 24) was obtained by routine hysterectomies from women (aged 26-50 years, mean age = 43.6) who had not undergone exogenous hormonal treatment for at least 3 months prior to surgery. CD1 female mice were used for ovarian follicle isolation. The human fallopian epithelium layers were either co-cultured with five murine multilayer secondary follicles (150-180 μm follicles, encapsulated in one alginate gel bead) for 15 days or received stepwise steroid hormone additions for 13 days. The fallopian tissue morphology and cilia beating rate, as measured by an Andor Spinning Disk Confocal, were investigated. Oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1), human insulin-like growth factor 1 (hIGF1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and interleukin 8 (IL8) as biological functional markers were measured either by ELISA or western blot to indicate dynamic changes in the fallopian epithelium during the reproductive cycle generated by mouse follicles or by stepwise steroid hormone induction. Three or four patients in each experiment were recruited for replicates. Data were presented as mean ± SD and further analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons test. The cultured fallopian tube

  11. Interactions between bacteria and the gut mucosa: Do enteric neurotransmitters acting on the mucosal epithelium influence intestinal colonization or infection?

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The intestinal epithelium is a critical barrier between the internal and external milieux of the mammalian host. Epithelial interactions between these two host environments have been shown to be modulated by several different, cross-communicating cell types residing in the gut mucosa. These includ...

  12. Interactions between bacteria and the gut mucosa: Do enteric neurotransmitters acting on the mucosal epithelium influence intestinal colonization or infection?

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The intestinal epithelium is a critical barrier between the internal and external milieux of the mammalian host. Epithelial interactions between these two host environments have been shown to be modulated by several different, cross-communicating cell types residing in the gut mucosa. These include ...

  13. Bovine rumen epithelium undergoes rapid structural adaptations during grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis.

    PubMed

    Steele, Michael A; Croom, Jim; Kahler, Melissa; AlZahal, Ousama; Hook, Sarah E; Plaizier, Kees; McBride, Brian W

    2011-06-01

    Alterations in rumen epithelial structure and function during grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) are largely undescribed. In this study, four mature nonlactating dairy cattle were transitioned from a high-forage diet (HF; 0% grain) to a high-grain diet (HG; 65% grain). After feeding the HG diet for 3 wk, the cattle were transitioned back to the original HF diet, which was fed for an additional 3 wk. Continuous ruminal pH was measured on a weekly basis, and rumen papillae were biopsied during the baseline and at the first and final week of each diet. The mean, minimum, and maximum daily ruminal pH were depressed (P < 0.01) in the HG period compared with the HF period. During the HG period, SARA was diagnosed only during week 1, indicating ruminal adaptation to the HG diet. Microscopic examination of the papillae revealed a reduction (P < 0.01) in the stratum basale, spinosum, and granulosum layers, as well as total depth of the epithelium during the HG period. The highest (P < 0.05) papillae lesion scores were noted during week 1 when SARA occurred. Biopsied papillae exhibited a decline in cellular junctions, extensive sloughing of the stratum corneum, and the appearance of undifferentiated cells near the stratum corneum. Differential mRNA expression of candidate genes, including desmoglein 1 and IGF binding proteins 3, 5, and 6, was detected between diets using qRT-PCR. These results suggest that the structural integrity of the rumen epithelium is compromised during grain feeding and is associated with the differential expression of genes involved in epithelial growth and structure.

  14. Effects of Ag+ on ion transport by the corneal epithelium of the rabbit.

    PubMed

    Klyce, S D; Marshall, W S

    1982-01-01

    Exposure of the in vitro rabbit corneal epithelium to Ag+ by the addition of AgNO3 (10(-7)-10(-5) M) to the apical surface or by the use of imperfectly chlorided Ag/AgCl half-cells in Ussing-style membrane chambers, greatly increases short-circuit current and transepithelial potential. The early phase (the first 30 min) of the short-circuit current stimulation by Ag+ is linearly dependent on tear-side sodium concentration, is largely a result of a tenfold increase in net Na+ uptake and is incompletely inhibited by ouabain, suggesting that Ag+ increases cation (primarily Na+) conductance of the apical membrane. This mechanism for the Ag+ effect is supported by microelectrode experiments, wherein Ag+ depolarizes specifically the apical barrier potential and increases apical barrier conductance. A later phase in the effect (0.5-3 hr) is characterized by a gradual increase in 36Cl- and 14C-mannitol unidirectional fluxes, by a decline in epithelial resting potential and short-circuit current, by complete ouabain inhibition and by fit to saturation kinetics with respect to Na+ concentration in the bathing media. This phase of the effect apparently reflects a nonselective opening of the paracellular pathway in the epithelium and is rate-limited by Na+ pump activity at the basolateral membrane. Both phases are associated with swelling of the corneal stroma and may be rapidly reversed using thiol agents (reduced glutathione and dithiothreitol). The results suggest that Ag+ may be useful in the study of cation transport by epithelia and the work provides basic physiological information that is pertinent to the prophylactic use of AgNO3 in clinical ophthalmology.

  15. Salinity-induced regulation of the myo-inositol biosynthesis pathway in tilapia gill epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Sacchi, Romina; Li, Johnathon; Villarreal, Fernando; Gardell, Alison M.; Kültz, Dietmar

    2013-01-01

    SUMMARY The myo-inositol biosynthesis (MIB) pathway converts glucose-6-phosphate to the compatible osmolyte myo-inositol that protects cells from osmotic stress. Using proteomics, the enzymes that constitute the MIB pathway, myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS) and inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1), are identified in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) gill epithelium. Targeted, quantitative, label-free proteomics reveals that they are both upregulated during salinity stress. Upregulation is stronger when fish are exposed to severe (34 ppt acute and 90 ppt gradual) relative to moderate (70 ppt gradual) salinity stress. IMPA1 always responds more strongly than MIPS, suggesting that MIPS is more stable during salinity stress. MIPS is N-terminally acetylated and the corresponding peptide increases proportionally to MIPS protein, while non-acetylated N-terminal peptide is not detectable, indicating that MIPS acetylation is constitutive and may serve to stabilize the protein. Hyperosmotic induction of MIPS and IMPA1 is confirmed using western blot and real-time qPCR and is much higher at the mRNA than at the protein level. Two distinct MIPS mRNA variants are expressed in the gill, but one is more strongly regulated by salinity than the other. A single MIPS gene is encoded in the tilapia genome whereas the zebrafish genome lacks MIPS entirely. The genome of euryhaline tilapia contains four IMPA genes, two of which are expressed, but only one is salinity regulated in gill epithelium. The genome of stenohaline zebrafish contains a single IMPA gene. We conclude that the MIB pathway represents a major salinity stress coping mechanism that is regulated at multiple levels in euryhaline fish but absent in stenohaline zebrafish. PMID:24072791

  16. Induction of hyperplasia in the bladder epithelium of rats by a dietary excess of acid or base: implications for toxicity/carcinogenicity testing.

    PubMed

    de Groot, A P; Feron, V J; Immel, H R

    1988-05-01

    In previous studies we observed an increased incidence of hyperplasia in the epithelium of the urinary bladder of rats fed cereal-based stock diet supplemented with 6% monosodium glutamate (MSG) for 3 months. Hyperplasia was not enhanced, however, when 6% MSG was fed in a purified casein diet. Further studies have been conducted to identify the dietary factor that caused the different response with the two diets. Feeding MSG had a marked alkalizing effect on the urine. Rats fed purified diet produced urine of higher acidity than did those fed stock diet, a finding attributed to the greater excess of base in the stock diet. When diets with a considerable excess of cations were fed, urinary pH showed a characteristic pattern of widely differing values during a 24-hr period, with high values (pH greater than or equal to 8] for several hours of darkness, when food intake was high, declining during the day to a minimum at the end of the light period. Hyperplasia of the bladder epithelium was induced not only by feeding MSG, but also by feeding 5% of the alkalizing salt KHCO3, both in purified diet and in stock diet. The epithelial response to an alkalizing substance was prevented by simultaneous feeding of the acidifying salt NH4Cl. These findings indicate that the bladder changes induced by MSG are attributable to its alkalizing properties rather than to MSG per se. Moderate to severe hyperplasia of the bladder epithelium was induced also by feeding 5% NH4Cl in purified diet, a procedure accompanied by a further lowering of urinary pH. These findings showed that hyperplasia of the bladder epithelium of rats can be induced both by acidifying and by alkalizing the urine through manipulation of the acid-base balance of the basal diet. There is thus a possibility that, in carcinogenicity studies, administration of compounds to rats in the form of a salt may lead to erroneous conclusions.

  17. SPDEF regulates goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway epithelium

    PubMed Central

    Park, Kwon-Sik; Korfhagen, Thomas R.; Bruno, Michael D.; Kitzmiller, Joseph A.; Wan, Huajing; Wert, Susan E.; Khurana Hershey, Gurjit K.; Chen, Gang; Whitsett, Jeffrey A.

    2007-01-01

    Goblet cell hyperplasia and mucous hypersecretion contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary diseases including cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the present work, mouse SAM pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF) mRNA and protein were detected in subsets of epithelial cells lining the trachea, bronchi, and tracheal glands. SPDEF interacted with the C-terminal domain of thyroid transcription factor 1, activating transcription of genes expressed selectively in airway epithelial cells, including Sftpa, Scgb1a1, Foxj1, and Sox17. Expression of Spdef in the respiratory epithelium of adult transgenic mice caused goblet cell hyperplasia, inducing both acidic and neutral mucins in vivo, and stainined for both acidic and neutral mucins in vivo. SPDEF expression was increased at sites of goblet cell hyperplasia caused by IL-13 and dust mite allergen in a process that was dependent upon STAT-6. SPDEF was induced following intratracheal allergen exposure and after Th2 cytokine stimulation and was sufficient to cause goblet cell differentiation of Clara cells in vivo. PMID:17347682

  18. Modification of Sr on 4004 Aluminum Alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Erjun; Cao, Guojian; Feng, Yicheng; Wang, Liping; Wang, Guojun; Lv, Xinyu

    2013-05-01

    As a brazing foil, 4004 Al alloy has good welding performance. However, the high Si content decreases the plasticity of the alloy. To improve the plasticity of 4004 Al alloy and subsequently improve the productivity of 4004 Al foil or 434 composite foil, 4004 Al alloy was modified by Al-10%Sr master alloy. Modification effects of an additional amount of Sr, modification temperature, and holding time on 4004 aluminum alloy were studied by orthogonal design. The results showed that the greatest impact parameter of 4004 aluminum alloy modification was the additional amount of Sr, followed by holding time and modification temperature. The optimum modification parameters obtained by orthogonal design were as follows: Sr addition of 0.04%, holding time of 60 min, and modification temperature of 760°C. The effect of Sr addition on modification was analyzed in detail based on orthogonal results. With increasing of Sr addition, elongation of 4004 alloy increased at first, and decreased after reaching the maximum value.

  19. Spatially correlated phenotyping reveals K5-positive luminal progenitor cells and p63-K5/14-positive stem cell-like cells in human breast epithelium.

    PubMed

    Boecker, Werner; van Horn, Laura; Stenman, Göran; Stürken, Christine; Schumacher, Udo; Loening, Thomas; Liesenfeld, Lukas; Korsching, Eberhard; Gläser, Doreen; Tiemann, Katharina; Buchwalow, Igor

    2018-05-09

    Understanding the mechanisms regulating human mammary epithelium requires knowledge of the cellular constituents of this tissue. Different and partially contradictory definitions and concepts describing the cellular hierarchy of mammary epithelium have been proposed, including our studies of keratins K5 and/or K14 as markers of progenitor cells. Furthermore, we and others have suggested that the p53 homolog p63 is a marker of human breast epithelial stem cells. In this investigation, we expand our previous studies by testing whether immunohistochemical staining with monospecific anti-keratin antibodies in combination with an antibody against the stem cell marker p63 might help refine the different morphologic phenotypes in normal breast epithelium. We used in situ multilabel staining for p63, different keratins, the myoepithelial marker smooth muscle actin (SMA), the estrogen receptor (ER), and Ki67 to dissect and quantify the cellular components of 16 normal pre- and postmenopausal human breast epithelial tissue samples at the single-cell level. Importantly, we confirm the existence of K5+ only cells and suggest that they, in contrast to the current view, are key luminal precursor cells from which K8/18+ progeny cells evolve. These cells are further modified by the expression of ER and Ki67. We have also identified a population of p63+K5+ cells that are only found in nipple ducts. Based on our findings, we propose a new concept of the cellular hierarchy of human breast epithelium, including K5 luminal lineage progenitors throughout the ductal-lobular axis and p63+K5+ progenitors confined to the nipple ducts.

  20. Effect of site-specific modification on restriction endonucleases and DNA modification methyltransferases.

    PubMed Central

    McClelland, M; Nelson, M; Raschke, E

    1994-01-01

    Restriction endonucleases have site-specific interactions with DNA that can often be inhibited by site-specific DNA methylation and other site-specific DNA modifications. However, such inhibition cannot generally be predicted. The empirically acquired data on these effects are tabulated for over 320 restriction endonucleases. In addition, a table of known site-specific DNA modification methyltransferases and their specificities is presented along with EMBL database accession numbers for cloned genes. PMID:7937074