N- andO-linked Oligosaccharides in the Secretory Granules of Rat Paneth Cells: An Ultrastructural Cytochemical Study

Abstract

P aneth cells , originally described by Schwalbe (1872) and later by Paneth (1888), are normally located at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn in the small intestine of many mammals, except carnivores. They are easily recognized by a large number of eosinophilic granules located in the supranuclear portion of the cell. Electron microscopic studies (Satoh et al. 1990;Staley and Trier 1965;Hally 1958) have revealed the structural complexity of Paneth granules. These granules are characterized in several species, including rat and human, by an electron-lucent peripheral halo of variable thickness surrounding a large electron-dense core (Satoh et al. 1990).The functions of the Paneth cells have not been clearly established. However, it has been demonstrated that Paneth cells produce and secrete antibacterial agents (lysozyme, cryptidin, and immunoglobulin A), hydrolases, lipases, and growth factors and modulators (Desai et al. 1991;Quellette and Lualdi 1990;Saito et al. 1988;Lechene de la Porte et al. 1986;Poulsen et al. 1986;Senegas-Balas et al. 1984;Erlandsen et al. 1974 Erlandsen et al. , 1976Erlandsen and Parsons, 1973). The granules also contain a zinc-binding protein (Sawada et al. 1994). It has been suggested that goblet and Paneth cells share a common pathway of development (Kedinger et al. 1988;Lopez-Lewellyn and Erlandsen 1980;Lopez-Lewellyn 1979).Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins that bind specifically to carbohydrate groups (Goldstein and Hayes, 1978). They have been widely used in combination with enzymes for in situ characterization of the

Detection of Deoxyribonuclease I Along the Secretory Pathway in Paneth Cells of Human Small Intestine

“…Paneth cells are generally considered to be involved in the regulation of intestinal flora because of their ability to secrete antimicrobial materials (Rodning et al 1976;Selsted et al 1992;Coutinho et al 1996;Mallow et al 1996;Leis et al 1997). The bacterial environment of the gut lumen has a direct effect on Paneth cell secretory activity (Masty and Stradley 1991).…”

“…They have also been suggested to be involved in heavy metal elimination (Kodama et al 1993;Sawada et al 1994) and regulation of crypt cell growth (Cheng and Leblond 1974;Mathan et al 1987). Furthermore, Paneth cells are believed to be involved in the regulation of the intestinal flora because they are able to phagocytose microorganisms (Masty and Stradley 1991;Leis et al 1997). The histochemical localization of IgG and IgA in Paneth cells was interpreted as probably reflecting an opsonization phenomenon (Rodning et al 1976;Coutinho et al 1996).…”

Starvation Compromises Paneth Cells

“…The peripheral halo of Paneth cell granules mainly contains O-linked oligosaccharides with N-acetyl-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues and N-linked oligosaccharides with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues, which are easily detected by T. vulgaris lectin. 24 Staining with this lectin showed less intense staining and aberrant granule morphological characteristics, suggesting alterations in the oligosaccharide composition to be present in starved mice compared with control mice ( Figure 5B). …”

Lectin-Gold Localization of Fucose Residues in Human Gastric Mucosa

“…The second method was UEA-I-DIG (1 Ϻ4), LTA-DIG (undiluted), and AAA-DIG (20 g/ml) in combination with either unlabeled anti-DIG mouse antibody (20 g/ml) or anti-DIG sheep antibody (7 g/ml). The corresponding third layer was goat anti-mouse IgG ϩM-gold conjugate (1 Ϻ10) and donkey antisheep IgG-gold complex (1 Ϻ10), respectively (Leis et al 1997). …”