Lysosomes of the Liver and the Duodenal Enterocytes, a Site of Handling of Two Rare Earths. Ultrastructural and Microanalytical Study

Abstract

The frequent use of some trace elements such as gadolinium and terbium in medicine and modern industries make us worry about their behavior in the organism. In this work, we study the intracellular localization in the liver and in the intestinal mucosa of two rare earths, gadolinium and terbium, after intraperitoneal and intragastric administration. Three methods of observation and microanalysis were used: conventional transmission electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and electron probe microanalysis. After intraperitoneal administration, gadolinium and terbium were detected with phosphorus in lysosomes of hepatocytes and Küppfer cells and in territories near to biliary canalicule. One hour after intragastric administration, gadolinium and terbium were concentrated in lysosomes of the apical part of duodenal enterocytes. No gadolinium or terbium was detected in duodenum 4 days after administration. After intragastric administration, the microanalytical techniques failed to detect gadolinium or terbium in liver whatever the time of sampling. This mechanism of concentration-precipitation in the lysosomes of enterocytes limits the diffusion through the digestive barrier of foreign elements and then permits their elimination with apoptotic cells in the intestinal lumen. Some of these elements may be toxic, and none of them have a recognized physiological function. The intestinal mucosa plays an important role in the protection of the organism against the invasion of foreign elements.

In Situ Imaging of Metals in Cells and Tissues

“…Ahlem et al used EPXMA and SIMS (section 6.1) to assess the intracellular localizations of Gd and Tb in the liver and the intestinal mucosa of hepatic tissue from Wistar rats. 533 Gd and Tb concentrated in P-rich areas within the lysosomes of hepatocytes in areas close to the biliary canalicule following intraperitoneal administration, while intragastric administration resulted in Gd and Tb localizing in the lysosomes of the apical part of duodenal enterocytes. The observed concentration-precipitation mechanism in lysosomes of enterocytes was suggested to limit the diffusion of foreign particles through the digestive barrier, consequently allowing their elimination with apoptotic cells of the intestinal lumen.…”

“…Ahlem et al used EPXMA and SIMS (section 6.1) to assess the intracellular localizations of Gd and Tb in the liver and the intestinal mucosa of hepatic tissue from Wistar rats 533. Gd and Tb concentrated in P rich areas within the lysosomes of hepatocytes in areas close to the biliary canalicule following intraperitoneal administration, while intragastric administration resulted in Gd and Tb localizing in the lysosomes of the apical part of duodenal enterocytes.…”

Gadolinium Chloride Rescues Niemann–Pick Type C Liver Damage

“…Increasing the expression or activity of the Mucolipin 1 or TRPML1 lysosomal ion channel is sufficient to correct the trafficking defects and reduce lysosome storage and cholesterol accumulation in NPC cells [ 49 ]. Interestingly, Gd 3+ is a lanthanide that exhibits properties similar to that of calcium in biological systems, presumably due to its comparable ionic radius [ 50 ], and is detected in lysosomes of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells [ 51 ]. Considering these antecedents, gadolinium could potentially activate TRPML1.…”

Transplacental Passage and Subcellular Accumulation of Lanthanum within Maternal and Fetus side of Placenta: A Transmission Electron Microscopy Study

“…For example, the III A group of the Mendeleev chart, such as gallium, which deposits were identified in the lysosomes of tumoral cells [6], and aluminum selectively concentrated in the lysosomes of bone marrow, liver, and mammary gland cells [7][8][9]. As for rare earths, gadolinium was found in several kinds of cells such as alveolar macrophages, liver cells [10][11][12], endometrium, myometrium, granulosa and internal theca cells [13]. An intralysosomal detection of cerium was mentionnated in the intestinal mucosa, liver, kidney, suprarenal, and testicular glands [14].…”