Proliferation of goblet cells and vacuolated cells in the rabbit distal colon

Abstract

Previous studies of colonic epithelial cell kinetics in mice and rats revealed a pattern similar to small intestine, where basally located stem cells proliferate, differentiating as they migrate towards the surface epithelium. Vacuolated and goblet cells are assumed to co-migrate at the same rate. The present study indicates that rabbit distal colon has more complicated epithelial cell kinetics. The zone of proliferation was detected immunohistochemically using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and confirmed with the use of colchicine to arrest dividing cells in metaphase. Migrating cells were tracked from the zero-hour position (PCNA labeling, mitosis) to positions 24, 48, 72 hrs by monitoring cell migration with the thymidine analog 5-Bromo-2-Deoxyuridine (BrdU). PCNA revealed a major proliferative zone in the upper third of the crypt column and the presence of mitotic figures after colchicine corroborated these results. Differentiated vacuolated cell proliferation was detected at three crypt sites: base, middle, and top of the crypt, while columnar cells arose from a population of dividing cells at the top of the crypt. Turnover of columnar and vacuolated cells occurred within 72 hrs. Goblet cells exhibited maximal proliferation at the crypt base and migrated at a much slower rate than the other cell types. In rabbit distal colon, populations of proliferating cells exist at multiple levels of the crypt column. Vacuolated and goblet cells differ in their labeling indices and migration rates, suggesting that the two cell types arise and migrate independently.

Epithelial cell dynamics in rabbit cecum and proximal colon P1

“…This agrees with a previously published study reporting lack of apoptotic goblet cells in normal tissue or in intestinal tissue exposed to certain cancer-chemotherapeutic agents (Searle et al, 1975). In addition, it highlights the slow turnover rate of goblet cells, which has been previously reported in mouse distal colon (Chang and Nadler, 1975), and rabbit distal colon (Grant and Specian, 1998). Similar calculations as those made for columnar cell turnover time may be made for goblet cells.…”

“…In that study, the majority of proliferating crypt cells were located in the base of the crypt, but up to 10% of labeled epithelial cells were reported in the upper third of the crypt column. A recent study by Grant and Specian (1998) reported populations of proliferating cells at multiple levels of the distal colon crypt column, with specific cell types exhibiting variations in labeling indices, migration, and turnover rates. There are no published studies on epithelial kinetics of cecum or proximal colon of rabbits.…”

Vitamin D and the digestive system

“…Differentiated vacuolated cell proliferation was detected at three crypt sites: base, middle and top of the crypt, while columnar cells arose from a population of dividing cells at the top of the crypt. Goblet cells exhibited maximal proliferation at the crypt base and migrated at a slower rate than the other cell types (65).…”

“…In the rabbit distal colon, a major proliferation zone was detected in the upper third of the crypt column and mitotic figures were noted at all levels of the crypt column. In the rabbit distal colon, therefore, populations of proliferative cells are not limited to the crypt base, but extend into the upper third of the crypt column (65). Differentiated vacuolated cell proliferation was detected at three crypt sites: base, middle and top of the crypt, while columnar cells arose from a population of dividing cells at the top of the crypt.…”

“…Cell proliferation, studied with 3H-thymidine autoradiography, is abundant in the lower half of the crypts (29), and it changes with age (65). Similar as in the small intestine, vitamin 0 may be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation.…”