Variable localization of Toll-like receptors in human fallopian tube epithelial cells / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine the localization, expression, and function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in fallopian tube epithelial cells. METHODS: The localization of TLRs in fallopian tube epithelial cells was investigated by immunostaining. Surprisingly, the intensity of staining was not equal in the secretory and ciliated cells. After primary cell culture of fallopian tube epithelial cells, ring cloning was used to isolate colonies of ciliated epithelial cells, distinct from non-ciliated epithelial cells. The expression of TLRs 1–10 was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein localization was confirmed by immunostaining. The function of the TLRs was determined by interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production in response to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 ligands. RESULTS: Fallopian tube epithelial cells expressed TLRs 1–10 in a cell-type-specific manner. Exposing fallopian tube epithelial cells to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 agonists induced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that TLR expression in the fallopian tubes is cell-type-specific. According to our results, ciliated cells may play more effective role than non-ciliated cells in the innate immune defense of the fallopian tubes, and in interactions with gametes and embryos.

Regulation of Mucin Exocytosis in Airway Secretory Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

Mucin secretion in the airway epithelium acts as an essential barrier process that protects the upper respiratory tract from inhaled particles, environmental pathogens and toxicants. However, dysregulated mucin secretion contributes to pathophysiologic conditions such as rhinitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc. The study on mucin hypersecretion has long been worked, but the exact molecular composition and mechanism for exocytic machinery remain mostly to be elucidated. The regulated mucin secretion, highly coordinated process, is mediated by the cooperative interaction of several proteins existing in the secretory granule, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. This review provides the information on molecular components of the core exocytic machinery and their functional roles for mucin exocytosis in airway secretory cells.

Histological and histochemical aspects of the penial glands of Girardia biapertura Sluys, 1997 (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Paludicola)

Girardia biapertura was described with sperm ducts penetrating the penis bulb, subsequently opening separately at the tip of the penis papilla and receiving the abundant secretion of penial glands. In the present work, the penial glands of this species have been histologically and histochemically analysed, and four types of secretory cells are distinguished. The openings of the penial glands into the intrabulbar and intrapapillar sperm ducts, designated here as intrapenial ducts, allow for the distinction between three histologically differentiated regions. The most proximal region possibly corresponds to the bulbar cavity of other freshwater triclads whereas the median and distal portions correspond to the ejaculatory duct. The proximal region of the intrapenial ducts receives mainly the openings of a secretory cell type (type I) that produces a proteinaceous secretion. A second type of secretory cell (type II) that secretes neutral mucopolyssacharides opens into the median region of the intrapenial ducts. The distal portion of the ducts receives two types of secretory cells (types III and IV) which secret glycoprotein and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Types III and IV open also directly into the male atrium through the epithelium of the penis papilla. A comparison with the results presented here and those of other authors for species of Girardia is provided and the importance of the study of the penial glands for taxonomic characterisation of freshwater triclads is emphasised.

A espécie Girardia biapertura apresenta, segundo sua descrição original, ductos espermáticos penetrando o bulbo penial e, subseqüentemente, desembocando separadamente na ponta da papila penial e recebendo abundante secreção das glândulas peniais. No presente trabalho, as glândulas peniais dessa espécie foram analisadas histológica e histoquimicamente, sendo constatados quatro tipos de células secretoras. A desembocadura das glândulas peniais nas porções intrabulbar e intrapapilar dos ductos espermáticos, aqui designados como ductos intrapeniais, permite diferenciar três regiões histologicamente distintas. A região mais proximal desses ductos provavelmente corresponde à cavidade bulbar, enquanto as porções média e distal, ao ducto ejaculatório de outros tricladidos. A região proximal dos ductos intrapeniais recebe principalmente a desembocadura de um tipo de célula secretora (tipo I), cuja secreção é protéica. Na região média dos ductos intrapeniais desemboca um segundo tipo de célula secretora (tipo II), contendo mucopolissacarídeos neutros. A porção mais distal dos ductos intrapeniais recebe a desembocadura de dois tipos de células secretoras (tipos III e IV) que secretam glicoproteína e glicosaminoglicanas, respectivamente. As células dos tipos III e IV desembocam, também, diretamente no átrio masculino através do epitélio de revestimento da papila penial. Comparam-se os resultados obtidos com aqueles de outros autores para espécies do gênero Girardia e enfatiza-se a importância do estudo das glândulas peniais para a caracterização taxonômica das espécies de tricladidos dulcícolas.

Mucin Secretion and MUC1 mRNA Expression in the Cultured Secretory Cells of the Rat Nasal Epithelium

The upper respiratory system is lined with epithelium (mucosa) of the pseudostratified ciliated columnar type that produces mucus as a secretion. The major constituent of mucus is mucin, a glycoprotein of distinct physical and biochemical properties that exists in various organs. The aim of this study was to analyze the biochemical and molecular biological conditions affecting mucin secretion in cultured secretory cells of the upper respiratory mucosa. Rat nasal epithelial cells were cultured in four conditions differing in culture matrix : 1) plastic surface (PL), 2) thick collagen gel (TG), 3) thin collagen gel (GC), and 4) collagen gel coated membrane (CO). In each group, cell proliferation patterns, gel lysis and ciliary regeneration were observed, and attachment efficiency and confluence day were recorded. After confluence, mucin in the culture media was tagged with [3H]-glucosamine and analyzed by elution through Sepharose CL-4B column. The expression of MUC1 in cultured cells was analyzed by RT-PCR. In PL and GC, attachment efficiency was less than 2.2%. The shape and size of each cell in active proliferation was not regular. Confluence was observed on culture day 21 (range : 15-24). In TG and CO, attachment efficiency was more than 10.0% and the shape and size of each cell in active proliferation was regular in a compact fashion. Eight days (range : 7-11) were needed for confluence. After elution through column, mucin was detected in TG and CO but not in GC and PL. MUC1 was expressed in TG and CO but not in GC and PL. In conclusion, a thick collagen gel matrix was essential in mucin secretion and MUC1 expression in cultured secretory cells of the rat nasal mucosa.

Morphological Study of the Eustachian Tube in Mongolian Gerbil / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Many animals such as chinchilla, guinea pig, rat and rabbit have been used for study of the otitis media and their morphology of the eustachian tube are well known. However, it is not easy to use these animals in Korea. Therefore, active morphological study of the eustachian tube related to otitis media have not been performed. The Mongolian gerbil is an easily maintained rodent which has been useful for investigations of the ear canal cholesteatoma and inner ear. However, histologic study of the eustachian tube of Mongolian gerbil has not been established. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the light microscopic morphology and the ultrastructure of the eustachian tube in Mongolian gerbil in order to prepare basic morphological data for the future animal study concerning pathogenesis of otitis media. MATERIALS & METHOD: Eight normal adult(90 to 120 days old) Mongolian gerbils(16 ears) were used for this study. Eustachian tube specimen was obtained after perfusion fixation and fixed. After 3 weeks of decalcification, paraffin block and EPON 812 block were made and sectioned. Those were observed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The cartilage and muscular structure(tensor veli palatini muscle, levator veli palatini muscle) of the eustachian tube of Mongolian gerbil were similar to those of other experimental animals. The total length of eustachian tube of Mongolian gerbil was relatively short and natural infection was rare.In the epithelium of the eustachian tube of Mongolian gerbil, four types of epithelial cells, ie ciliated, nonciliated, secretory cells and basal cells were identified like other experimental animals. On transmission electron microscopic findings, three types of secretory cells, ie, dark granulated, light granulated and mixed granulated cells were observed. The subepitheial glandular structure was observed along the whole length of eustachian tube. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the morphology of the eustachian tube of Mongolian gerbil was similar to those of other experimental animals such as chinchilla, guinea pig, rat and we recognized that Mongolian gerbil is possible to be used as a good experimental model of eustachian tube study for otitis media research.