Neuronal and hormonal control of Ca2+ signalling in exocrine glands: insight from in vivo studies.

Fluid and enzyme secretion from exocrine glands is initiated by Ca2+ signalling in acinar cells and is activated by external neural or hormonal signals. A wealth of information has been derived from studies in acutely isolated exocrine cells but Ca2+ signalling has until recently not been studied in undisrupted intact tissue in live mice. Our in vivo observations using animals expressing genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators in specific cell types in exocrine glands revealed both similarities to and differences from the spatiotemporal characteristics previously reported in isolated cells. These in vivo studies facilitate further understanding of how both neuronal and hormonal input shapes Ca2+ signalling events in a physiological setting and how these signals are translated into the stimulation of fluid secretion and exocytosis.

Aquaporins in Glandular Secretion.

Exocrine and endocrine glands deliver their secretory product, respectively, at the surface of the target organs or within the bloodstream. The release of their products has been shown to rely on secretory mechanisms often involving aquaporins (AQPs). This chapter will provide insight into the role of AQPs in secretory glands located within the gastrointestinal tract, including salivary glands, gastric glands, duodenal Brunner's glands, liver, gallbladder, intestinal goblets cells, and pancreas, as well and in other parts of the body, including airway submucosal glands, lacrimal glands, mammary glands, and eccrine sweat glands. The involvement of AQPs in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions will also be highlighted.

Nutritional condition affects tergal gland secretion and courtship success of male cockroaches.

An integral part of the courtship sequence of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) involves the male raising his wings to expose tergal glands on his dorsum. When a female cockroach feeds on the secretion of these glands, she is optimally positioned for mating. Core chemical components have been identified, but the effect of male diet on the quality of the tergal gland secretion remains unexplored. After validating the pivotal role of tergal feeding in mating, we starved or fed reproductively mature males for one week. We then paired each male with a sexually receptive female and observed their interactions through an infrared-sensitive camera. While starvation had no effect on male courtship behavior, it did influence the duration of female tergal feeding and mating outcomes. Females fed longer on the gland secretion of fed males, and fed males experienced greater mating success than starved males (73.9% vs. 48.3%, respectively). These results suggest that the quality of the tergal gland secretions, and by association mating success, are dependent on the nutritional condition of the male.

Exocrine gland structure-function relationships.

Fluid secretion by exocrine glandular organs is essential to the survival of mammals. Each glandular unit within the body is uniquely organized to carry out its own specific functions, with failure to establish these specialized structures resulting in impaired organ function. Here, we review glandular organs in terms of shared and divergent architecture. We first describe the structural organization of the diverse glandular secretory units (the end-pieces) and their fluid transporting systems (the ducts) within the mammalian system, focusing on how tissue architecture corresponds to functional output. We then highlight how defects in development of end-piece and ductal architecture impacts secretory function. Finally, we discuss how knowledge of exocrine gland structure-function relationships can be applied to the development of new diagnostics, regenerative approaches and tissue regeneration.

Expression profiles of venom components in some social hymenopteran species over different post-capture periods.

To explore and compare the expression patterns of venom components depending on post-capture periods, venom gland-specific transcriptome and proteome analyses were conducted for five model hymenopteran species at a series of time points after capture. Venom gland-specific genes with signal sequences were considered as putative venom component genes. Expression patterns of venom gland-specific genes in all the social wasps and bees examined varied considerably depending on the post-capture period. Higher numbers of venom genes exhibited a decreasing expression pattern than an increasing pattern as the capture period increased. For example, genes encoding most of the allergens (dipeptidyl peptidase 4, endocuticle structural glycoprotein, odorant-binding protein, phospholipase A1, A2, B1, serine protease, serine protease inhibitor and venom allergen 5), pain-producing factor (mast cell degranulating peptide), and paralyzing factor (neprilysin) commonly exhibited decreasing expression patterns in all of the hymenopteran species tested, except for some of the major venom genes in Apis mellifera and Bombus ignitus, which showed an increasing pattern. These findings indicate species- or group-specific variations in the expression patterns of major venom genes. Taken together, flash freezing in liquid nitrogen immediately after capture was determined to be the best way to obtain the most natural expression profiles of venom components in social wasp species, thus, enabling a better understanding of the toxic potential of venom in wasp sting accidents. This study provides guidance for establishing optimal protocols for venom gland isolation and venom extraction from wasps and bees that can ensure the most naturally represented venom composition.

The Influence of Pregnancy on Female Prostate Morphophysiology in Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Morphophysiological changes of the female prostate during pregnancy are still little known. Considering that this gland is highly influenced by steroid hormones, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pregnancy on female prostate morphophysiology in gerbils. Pregnant females were timed, and the prostates were analyzed at pregnancy days 6 (P6), 12 (P12), 18 (P18), and 24 (P24). Virgin females were used as the control group (C). We observed a profound change in the hormonal profile during gestation, which was marked by a high oscillation of the progesterone (P4) hormone. P4 serum levels increased, peaking at the middle of gestation, and decreased to the end of the pregnancy. The morphology of the gland in pregnant females also changed, being marked by an increase of acini lumen, and a decrease in stroma. Indeed, the acinar changes during pregnancy were followed by a significant reduction of the epithelial height, besides a change of the smooth muscle cells' morphology that became more relaxed. The number of progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR)-positives cells decreased with the increase of progesterone serum levels, showing an inverse relationship. Finally, we observed a reduction of epithelial proliferation and a significant increase of gland PAS-positive secretion at the end of pregnancy. Altogether, these results showed, for the first time, that the female prostate morphophysioloy is profoundly influenced by the gestational period, suggesting that the fluctuation of the P4 serum levels is the main factor influencing the gland during this period.

Formicine ants swallow their highly acidic poison for gut microbial selection and control.

Animals continuously encounter microorganisms that are essential for health or cause disease. They are thus challenged to control harmful microbes while allowing the acquisition of beneficial microbes. This challenge is likely especially important for social insects with respect to microbes in food, as they often store food and exchange food among colony members. Here we show that formicine ants actively swallow their antimicrobial, highly acidic poison gland secretion. The ensuing acidic environment in the stomach, the crop, can limit the establishment of pathogenic and opportunistic microbes ingested with food and improve the survival of ants when faced with pathogen contaminated food. At the same time, crop acidity selectively allows acquisition and colonization by Acetobacteraceae, known bacterial gut associates of formicine ants. This suggests that swallowing of the poison in formicine ants acts as a microbial filter and that antimicrobials have a potentially widespread but so far underappreciated dual role in host-microbe interactions.

Chemistry and morphology of the pygidial glands in four Pterostichini ground beetle taxa (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichinae).

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in adults of four ground beetle representatives of the Pterostichini tribe (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed. Molops (Stenochoromus) montenegrinus, Pterostichus (Cophosus) cylindricus, P. (Feronidius) melas and P. (Pseudomaseus) nigrita were chemically tested, while the latter three species were morphologically investigated. Pterostichus (C.) cylindricus, P. (P.) nigrita and M. (S.) montenegrinus were chemically studied for the first time. Altogether, 23 chemical compounds were isolated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which some are new for Pterostichini or even Carabidae. Methacrylic acid was present in all species analysed. It was predominant in the secretion extract of P. (C.) cylindricus and P. (F.) melas. Isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids were the major components in the secretion of M. (S.) montenegrinus. Undecane, methacrylic and tiglic acids were the main components in the secretion of P. (P.) nigrita. The simplest chemical mixture was found in P. (C.) cylindricus (two compounds), while the most complex one was detected in P. (P.) nigrita (15 compounds). No significant differences in the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretions were evidenced in P. (C.) cylindricus sampled from the same area and in the same season in two different years. Morphology of the pygidial glands of the studied species was analysed for the first time. Morphological features of the pygidial glands were observed using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and described in details.

The Effect of Pheromone Synthesis and Gland Retraction on Translocation and Dynamics of Pheromone Release in the Moth Chloridea virescens.

Most species of moths use a female-produced sex pheromone to bring mates together. Typically, sex pheromone is synthesized in a specialized gland and released during the behavior of "calling", in which the ovipositor and gland are extruded, allowing pheromone to evaporate. Although there has been much study on how a gland makes specific pheromone components, we know relatively little about how it actually functions with regard to synthesis, storage and release. In this paper, we investigated three aspects of gland function in the noctuid moth Chloridea virescens (Fabricius): (i) whether translocation of pheromone from site of synthesis to release is dependent on calling or ovipositor movement, (ii) whether pheromone synthesis rate limits release and (iii) how intermittent calling (observed in this and other species) might affect the dynamics of release rate. Firstly, by manipulating the gland to simulate calling (extruded) or non-calling (retracted), we showed that pheromone translocation occurred regardless of whether the gland was retracted or extruded. Secondly, by manipulating pheromone production, we found that females that produced more pheromone had higher release rates. It was especially noticeable that females had a higher release rate at the start of calling, which dropped rapidly and leveled off over time. Together, these data suggest that intermittent calling in C. virescens (and other species) may function to allow females to replenish pheromone stores on the gland surface between calling bouts, so that brief, high release rates occur at the start of a calling bout; thus, potentially increasing a female's chances of attracting a mate.

Peribiliary glands: development, dysfunction, related conditions and imaging findings.

Peribiliary glands are minute structures that are distributed along the intrahepatic large bile ducts, extrahepatic bile duct, and cystic duct. These glands regulate many physiological functions, such as enzyme secretion. Pancreatic exocrine tissues and enzymes are often observed in peribiliary glands; thus, peribiliary glands are involved in enzyme secretion. As such, these glands can be affected by conditions such as IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis based on commonalities with their pancreatic counterparts. Cystic changes in peribiliary glands can occur de novo, as part of a congenital syndrome, or secondary to insults such as alcoholic cirrhosis. Biliary tree stem/progenitor cells have recently been identified in peribiliary glands. These cells are involved in turnover and regeneration of biliary epithelia as well as in sclerosing reactions in some pathological conditions, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and hepatolithiasis. Notably, hepatolithiasis is involved in mucin secretion by the peribiliary glands. Additionally, these cells are associated with the manifestation of several neoplasms, including intraductal papillary neoplasm, cystic micropapillary neoplasm, and cholangiocarcinoma. Normal peribiliary glands themselves are particularly small structures that cannot be recognized using any available imaging modalities; however, these glands are closely associated with several diseases, as mentioned above, which have typical imaging features. Therefore, knowledge of the basic pathophysiology of peribiliary glands is helpful for understanding biliary diseases associated with the peribiliary glands.

Bmsage is involved in the determination of cell number in the silk gland of Bombyx mori.

The number of cells in tissues is under strict genetic control, and research on the determination of cell number is of great importance to understand the growth and development of organs. Bmsage, a bHLH transcription factor, is involved in the development of the silk gland during the embryonic stage in Bombyx mori. However, the mechanism by which it influences silk gland development is unclear. In the present study, we determined via immunofluorescence staining during the embryonic stage of Bombyx mori that Bmsage is expressed in silk gland cells from the beginning of development of the silk gland until its complete formation. By comparing different silkworm strains, we found that Bmsage expression is positively correlated with the number of silk gland cells. Bmsage knockdown by RNAi resulted in shorter silk glands and lower cell numbers, especially in the posterior silk gland. The silk gland lumen also shriveled, and the silk protein content was significantly lower than that in the control. Further investigation revealed that all cyclins decreased after knock down of Bmsage, and cyclin B and cyclin 3 were significantly down-regulated. Bmsage may be involved in the regulation of the cyclin pathway to control silk gland development. Taken together, it can be concluded from our results that Bmsage is involved in the determination of cell number in silk glands. Our results help clarify the process of cell number determination in silk gland and identify a potential target for silkworm breeding.

Imaging and mechanical characterization of different junctions in spider orb webs.

Spider silk and spider orb webs are among the most studied biological materials and structures owing to their outstanding mechanical properties. A key feature that contributes significantly to the robustness and capability to absorb high kinetic energy of spider webs is the presence of junctions connecting different silk threads. Surprisingly, in spite of their fundamental function, the mechanics of spider web junctions have never been reported. Herein, through mechanical characterization and imaging, we show for the first time that spider orb webs host two different types of junction, produced by different silk glands, which have different morphology, and load bearing capability. These differences can be explained in view of the different roles they play in the web, i.e. allowing for a localized damage control or anchoring the whole structure to the surrounding environment.

Male accessory gland molecules inhibit harmonic convergence in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit pathogens such as yellow fever, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses to millions of human hosts annually [1]. As such, understanding Ae. aegypti courtship and mating biology could prove crucial to the success of disease control efforts that target reproduction. Potentially to communicate reproductive fitness [2,3], mosquito males and females harmonize their flight tones prior to mating in a behavior known as harmonic convergence (HC) [4]. Furthermore, after mating or treatment with extracts from male accessory glands (MAG), which make seminal fluid molecules, female Ae. aegypti become resistant, or refractory, to re-mating [5]. To test the hypothesis that mating and MAG fluids inhibit a female's ability to induce HC in males, we recorded audio of pre-copulatory flight interactions between virgin males and either virgin, mated, or MAG extract-injected females and analyzed these recordings for the presence or absence of HC. We found that mating and MAG extract lower HC occurrence by 53% compared with all other controls. Our results further suggest that mating may inhibit HC indirectly via the broader range of MAG-induced female refractory mating behaviors. Together, our results demonstrate an important new role for MAG molecules in mediating female post-mating behavior.

Early studies of airway submucosal glands.

This historical article provides a comprehensive review of early research on the structure and function of airway submucosal glands. The literature before 1950 or so, is virtually unknown, but in addition to being of historical interest it contains much of relevance to current research. Airway glands were first mentioned in 1602. The first description of their general form, size, and distribution was in 1712. Gland morphology was determined in 1827 by injecting mercury into their openings. Wax was later used. Detailed comparative information for all regions of the tracheobronchial tree was provided by Frankenhauser in 1879 (Untersuchungen uber den bau der Tracheo-Bronchial-Schleimhaut). Histological studies began in 1870, and by the end of the 19th century, all the major histological features had been described. The first physiological studies on airway mucous secretion were published in 1892. Kokin, in 1896 (Archiv für die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere 63: 622-630), was the first to measure secretion from individual glands. It was not, however, until 1933 that gland secretion was quantified. This early literature raises important questions as to the role of the collecting duct epithelium in modifying primary secretions. It also provides perhaps the most accurate measure of basal gland secretion in vivo.

Behavior and exocrine glands in the myrmecophilous beetle Dinarda dentata (Gravenhorst, 1806) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).

The nests of advanced eusocial ant species can be considered ecological islands with a diversity of ecological niches inhabited by not only the ants and their brood, but also a multitude of other organisms adapted to particular niches. In the current paper, we describe the myrmecophilous behavior and the exocrine glands that enable the staphylinid beetle Dinarda dentata to live closely with its host ants Formica sanguinea. We confirm previous anecdotal descriptions of the beetle's ability to snatch regurgitated food from ants that arrive with a full crop in the peripheral nest chambers, and describe how the beetle is able to appease its host ants and dull initial aggression in the ants.

Venom content and toxicity regeneration after venom gland depletion by electrostimulation in the scorpion Centruroides limpidus.

The scorpion venom is a cocktail of many components. Its composition can exhibit a level of plasticity in response to different behavioral and environmental factors, leading to intraspecific variation. The toxicity and specificity of scorpion venoms appear to be taxon-dependent, due to a co-evolutionary interaction with prey and predators, which shaped the composition at the molecular level. The venom regeneration by the venom glands is an asynchronous process, in which particular components are expressed at different stages and at different rates. According to this, it can be reasonably assumed that the regeneration of toxicity in the venom is also asynchronous. In this work, we studied the toxicity regeneration dynamics by the scorpion Centruroides limpidus after full venom depletion by electrical stimulation. For this, we evaluated the toxicity of venom samples extracted at different days post depletion, against insects (crickets) and mammals (humans, by assessing the venom activity on the human voltage-dependent Na+ channel Nav1.6). The regeneration of toxicity against humans lagged behind that against crickets (13 vs 10 days, respectively). Thirteen days after depletion the venom seems to be replenished. Our results show asynchrony in the regeneration of species-specific toxic activity in the venom of Centruroides limpidus. The understanding of the venom regeneration kinetics for the different scorpion species will help to design venom extraction protocols that could maximize the yield and quality of the collected venoms.

Multiple optic gland signaling pathways implicated in octopus maternal behaviors and death.

Post-reproductive life in the female octopus is characterized by an extreme pattern of maternal care: the mother cares for her clutch of eggs without feeding until her death. These maternal behaviors are eradicated if the optic glands, the octopus analog of the vertebrate pituitary gland, are removed from brooding females. Despite the optic gland's importance in regulating maternal behavior, the molecular features underlying optic gland function are unknown. Here, we identify major signaling systems of the Octopus bimaculoides optic gland. Through behavioral analyses and transcriptome sequencing, we report that the optic gland undergoes remarkable molecular changes that coincide with transitions between behavioral stages. These include the dramatic upregulation and downregulation of catecholamine, steroid, insulin and feeding peptide pathways. Transcriptome analyses in other tissues demonstrate that these molecular changes are not generalized markers of senescence, but instead, specific features of the optic glands. Our study expands the classic optic gland-pituitary gland analogy and more specifically, it indicates that, rather than a single 'self-destruct' hormone, the maternal optic glands employ multiple pathways as systemic hormonal signals of behavioral regulation.

Behavior and exocrine glands in the myrmecophilous beetle Lomechusoides strumosus (Fabricius, 1775) (formerly called Lomechusa strumosa) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).

To become integrated into an ant society, myrmecophilous parasites must overcome both the defenses and the communication system of their hosts. Some aleocharine staphylinid beetles employ chemical and tactile strategies to invade colonies, where they later consume ant brood and participate in parasitic trophallaxis with host ants. By producing compounds that both appease their hosts and stimulate adoption, the beetles are able to live in and deposit their own eggs in the well defended ant nest. In the current paper, previous findings on the myrmecophilous behavior and morphological features of the staphylinid beetle Lomechusoides (formerly Lomechusa) strumosus are reviewed and re-evaluated. Hitherto unpublished results concerning the beetles' ability to participate in the social food flow of their host ants are reported. Furthermore, we present an analysis and documentation of the behavioral interactions between beetles and host ants during the adoption process, and we report new histological and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the exocrine glands and morphological adaptations that underlie the myrmecophilous behavior of L. strumosus. The main features of L. strumosus are compared with those of the staphilinid myrmecophile Lomechusa (formerly Atemeles) pubicollis. The paper concludes with a description of the life trajectory of L. strumosus and presents a brief history and discussion of the hypotheses concerning the evolution of myrmecophily in L. strumosus and other highly adapted myrmecophilous parasites.

Electroantennogram responses of the Triatoma dimidiata complex to volatiles produced by its exocrine glands.

Members of the Triatoma dimidiata complex are vectors of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Morphological and genetic studies indicate that T. dimidiata complex has three principal haplogroups in Mexico. However, whether there are differences in the olfactory physiology among the haplogroups of this complex and a possible correlation with their antennal phenotype are not yet known. Antennal responses to 13 compounds released from the metasternal and Brindley´s glands, which are involved in the alarm and mating-related behaviours of T. dimidiata were investigated using electroantennography (EAG). Overall, of the 13 compounds tested, seven triggered EAG responses in both sexes of three Mexican haplogroups. The sensitivity of the EAG responses show some relationship with the total number of chemo-sensilla present on the antennae. Antennal sensitivity was different between sexes and haplogroups of the T. dimidiata complex. Discriminant analysis of EAG sensitivity was significant, separating the three haplogroups. Our finding is consistent with morphological and genetic evidence for haplogroups distinction within the complex.