Histology and histopathology Vol.14, nº 3 (1999)
Ir a Estadísticas
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- PublicationOpen AccessDistribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers and binding sites in the hamster seminal vesicle during post-natal development(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Afonso, F.; Pinho, M.S.; Fernandes, P.; Mata, L.R.; Gulbenkian, S.The distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerves and 125~-labeledV IPand CGRP-binding sites was studied in the hamster seminal vesicle of 12-, 30- and 60-day-old animals. In addition, the general innervation of the seminal vesicle was examined using the general neuronal marker synaptophysin. Our results show that the densities of the overall (synaptophysin immunoreactive) and CGRP-immunoreactive innervation is constant during the post-natal development of the gland. However, a significant decrease in VIP-containing nerves is observed at the end of puberty. The autoradiographic study revealed that in 12-day-old animals, the epithelium presents VIP binding sites. However, in 30-day-old animals, VIP binding sites are observed in the epithelium of only a few clumps of acini. In 60-day-old animals, the gland is composed of acini with dilated lumina where VIP binding sites are not detected. In all groups studied the epithelium does not exhibit CGRP binding sites. The seminal vesicle muscle layer displays specific binding sites for both VIP and CGRP at all post-natal developmental times, but the density of VIP binding sites is higher in 12- than in 30- and 60-day-old animals. Our results, showing the presence of specific VIP and CGRP binding sites during the development of the hamster seminal vesicle, suggest that these neuropeptides may be involved in the growth and differentiation of the gland.
- PublicationOpen AccessChanges in the distribution of the substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers in the laryngeal mucosa of chronically hypoxic rats(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Yoshida, T.; Matsuda, H.; Hayashida, Y.; Gono, Y.; Nagahara, T.; Kawakami, T.; Takenaka, T.; Tsukuda, M.; Kusakabe, T.The distribution and abundance of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive nerve fibers in four different regions of the laryngeal mucosa were compared between normoxic and chronically hypoxic rats (10% O2 and 3.0-4.0% CO, for 3 months). In the chronically hypoxic laryngeal mucosa, the number of SP and CGRP fibers within and just beneath the epithelium, and around the laryngeal gland was increased in comparison with those in the normoxic controls. Especially in the epiglottic and arytenoid regions, the number of intraepithelial SP fibers was increased remarkably. Most intraepithelial SP and CGRP fibers penetrated into the epithelium to extend to the lumina1 surface. There was no distinct difference in the distribution and abundance of these peptidergic fibers in the mucosa of the normoxic and chronically hypoxic vocal cord regions. These results suggest that the increased density of SP and CGRP fibers within the epithelium of the upper laryngeal mucosa is a predominant feature of hypoxic adaptation, and this may be involved in airway protection, swallowing, and other functions in the chronically hypoxic environment. In addition, the increased SP and CGRP fibers around the laryngeal gland suggest an enhanced mucous secretion, and this may participate in the airway defense mechanism in low O2 conditions.
- PublicationOpen AccessIntegrin-mediated signal transduction pathways(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Cary,L.A.; Han, D.C.; Guan, J.L.Integrins serve as adhesion receptors for extracellular matrix proteins and also transduce biochemical signals into the cell. They regulate a variety of cellular functions, including spreading, migration, proliferation and apoptosis. Many signaling pathways downstream of integrins have been identified and characterized and are discussed here. In particular, integrins regulate many protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, such as FAK and Src, to coordinate many of the cell processes mentioned above. The regulation of MAP kinases by integrins is important for cell growth or other functions, and the putative roles of Ras and FAK in these pathways are discussed. Phosphatidylinositol lipids and their modifying enzymes, particularly PI 3-kinase, are strongly implicated as mediators of integrinregulated cytoskeletal changes and cell migration. Similarly, actin cytoskeleton regulation by the Rho family of GTPases is coordinated with integrin signaling to regulate cell spreading and migration, although the exact relationship between these pathways is not clear. Finally, intracellular pH and calcium fluxes by integrins are suggested to affect a variety of cellular proteins and functions.
- PublicationOpen AccessDetection of sarcolectin-specific receptors like the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor in rheumatoid nodules migration inhibitory factor in rheumatoid nodules(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Zschabitz, A.; Gabius, H.J.; Zeng, F.Y.; Kunt, T.; Martens, K.D.; Koepp, H.; Fassbender, H.G.; Stofft, E.The objective of this study was the evaluation of the relation between the N-acetylneuraminic acid-binding endogenous lectin sarcolectin and the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) during development of rheumatoid nodules (RN) in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sarcolectin was purified and biotinylated. The binding patterns of this probe were analyzed in RN from patients with RA (n=23) and compared with the distribution of antibodies with specificity for MIF, fibrin, fibronectin. In early RN, all areas of the inflammatory tissue displayed presence of receptors for sarcolectin. Macrophages were especially positive. In mature rheumatoid nodules binding of sarcolectin was restricted to the periphery of necrotic areas, to endothelial cells and perivascular connective tissue of marginal zones. Distribution patterns of MIF were similiar but not identical. The histological staining characteristics demonstrate sarcolectin-binding receptors in RN that are altered upon disease progression. The finding suggests that specific interactions between this endogenous lectin and MIF may be involved in the course of RA.
- PublicationOpen AccessFrequent expression of haemopoietic and non-haemopoietic antigens by reactive plasma cells: an immunohistochemical study using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Beschorner, R.; Horny, H.P.; Petruch, U.R.; Kaiserling, E.Unlike other B cells, plasma cells (PC) react with only a few antibodies against haemopoietic antigens. We investigated 36 specimens exhibiting a reactive increase in PC numbers (i.e. plasmacytosis, PC hyperplasia) with a broad panel of antibodies suitable for use on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, and compared the findings with those obtained in 51 cases of multiple myeloma (plasmacytoma). Regardless of the immunostaining pattern for immunoglobulin light and heavy chains, reactive PC reacted with at least two and at most six of seventeen antibodies detecting haemopoietic antigens [Ber- H2lCD30 (91%), anti-leucocyte common antigen (LCA)/CD45 (86%), KP1lCD68 (64%), MB2 (57%), 4KB51CD45RA (37%), DF-TllCD43 (28%), UCHL11 CD45RO (20%), L26lCD20 (17%), MT2 (14%) and Mac387 (g%)], and with at least one and at most four of six antibodies against non-haemopoietic antigens [antiepithelia1 membrane antigen (EMA) (94%), antivimentin (77%), anti-pan-cytokeratinIKL1 (74%), BMA120 (51%) and HMB45 (14%)]. Five antibodies stained reactive PC significantly more often than neoplastic PC: Ber-H2lCD30 (ps 0.0000), KPllCD68 (ps 0.0000), anti-LCAlCD4.5 (ps 0.0000), anti-EMA (p5 0.0339) and anti-pancytokeratinIKL1 (ps 0.0000). The more frequent and more heterogeneous expression of antigens by reactive PC suggests that the aberrant immunoreactivity of neoplastic PC in plasmacytoma is not due to the process of malignant transformation in an early step of B-cell differentiation, but could reflect the heterogeneity of antigen expression by normal PC.