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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
09:39
Technique to Collect Fungiform (Taste) Papillae from Human Tongue
Published on: September 18, 2010
Fingerprinting taste buds: intermediate filaments and their implication for taste bud formation
M Witt1, K Reutter, D Ganchrow
1Department of Anatomy, Technical University of Dresden, Germany. mwitt@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Summary
Intermediate filaments like cytokeratins and vimentin are key in taste bud development across species. Nerve ingrowth appears crucial for initiating taste bud formation, with variations observed in vimentin expression among vertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Intermediate filaments, including cytokeratins and vimentin, play roles in cellular structure and development.
- Taste bud development involves complex interactions between epithelial and neural tissues.
- Understanding the molecular markers of taste bud development can elucidate evolutionary pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and role of intermediate filaments in taste organ development across diverse vertebrate species.
- To explore the potential involvement of nerve ingrowth in initiating taste bud formation.
- To compare the cellular mechanisms of taste bud differentiation in terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect cytokeratins and vimentin in taste organs.
- Electron microscopy provided ultrastructural details of intermediate filament distribution.
- Comparative analysis was performed on human, chick, and Xenopus laevis samples.
Main Results:
- Distinct cytokeratin and vimentin immunoreactivity patterns were observed in developing taste bud cells.
- Cytokeratin 20, a marker for taste bud primordia, was not detected before nerve fiber ingrowth in human fetuses.
- Vimentin expression varied, being prominent in human marginal cells, most chick taste bud cells, and Xenopus dark cells, suggesting differential roles and origins.
Conclusions:
- Nerve fibers are likely essential for initiating taste bud development.
- Vimentin expression correlates with cell proliferation in chick taste buds.
- Taste bud differentiation mechanisms may vary significantly across vertebrate taxa, with contributions from surrounding epithelial or mesenchymal cells.
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