Brunner's glands: a structural, histochemical and pathological profile

Brunner's glands are unique to mammalian species and in eutherians are confined primarily to the submucosa of the proximal duodenum. In the majority of species examined, they begin at the gastrointestinal junction and extend for variable distances distally in the wall of the proximal small intestine. Ducts of individual glands empty either directly into the intestinal lumen or unite with overlying intestinal glands (crypts of Lieberkühn) dependent on the species. Secretory units of Brunner's glands consist of epithelial tubules that show frequent distal branchings. The secretory units, with the exception of those found in rabbits and horses, consist primarily of a mucin producing cell type. However, other cell types normally associated with the overlying intestinal epithelium may be encountered scattered within the secretory units reflecting the developmental origin of these glands. Secretion from Brunner's glands contributes to a layer of mucus that forms a slippery, viscoelastic gel that lubricates the mucosal lining of the proximal intestinal tract. The unique capacity of this mucus layer to protect delicate underlying epithelial surfaces is due primarily to the gel-forming properties of its glycoprotein molecules. Mucin glycoproteins produced by Brunner's glands consist primarily but not exclusively of O-linked oligosaccharides attached to the central protein core of the glycoprotein molecule. Human Brunner's glands produce class III mucin glycoproteins and are thought to be the product of mucin gene MUC6 which is assigned to chromosome 11 (11p15-11p15.5 chromosome region). In addition to mucin glycoproteins and a limited amount of bicarbonate, numerous additional factors (epidermal growth factor, trefoil peptides, bactericidal factors, proteinase inhibitors, and surface-active lipids) have been identified within the secretory product of Brunner's glands. These factors, incorporated into the mucus layer, guard against the degradation of this protective barrier and underlying mucosa by gastric acid, pancreatic enzymes, and other surface active agents associated with this region. Yet other factors produced by Brunner's glands function to provide active and passive immunological defense mechanisms, promote cellular proliferation and differentiation, as well as contribute factors that elevate the pH of luminal contents of this region by promoting secretion of the intestinal mucosa, pancreatic secretion and gall bladder contraction. Additional insights concerning the role of Brunner's glands in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract as well as their possible evolution in this class of vertebrates have been gained from a basic understanding of their pathobiology.