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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Isolating Lymphocytes from the Mouse Small Intestinal Immune System
Published on: February 28, 2018
Mechanisms of lectin (phytohemagglutinin)-induced growth in small intestinal epithelial cells
11st Department of Internal Medicine, Christian Albrecht University, Schittenhelmstrasse 12, D-24105 Kiel, Germany.
Background/Aims:
The lectin phytohemagglutinin is a mitogen for intestinal epithelial cells in vivo. The mechanisms of action are unknown and were therefore analyzed in vitro.
Methods:
Human (Intestine-407) and rat (IEC-6; IEC-18) intestinal epithelial cell lines were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Proliferation was assayed by (3)H-thymidine incorporation, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by Western blotting, and induction of c-fos mRNA expression by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Control experiments were performed with phenyl-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminide or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin A25.
Results:
Phytohemagglutinin (0.1 microg/ml) significantly stimulated proliferation in all three cell lines after 48-72 h. MAPK activation was detected after 15-30 min, and an induction of c-fos mRNA expression after 15- 30 min of stimulation. Mitogenic effects were blocked by preincubation with phenyl-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminide or tyrphostin A25.
Conclusion:
Phytohemagglutinin stimulated proliferation, MAPK activation and induction of c-fos mRNA expression. The lectin may contribute to intestinal mucosal growth and regeneration thereby preventing gut atrophy.
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