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Immunocytochemical localization of motilin-containing cells in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract
1Gastrointestinal Research Laboratory, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
Abstract:
Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) are known to be present in the upper small intestine of various species, including man. However, whether Mo cells are present in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract remained to be elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the distribution of Mo cells in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method using a new anti-motilin serum (CPV2) raised in chickens. The results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suggested that this antiserum recognized the C-terminal region of the motilin molecule. Motilin-immunopositive cells were found in the epithelia of the crypts and villi throughout the rabbit gastrointestinal tract from the gastric antrum to the distal colon, but no immunostaining occurred in the gastric body. Morphometric analysis revealed that Mo cells were localized preferentially in the upper small intestine, as reported for other species, and the cell densities (cells/mm2, mean +/- SE) were: gastric antrum (0.41 +/- 0.16), duodenum (8.2 +/- 0.8), jejunum (1.9 +/- 0.5), ileum (0.62 +/- 0.14), cecum (0.19 +/- 0.05), proximal colon (0.13 +/- 0.03), and distal colon (0.39 +/- 0.18). Our results demonstrated conclusively that Mo cells exist in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract and showed for the first time their regional distribution. Furthermore, our new chicken antiserum would appear to be a useful tool for the determination of plasma motilin concentrations by radioimmunoassay and for the immunoneutralization of endogenous motilin in the rabbit.
Insights
Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) are present throughout the rabbit gastrointestinal tract, with highest concentrations in the upper small intestine. This study confirms their existence and distribution in rabbits, using a new chicken antiserum.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) are recognized in the upper small intestine of various species.
- The presence and distribution of Mo cells in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract were previously unconfirmed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of Mo cells in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract.
- To characterize a new chicken-raised anti-motilin serum for potential use in radioimmunoassays and immunoneutralization.
Main Methods:
- Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method for immunohistochemistry.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to characterize antiserum specificity.
- Morphometric analysis to quantify cell densities in different regions.
Main Results:
- Motilin-immunopositive cells were identified throughout the rabbit gastrointestinal tract, from the gastric antrum to the distal colon.
- Mo cells were absent in the gastric body but concentrated in the epithelia of crypts and villi.
- Cell densities were highest in the duodenum, followed by the jejunum, with lower densities in the gastric antrum, ileum, cecum, and colon.
Conclusions:
- This study conclusively demonstrates the presence and regional distribution of Mo cells in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract.
- The newly developed chicken antiserum is a valuable tool for motilin research in rabbits, including plasma concentration determination and immunoneutralization.