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Localization of motilin-immunopositive cells in the rat intestine by light microscopic immunocytochemistry
1Gastrointestinal Research Laboratory, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
Abstract:
Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) are known to exist in the upper small intestine of many species including man. However, the possible presence of Mo cells in the rat gastrointestine has remained obscure because antiserum against it raised in rabbit was found not to cross-react with motilin in the rat gastrointestine. The present study was designed to investigate the distribution of Mo cells in the rat gastrointestine by the peroxidase-conjugated second antibody method using newly raised chicken anti-motilin serum (CPV3). This antiserum was suggested to recognize the N-terminal region of the motilin molecule by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunocytochemical absorption test. Mo cells detected in the rat gastrointestine by immunocytochemistry were found to be distributed in the duodenum (1.5 cells/mm2), jejunum (2.2 cells/mm2), and ileum (0.028 cells/mm2), and no positive cells were found in the gastric body, gastric antrum, cecum, colon, or pancreas. The immunopositive cells in the rat intestine were spindle shaped or polygonal, scattered throughout the epithelium of the villi and crypts, and similar to those commonly observed in the upper small intestine of other species. These results indicate for the first time that motilin-immunopositive cells do exist in the rat intestine.
Insights
Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) were identified in the rat intestine using a new chicken antiserum. This finding confirms the presence of Mo cells in rat gastrointestinal tissue, previously obscured by cross-reactivity issues.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Motilin-immunopositive cells (Mo cells) are established in the upper small intestine of various species.
- Previous studies could not confirm Mo cells in rat gastrointestinal tissue due to antiserum cross-reactivity issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of Mo cells in the rat gastrointestinal tract.
- To utilize a newly developed chicken anti-motilin serum (CPV3) for accurate detection.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry employing the peroxidase-conjugated second antibody method.
- Utilized a novel chicken anti-motilin serum (CPV3) validated for N-terminal region recognition.
- Quantified Mo cell distribution in different segments of the rat gastrointestinal tract.
Main Results:
- Mo cells were detected and quantified in the rat duodenum (1.5 cells/mm2), jejunum (2.2 cells/mm2), and ileum (0.028 cells/mm2).
- No Mo cells were found in the gastric body, gastric antrum, cecum, colon, or pancreas.
- Detected immunopositive cells exhibited spindle or polygonal shapes, distributed within villi and crypt epithelium.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence for the existence of motilin-immunopositive cells in the rat intestine.
- The distribution pattern of Mo cells in rats resembles that observed in other species.
- The novel chicken antiserum (CPV3) is effective for identifying Mo cells in rat gastrointestinal tissue.