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Characterization of the glycoconjugate sugar residues in developing chick esophageal epithelium
G Gheri1, S Gheri Bryk, E Sgambati
1Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy.
Insights
Chick embryo esophageal development involves significant epithelial changes. Specific sugar residues on cell surfaces and in mucus correlate with these morphological transformations and cell polarization.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Glycobiology
- Histology
Background:
- Chick embryo esophageal development exhibits significant epithelial morphological changes.
- Glycoconjugates play a crucial role in cellular differentiation and tissue development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of saccharidic moieties in chick embryo esophageal glycoconjugates during development.
- To correlate changes in oligosaccharide composition and distribution with epithelial morphological transformations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (DBA, PNA, SBA, WGA, ConA, LTA, UEAI) for saccharide analysis.
- Examined esophageal tissues from chick embryos (8th-21st day) and young chickens (1-2 days old).
Main Results:
- Identified distinct oligosaccharide profiles in lining and glandular epithelia during histogenesis.
- Observed specific sugar residues (D-galactose-(beta 1-->3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, alpha-L-fucose) at the luminal cell surface prior to cilia and mucus secretion.
- Characterized the sequential appearance of alpha-L-fucose, D-galactose-(beta 1-->3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, D-glucosamine, and sialic acid in esophageal gland mucus.
Conclusions:
- Oligosaccharide changes are integral to chick esophageal epithelial development and cell polarization.
- Specific lectin-detected glycoconjugates serve as markers for esophageal histogenesis and differentiation.
Abstract:
The development of the esophagus in the chick embryo is characterized by remarkable morphological changes especially at the level of the epithelium. Using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (DBA, PNA, SBA, WGA, ConA, LTA, UEAI) we have studied, at the level of the esophagus of chick embryos from the 8th to the 21st day of incubation and of 1- and 2-day-old chicken, the evolution of the saccharidic moieties of glycoconjugates, which precedes and/or is concomitant with the epithelial morphological transformations. We have found differences in content and cellular distribution of oligosaccharides during the histogenetic processes which characterize the lining and glandular epithelium. Before the appearance of cilia and mucus secretion at the bathyprismatic epithelial cells, the sugar residues D-galactose-(beta 1-->3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and alpha-L-fucose were detected only at the luminal cell surface. These oligosaccharides were probably involved in giving rise to the polarization of the esophageal epithelial cells. The esophageal gland mucus was first characterized by the presence of alpha-L-fucose and afterwards also by the presence of D-galactose-(beta 1-->3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, D-glucosamine and sialic acid.