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Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
Published on: April 29, 2015
Distribution of immunoreactive 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in mouse digestive tract
M Asada-Kubota1, T Ueda, M Shimada
1Department of Biotechnology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Japan.
Summary
The enzyme 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5OAS) is present in the digestive tracts of healthy mice. This enzyme
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Enzymology
Background:
- 2",5"-Oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5OAS) is an interferon-induced enzyme.
- This enzyme has been detected in untreated healthy animals.
- Its presence in the digestive system suggests a role beyond interferon response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of 2-5OAS in the digestive tract of healthy mice.
- To identify specific cells expressing 2-5OAS within the gastrointestinal system.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting was used to detect 2-5OAS in tissue extracts.
- Immunohistochemistry with a specific monoclonal antibody localized the enzyme.
- Analysis was performed on esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tissues.
Main Results:
- Western blotting detected 2-5OAS in stomach and intestinal extracts, but not esophagus.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed 2-5OAS in stomach (surface mucous, parietal cells), intestines (surface epithelial cells), and enteric nervous cells.
- Interferon-alpha/beta treatment did not significantly alter the enzyme's distribution.
Conclusions:
- The digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestines, constitutively expresses 2-5OAS.
- This endogenous expression in the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to innate antiviral defense.
- The findings highlight a potential role for 2-5OAS in digestive system immunity.
