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Apoptosis in mouse taste buds after denervation
1Department of Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-02, Japan.
Cell and Tissue Research
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Taste bud cells undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) naturally. Denervation of the glossopharyngeal nerve accelerates this apoptosis, leading to taste bud loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Taste buds are sensory organs containing specialized cells responsible for taste perception.
- The role of nerve input in maintaining taste bud structure and cell turnover is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gustatory nerve sectioning on taste bud cell death.
- To determine the mechanism of taste bud cell loss following denervation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DNA nick-end labeling (TUNEL) to detect apoptotic cells.
- Employed standard electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis.
- Examined taste buds in mouse circumvallate papillae after glossopharyngeal nerve sectioning.
Main Results:
- Taste buds significantly decreased in number and size 3-11 days post-denervation, disappearing by day 11.
- TUNEL staining revealed a 3-5 fold increase in apoptotic nuclei in taste buds 1-5 days after denervation compared to controls.
- Electron microscopy showed taste bud cells with condensed, fragmented nuclei and increased cytoplasmic density after denervation.
Conclusions:
- Taste bud cells normally undergo apoptosis as part of their life cycle.
- Gustatory nerve sectioning induces significant apoptosis in taste bud cells.
- Denervation leads to a progressive reduction and eventual disappearance of taste buds.