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Submucosal collagen in experimental gastroschisis
S K Srinathan1, J C Langer, M D Botney
1Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Gastroschisis causes intestinal submucosal thickening due to increased and diffuse collagen deposition. The exact cell type producing this collagen in fetal rabbits remains unidentified.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Gastroenterology
- Fetal Surgery
Background:
- Gastroschisis involves fetal intestinal exposure to amniotic fluid.
- Previous research noted smooth muscle and submucosal changes in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of submucosal thickening in gastroschisis.
- To analyze collagen deposition and gene expression in a rabbit model.
Main Methods:
- Surgically induced gastroschisis in fetal rabbits.
- Histological analysis and van Geison staining for collagen.
- In situ hybridization for alpha (1) procollagen RNA expression.
Main Results:
- Gastroschisis led to significant submucosal thickening and increased collagen content at term.
- Collagen distribution was more diffuse in gastroschisis specimens.
- Procollagen expression originated from unidentified round cells in the submucosa.
Conclusions:
- Experimental gastroschisis features submucosal thickening linked to altered collagen.
- The source of increased submucosal collagen involves non-fibroblast cells.
- Findings may illuminate intestinal dysfunction mechanisms in human gastroschisis.