Alterations of ultrastructure and of cytoplasmic filaments in remodelling rat jejunal epithelial cells during recovery from deoxycholate.
Structural features associated with reversibility of lesions induced by deoxycholic acid (DOC) were studied by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques. Tied jejunal loops were incubated in vivo with 2.5-20 mmol/l DOC in isotonic solution. Immediately after this treatment, or after a recovery period of 15 or 150 minutes following washout of the bile acid, the loops were excised and processed. DOC produced epithelial lesions whose severity and reversibility were concentration-dependent. Ultrastructural features associated with the reversibility of the lesions were particularly apparent in specimens exposed to 10-20 mmol/l DOC. These features included cell flattening with the formation of thin, veil-like structures into the eroded area by cells at the edges of the erosions. Immunofluorescence studies showed a redistribution of actin and cytokeratin filaments to the margins and leading edges of the flattened cells. It is suggested that cell flattening and migration are responsible for the rapid morphological recovery of the injured epithelium. Actin and cytokeratin appear to be instrumental in the remodelling and migration.
Department of Pathology, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo.
J A
JA
Matovelo
T
T
Landsverk
R B
RB
Sund
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007583:Jejunum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000199:Actins; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid; D007633:Keratins