title: Phenotypic characterization of an intestinal subepithelial myofibroblast cell line.
abstract: Subepithelial myofibroblasts are located at the interface between the epithelium and lamina propria in most mucosal tissues. Their biological functions are largely unknown because a long-term cell culture model for these cells has not been available. In this report, we define the phenotypic properties of a human colonic cell line (18Co) that exhibits most of the known characteristics of intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts in situ. These characteristics include 1) a cell shape that can be reversibly interconverted between a flattened discoid and stellate morphology, 2) intracellular organelles reminiscent of myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in situ, 3) expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, 4) plasma membrane receptors for endothelins and natriuretic peptides, and 5) regulation of epithelial sensitivity to calcium-dependent secretagogues by paracrine secretion of prostaglandins. 18Co cells provide an exploitable model to begin defining the physiological and pathophysiological functions of intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts at the molecular level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA. jdv@metamatrix.com
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Valentich
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Saada
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D045283:Natriuretic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin