Effect of gastrin on differentiation of rat intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of gastrin on differentiation of IEC-6 cell line in vitro.


METHODS
IEC-6 cells were incubated with gastrin. On day 7 after treatment, cell morphology was examined by light microscope, and on day 20, the cellular ultrastructures were examined by electron microscope. After exposure to gastrin for 6 hours, villin mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and on day 7, the expression of villin was examined by immunocytochemical analysis with laser confocal microscope.


RESULTS
After exposure to gastrin, IEC-6 cells showed differentiated phenotypes as villas enterocytes and contained an abundance of plasma, small nuclei with nucleoli, and were arranged regularly. There were numerous microvilli around edge of the cells, and several cells showed columnar structures. Villin mRNA expression in cytoplasm was increased in comparison with control.


CONCLUSIONS
Differentiated characteristics of villus enterocytes and phenotypic changes of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) are induced by gastrin, and the effects of gastrin are correlated to increased villin expression.
Wang
Zhou
Z
Piwei Institute, Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong Province, China.
Chen
Wei-Wen
WW
Li
Ru-Liu
RL
Wen
Bin
B
Sun
Jing-Bo
JB
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D005755:Gastrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005755:Gastrins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C026615:villin