title: Occurrence of immune cells in the intestinal wall of Squalius cephalus infected with Pomphorhynchus laevis.
abstract: A sub-population of 34 specimens of chub, Squalius cephalus, was sampled from the River Brenta (Northern Italy) and examined for ecto- and endo-parasites. Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) was the only enteric helminth encountered. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural studies were conducted on the intestines of chub. Near the site of parasite's attachment, mucous cells, mast cells (MCs), neutrophils and rodlet cells (RCs) were found to co-occur within the intestinal epithelium. The numbers of mucous cells, MCs and neutrophils were significantly higher in infected fish (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). Dual immunofluorescence staining with the lectin Dolichos Biflorus Agglutinin (DBA) and the macrophage-specific MAC387 monoclonal antibody, with parallel transmission electron microscopy, revealed that epithelial MCs often made intimate contact with the mucous cells. Degranulation of a large number of MCs around the site of the acanthocephalan's attachment and in proximity to mucous cells was also documented. MCs and neutrophils were abundant in the submucosa. Immune cells of the intestinal epithelium have been described at the ultrastructural level and their possible functions and interactions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: dzb@unife.it.
authors.forename: Bahram S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Dezfuli
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biosciences, Agro-Alimentary and Environmental Technologies, University of Teramo, St. Crispi 212, I-64100 Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manera
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giari
authors.affiliation: Morphogenyx Inc, PO Box 717, East Northport, NY 11731, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: DePasquale
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technologies for Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, St. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bosi
mesh_terms: D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003530:Cyprinidae; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology
keywords: Fish; Immune cells; Intestinal mucosa; Mucus; Parasites