title: Dynamics of L cells along the crypt-villous axis in the chicken ileum.
abstract: The dynamics of L cells along the crypt-villous axis were investigated in the ileum of male White Leghorn chicks (7 d of age, n = 5). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and an in situ hybridization technique to detect proglucagon messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunocytochemistry using colloidal gold was also applied to quantitatively evaluate the GLP-1 content. The cells expressing a proglucagon mRNA signal were distributed mainly in the crypts and the bottom of the villi but were never found in the upper part of the villi. Most of the cells expressing a proglucagon mRNA signal (97%) were immunoreactive for GLP-1 antiserum. In contrast, GLP-1 immunoreactive cells were distributed from the crypts to the middle part of the villi, and only 55% of them expressed a proglucagon mRNA signal. Quantitative evaluation by immunocytochemistry of GLP-1 using colloidal gold revealed that the GLP-1 content was significantly lower in L cells located in the villous epithelium than that of L cells located in the crypts (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that L cells in the chicken ileum mature and complete GLP-1 production in the crypts. L cells in the villous epithelium secrete GLP-1 but do not synthesize this peptide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Food Production Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Kami-ina, Nagano 399-4598, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Functional Anatomy (LAFA), Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Kami-ina, Nagano 399-4598, Japan. Electronic address: seitaik@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Functional Anatomy (LAFA), Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Kami-ina, Nagano 399-4598, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017979:Gold Colloid; D007082:Ileum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D052336:Proglucagon / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D017979:Gold Colloid; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D052336:Proglucagon; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
keywords: Chicken; Glucagon-like peptide-1; Ileum; Immunohistochemistry; In situ hybridization