Effects of calcitonin on elemental distribution and ultrastructure of rat submandibular gland acinar cells

The effect of calcitonin on rat submandibular gland acinar cells was investigated by X-ray microanalysis and electron microscopy. Calcitonin caused a transient increase of the cellular calcium and magnesium concentration, but did not affect the intracellular concentration of other electrolytes. The relative volume of intracellular mucus increased from 45% in control glands to 72% at 6 h after administration of calcitonin. Calcitonin caused an inhibition of the cellular response of the acinar cells to beta-adrenergic and cholinergic agonists. The changes in elemental composition and ultrastructure of the gland cells are probably due to inhibition of mucus release from the cells.     

The chronically pilocarpine-treated rat in the study of cystic fibrosis: investigations on submandibular gland and pancreas

The chronically pilocarpine-treated rat has been proposed as an animal model for the disease cystic fibrosis, a generalized exocrinopathy. The effect of chronic pilocarpine treatment on structure, composition, and function of the acinar cells of rat submandibular gland and pancreas was investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, and biochemical analysis. The morphological effects of chronic pilocarpine treatment were most pronounced in the pancreas. The number and size of the zymogen granules was increased, and the granules had a less electron-dense appearance. X-ray microanalysis at the cellular level showed in both the submandibular gland and the pancreas a significant increase in calcium and a decrease in sodium. The increase in cellular calcium concentrations can be explained by an increase in the relative volume of secretory material in the cell (assessed by morphometry) and an increase in the local calcium concentration in the secretory material (assessed by X-ray microanalysis at the subcellular level). Chronic pilocarpine treatment caused a disturbance of glycolysis and energy metabolism in the submandibular gland, but no significant effects in this respect were noted in the pancreas. On the other hand, a nearly twofold increase of the pancreatic amylase activity was noted. The pancreas appeared somewhat hyperreactive towards cholinergic stimulation.     

Evidence that aquaporin-8 is located in the basolateral membrane of rat submandibular gland acinar cells

It is possible that, during primary saliva formation, aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate transcellular water flow across acinar cells to the lumina of salivary glands. In the rat submandibular gland (rSMG) AQP5 is localized in the apical membranes of acinar cells. The presence of a basolateral AQP in the same cell type has not been reported. We have therefore used immunofluorescence confocal microscopy to determine the subcellular localization of a newly discovered aquaporin, AQP8, in rSMG epithelial cells. The antibodies we used were made against the amino- or carboxyl-terminus (anti-rAQP8NT and anti-rAQP8CT, respectively) of an AQP8 cloned from rat pancreas and liver (rAQP8). Two lines of evidence suggest that both antibodies are suitable for immunolocalization studies. First, results of immunofluorescence confocal microscopy studies show that both antibodies bind to the plasma membranes of 293 cells infected with an adenovirus encoding rAQP8. Second, results of immunoblots of membranes from infected cells suggest that both antibodies bind to glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms of rAQP8. When tested in frozen sections of rSMG, we could not detect the binding of anti-rAQP8NT to any membranes. In contrast, anti-rAQP8CT binds to the basolateral membranes of acinar (but not ductal) epithelia, suggesting that rAQP8 resides in the basolateral membranes of acinar cells. Lack of anti-rAQPNT binding to basolateral membranes suggests that this epitope is not available in the membranes. Our evidence for the basolateral localization of rAQP8 in acinar cells, coupled with previous findings that AQP5 is localized apically in the same cells, raises the possibility that water crosses the acinar epithelium through these channels during primary saliva formation.     

Suppression of intercellular communication in acinar cells from rat submandibular gland by cholinergic and adrenergic agonists

The effects of cholinergic and adrenergic agonists on intercellular communication in isolated acini of rat submandibular gland were evaluated using dye-coupling. Cells injected with Lucifer Yellow CH showed diffusion of the dye to their coupled neighbors under the control condition. Addition of acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol (CCh) at concentrations higher than 10(-6) M rapidly and reversibly suppressed the dye-coupling. This effect by 10(-4) M ACh or 10(-4) M CCh was blocked by the addition of 10(-6) M atropine. The suppressive effects of 10(-4) M adrenaline and 10(-4) M noradrenaline were weaker than those of 10(-4) M ACh. Treatment with 10(-4) M isoproterenol did not inhibit the dye-coupling and the suppressive effect by 10(-4) M adrenaline was blocked by the addition of 10(-5) M phenoxybenzamine. The inhibition of dye-coupling by ACh and adrenaline was blocked by the addition of 10(-5) M verapamil, 10(-4) M W-7 and 1.5 x 10(-5) M H-7, but not by 1.5 x 10(-5) M HA1004. These results suggest that the muscarinic action of cholinergic agonists and the alpha-action of adrenergic agonists might suppress the intercellular communication of the acinar cells in the rat submandibular gland, possibly through the increase of calcium influx and the activation of protein kinase C.     

The chronically isoproterenol-treated rat in the study of cystic fibrosis: X-ray microanalysis of the submandibular gland

The chronically isoproterenol-treated rat has been proposed as an animal model for cystic fibrosis. Ultrastructural studies showed enlarged cells with abnormally large mucus granules that were more often fused than in control animals. X-ray microanalysis of mucous acinar cells showed a significant increase in calcium levels, but unaffected magnesium levels. Combined treatment with isoproterenol and reserpine caused a very large increase in cellular calcium levels that appeared to be an addition of the single effects and increased magnesium levels (as in glands of rats treated with reserpine only). Chronic treatment with isoproterenol, reserpine, or both substances tended to decrease cellular potassium levels. Chronic exposure to the specific beta 1-agonist prenalterol or the specific beta 2-agonist terbutaline did not affect cellular calcium or potassium levels. It is concluded that chronic isoproterenol treatment affects the elemental composition of mucous acinar cells of rat submandibular gland differently from chronic reserpine treatment. The increase in cellular calcium concentration after chronic isoproterenol treatment does not appear to be due to an effect via beta-adrenergic receptors.     

Postnatal development of acinar cells in rat submandibular gland as revealed by electron microscopic staining for carbohydrates

The postnatal differentiation of acinar cells in rat submandibular gland was studied by staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate to identify carbohydrate-containing macromolecules in the electron microscope. This method revealed glycogen particles and internal substructure in the secretory granules of developing acinar cells. On the basis of morphologic and histochemical criteria three phases of acinar cell development were defined. In the pro-acinar phase, during the first week after birth, pro-acinar cells and terminal tubular cells were the main components of the terminal tubules in the rudimentary gland. The secretory granules of the pro-acinar cells contained speckled or rod-like substructures which stained intensively for carbohydrates and were digested by proteolytic enzymes. During the second to third week after birth, which is the immature-acinar-cell phase, thread-like substructures were seen in the secretory granules. These structures, which were not digested by proteolytic enzymes, disappeared gradually. The acinar cells of 4-week-old or older rats displayed no particular substructure in the secretion granules and represented the final, mature phase of development.     

The experimental production of watery vacuolation in the acinar cells of the submandibular gland

1. Watery vacuolation in the acinar cells of the rat submandibular gland is described. The vacuoles are cytoplasmic, membrane-walled, and 2-20 μ in diameter. They are visible in living cells and appear to contain a watery fluid.

2. Vacuolation occurred regularly in the following experimental situations: (1) in vitro—under anoxic conditions (2) post mortem—in animals killed by anoxia, and (3) in vivo—during secretion.

3. By in vitro experiments it was shown that vacuolation occurs only when the cells are both anoxic and exposed to an excess of extracellular fluid containing calcium and bicarbonate. It was further shown that vacuolation is reversible in oxygen and that both its development and recovery are temperature dependent.

4. Evidence is presented that the vacuolation is not a degenerative or necrotic change, that it is accompanied by the entry of fluid into the cells, and that it is not caused by simple osmosis.

5. The mechanism of vacuolation and its possible relation to secretion are discussed. It is suggested that vacuolation represents an imbalance between the ingestion and secretion of water and salts.

6. Similar vacuoles, apparently produced by the same mechanism, were observed in the acinar cells of the parotid gland and the pancreas of the rat.

7. The close similarity of this vacuolation to that previously described in rat liver cells was noted.

     

Effect of triiodothyronine on system A amino acid transport in cells of rat submandibular gland

The effect ofL-3,5,3-triiodothyronine (T₃) on -aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) transport in isolated cell suspensions of rat submandibular gland was investigated. The uptake of ATB by these cells appeared to require extracellular Na⁺ and was inhibited by ouabain (10^–3 M). Cell suspensions from thyroidectomized rats which have been given three successive doses of T₃ on alternate days (50 g/100 g BW) showed a significant increase in AIB uptake compared with cells isolated from thyroidectomized rats treated with diluent. Efflux of AIB from the cell suspension was not affected by T₃. There was no significant changes in AIB uptake 12 h after a single injection of T₃ (50 g/100 g BW). However, there was a significant 49% and 65% increase in AIB net uptake at 24 and 48 h, respectively, after T₃ treatment. Under similar conditions, the cell suspension showed a 48% increase in NaK-ATPase activity at 12 h and to a peak of 61% at 24 h. Therefore, changes in NaK-ATPase activity preceded the changes in AIB net uptake upon treatment with T₃, implying that AIB uptake is probably mediated, at least in part, by the activity of NaK-ATPase.Abbreviations AIB -Aminoisobutyric acid - HBBS Hank's buffer salt solution - T₃ triiodothyronine This study was supported by NIH grant (AM 28590) and USUHS grant CO 7623     

Short term culture of dissociated rat submandibular gland cells.

Submandibular glands of 4-week-old rats were dissociated by a procedure involving digestions with collagenase and hyaluronidase, chelation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and mechanical force. The isolated cells were purified by centrifugation in a Ficoli solution and were maintained in culture for 36 hours. On the basis of trypan blue exclusions, about 70 per cent of the dissociated cells were viable. Electron microscopic observations indicated that the isolated acinar cells and intercalated and striated duct cells retained their essential in situ ultrastructural characteristics. During a 36-hour culture period the number of viable cells declined to about 40 per cent, and the various cell types formed mixed aggregates. The ultrastructural features of the intercalated and duct cells changed relatively little, but the acinar cells revealed several structural alterations. These included a decrease in the number of the secretory granules, fusions of the secretory granules, and an increase in the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In general, the polarity of acinar cells became less distinct. The endogenous peroxidase activity in the acinar cells gradually diminished during the culture. Isoproterenol when added to the cultured cells failed to stimulate the incorporation of radioactive thymidine or the discharge of the secretory material from the acinar cells.     

Long‐term dexamethasone treatment alters the histomorphology of acinar cells in rat parotid and submandibular glands

Glucocorticoids (GCs) induce insulin resistance (IR), a condition known to alter oral homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of long‐term dexamethasone administration on morphofunctional aspects of salivary glands. Male Wistar rats received daily injections of dexamethasone [0.1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), intraperitoneally] for 10 days (DEX), whereas control rats received saline. Subsequently, glycaemia, insulinaemia, insulin secretion and salivary flow were analysed. The parotid and submandibular glands were collected for histomorphometric evaluation and Western blot experiments. The DEX rats were found to be normoglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic, insulin resistant and glucose intolerant (P < 0.05). DEX rat islets secreted more insulin in response to glucose (P < 0.05). DEX rats had significant reductions in the masses of the parotid (29%) and submandibular (16%) glands (P < 0.05) that was associated with reduced salivary flux rate. The hypotrophy in both glands observed in the DEX group was associated with marked reduction in the volume of the acinar cells in these glands of 50% and 26% respectively (P < 0.05). The total number of acinar cells was increased in the submandibular glands of the DEX rats (P < 0.05) but not in the parotid glands. The levels of proteins related to insulin and survival signalling in both glands did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, the long‐term administration of dexamethasone caused IR, which was associated with significant reductions in both mass and flux rate of the salivary glands. The parotid and submandibular glands exhibited reduced acinar cell volume; however, the submandibular glands displayed acinar hyperplasia, indicating a gland‐specific response to GCs. Our data emphasize that GC‐based therapies and insulin‐resistant states have a negative impact on salivary gland homeostasis.     

Secretory transmembrane potentials in acinar cells from the cat submandibular gland during perfusion with a chloride-free sucrose solution

Summary The cat submandibular gland was perfused with a normal NaCl Locke solution and a chloride-free sucrose solution. The numerical increase in acinar membrane potential (secretory potential) was recorded after intra-arterial injection of acetylcholine.There was no significant difference between the size of the secretory potentials recorded during perfusion with the sucrose solution [23.6 mV±1.4 (n=23)] and the size of those recorded during the control periods [20.6 mV±1.2 (n=24)].The maximal value of the membrane potential after injection of acetylcholine was higher [51.8 mV±2.4 (n=23)] during perfusion with the sucrose solution than during the control periods [44.8 mV±1.8 (n=22)].The results show that a pump transporting chloride into the acinar cells cannot be responsible for the generation of the secretory potentials. The results are best accounted for by assuming that an outward passive transport of potassium, being partly short-circuited by an inward passive sodium transport, is responsible for the change in membrane potential after stimulation with acetylcholine.Supported by the Danish State Research Foundation and Johann and Hanne Weimann's legate.     

大鼠肝纤维化过程中肝内成纤维细胞的免疫组化研究

目的肝脏内存在有两种成纤维细胞,一种是肝星形细胞(hepatic stellate cell,HSC),一种是门脉区域的成纤维细胞。用免疫组化方法对这两种细胞群在肝纤维化(hepatic fibrosis,HF)中活化后的细胞形态进行组织学鉴别。方法Wistar系雄性鼠用于实验动物模型制作:CCL4腹腔注射和胆总管结扎(bile duct ligation,BDL)诱导肝纤维化动物模型,用SABC法来检测。一次抗体分别为GFAP、α-SM、Desmin、Vinculin。结果CCl4腹腔注射后48h中央静脉周围的星形细胞在GFAP、α-SMA、Desmin、Vinculin染色呈强阳性;另外,BDL96h后门脉区域成纤维细胞在α-SMA、Vinculin染色中显示阳性,而在GFAP、Desmin染色中未发现有变化。结论α-SMA、Vinculin在肝星形细胞和门脉区域成纤维细胞有相同的阳性结果,GFAP、Desmin被证明能够用于区别有活性的肝星形细胞和门脉区域的成纤维细胞。     

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland associated with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis

We report a case of a 57-year-old man who developed a fibrosclerosing lesion in the submandibular gland and idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) involving the unilateral periureteral region within a year. Both lesions were resected surgically because of the suspicion of neoplasm. Pathologic examination revealed similar histologic and immunohistochemical features for both lesions, namely, fibrosclerosis with prominent hyalinizing collagen bundles and proliferation of myofibroblastic cells, and a non-neoplastic reactive nature. There was infiltration by lymphocytes with prominent lymph follicles, plasma cells and macrophages. The histologic and immunohistochemical findings suggest that the two lesions were of a similar pathogenesis, which was possibly mediated by macrophages. We think that the present case may be an unusual form of multifocal fibrosclerosis. Although sialolithiasis is thought to be a major pathogenic factor for chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland, the present case suggests that certain cases might have an etiology similar to IRF.     

Regulation of phosphatidylinositol kinases by arachidonic acid in rat submandibular gland cells

Phosphoinositide kinases were characterized in membrane extracts of rat submandibular gland cells. Both phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) 5-kinase phosphorylated endogenous substrates in reactions that were linear for up to 5 min, were activated by Mg²⁺ and showed maximal activity around neutral pH. PI 4-kinase was stimulated by Triton X-100 at an optimal concentration of 0.22%, but the detergent had an inhibitory effect on PI(4)P 5-kinase. Arachidonic acid (AA), at concentrations greater than 100 M, inhibited the activity of both enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was replicated by other unsaturated fatty acids, but not by a saturated fatty acid of the sn-20 series. The nature of AA inhibition of the kinases was examined in enzyme kinetic studies with exogenous phosphoinositide and adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) substrates. Lineweaver-Burk plots of PI 4-kinase activity showed that AA had no effect on the apparent K _m for either PI or ATP, but that the fatty acid significantly reduced V _max (PI) from 331 to 177 pmol.mg^–1.min^–1 and V _max (ATP) from 173 to 59 pmol.mg^–1.min^–1. This inhibitory action was consistent for PI(4)P 5-kinase kinetics, where again, AA did not alter apparent K _m values, but lowered V _max for both PI(4)P and ATP by around 50%. Since the combination of a reduced V _max and an unchanged K _m value indicates noncompetitive enzyme inhibition, it is proposed that AA regulates phosphoinositide cycle activity in submandibular gland cells by acting as a noncompetitive inhibitor of PI 4-kinase and PI(4)P 5-kinase.     

Electron microscopic autoradiographic analysis of the uptake and intracellular transport of H3-leucine by the rat submandibular gland acinar cells in tissue slices

Uptake of H³-leucine into secretory product and its subsequent intracellular transport was analyzed by electron microscopic autoradiographic techniques in the rat submandibular gland acinar cells in vitro. The route and kinetic timetable of intracellular transport was established for the acinar cell secretory product by calculating the percent of silver grains and relative grain density associated with the various organelles on a time sequence basis. Radioactivity was first associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum; then the convex surface of the Golgi apparatus; the concave surface of the Golgi apparatus; and finally with the secretory granules. Comparison of the kinetics of intracellular transport in the rat submandibular gland acinar cell with other established systems revealed only a difference in the exit of radioactivity from the concave surface of the Golgi apparatus.