Effects of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on Development of Fetal Rat Gastric Epithelial Cells in Culture

• Undifferentiated fetal gastric epithelial cells and stem cells of adult gastric glands give rise to surface mucous, parietal, mucous neck, zymogenic, caveolated, and endocrine cells by yet-unknown mechanisms. Our aim was to establish an in vitro model for investigating the effects of extracellular matrix proteins on development of gastric epithelial cells, and to determine whether collagen type I affects growth and maturation of undifferentiated epithelial cells. Fetal rat gastric cells were isolated and then cultured for 15 days on uncoated glass coverslips or on collagen types I or IV, fibronectin, or laminin. The appearance of epithelial cells was investigated by means of Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining, inununostaining for cytokeratin, H,K-ATPase and chromogranin A, acridine orange accumulation, and by transmission and scamting electron microscopy. AB-PAS-positive cells containing mucous-type granules were detected. These mucoid cells were abundant on uncoated coverslips and collagen, but scarce on fibronectin and laminin. No cytokeratin, H,K-ATPase or chromogranin A, or increased acridine orange accumulation in response to secretagogues were observed. Rarely, endocrine cells were observed by electron microscopy. In conclusion, undifferentiated epithelial cells did proliferate and differentiate, and mucoid and endocrine cells matured in the established in vitro system. Moreover, development of mucoid cells from undifferentiated gastric epithelial cells was stimulated by collagen matrices but inhibited by fibronectin and laminin.

Nyckelord

collagen

cell differentiation

electron microscopy

endocrine cells

epithelium

fibronectin

laminin

mucoid cells

stomach

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)