| 1. |
- Gassler, N, et al.
(författare)
-
Distinct expression of calnexin in major human salivary glands
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Histology and Histopathology. - 1699-5848. ; 18:1, s. 121-127
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Calnexin (Cnx) has been characterized as a membrane-bound protein that transiently interacts in a unique chaperone system with newly synthesized glycoproteins in order to allow the establishment of their proper tertiary and, in most cases, quarternary structures. The aim of the study was to identify and to locate the expression of Cnx in the three major salivary glands of humans by different methods. Strong expression of Cnx protein and mRNA were generally found in serous salivary secretory units. With regard to mucous secretory units, expression of Cnx was only detectable at a low level in mucous acinar cells of sublingual glands, but not of submandibular glands. Expression of Cnx was always preserved in the surface epithelium of intralobar and interlobular duct segments. In addition, expression of Cnx was detected in sebaceous glands of parotid tissues, with a distribution pattern resembling that seen in sebaceous glands of the normal skin. In conclusion, production of saliva is associated with the expression of Cnx. Synthesis of molecules in mucous secretory units is not necessarily associated with a strong Cnx expression, whereas synthesis in serous secretory units apparently is. The tissue-specific Cnx expression is also paralleled by the observation that the secretions produced by the major salivary glands differ in their composition and amount.
|
|
| 2. |
- Gassler, N, et al.
(författare)
-
Expression of osteopontin (Eta-1) in Crohn disease of the terminal ileum
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. - 1502-7708. ; 37:11, s. 1286-1295
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The causes of Crohn disease (CD) are still regarded as unknown, but impaired mucosal immunoregulation with activation of T-helper-1 (Th-1) cytokine responses is probably involved and may contribute to the morphological changes. We investigated a possible role of osteopontin (Opn) in the pathogenesis of CD. This glycoprotein has been suggested to be involved in the generation of Th-1-type immune responses; moreover, it carries anti-inflammatory activities. Methods: Ileal samples from CD patients-both actively inflamed and inactive areas as well as unaffected intestinal specimens from controls (normal ileum)-were investigated by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results: In normal gut, Opn was found to be regularly expressed by plasma cells (CD 38) and a subset of lamina propria mononuclear cells (MNC) as well as by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). In active CD, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis revealed a loss of Opn expression by IEC adjacent to ulcerative lesions, whereas especially plasma cells (CD 38) in the vicinity of such lesions were found to express the molecule. In addition, a slight overexpression of Opn protein was found in metaplastic crypts. However, quantitative analysis of total Opn protein in the ileal mucosa of CD patients did not reveal any difference vis-A-vis control tissues. Conclusions: The constitutive expression of Opn in normal gut indicates that it is involved in intestinal immune homeostasis. Downregulation of Opn expression in IEC might favour the disintegration of the epithelial barrier. The expression of Opn in lamina propria plasma cells could contribute to disease chronification, probably by affecting cell survival.
|
|
