Fine structure of the goblet cell mucous secretory process

Early signs of neurodegenerative diseases: Possible mechanisms and targets for Golgi stress

The Golgi apparatus plays a crucial role in mediating the modification, transport, and sorting of intracellular proteins and lipids. The morphological changes occurring in the Golgi apparatus are exceptionally important for maintaining its function. When exposed to external pressure or environmental stimulation, the Golgi apparatus undergoes adaptive changes in both structure and function, which are known as Golgi stress. Although certain signal pathway responses or post-translational modifications have been observed following Golgi stress, further research is needed to comprehensively summarize and understand the related mechanisms. Currently, there is evidence linking Golgi stress to neurodegenerative diseases; however, the role of Golgi stress in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease remains largely unexplored. This review focuses on the structural and functional alterations of the Golgi apparatus during stress, elucidating potential mechanisms underlying the involvement of Golgi stress in regulating immunity, autophagy, and metabolic processes. Additionally, it highlights the pivotal role of Golgi stress as an early signaling event implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, this study summarizes prospective targets that can be therapeutically exploited to mitigate neurodegenerative diseases by targeting Golgi stress. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for identifying novel breakthroughs in preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Clearance of small intestinal crypts involves goblet cell mucus secretion by intracellular granule rupture and enterocyte ion transport

Goblet cells in the small intestinal crypts contain large numbers of mucin granules that are rapidly discharged to clean bacteria from the crypt. Because acetylcholine released by neuronal and nonneuronal cells controls many aspects of intestinal epithelial function, we used tissue explants and organoids to investigate the response of the small intestinal crypt to cholinergic stimulation. The activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors initiated a coordinated and rapid emptying of crypt goblet cells that flushed the crypt contents into the intestinal lumen. Cholinergic stimulation induced an expansion of the granule contents followed by intracellular rupture of the mucin granules. The mucus expanded intracellularly before the rupture of the goblet cell apical membrane and continued to expand after its release into the crypt lumen. The goblet cells recovered from membrane rupture and replenished their stores of mucin granules. Mucus secretion from the goblet cells depended on Ca2+ signaling and the expansion of the mucus in the crypt depended on gap junctions and on ion and water transport by enterocytes adjacent to the goblet cells. This distinctive mode of mucus secretion, which we refer to as "expanding secretion," efficiently cleans the small intestine crypt through coordinated mucus, ion, and fluid secretion by goblet cells and enterocytes.

Golgi stress response: A regulatory mechanism of Golgi function

The organelle of eukaryotes is a finely regulated system. Once disturbed, it activates the specific autoregulatory systems, namely, organelle autoregulation. Among which, the Golgi stress response accounts for one. When the abundance and capacity of the Golgi apparatus are insufficient compared with cellular demand, the Golgi stress response is activated to enhance the function of the Golgi apparatus. Although the molecular mechanism of the Golgi stress response has not been well characterized yet, it seems to be an important part of the mammalian stress response. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on the six pathways of the mammalian Golgi stress response (the TFE3, heat shock protein 47, CREB3, E26 transformation specific, proteoglycan, and mucin pathways), which regulate the general function of the Golgi apparatus, anti-apoptosis, pro-apoptosis, proteoglycan glycosylation, and mucin glycosylation, respectively.

Advances and New Concepts in Alcohol-Induced Organelle Stress, Unfolded Protein Responses and Organ Damage

Alcohol is a simple and consumable biomolecule yet its excessive consumption disturbs numerous biological pathways damaging nearly all organs of the human body. One of the essential biological processes affected by the harmful effects of alcohol is proteostasis, which regulates the balance between biogenesis and turnover of proteins within and outside the cell. A significant amount of published evidence indicates that alcohol and its metabolites directly or indirectly interfere with protein homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causing an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins, which triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) leading to either restoration of homeostasis or cell death, inflammation and other pathologies under severe and chronic alcohol conditions. The UPR senses the abnormal protein accumulation and activates transcription factors that regulate nuclear transcription of genes related to ER function. Similarly, this kind of protein stress response can occur in other cellular organelles, which is an evolving field of interest. Here, I review recent advances in the alcohol-induced ER stress response as well as discuss new concepts on alcohol-induced mitochondrial, Golgi and lysosomal stress responses and injuries.

Organelle autoregulation-stress responses in the ER, Golgi, mitochondria and lysosome

Organelle autoregulation is a homeostatic mechanism to regulate the capacity of each organelle according to cellular demands. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response increases the expression of ER chaperones and ER-associated degradation factors when the capacity of the ER becomes insufficient, e.g. during cellular differentiation or viral propagation, and which can be restored through increased synthesis of secretory or membrane proteins. In the Golgi stress response, insufficient organelle capacity is responded to by augmentation of glycosylation enzyme expression and vesicular transport components. The mitochondrial stress response upregulates mitochondrial chaperone and protease expression in the mitochondrial matrix and intermembrane space when unfolded proteins accumulate in the mitochondria. The lysosome stress response is activated during autophagy to enhance the function of the lysosome by transcriptional induction of lysosome genes including cathepsins. However, many of the molecular mechanisms of organelle autoregulation remain unclear. Here, we review recent discoveries in organelle autoregulation and their molecular mechanisms.

Understanding the development of the respiratory glands

BACKGROUND

The submucosal glands (SMGs) of the respiratory system are specialized structures essential for maintaining airway homeostasis. The significance of SMGs is highlighted by their involvement in respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic bronchitis, where their phenotype and function are severely altered. Uncovering the normal development of the airway SMGs is essential to elucidate their role in these disorders, however, very little is known about the cellular mechanisms and intracellular signals involved in their morphogenesis.

RESULTS

This review describes in detail the embryonic developmental journey of the nasal SMGs and the postnatal development of the tracheal SMGs in the mouse. Current knowledge of the genes and signalling molecules involved in SMG organogenesis is also explored.

CONCLUSION

Here we review the temporal localisation and development of the murine respiratory glands in the hope of stimulating further research into the mechanisms required for successful SMG patterning and function.

ON THE SITE OF SULFATION IN COLONIC GOBLET CELLS

The location of bound S³⁵ in the goblet cell of the rat colon at time points from 2 to 60 minutes after administration of S³⁵ as sodium sulfate has been observed in vivo and in vitro by radioautographic techniques. Grains were first observed by electron microscopy over the stacked lamellae of the paranuclear part of the Golgi apparatus. The label was subsequently found associated with the supranuclear Golgi lamellae and was then seen associated with the smooth membranes limiting the mucin granules in the goblet. Finally, between ½ and 1 hour, the secreted mucus product in the crypts became radioactive. Neither mitochondria nor the endoplasmic reticulum was labeled. It is concluded that the Golgi apparatus is the organelle in which sulfation occurs.

Adenocarcinomas of the inner nose after exposure to wood dust. Morphological findings and relationships between histopathology and clinical behavior in 79 cases

We present the results of light microscopic, available electron microscopic and immunohistochemical investigations of 79 adenocarcinomas occurring in the noses of wood workers following exposure to beechwood and oakwood dust. Three types of adenocarcinomas can be differentiated. The most frequently occurring form is the papillary tubular cylinder cell adenocarcinoma, while the mucus-producing alveolar goblet cell adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell adenocarcinoma are rarer types. Transitional stages suggest the common origin of these tumors from mucus-secreting cylinder cells of the respiratory epithelium. The grade of differentiation and the tumor type are definitely related to the prognosis of these tumors. Similar to the tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry prove the existence of a number of various polypeptide hormones, the significance of which has not yet been clarified.

Effects of a stable analogue of PGE2 (11-deoxy-13,14-didehydro-16 (S)-methylester methyl PGE2: FCE 20700) on the secretory processes of conjunctival goblet cells of rabbit

The effects of the instillation of a PGE2-analogue (11-deoxy-13,14-didehydro-16 (S)-methyl PGE2 methylester: FCE 20700) in the conjunctival sac of the rabbit were studied by means of two methods. The former is a clinical study (Dohlman test), the latter is a morphological investigation (semithin sections) on specimens of the conjunctival mucosa. From both methods it was possible to demonstrate that the FCE 20700 instillation enhanced the mucous lacrimal secretion in rabbits.

Proteinases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa evoke mucin release by tracheal epithelium

We have determined the potential of exoproducts from pathogenic bacteria to stimulate the release of high molecular weight mucins from goblet cells of airway epithelium in a rabbit tracheal explant system. Culture supernatants from proteolytic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens, but not supernatants from a number of non-proteolytic strains, released mucins from goblet cells. Highly purified elastase and alkaline proteinase from P. aeruginosa stimulated goblet cell mucin release in a dose-dependent fashion. Lipopolysaccharide, exotoxin A, and alginate of P. aeruginosa did not possess mucin release properties. Proteolytic activity was required for mucin release by P. aeruginosa elastase, but such release in goblet cells was not mediated by cyclic AMP. Morphologic studies suggested rapid release of mucins from goblet cells was response to elastase by a process resembling apocrine secretion. Several nonbacterial proteinases mimicked the effect of Pseudomonas proteases. These studies provide support for the hypothesis that bacterial and other play a role in the pathogenesis of mucus hypersecretion in acute and chronic lung infections.

Morphological changes in the human conjunctival epithelium. I. In the normal elderly population

Forty-nine biopsies of bulbar conjunctiva from patients with no apparent conjunctival disease were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. No significant morphological changes were recorded in those specimens from patients less than 79 years old. However, in the older age group the epithelium showed irregularities in thickness, a reduction in the goblet cell population, and in 25% the presence of 'hyaline bodies'. The epithelial irregularities consisted of mild superficial stratification, which was observed also in a few of the specimens from the younger age groups. The goblet cells appeared morphologically normal in all age groups. The significance of the hyaline bodies and their possible relationship to goblet cells is discussed.

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.

Renewal of the epithelium in the descending colon of the mouse. IV. Cell population kinetics of vacuolated-columnar and mucous cells

Proliferation and migration of cells in the vacuolated-columnar and mucous cell lines were studied in the descending colon of adult female mice given a single injection or a continuous infusion of 3H-thymidine and killed at various intervals from one hour to 12 days. This investigation was carried out using one mum-thick Epon sections which were radioautographed after staining with the periodic acid-Schiff technique and iron-hematoxylin. In the normalized crypts with ten equal segments, labeled vacuolated cells at one hour after injection of 3H-thymidine were encountered in the lower four segments and in decreasing numbers in segments 5 through 7. From the percent labeled cells in segments of the crypt, the birth rate and fluxes of cells were computed. Moreover, it was found that a cell in the vacuolated-columnar cell line would undergo three mitotic cycles on the average from its birth at the cryptal base to its extrusion from the surface; of these three cycles, the last one which took place from segment 3 to segment 7 appeared to be a changeover from dividing cells to non-dividing cells, in accordance with the "slow cut-off" model of Cairnie et al. ('65b). Mucous cells located in segments 1 through 6 of the crypt were capable of incorporating 3H-thymidine and thus capable of undergoing mitosis. However, the rate of turnover of mucous cells based on proliferative rate was found to be much lower than the rate of turnover of mucous cells based on the transit time in the non-dividing segments of the crypt. Since there was a concomitant overproduction of cells in the vacuolated cells and newly formed mucous cells in the lower portion of the crypt, it was concluded that some vacuolated cells would give rise to mucous cells. This putative transformation occurred in the lower four segments of the crypt. Mucous cells which were formed by transformation would migrate upward along the cryptal wall and accumulate more mucus in the theca; in doing so, they would undergo two divisions, on the average, before they became non-dividing mucous cells. In ascending the cryptal walls, both vacuolated-columnar cells and mucous cells appeared to migrate at a similar speed; they moved much slower at the base of the crypt and accelerated toward the upper portion of the crypt, but they migrated at a constant speed in the non-dividing segments of the crypt.

The value of electron microscope studies in diagnosing malignant change in ulcerative colitis

Ultrastructural and histological appearances were studied in normal rectal and colonic mucosa, in the mucosa immediately adjacent to neoplasms (transitional mucosa), in neoplasms themselves, and in ulcerative colitis to try to determine whether any changes found in colitis might be recognized as premalignant. Two of the ulcerative colitis specimens showed histological evidence of premalignant change and these changes were reflected at the ultrastructural level. No electron microscopical premalignant changes were found which could not more easily be detected by simple histology, and it is concluded that attempts to detect premalignant changes in ulcerative colitis using electron microscopical techniques are likely to be unrewarding.

A study of the small intestinal mucosa using the scanning electron microscope

In this paper we describe the features of small intestinal structure in normal control subjects using the scanning electron microscope.

Kinetics of potassium in colonic mucosa of normal and sodium-depleted rats

1. The transport of K across the mucosal epithelium of the colon of normal and Na-depleted rats has been investigated in vivo by methods involving I.V. administration of solutions containing (42)K and by labelling the mucosa with (42)K from the lumen and observing the ;soaking-out' rates into radionucleide-free solutions.2. During the infusions, the specific activity of the mucosal K was always less than the simultaneous specific activity of the secreted K. On stopping the infusion the specific activity of the mucosal K fell although the plasma specific activity remained at all times greater than that of the mucosa. The blood flow rate to the mucosa estimated from these results was 0.95 ml./min.g wet wt.3. Experiments with (42)K in the lumen showed that the steady-state specific activity of the mucosal K was considerably less than expected if the K had been in a single compartment. The (42)K efflux curves were also consistent in showing two components. The curves were analysed on the basis of a model having two compartments in the mucosa with half-times of 6 and 33 min.4. Na depletion produced two significant changes, (a) K secretion rate doubled, (b) the steady-state specific activity of the mucosal K after luminal exposure to (42)K was increased. The half-times of the compartments were unaffected.5. The results were discussed in terms of a working hypothesis which represented the mucosal K in two compartments. Most of the K exchanges across the mucosa took place through the smaller compartment which probably contained 5% or less of the mucosal K, but which had a rapid turnover rate. The change of K permeability of the luminal face produced by Na depletion and probably due to increased aldosterone action, may well be an important factor in producing the rise of K secretion rate.

Detection of complex carbohydrates in the Golgi apparatus of rat cells

Two methods used for the electron microscopic detection of glycoproteins were applied to a variety of cell types in the rat; one involved successive treatment of sections with periodic acid, chromic acid, and silver methenamine; and the other, a brief treatment with a chromic acid-phosphotungstic acid mixture. The results obtained with the two methods were identical and, whenever the comparison was possible, similar to those obtained with the periodic acid-Schiff technique of light microscopy. In secretory as well as in nonsecretory cells, parts of the Golgi apparatus are stained. The last saccule on one side of each Golgi stack is strongly reactive (mature face), and the last saccule on the other side shows little or no reactivity (immature face); a gradient of reactivity occurs in between these saccules. The more likely explanation of the increase in staining intensity is that carbohydrate is synthesized and accumulates in saccules as they migrate toward the mature face. In many secretory cells, the mature face is associated with strongly stained secretory granules. Other structures stained are: (1) small vesicles, dense and multivesicular bodies, at least some of which are presumed to be lysosomal in nature; (2) cell coat; and (3) basement membrane. The evidence suggests that the Golgi saccules provide glycoproteins not only for secretion, but also for the needs of the lysosomal system as well as for incorporation into the cell coat and perhaps basement membrane.

An electron microscopic study of epithelium of normal human sigmoid colonic mucosa

Images

Synthesis of the carbohydrate of mucus in the golgi complex as shown by electron microscope radioautography of goblet cells from rats injected with glucose-H3

It is known that colonic goblet cells utilize glucose to synthesize the carbohydrate portion of mucus glycoprotein. To determine the intracellular site of this synthesis, glucose-H(3) was injected into 10-g rats. At 5, 20, 40 min, 1, 1(1/2), and 4 hr after injection, segments of colon were fixed and prepared for electron microscope radioautography. By 5 min after injection, label had been incorporated into substances present in the flattened saccules of the Golgi complex. At 20 min, both Golgi saccules and nearby mucigen granules were labeled. By 40 min, mucigen granules carried almost all detectable radioactivity. Between 1 and 4 hr, these labeled granules migrated from the supranuclear region to the apical membrane; here, they were extruded singly, retaining their limiting membrane. The evidence indicates that the Golgi saccule is the site where complex carbohydrate is synthesized and is added to immigrant protein to form the complete glycoprotein of mucus. The Golgi saccule, distended by this material, becomes mucigen granules. It is roughly estimated that one saccule is released by each Golgi stack every 2 to 4 min: a conclusion implying continuous renewal of Golgi stacks. It appears that the Golgi synthesis, intracellular migration, and release of mucus glycoprotein occur continually throughout the life of the goblet cell.