Hepatocyte growth factor region specifically activates mucin synthesis in rat stomach

Fibroblasts Impact Goblet Cell Responses to Lactic Acid Bacteria After Exposure to Inflammatory Cytokines and Mucus Disruptors

Scope

Mucus produced by goblet cells contributes to gut barrier function. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to impact mucus production. It is not completely known whether mucus production is influenced by the abundantly present fibroblasts in the intestine.

Methods and results

The influence of fibroblasts on mucus‐related genes including mucin‐2 (MUC2), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), resistin‐like molecule β (RETNLB), carbohydrate sulfotransferase 5 (CHST5), and galactose‐3‐O‐sulfotransferase 2 (GAL3ST2) is examined after co‐culture of LS174T‐goblet cells and CCD‐18Co colonic fibroblasts in the presence and absence of LAB‐strains known to impact mucus function. This is also tested after exposure to TNF‐α, IL‐13, or the mucin synthesis inhibitor tunicamycin (Tm). Effects of fibroblasts are treatment duration‐ and bacterial species‐dependent under homeostatic conditions. During TNF‐α challenge, fibroblasts reverse Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus CCFM237‐elicited declined TFF3 expression. After IL‐13 exposure, L. rhamnosus CCFM237 and L. fermentum CCFM787 attenuate enhanced TFF3 and RETNLB expression, respectively, only in the presence of fibroblasts. LAB has no effects on Tm‐induced decreased expression of goblet cell‐related genes regardless of the presence of fibroblasts.

Conclusion

It is demonstrated that goblet cell–fibroblast crosstalk impacts mucus synthesis and influences the effects of LAB on goblet cell‐related genes. Effects are LAB‐species and stressor dependent.

c-met and c-Jun expression during acute gastric mucosal lesions in rats

AIM

To establish an ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions model in rats and to investigate the effect of c-met and c-Jun protein on healing of acute gastric mucosal lesions.

METHODS

Animal models of acute gastric mucosal lesions were established by intragastric instillation of 1 mL ethanol in the rats. On day 0, 4, 8, the rats were sacrificed respectively. Rats without any treatment served as control. The expressions of c-met and c-Jun were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Gastric mucosal lesion indexes (LIs) were significantly lower after 4, and 8 days with acute gastric mucosal lesions (32±7, 18±3) than LI of acute gastric mucosal lesion model rats (75±11) (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed higher positive staining of c-Jun after 8 days with acute gastric mucosal lesions (87.5%) than those of normal control rats (12.5%), and higher positive staining of c-met after 8 days with acute gastric mucosal lesions (62.5%) than those of normal control (0) and acute gastric mucosal lesions model rats (0) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expression of c-met and c-Jun could accelerate the healing of acute gastric mucosal lesions, which is important for the healing of acute gastric mucosal lesions.

Gastroduodenal mucosal defense: coordination by a network of messengers and mediators

Gastroduodenal mucosal defense is composed of structural features of the mucosa, cellular monitors of pending or actual injury, and a web of effector cells that protect the mucosa from damage and govern its recovery from injury. By virtue of these systems, the gastroduodenal mucosa can cope with the harmful ingredients of ingested food and the potentially deleterious effects of gastric acid and pepsin. It is increasingly appreciated that a network of chemical messengers coordinates the alarm, defensive, and healing mechanisms. This article highlights some of the advances from the past year that have furthered our understanding of the regulatory systems that govern gastroduodenal mucosal homeostasis. Particular emphasis is given to control of the mucous and epithelial phospholipid barriers, the mucosal microcirculation, and the epithelial, neural, immune, and inflammatory mediators of the mucosal repair mechanisms.