Basophilic Granular Cells Research Articles

Molecular Characterization and Expression Profiles of the Ovine LHβ Gene and Its Association with Litter Size in Chinese Indigenous Small-Tailed Han Sheep.

Simple SummaryLitter size is one of the most important reproductive traits in sheep, and the luteinizing hormone beta polypeptide (LHβ) plays an important role in mammalian follicular development. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the cDNA sequence of the ovine LHβ gene, and the expression patterns of LHβ were determined. Furthermore, the synonymous mutation g.727C > T detected in the LHβ gene was confirmed to be significantly associated with litter size (p < 0.01). These findings support LHβ g.727C > T as a genetic marker for litter size in sheep.The luteinizing hormone beta polypeptide (LHβ) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophilic granular cells of the adenohypophysis, and plays an important role in mammalian follicular development. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the cDNA sequence of the ovine LHβ gene. RT-qPCR analysis showed that ovine LHβ was widely expressed in tissues, with significantly higher expression in the hypophysis than that in other tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, rumen, duodenum, muscle, fat, hypothalamus, and sex glands) (p < 0.01). Hypophyseal expression of LHβ mRNA in lamb increased with age and reached a peak at 70 days, although a slight decrease was observed at 84 days of age. In addition, the synonymous mutation g.727C > T detected in the LHβ gene was confirmed to be significantly associated with the litter size (p < 0.01). Ewes carrying the TT genotype produced more lambs than those carrying the TC and CC genotypes (0.42 and 0.39 per delivery, respectively; p < 0.05). Our results confirm the association of ovine LHβ with litter size in Small-Tailed Han Sheep and implicate LHβ as a candidate for improving reproductive traits in agricultural sheep breeding programs.

The digestive system of the stony coral Stylophora pistillata.

Because hermatypic species use symbiotic algal photosynthesis, most of the literature in this field focuses on this autotrophic mode and very little research has studied the morphology of the coral's digestive system or the digestion process of particulate food. Using histology and histochemestry, our research reveals that Stylophora pistillata's digestive system is concentrated at the corals' peristome, actinopharynx and mesenterial filaments (MF). We used in-situ hybridization (ISH) of the RNA transcript of the gene that codes for the S. pistillata digestive enzyme, chymotrypsinogen, to shed light on the functionality of the digestive system. Both the histochemistry and the ISH pointed to the MF being specialized digestive organs, equipped with large numbers of acidophilic and basophilic granular gland cells, as well as acidophilic non-granular gland cells, some of which produce chymotrypsinogen. We identified two types of MF: short, trilobed MF and unilobed, long and convoluted MF. Each S. pistillata polyp harbors two long convoluted MF and 10 short MF. While the short MF have neither secreting nor stinging cells, each of the convoluted MF display gradual cytological changes along their longitudinal axis, alternating between stinging and secreting cells and three distinctive types of secretory cells. These observations indicate the important digestive role of the long convoluted MF. They also indicate the existence of novel feeding compartments in the gastric cavity of the polyp, primarily in the nutritionally active peristome, in the actinopharynx and in three regions of the MF that differ from each other in their cellular components, general morphology and chymotrypsinogen excretion.

Morphological and Populational Characteristics of Hemocytes of &lt;I&gt;Ornithodoros moubata&lt;/I&gt; Nymphs During the Ecdysial Phase

The ultrastructure and characteristics of hemocytes of argasid tick species, Ornithodoros moubata, during the ecdysdial phase are herein presented. Hemocyte classes/populations characterized based on their affinity with Giemsa stain and ultrastructural differences comprised the prohemocytes, nongranular cells (Nc), eosinophilic granular cells (Ec), basophilic granular cells (Bc), and unidentified cells. Significant changes/shift in the ratio of hemocyte classes/population was apparent in ticks before and after the ecdysial phase. The granule-scant basophilic granular cells (sBc) constituted the most abundant hemocyte population in the ecdysial phase. Nymphs in ecdysis showed increases in Nc and sBc and decrease in Ec, a phenomenon that was reversed in unengorged nymphs and adults ticks. The significant increase in total Bc population in ecdysis relative to nonengorged ticks clearly point to blastogenesis of Bc taking place during the ecdysial phase and Bc's important role in the process of tissue remodeling.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CADMIUM INGESTION ON PEKIN DUCKS EXPOSED TO SALINE

This study examined the effects of simultaneous exposure to saline and cadmium (Cd) on organ mass and histology of a bird with salt glands, the Pekin duck, Anas platyrhynchos. Three mixed-sex groups, each containing 6 birds, ate duck pellets containing 0, 50, or 300 µg Cd/g, respectively, for 4½ mo and drank 300 m M NaCl. Only females on the high-Cd diet lost body mass. Ingestion of Cd reduced heart mass in females. There was increased mass of Harderian and salt glands in both sexes. Mass of kidneys and liver increased only in males, and the gut mass (also length) increased more in males. Cadmium ingestion also induced (1) inflammation of renal interstitium and degenerative tubular changes, (2) marked degenerative changes in testes, (3) increased heart water content, (4) decreased cytoplasmic volume of liver cells, (5) reduced proportion of basophilic granular cells in chromaffin tissue of the adrenal glands, and (6) in the ileum, increased heterophilia in the lamina propria and, only in females, the apoptosis to mitosis ratio in crypt cells of the epithelium. The ducks' outward appearance gave no indication that ingesting large amounts of cadmium for 4½ mo produced deleterious effects, but the physiological consequences were profound. Both sexes had greatly reduced gonadal mass and the males produced no sperm. The higher dietary level greatly hypertrophied the liver, kidneys, and gut only in males. The cadmium-induced changes in organs, particularly in the gonads, kidneys, and adrenal glands, should greatly impair the health and reproductive capacity of these ducks.

Enrichment of c-kit+ Lin- haemopoietic progenitor cells that commit themselves to extrathymic T cells in in vitro culture of appendix mononuclear cells.

The appendix as well as the small intestine have recently been found to carry c-kit+ stem cells which give rise to extrathymic T cells. In this study, the properties of c-kit+ stem cells in the appendix of mice were further characterized. When appendix mononuclear cells (MNC) were cultured in the presence of stem cell factor, interleukin-3, interleukin-6 and erythropoietin on a methylcellulose culture plate, the population of c-kitdull Lin- and that of c-kithi Lin- cells expanded. Morphological study revealed that these c-kithi Lin- cells were basophilic granular cells (possibly mast cells). Both populations of cultured appendix MNC were then injected into severe combined immunodeficient mice or cultured with Tst-4 thymic stroma cells. These in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that c-kitdull Lin- cells were oligopotent haemopoietic progenitor cells which gave rise to extrathymic T cells, while c-kithi Lin- cells lacked haemopoietic progenitor cell activity. In contrast to c-kit+ stem cells in the bone marrow, those in the appendix did not give rise to myeloid cells and conventional thymic T cells under any of the conditions tested. The present results suggest that the appendix primarily comprises c-kit+ cells which give rise to basophilic granular cells and extrathymic T cells and that such c-kit+ cells have the ability to replicate themselves in culture in vitro.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 is a proinflammatory chemokine in rat skin injection sites and chemoattracts basophilic granular cells.

Chemokines may control mast cell infiltrates found in many inflammatory diseases. These cells act through at least two main functions: migration and degranulation. Here we show that human recombinant monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 (10 ng/50 microliters) induces, after 4 h, an inflammatory vascular permeability and cellular extravasation reaction, determined by Evan's blue dye (1% in saline) injected into the tail vein of the rat, when injected intradermally in the rat skin. The blue color accumulating at the sites of injection provides evidence of vascular permeability and cellular extravasation. The colored areas of the skin were then enucleated and immersed in a fixative solution. Slides were prepared with sections of tissue colored with toluldine blue and analyzed under an optical microscope. A significant number of basophilic cells migrated to the injected area where MCP-1 (10 ng/50 microliters) was used compared to the control PBS treatment. Cell recruitment was slightly less than N-formyl-methionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (used at 10(-6) M/50 microliters). Electron microscopy studies confirmed the presence of basophilic granular cells where MCP-1 was intradermally injected. After preparation of a histidine decarboxylase (HDC) probe, a Northern blot analysis was determined for HDC mRNA in the enucleated tissue injected with MCP-1 (10 ng/50 microliters). Steady-state levels of HDC mRNA levels were induced after 4 h. These results were confirmed by the higher amount of histamine release, compared to the control PBS, in the enucleated tissue from the MCP-1 injection sites. Our results suggest that MCP-1 could play a significant role in diseases characterized by basophilic cell accumulation and migration to sites of tissue damage. Moreover, we show for the first time that MCP-1 is a pro-inflammatory chemokine that induces basophilic cell migration in rat skin injection sites.

Sub-populations of haemocytes in the adult and developing marine mussel, Mytilus edulis, identified by use of monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for haemocyte sub-populations in the mussel, Mytilus edulis, were raised by use of separated basophilic and eosinophilic cell types as antigens. The antibodies could be broadly divided into 3 groups, reactive with sub-populations of (1) basophilic granular haemocytes, (2) basophilic granular and hyaline cells and (3) eosinophilic granular cells. Non-selective antibodies staining all haemocytes were also generated. The antibodies bound to epitopes of differing molecular masses and, at the ultrastructural level, reacted principally with the granules of the haemocyte sub-populations. The antibodies were used to investigate haemocyte function and ontogeny and to test reactivity with haemocytes from mussels subject to varying degrees of pollution stress. Five antibodies showed reactivity with cells from the trochophore and veliger larvae of M. edulis, indicating that epitopes on adult mussel hae-mocytes are also present at much earlier stages in the life history. Reactivity with the larval stages was most prevalent with non-selective antibodies and those selective for basophilic haemocytes. When mussels from different sites were examined, both immunocytochemistry and ELISA showed reduced expression of a 140 kDa epitope in the haemocytes of mussels subject to greater contaminant loads. These results show that the monoclonal antibodies of the present study are valuable both in tracing immune-cell development and in detecting molecular changes under conditions of stress.

Recurrent Subepidermal Calcified Nodule of the Nose

A form of idiopathic calcinosis cutis, subepidermal calcified nodule (SCN), recurred twice on the nasal ala of a healthy 6-year-old girl whose serum calcium and phosphorus levels were within normal limits. Basophilic granular material and numerous mast cells were present in the superficial dermis. The pathogenesis of SCN is uncertain, but the clinical and histologic features of this lesion are distinctive.

Studies on histamine containing cells in the spleen of the magnesium-deficient rats

When young Wistar rats (body wt. 50 g) were maintained on a magnesium-deficient diet (0.001% Mg) for eight days, the splenic weight and histamine content increased about 2-fold and 30-fold, respectively, compared with those of the control rats. There was no significant difference in the number of splenic mast cells between the magnesium-deficient and control rats. More neutrophilic, eosinophilic and basophilic granular cells were found in the spleen cells isolated from the magnesium-deficient rats than in those from the control rats. Of the isolated cells from magnesium-deficient rats, 7.6% were basophilic granular cells; however, no basophilic granular cells were observed in the spleen cells isolated from the control rats. In the cytochemical study, the yellowish fluorochrome formed by the interaction of o-phthalaldehyde and histamine was found in basophilic granular cells. These results suggest that the increase in the histamine content of the spleen of magnesium-deficient rats is related to the increased number of basophilic granular cells.

BASOPHILIC GRANULAR CELLS IN ALLERGIC NASAL SECRETIONS

In the previous reports, we have demonstrated that, in the patients with nasal allergy, the basophilic granular cells (BGC) increase in the nasal secretion. These cells are thought to originate mostly from the blood basophils and to play an important role in the manifestation of nasal symptoms. We carried out this study in order to elucidate the mechanism of BGC appearance in nasal secretion after the exposure to the antigen in patients with Japanese ceder pollinosis. The following parameters were chosen; 1) the basophilic leukocytes count of peripheral blood 2) the degree of the nasal symptom, 3) the degree of nasal provocation reaction, 4) the numbers of BGC in nasal secretion, 5) the appearance times of BGC in nasal secretion after nasal provocation, 6) the serum IgE and serum IgE antibody levels, 7) the percent histamine release from leukocytes. The parameters were measured both in a pollination season and in an off-season of Japanese ceder pollen.The results were as follows:1) The numbers of BGC in nasal secretion and the degree of nasal provocation reaction were concurrently increased in a pollination season more than in an off-season. These changes were more significant in the patients with single sensitization of ceder pollen when compared with the patients who had combined sensitization to other antigens.2) The numbers of blood basophils increased in a pollination season and decreased in an offseason.3) The serum IgE levels remained unchanged but the IgE antibody levels and percent histamine release slightly increased in a pollination season.4) In a pollination season, it took only 2 hours for the marked increase of the BGC in nasal secretian after nasal provocation, while in an off-season, it took longer than 16 hours. The decrease of blood basophils was observed one hour after provocation in a pollination season.We conclude that 1) the antigen exposure induces the increase of BGC in nasal secretion and 2) the increase of BGC contributes significantly to the increased sensitivity to antigen provocation in a pollination season. The mechanism of the difference of the appearance time of BGC after provocation in a pollination season and in an off-season remains unknown.

Studies of Basophilic Granular Cells in Allergic Nasal Secretions

Studies of Basophilic Granular Cells in Allergic Nasal Secretions

Ultrastructural study of the basophilic granural cells in allergic nasal secretion and mucous membrane (author's transl)

A question has been presented as to whether the basophilic granular cells in allergic nasal secretion belong to the blood basophils or the tissue mast cells. The purpose of this study is to answer this by electron microscopic observation on blood basophils and basophilic granular cells in the nasal secretion and mucous membrane.From the results obtained, two types of basophilic granular cells were observed in both nasal secretion and mucous membrane. One of these, similar to the blood basophil, was small, round or oval in shape and lobulated in the nuleus, with a uniformly fine granular pattern of the specific granule. The other, similar to the tissue mast cell, was large, pleomorphic or oval in shape, mononucleated and varied in the pattern of the specific granule from granule to granule, showing scrolls, lamellae, reticula or granules.The majority of the basophilic granular cells in the nasal secretion belonged to the former type of cells, while the majority in the deeper layer of the mucous membrane belonged to be latter, and two-fifth of cells close to the subepithelial layer belonged to the former and the remaining three-fifth to the latter.Conclusively, the majority of the basophilic granular cells in nasal secretion belongs to the blood basophils, and mainly emigrates from the subepithelial small blood vessels of the nasal mucous membrane through the intraepithelial space.

Basophilic Cells in Allergic Nasal Secretions

There have been several reports on the appearence of basophilic granular cells in respiratory secretion of atopic patients but these cells have not yet been identified. We studied ten nasal allergy patients and seven nonatopic subjects by comparing basophilic granular cell counts in nasal secretion from circulating basophil counts five times a day, 7-8 a. m., at noon, 3 p. m., 6 p. m., and 9-10 p. m.Results indicated that circulating basophil counts were significantly increased at night but decreased in the morning and basophilic granular cell counts in nasal secretion of atopic subjects reversely decreased at night and increased in the morning. In seven nonatopic subjects, the basophil counts were not significantly changed throughout the day and basophilic granular cells in nasal secretion were negative.The present study suggests that basophilic granular cells or part of these cells in nasal allergic patients can be identified as basophils from the peripheral blood.

ADRENAL PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA WITH BOTH BENIGN AND MALIGNANT COMPONENTS

A case of adrenal pheochromocytoma is reported characterized by polygonal basophilic granular cells of benign type, plump eosinophilic granular cells of transitional type, and spindle-shaped cells of malignant type. In the primary tumor the neoplastic cells of each type revealed a distinctive topographical distribution. All gradations between the latter two varieties of cells were found, especially in the vicinity of the transitional cell area. Multiple metastases were present in the liver and lungs, where only anaplastic spindle-shaped cells could be found. Ultrastructurally, the benign cells contained predominantly large, rather light, secretory granules with a coarsely granulated core. In the malignant cells, the number, size, and intensity of granules varied considerably from cell to cell or even within a single cell. In general, the malignant cells had a higher frequency of smaller granules with electron-dense homogeneous cores. Moderate amounts of noradrenalin but not significant dopamine or adrenalin could be demonstrated from a metastatic nodule in liver. We postulate that this adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma was benign originally and underwent malignant transformation shortly before the patient's death. This is based upon the patient's clinical features and the peculiar structures of the primary tumor.