Gustatory Epithelium Research Articles

Morphology of gustatory organs of a crocodile newt (genus Tylototriton)

The evolutionary causes behind the development of taste discs (TDs), recognized as the only gustatory organs in metamorphosed Batrachia (Caudata and Anura), have yet to be determined. Taste buds (TBs) serve as the gustatory organs in aquatic batrachian larvae, as well as in both larval and adult caecilians (Gymnophiona) inhabiting either aquatic environments or moist terrestrial habitats. We describe the morphology of gustatory organs of adult crocodile newts (Tylototriton cf. verrucosus, Salamandridae, Caudata). Crocodile newts are semi-aquatic and exhibit increased specialization towards an aquatic feeding, distinguishing it from most members of the subfamily Pleurodelinae. Our findings confirm that TDs serve as the gustatory organs in adult T. cf. verrucosus, similarly to many batrachians. We also determined the density and sizes of TDs’ sensory zones on the tongue and palate of T. cf. verrucosus, which differs from Batrachia. In terms of micro-morphology, two types of gustatory cells (GCs) were identified in the gustatory epithelium of T. cf. verrucosus. Our literature analysis suggests that TDs were larger in anurans compared to caudate amphibians, but were also larger in aquatic/semi-aquatic than in terrestrial anurans.

Maintenance and turnover of Sox2+ adult stem cells in the gustatory epithelium.

Continuous turnover of taste bud cells in the oral cavity underlies the homeostasis of taste tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated that Sox2+ stem cells give rise to all types of epithelial cells including taste bud cells and non-gustatory epithelial cells in the oral epithelium, and Sox2 is required for generating taste bud cells. Here, we show the dynamism of single stem cells through multicolor lineage tracing analyses in Sox2-CreERT2; Rosa26-Confetti mice. In the non-gustatory epithelium, unicolored areas populated by a cluster of cells expressing the same fluorescent protein grew over time, while epithelial cells were randomly labeled with multiple fluorescent proteins by short-term tracing. Similar phenomena were observed in gustatory epithelia. These results suggest that the Sox2+ stem cell population is maintained by balancing the increase of certain stem cells with the reduction of the others. In the gustatory epithelia, many single taste buds contained cells labeled with different fluorescent proteins, indicating that a single taste bud is composed of cells derived from multiple Sox2+ stem cells. Our results reveal the characteristics of Sox2+ stem cells underlying the turnover of taste bud cells and the homeostasis of taste tissues.

Biohybrid Tongue for Evaluation of Taste Interaction between Sweetness and Sourness

The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress achieved in taste research, while few studies focus on interactions among taste compounds. Indeed, sweeteners and acidulants are commonly used food additives, and sweet-sour mixtures always provide improved tastes. For example, sensory studies have shown that sourness suppresses sweetness. However, the degree of sweetness suppression by sourness is difficult to evaluate quantitatively and objectively. Therefore, we propose a biohybrid tongue that is constructed by integrating mammalian gustatory epithelium with a microelectrode array chip. The taste quality and intensity information is coded in time-frequency patterns of local field potential. Different response patterns evoked by sweet and sour stimuli are observed, and the response is dose-dependent. Then, interaction effects of sourness against sweetness are quantified. The results indicate that suppression of sweetness by sourness occurs by increasing sourness concentrations. In summary, this study provides a powerful new tool for quantitative evaluation of sweet, sour, and their binary taste interactions that mimic the mammalian taste system.

Recent, Bioelectricity-Related Articles Selected by Ann M. Rajnicek, Media Editor of Bioelectricity.

Recent, Bioelectricity-Related Articles Selected by Ann M. Rajnicek, Media Editor of Bioelectricity.

Transient Effects of Cyclophosphamide on Basal Cell Proliferation of Olfactory Epithelia.

Cancer is often treated with broad-spectrum cytotoxic drugs that not only eradicate cancerous cells but also have detrimental side effects. One of these side effects, disruption of the olfactory system, impedes a patient's ability to smell, perceive flavor, and ultimately may interfere with their nutritional intake and recovery from cancer. Recent studies reported that the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide (CYP), can damage gustatory epithelia and disrupt cell proliferation in olfactory epithelia. In this study, we asked if CYP altered globose and horizontal basal cell proliferation in the murine main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and vomeronasal organ (VNO). We used antibodies for Ki67, a marker strictly associated with cell proliferation, and Keratin 5, a marker for the cytoskeleton of horizontal basal cells. Our results revealed a significant CYP-induced decrease in the number of proliferative cells in both epithelia, especially globose basal cells in the MOE, within the first 1-2 days postinjection. Recovery of cell renewal was apparent 6 days after injection. The immunohistochemical markers showed significantly higher levels of globose and horizontal basal cell proliferation in CYP-injected mice at 14 and 30 days postinjection compared with control mice. The prolonged proliferative activation of globose and horizontal basal cells suggests that, besides altering proliferation of olfactory epithelia, the epithelial substrate needed for successful cell renewal may be adversely affected by CYP.

Gustatory dysfunction in relation to circumvallate papilla’s taste buds structure upon unilateral maxillary molar extraction in Wistar rats: an in vivo study

Background: The interaction between taste sensation and dentoalveolar innervation is still under research. teeth loss can alter taste thresholds in humans, but the underlying mechanisms are still obscure. This study investigated the effect of unilateral maxillary molars extraction on the structure of circumvallate papilla in rats. Methods: Thirty-two male Wister rats, aged 3-4 months were randomly distributed into four groups (one control and 3 experimental ) each including 8 animals. The rats were euthanized 3, 6 or 9 weeks following the procedure. The changes in trough length and the taste buds structure and number of both sides of CVP were investigated using routine histological examination followed by statistical analysis. Results: the trough toward the extraction side was obviously shorter with a noticeable decrease of taste buds’ number than the non-extraction side. Taste buds were reduced in size and most of them showed signs of degeneration which was more evident in group II followed by group III, less deformity detected in group IV in comparison to the preceding 2 experimental groups. the non-extraction side of all experimental groups showed normal trough length and generally normal histology of taste buds. Conclusions: Maxillary molars extraction has a degenerative effect on the structure of taste buds and gustatory epithelium which were more marked at the extraction side and showed improvement upon elongation of follow up period

Gustatory dysfunction in relation to circumvallate papilla's taste buds structure upon unilateral maxillary molar extraction in Wistar rats: an in vivo study.

Background: The interaction between taste sensation and dentoalveolar innervation is still under research. teeth loss can alter taste thresholds in humans, but the underlying mechanisms are still obscure. This study investigated the effect of unilateral maxillary molars extraction on the structure of circumvallate papilla in rats. Methods: Thirty-two male Wister rats, aged 3-4 months were randomly distributed into four groups (one control and 3 experimental ) each including 8 animals. The rats were euthanized 3, 6 or 9 weeks following the procedure. The changes in trough length and the taste buds structure and number of both sides of CVP were investigated using routine histological examination followed by statistical analysis. Results: the trough toward the extraction side was obviously shorter with a noticeable decrease of taste buds' number than the non-extraction side. Taste buds were reduced in size and most of them showed signs of degeneration which was more evident in group II followed by group III, less deformity detected in group IV in comparison to the preceding 2 experimental groups. the non-extraction side of all experimental groups showed normal trough length and generally normal histology of taste buds. Conclusions: Maxillary molars extraction has a degenerative effect on the structure of taste buds and gustatory epithelium which were more marked at the extraction side and showed improvement upon elongation of follow up period.

Unilateral nasal obstruction induces degeneration of fungiform and circumvallate papillae in rats.

In clinical orthodontic treatment, chronic respiratory disturbance or mouth breathing has been concerned symptoms and screening criteria. In this study, to analyze the relation between nasal obstruction and taste sensing, a unilateral nasal obstruction model was performed to investigate the taste papillae and taste buds in rats. Fourteen 6-day-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups (n=7 each). The experimental group underwent unilateral nasal obstruction at 8days of age. The rats were euthanized at 9-week-old. The morphology of the circumvallate papillae and taste buds were identified by immunohistochemical methods. The fungiform papillae were visualized with 1% methylene blue and sectioned for taste bud observation. Some defects in the gustatory epithelium were observed after unilateral nasal obstruction. Rats in the experimental group had significantly fewer fungiform papillae and smaller volumes of taste bud. In circumvallate papillae, smaller total taste bud area was found in experiment group. Findings in the present study suggest that nasal obstruction might have significant influences on the gustatory function via morphologic change in the taste papillae and taste buds in tongue area.

Nerve-independent and ectopically additional induction of taste buds in organ culture of fetal tongues.

An improved organ culture system allowed to observe morphogenesis of mouse lingual papillae and taste buds relatively for longer period, in which fetal tongues were analyzed for 6d. Taste cells were defined as eosinophobic epithelial cells expressing CK8 and Sox2 within lingual epithelium. Addition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor CHIR99021 induced many taste cells and buds in non-gustatory and gustatory stratified lingual epithelium. The present study clearly demonstrated induction of taste cells and buds ectopically and without innervation.

Ontogeny and innervation of taste buds in mouse palatal gustatory epithelium

We investigated the relationship between mouse taste bud development and innervation of the soft palate. We employed scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against protein gene product 9.5 and peripherin to detect sensory nerves, and cytokeratin 8 and α-gustducin to stain palatal taste buds. At E14, nerve fibers were observed along the medial border of the palatal shelves that tracked toward the epithelium. At E15.5, primordial stages of taste buds in the basal lamina of the soft palate first appeared. At E16, the taste buds became large spherical masses of columnar cells scattered in the soft palate basal lamina. At E17, the morphology and also the location of taste buds changed. At E18–19, some taste buds acquired a more elongated shape with a short neck, extending a variable distance from the soft palate basal lamina toward the surface epithelium. At E18, mature taste buds with taste pores and perigemmal nerve fibers were observed on the surface epithelium of the soft palate. The expression of α-gustducin was demonstrated at postnatal day 1 and the number of pored taste buds increased with age and they became pear-shaped at 8 weeks. The percent of pored fungiform-like papillae at birth was 58.3% of the whole palate; this increased to 83.8% at postnatal day 8 and reached a maximum of 95.7% at 12 weeks. The innervation of the soft palate was classified into three types of plexuses in relation to taste buds: basal nerve plexus, intragemmal and perigemmal nerve fibers. This study reveals that the nerve fibers preceded the development of taste buds in the palate of mice, and therefore the nerve fibers have roles in the initial induction of taste buds in the soft palate.

Expanded terminal fields of gustatory nerves accompany embryonic BDNF overexpression in mouse oral epithelia.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed in gustatory epithelia and is required for gustatory neurons to locate and innervate their correct target during development. When BDNF is overexpressed throughout the lingual epithelium, beginning embryonically, chorda tympani fibers are misdirected and innervate inappropriate targets, leading to a loss of taste buds. The remaining taste buds are hyperinnervated, demonstrating a disruption of nerve/target matching in the tongue. We tested the hypothesis here that overexpression of BDNF peripherally leads to a disrupted terminal field organization of nerves that carry taste information to the brainstem. The chorda tympani, greater superficial petrosal, and glossopharyngeal nerves were labeled in adult wild-type (WT) mice and in adult mice in which BDNF was overexpressed (OE) to examine the volume and density of their central projections in the nucleus of the solitary tract. We found that the terminal fields of the chorda tympani and greater superficial petrosal nerves and overlapping fields that included these nerves in OE mice were at least 80% greater than the respective field volumes in WT mice. The shapes of terminal fields were similar between the two groups; however, the density and spread of labels were greater in OE mice. Unexpectedly, there were also group-related differences in chorda tympani nerve function, with OE mice showing a greater relative taste response to a concentration series of sucrose. Overall, our results show that disruption in peripheral innervation patterns of sensory neurons have significant effects on peripheral nerve function and central organization of their terminal fields.

Degeneration of fungiform and circumvallate papillae following molar extraction in rats

Objective. Proper occlusion facilitates food intake and gustatory function is indispensable for the enjoyment of food. Although an interaction between dentoalveolar and gustatory afferent neurons has been suggested by previous studies, the relationship between occlusion and gustation remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of upper molar extraction which diminished occlusal support on peripheral gustatory receptors in rats. Materials and methods. Thirty-six 7-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. All maxillary molars were extracted from rats in the experimental group under anesthesia, while a sham operation was conducted in the control group. The rats were euthanized 7, 14 or 28 days after the procedure. The morphology of the circumvallate papillae and taste buds using immunohistochemical methods and the fungiform papillae were visualized with 1% methylene blue. Results. Defects in the gustatory epithelium were observed after maxillary molar extraction. Rats in the experimental group had significantly fewer fungiform papillae, narrower circumvallate papillae, shallower trench depth, smaller trench area, smaller taste bud area, lower ratios of taste bud area to trench area and fewer taste buds than those in the control group. Conclusions. The findings indicate that molar extraction would affect peripheral gustatory receptors. This is the first study to characterize changes in rat fungiform and circumvallate papillae after maxillary molar extraction. This study suggests a possible synergic relationship between dentoalveolar perception and gustatory function, which has clinical implications that occlusion is closely correlated with gustatory perception.

Nutrient regulation of glucagon secretion: involvement in metabolism and diabetes

Glucose homeostasis is precisely regulated by glucagon and insulin, which are released by pancreatic α- and β-cells, respectively. While β-cells have been the focus of intense research, less is known about α-cell function and the actions of glucagon. In recent years, the study of this endocrine cell type has experienced a renewed drive. The present review contains a summary of established concepts as well as new information about the regulation of α-cells by glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and other nutrients, focusing especially on glucagon release, glucagon synthesis and α-cell survival. We have also discussed the role of glucagon in glucose homeostasis and in energy and lipid metabolism as well as its potential as a modulator of food intake and body weight. In addition to the well-established action on the liver, we discuss the effects of glucagon in other organs, where the glucagon receptor is expressed. These tissues include the heart, kidneys, adipose tissue, brain, small intestine and the gustatory epithelium. Alterations in α-cell function and abnormal glucagon concentrations are present in diabetes and are thought to aggravate the hyperglycaemic state of diabetic patients. In this respect, several experimental approaches in diabetic models have shown important beneficial results in improving hyperglycaemia after the modulation of glucagon secretion or action. Moreover, glucagon receptor agonism has also been used as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity.

Morphological evidence of local reflex arc in the rat’s tongue

Lingual components of the autonomic nervous system are considered to be the most rostral portion of the enteric nervous system. Therefore our aim was to study the intrinsic nerve cell bodies and synapses using immunohisto-, immunocytochemical methods. Several small groups of ganglia with cell bodies immunoreactive (IR) for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and substance P (SP) were observed just below the gustatory epithelium. A few somatostatin and galanin IR nerve cell bodies were also found. Many IR cell bodies were also demonstrated in the glands and next to blood vessels. Some of these cell bodies were multipolar and some of them were small neurons with an ovoid shape having only one process. Cell bodies positive for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were detected neither in the superficial nor in the deep portion. Electronmicroscopical analysis demonstrated different IR nerve fibres having axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses with other immunonegative cells. In a few cases VIP IR nerve processes were found to synaptize with other VIP positive nerve cell bodies. These results support the existance of intralingual reflex in the tongue, where the ganglia might have an integrative role of the different neuropeptide containing nerve fibres.

Chemosensory Convergence on Primary Olfactory Cortex

Food perception and preference formation relies on the ability to combine information from both the taste and olfactory systems. Accordingly, psychophysical investigations in humans and behavioral work in animals has shown that the taste system plays an integral role in odor processing. However, the neural basis for the influence of taste (gustation) on odor (olfaction) remains essentially unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that gustatory influence on olfactory processing occurs at the level of primary olfactory cortex. We recorded activity from single neurons in posterior olfactory (piriform) cortex (pPC) of awake rats while presenting basic taste solutions directly to the tongue. A significant portion of pPC neurons proved to respond selectively to taste stimuli. These taste responses were significantly reduced by blockade of the gustatory epithelium, were unaffected by blockade of the olfactory epithelium, and were independent of respiration behavior. In contrast, responses to olfactory stimuli, recorded from the same area, were reduced by nasal epithelial deciliation and phase-locked to the respiration cycle. These results identify pPC as a likely site for gustatory influences on olfactory processing, which play an important role in food perception and preference formation.

Peripheral chemosensing system for tastants and nutrients

The purpose of this review is to discuss the presence and possible roles of peripheral taste/nutrient sensors, particularly taste receptors. Recent studies have demonstrated that taste signaling molecules are distributed not only in the gustatory epithelium, but also in other tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract, airways, testes and brain. Taste signaling mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract were reported to participate in detecting sweet, umami and bitter compounds. Several research groups have suggested that tastant/nutrient detection by other systems contributes to the behavioral responses to food intake. Taste-like cells expressing taste signaling components are distributed in multiple tissues. Investigation of their potential roles in chemosensing has just begun. Researchers have identified at least two chemosensory pathways in the gastrointestinal tract for detecting tastants/nutrients. One is the taste receptor signaling pathway and the other is the currently unknown nutrient-sensing pathway that elicits postingestive effects. The former system utilizes a mechanism similar to taste sensing in the oral cavity. By understanding how tastants/nutrients are sensed and regulated through both systems, we may be able to more effectively control food intake in the future.

Glucagon signaling modulates sweet taste responsiveness.

The gustatory system provides critical information about the quality and nutritional value of food before it is ingested. Thus, physiological mechanisms that modulate taste function in the context of nutritional needs or metabolic status could optimize ingestive decisions. We report that glucagon, which plays important roles in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, enhances sweet taste responsiveness through local actions in the mouse gustatory epithelium. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we found that glucagon and its receptor (GlucR) are coexpressed in a subset of mouse taste receptor cells. Most of these cells also express the T1R3 taste receptor implicated in sweet and/or umami taste. Genetic or pharmacological disruption of glucagon signaling in behaving mice indicated a critical role for glucagon in the modulation of taste responsiveness. Scg5(-/-) mice, which lack mature glucagon, had significantly reduced responsiveness to sucrose as compared to wild-type littermates in brief-access taste tests. No significant differences were seen in responses to prototypical salty, sour, or bitter stimuli. Taste responsiveness to sucrose was similarly reduced upon acute and local disruption of glucagon signaling by the GlucR antagonist L-168,049. Together, these data indicate a role for local glucagon signaling in the peripheral modulation of sweet taste responsiveness.

ROS-GC subfamily membrane guanylate cyclase-linked transduction systems: taste, pineal gland and hippocampus

In the continuous efforts to test the validity of the theme that the Ca(2+)-modulated ROS-GC subfamily system is a universal transduction component of the sensory and sensory-linked network of neurons, this article focuses on the presence and variant biochemical forms of this transduction system in the gustatory epithelium, the site of gustatory transduction; in the pineal, a light-sensitive gland; and in the hippocampus neurons, linked with the perception of all SENSES.

Ca2+-modulated membrane guanylate cyclase in the testes

To date, the calcium-regulated membrane guanylate cyclase Rod Outer Segment Guanylate Cyclase type 1 (ROS-GC1) transduction system in addition to photoreceptors is known to be expressed in three other types of neuronal cells: in the pinealocytes, mitral cells of the olfactory bulb and the gustatory epithelium of tongue. Very recent studies from our laboratory show that expression of ROS-GC1 is not restricted to the neuronal cells; the male gonads and the spermatozoa also express ROS-GC1. In this presentation, the authors review the existing information on the localization and function of guanylate cyclase with special emphasis on Ca(2+)-modulated membrane guanylate cyclase, ROS-GC1, in the testes. The role of ROS-GC1 and its Ca(2+)-sensing modulators in the processes of spermatogenesis and fertilization are discussed.

Amylase expression in taste receptor cells of rat circumvallate papillae

The chemical composition of the luminal content is now accepted to have a profound influence on the performance of chemosensory receptors. Gustatory and intestinal chemoreceptors have in common their expression of molecules involved in taste sensing and signal transduction pathways. The recent finding that enterocytes of the duodenal epithelium are capable of expressing luminal pancreatic amylase suggests that taste cells of the gustatory epithelium might, in the same way, express salivary amylase in the oral cavity. Therefore, we investigated amylase expression in rat circumvallate papillae by using analyses involving immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and reverse transcription with the polymerase chain reaction. In addition, we used double-labeling confocal laser microscopy to compare amylase immunolabeling with that of the following markers: protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and chromogranin A (CgA) for endocrine cells, alpha-gustducin and phospholipase C beta 2 (PLC beta 2) as taste-signaling molecules, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and Clara-cell-specific secretory protein of 10-kDa (CC10) as secretory markers. The results showed that amylase was present in some taste bud cells; its immunoreactivity was observed in subsets of cells that expressed CgA, alpha-gustducin, PLC beta 2, CFTR, or CC10. PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was never colocalized with amylase. The data suggest that amylase-positive cells constitute an additional subset of taste receptor cells also associated with chemoreceptorial and/or secretory molecules, confirming the occurrence of various pathways in taste buds.