Analysis of intestinal cell proliferation after guanethidine-induced sympathectomy. I. Stathmokinetic, labelling index, mitotic index, and cellular migration studies

Cell proliferation within small intestinal crypts is the principal driving force for cell migration on villi

The functional integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier relies on tight coordination of cell proliferation and migration, with failure to regulate these processes resulting in disease. It is not known whether cell proliferation is sufficient to drive epithelial cell migration during homoeostatic turnover of the epithelium. Nor is it known precisely how villus cell migration is affected when proliferation is perturbed. Some reports suggest that proliferation and migration may not be related while other studies support a direct relationship. We used established cell-tracking methods based on thymine analog cell labeling and developed tailored mathematical models to quantify cell proliferation and migration under normal conditions and when proliferation is reduced and when it is temporarily halted. We found that epithelial cell migration velocities along the villi are coupled to cell proliferation rates within the crypts in all conditions. Furthermore, halting and resuming proliferation results in the synchronized response of cell migration on the villi. We conclude that cell proliferation within the crypt is the primary force that drives cell migration along the villus. This methodology can be applied to interrogate intestinal epithelial dynamics and characterize situations in which processes involved in cell turnover become uncoupled, including pharmacological treatments and disease models.—Parker, A., Maclaren, O. J., Fletcher, A. G., Muraro, D., Kreuzaler, P. A., Byrne, H. M., Maini, P. K., Watson, A. J. M., Pin, C. Cell proliferation within small intestinal crypts is the principal driving force for cell migration on villi.

Effect of oral insulin on diabetes-induced intestinal mucosal growth in rats

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the intestinal response to the induction of diabetes and to oral insulin (OI) administration in a rat.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups: control rats, CONTR-INS rats that were treated with OI given in drinking water for 7 days, diabetic rats that were injected with one dose of streptozotocin, and diabetic rats treated with OI. Intestinal structural changes, enterocyte proliferation and enterocyte apoptosis, bax and bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels, insulin receptor expression and ERK protein levels were determined at sacrifice. A one-way ANOVA for comparison, followed by Tukey's test for pair-wise comparison, were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Induction of diabetes resulted in a significant increase in bowel and mucosal weight (P < 0.05), mucosal protein (P < 0.05), villus height and crypt depth in jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05), and mucosal DNA in ileum (P < 0.05) (vs. control animals). Diabetes also enhances ERK-induced cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and concomitant bax/bcl-2 induced cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). Treatment of diabetic rats with OI resulted in a significant decrease in jejunal protein content (P < 0.05), jejunal and ileal villus height (P < 0.05), and jejunal crypt depth (P < 0.05), as well as an inhibition of ERK-related cell proliferation in ileum (P < 0.05). Expression of insulin receptor was down-regulated following OI administration in both control and diabetic animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental STZ-induced diabetes causes intestinal mucosal growth and enhances enterocyte turnover in a rat model. OI administration diminishes diabetes-accelerated cell turnover and diabetes-induced mucosal hyperplasia.

Effect of myenteric denervation on intestinal epithelium proliferation and migration of suckling and weanling rats

The effects of myenteric denervation on the cell kinetics of the intestinal epithelium of suckling and weanling rats were investigated. The myenteric plexus of an ileal segment was partially ablated by serosal application of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in three groups of rats: those that underwent surgery at 13 days and were killed 15 (13/28-day-old) or 23 (13/36-day-old) days after treatment, and those that were operated at 21 days (21/36-day-old) and were killed 15 days after treatment. The extent of denervation was assessed in whole-mount preparations. The cell bodies of myenteric neurones were stained by NADH-diaphorase histochemical technique. Cell proliferation was estimated by the mitotic index (MI) and morphometric analysis of villus and crypt lengths using an image analysis system. Thickness of the muscle layers was also assessed by morphometry. Cell migration on the villi was estimated by the position of the leading labelled cell 24 h after tritiated thymidine injection. The number of neurones was reduced by around 80% in rats operated at 13 days, and reduced by 98% in those operated at 21 days. The thickness of the muscle layers was increased in all groups of treated animals. MI was significantly higher 15 days after BAC-treatment in the 13/28 group. Morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa were observed 15 days after BAC-treatment, when there was an increase in villus height (13/28 group) and crypt depth (13/28 and 21/36 groups). Cell migration rate was accelerated in the 21/36 group. No differences where found in the 13/36 group. These results show the strong effect of myenteric ablation on cell proliferation and migration in the ileal epithelium in the first 15 days of treatment in suckling and in weanling rats, and the subsequent recovery of intestinal mucosa homeostasis later on.

The role of the sympathetic nervous system in radiation-induced apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats

To evaluate the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on radiation-induced apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells, apoptosis levels were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), animals which are a genetic hyperfunction model of the sympathetic nervous system, and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR and WKY were exposed to whole body X-ray irradiation at doses from 0.5 to 2 Gy. The apoptotic index in jejunal crypt cells was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY at each time point after irradiation and at each dose. WKY and SHR were treated with reserpine to induce sympathetic dysfunction, and were subsequently exposed to irradiation. Reserpine administration to SHR or WKY resulted in a significant suppression of apoptosis. p53 accumulation was detected in the jejunum in both WKY and SHR after irradiation by Western blotting analysis. There were no significant differences in the levels of p53 accumulation in irradiated intestine between WKY and SHR. These findings suggested that hyperfunction of the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the mechanism of high susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis of the jejunal crypt cells.

Computer simulation modelling and visualization of 3D architecture of biological tissues. Simulation of the evolution of normal, metaplastic and dysplastic states of the nasal epithelium

Recent technical improvements, such as 3D microscopy imaging, have shown the necessity of studying 3D biological tissue architecture during carcinogenesis. In the present paper a computer simulation model is developed allowing the visualization of the microscopic biological tissue architecture during the development of metaplastic and dysplastic lesions. The static part of the model allows the simulation of the normal, metaplastic and dysplastic architecture of an external epithelium. This model is associated to a knowledge base which contains only data on the nasal epithelium. The latter has been well studied by numerous authors and its lesional states are well known. An inference engine allows the initialization of the static model parameters. A statistical comparison between simulated epithelia and real epithelia is achieved by adjusting the parameter values during the simulation. The dynamic part of the model allows the simulation of a growth process on a 3D representation based on the static model. The main hypothesis is that nasal epithelium is submitted to a continuous transformation from normal to cancer through metaplasia and dysplasia. The evolution of each cell (represented by its nucleus) depends on its local environment and also on its heritage from its mother-cell. Simulation of tissue renewal of the nasal pseudostratified epithelium has been achieved. The evolution from normal to hyperplasia has been simulated. After modification of the cell cycle modelling, the simulation of the development of metaplastic foci has been obtained.

The effect of the autonomic nervous system on cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa in stress ulcer formation

The role of the autonomic nervous system in cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa during restraint water immersion stress was investigated utilizing the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and its progenitor, the Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). Three hours of water-immersion restraint induced gastric lesions more frequently in WKY than in SHR, although there were few visual lesions in either strain in two hours of stress. The number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) positive cells in the corpus ventriculi mucosa markedly decreased in the WKY, but did not change in the SHR after two hours of water-immersion restraint stress. The acetylcholine content in the mucosa significantly decreased and the density of acetylcholinesterase (ACh-E) containing fiber of mucosa remarkably increased in only WKY after two hours stress exposure. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in either the responsiveness or the content of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which indicates sympathetic nervous function, after stress exposure in WKY and SHR. Similarly, the response of serum gastrin was not significantly different between the two strains. These results strongly suggest that the parasympathetic nerve plays an essential role in cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa in the pathogenesis of stress ulcer.

Smooth muscle growth in the mature rat: role of sympathetic innervation

The role of sympathetic innervation in maintaining smooth muscle structure and function was investigated in the mature rat. Superior tarsal muscle volume, smooth muscle cell nuclear size and packing density, and alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats at 3 months of age, and in rats at 6 months of age in which one muscle had intact sympathetic innervation and the contralateral mate was sympathectomized at 3 months. Body weight was stable between 3 and 6 months. In contrast, both maximum contraction and muscle volume increased by more than 50% in the innervated organ, while chronic sympathectomy prevented these increases. Both nuclear packing density and nuclear size increased with age. The greater packing density was abolished by sympathectomy, but nuclear enlargement was not. Adrenoceptor supersensitivity was not observed, although the agonist dose producing 50% maximum contraction varied as a function of contractile capacity. It is concluded that superior tarsal smooth muscle growth continues independently of changes in body weight in the mature rat. Structural and functional deficits observed following chronic sympathetic denervation of this muscle are attributable to prevention of growth rather than regressions in size and contractile capacity.

Effect of an inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake, desipramine, on cell proliferation in the intestinal crypt epithelium

The intestinal mucosa receives an adrenergic innervation for which there is no commonly accepted function. However, in recent years, cell kinetic studies have raised the possibility that this innervation may be an important regulator of crypt cell proliferation. The effects of noradrenaline released from adrenergic nerves is terminated principally by re-uptake of the amine into the nerve and this process can be inhibited by the antidepressant drug, desipramine. In this report desipramine is shown to accelerate crypt cell proliferation in intact, but not in chemically sympathectomized rats, thus adding support to the notion that regulation of crypt cell division is an important function of the sympathetic nervous system.

Oral feeding of isolated lectins from red kidney bean stimulates rat small intestinal mucosal DNA synthesis and crypt cell division

A lectin preparation containing enterokinase inhibitor purified or partially purified from red kidney bean (RKB) when fed to weanling rats was shown to cause small intestinal hyperplasia. To see if this hyperplastic effect on the rat small intestine was due to the mitogenic properties of the isolated lectin, male weanling rats were fed a chow containing 0.1% of the isolated lectin for six days. Age-matched control rats were fed regular chow. Both control and lectin-fed rats were sacrificed at one, two, three, four, and six days after the start of lectin feeding. The proximal small intestinal mucosa of rats fed lectin showed gradual increases in protein and DNA contents throughout the experimental period. Morphological studies showed marked increases in crypt depth from days 1 through 6 in these rats with essentially no change in mucosal thickness or villous height. DNA synthetic activity peaked at day 2, but was higher than control throughout the experimental period. Labeling index was 0.36 +/- 0.03 in duodenum of controls as compared to 0.45 +/- 0.02 in duodenum of weanling rats fed lectin for two days. These results demonstrate that RKB lectin stimulates overall DNA synthetic activity and increases crypt cell proliferation on the small intestine of weanling rats. The observed mucosal hyperplasia is probably due to increases in crypt cell population as shown by the increase in crypt depth.

Cell migration velocities in the crypts of the small intestine after cytotoxic insult are not dependent on mitotic activity

The role of mitotic activity in the normal process of intestinal epithelial cell migration was investigated. The movement of [3H]TdR-labelled cells in the crypt-villus column was used to study migration both in the crypts and on the villi. Radiation alone or in conjunction with other cytotoxic agents (hydroxyurea, cyclophosphamide and isopropyl-methane sulphonate) was used to eliminate cell division activity and to decrease crypt cellularity. This was done in order to determine the role of 'mitotic pressure' in driving cell migration. It has been clearly demonstrated in this study that cell migration, both within the crypts and on the villi, can take place in the complete absence of mitotic activity and after a drastic decrease in crypt cellularity. These results add to the continually mounting evidence against the idea that the 'pressure' generated by mitoses within the crypt or indeed in other epithelial regions is responsible for propelling epithelial cells. The data also demonstrate that the migration mechanisms are resistant to cytotoxic exposure.

Adrenergic factors involved in the control of crypt cell proliferation in jejunum and descending colon of mouse

The mitotic rates in the crypts of Lieberkühn of the proximal jejunum and descending colon of mouse, following different treatments, were measured using a stathmokinetic technique. Regression coefficients, representing mitotic rates, were then calculated by the method of least squares. Treatment with adrenaline, isoprenaline, phenylephrine, phentolamine, and yohimbine all resulted in decreased mitotic rate of jejunal and colonic crypt cells. Chemical sympathectomy and cryosympathectomy had a similar effect, and chemical sympathectomy was followed by a supersensitivity to clonidine. Intraperitoneal injection of metaraminol, clonidine, propranolol, prazosin, labetolol and simultaneous injection of propranolol and adrenaline all resulted in an increased rate of crypt cell proliferation in both jejunum and colon. A significant increase in mitotic rate was observed in both tissues at night. The amplitude of this diurnal variation was decreased in both jejunum and colon following chemical sympathectomy. In addition, the amplitude of this variation in jejunum was decreased after treatment with yohimbine or phentolamine. The results of the study suggest that the sympathetic nervous system stimulates epithelial cell proliferation in both the small and large intestine and that this effect is mediated by an alpha 2-adrenoceptor. By contrast, stimulation of alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors is inhibitory to cell proliferation in these tissues.

Stimulatory effect of short chain fatty acids on the epithelial cell proliferation in rat large intestine

1. Short chain fatty acids [SCFA: acetate 75, propionate 35, butyrate 20 (microM)] introduced intraluminally into the colon increased the mitotic index and the labeling index of the large intestinal epithelial cells within 60 min in fasted rats. 2. Epithelia that lacked direct contact with SCFA were also stimulated. 3. SCFA did not have such a stimulatory effect either in vagotomized rats or in sympathectomized rats. 4. These results suggest that SCFA stimulate epithelial cell proliferation in the large intestine of fasted rats via the autonomic nervous system.

Histologic evaluation of the sympathectomy induced by guanethidine sulfate in neonatal rats

Guanethidine sulfate was administered to rats from birth to 14 days of age. Cell counts were carried out in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion at 30, 45, and 90 days of age. Massive permanent destruction of sympathetic ganglionic cells was demonstrated during the experimental period. Evidence for a natural loss of neurons during the morphogenesis of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion is presented.

The spatial organization of the hierarchical proliferative cells of the crypts of the small intestine into clusters of 'synchronized' cells

A statistical analysis of the distribution of [3H]TdR-labelled cells in longitudinal and transverse sections of crypts from the ileum of the mouse, indicated that there was a strong tendency for labelled or unlabelled cells to be associated in short vertical runs and lateral clumps, suggesting the presence of clusters of labelled cells on the sides of the crypts. A model is discussed for the cellular spatial organization of the crypt that proposes a vertical alignment of the cells within branches of the proliferative cell lineage. The model would predict vertical alignment of partially synchronized cells as well as some lateral clumping. In the present studies mitoses were not observed at higher levels in the crypt than labelled (S phase) cells. This observation would be predicted by the non-random spatial organization suggested by the model. The model would also make certain predictions concerning cell migration. These are discussed in relation to cell migration studies which include evidence that migration continues in the absence of mitotic activity.

Effects of guanethidine-induced sympathectomy on morphology of the pre- and postclosure ileum of the neonatal rat

The disappearance of the characteristic supranuclear vacuole and extensive apical canalicular system from enterocytes of the ileal villi occurs during the third postnatal week in rats. This phenomenon is associated with loss of permeability of these cells to macromolecules and is therefore termed closure. The present study was designed to analyze the influence of neonatal guanethidine (GTN)-induced sympathectomy on the morphology of the pre- and postclosure ileum of the rat. Light and electron microscopy of control and GTN-sympathectomized rats demonstrated the retention of immature, vacuolated cells on ileal villi as late as 23 days postnatally in GTN-treated rats. Villi from control rats contained only adultlike nonpermeable cells. Electron microscopy further demonstrated no structural differences in the apical canalicular system or storage vacuoles of the delayed cells in GTN rats when compared to the ileal epithelium from preclosure time periods (7 and 15 days) in both GTN-sympathectomized and control rats. Goblet cells were counted on Periodic-Acid-Schiff-stained sections of ileum from 7, 15, and 23-day GTN and control rats. The percentage of goblet cells in the total epithelial cell population of the villus was significantly higher in control versus GTN rats at all time periods. The percentage of goblet cells increased in both groups from day 7 to 15. However, closure in the control group (approximately day 18) was coincident with a steep increase in the percentage of ileal goblet cells which was not evident in the goblet-cell population of the GTN villus. This pattern of change in control versus GTN goblet-cell production was correlated with a similar pattern of variation in the number of crypt cell mitoses between the two groups over the same time period.

Circadian rhythms in the epithelial cells and the pericryptal fibroblast sheath in three different sites in the murine intestinal tract

Variations in percentage labelling (LI) and mitotic activity (mitoses per crypt) have been studied over a 24-hr period in the epithelial cells and pericryptal fibroblast sheath (PCFS) of the small intestine, caecum, and colon of the mouse. All three tissues displayed clear, synchronized circadian rhythms in DNA-synthetic activity in both the epithelial cells and PCFS. Peak values were coincident within a tissue, but staggered between tissues. In the epithelial cells, peak mitotic values were found between 3 and 6 hr after the peak LI values. The low level of mitotic activity in the PCFS appeared to be synchronized with the rhythms in the adjacent epithelia. The epithelial cells of the lowest crypt third displayed the clearest circadian rhythms. However, the PCFS cells at all levels produced similar curves. A craniocaudal wave of proliferative activity is proposed.

Functional and structural changes in the rabbit ear artery after sympathetic denervation

We studied the tissue weight, dimensions, contractility, elasticity, and sensitivity to exogenous norepinephrine (NE) of denervated and innervated segments of the central ear arteries of white New Zealand rabbits. Three different age groups received unilateral superior cervical ganglionectomies, "growing" at 3-4 weeks, "young adult" at 9-11 weeks, and "mature" at 16-20 weeks. In the growing group, 8 weeks after ganglionectomy, the denervated arteries showed mean decreases in tissue weight (11%), total wall thickness (12+), cross-sectional area of media (17%), contractility (16%), and increases in the tangential modulus of elasticity and sensitivity to NE (2.3-fold) compared to the contralateral control vessels. The change in medial cross-sectional area was significant in the growing and young adult but not the mature animals. The other changes, however, although consistently seen, differed quantitatively among the groups. These results indicate that an intact innervation is necessary for normal development and maintenance of the artery wall. However, the precise consequences of this influence vary at different ages. Whether this influence involves a special trophic factor is not known.

Developmental changes in the sensitivity of the chick embryo ventricle to beta-adrenergic agonist during adrenergic innervation

As early as the 4th embryonic day, the ventricle of the chick embryo responded to isoproterenol (Iso) with an increase in the force of contraction; at all ages studied, this positive inotropic effect was accompanied by an increased rate of tension development. There was a transient, 10-fold decrease in the sensitivity (increase in ED50) of the right ventricle to Iso between the 16th and 21st embryonic day. This change in the sensitivity to Iso was not due either to an increased inactivation of Iso by non-neuronal cells or to a change in the thickness of the ventricle. It was found that adrenergic nerves were first capable of altering ventricular contractility on the 16th embryonic day. Whereas they interfered with the function of adrenergic nerves, injections of reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine had no effect on the subsensitivity to Iso. Furthermore, these agents did not affect the normal developmental changes in heart weight. We conclude that the local release of transmitter from adrenergic nerves does not cause the transient subsensitivity of the ventricle of the chick embryo to beta-adrenergic agonists.

The influence of dibutyryl adenosine cyclic monophosphate on cell proliferation in the epithelium of the jejunal crypts, the colonic crypts and in colonic carcinomata of rat

1. Cell proliferation in the jejunal crypts, the colonic crypts and in dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced adenocarcinomata of rat colon was measured using a stathmokinetic technique. 2. Dibutryl cyclic adneosine monophosphate (dibutyryl cAMP) was found to inhibit cell proliferation in colonic crypts and in colonic adenocarcinomata. 3. Dibutryl cAMP at very high doses was found to inhibit jejunal crypt cell proliferation but at lower doses was found to accelerate jejunal crypt cell proliferation. 4. Neither bilateral adrenalectomy nor chemical sympathectomy was found to abolish the ability of dibutryl cAMP to stimulate jejunal crypt cell proliferation. 5. The present results are difficult to interpret in terms of known hormonal influences on cell proliferation in the tissues examined and of established actions, of these hormones on cyclic nucleotide metabolism in other tissues.

Diurnal rhythm of mitosis in rabbit corneal epithelium

Incorporation of 3H-thymidine by rabbit corneal epithelium during the course of a one-hour incubation in vitro varies according to the time of day, suggesting a diurnal rhythm of mitotic activity. Adrenergic decentralization of the cornea does not affect this rhythm. Furthermore, there is no diurnal variation in the basal or sympathomimetically-stimulated cyclic AMP production by freshly excised rabbit corneas, incubated in vitro. Therefore, the diurnal rhythm of corneal epithelial mitotsis in the rabbit is not paced by catecholamines.

Analysis of intestinal cell proliferation after guanethidine-induced sympathectomy. II. Percentage labelled mitoses studies

Neonatal administration of guanethidine-sulfate results in an alteration of the cell proliferative pattern of the small intestinal epithelium of the young adult rat. Sympathectomy with guanethidine has previously been shown to depress mitotic, labelling, and total cellular migration indices while increasing the generation cycle time (Tc) of small intestinal crypt cells as measured by a stathmokinetic method. The present study showed that the G1, S and G2 phases of the crypt cell cycle are altered by sympathectomy, G1 accounting for most of the increase in Tc. In addition, the percentage of [3H]-thymidine labelled crypt cells is reduced and the duration of crypt cell transit is lengthened by guanethidine-induced sympathectomy.

Alteration of neonatal rat parotid gland acinar cell proliferation by guandethidine-induced sympathectomy

Newborn rats were injected with guanethidine-sulfate (20 micrograms/g body weight) every 48 hr from 12 hr after birth until day 14 (eight injections per animal). The guanethidine treatment resulted in an 86% absolute reduction in cell number in the superior cervical ganglia of 15 day old rats. The cells which remained after guanethidine treatment showed destruction of mitochondria and an extensive decrease in endoplasmic reticulum. Chemical sympathectomy with guanethidine induced a 3.1 hr lengthening of the acinar cell generation cycle time (17.4 hr to 20.5 hr), resulting from a longer G1 period (6.9 hr in the control group as compared to 10.5 hr in the guanethidine-treated group), as well as a cecrease in the mean percentage of [3H]thymidine-labeled acinar cells (22.3 +/- 0.5% to 19.3 +/- 0.5%) and mean acinar cell mitotic index (2.6 +/- 0.2% to 2.1 +/- 0.1%). A circadian rhythm was found to exist in parotid gland acinar cell mitotic activity of 15 day old rats and the amplitude of the rhythm was reduced from 26.5% to 14.9% in guanethidine-treated rats. This study indicates that the diminution of sympathetic influence on the developing parotid gland results in a slight, but significant alteration in acnar cell proliferation.