Intrinsic factor secretion from isolated human gastric mucosal cells

Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction combined with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis as a tool for the normalized quantitation of intrinsic factor mRNA

For the quantitation of intrinsic factor (IF) mRNA, an assay based on competitive reverse transcription and subsequent polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) was established and validated with respect to precision and accuracy. IF-specific mRNA segments ("targets") were coamplified with known amounts of homologous "standard" RNA molecules, which differed from the targets by one base substitution. Following amplification, TGGE heteroduplex analysis proved to be a powerful method facilitating the efficient separation of these nearly identical target and standard DNA products. The measured absolute copy numbers of IF mRNA were put into relation to the constitutively expressed mRNA specific for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), quantified simultaneously by competitive multiplex RT-PCR. The resulting normalized IF mRNA expression rate in terms of n copies of IF mRNA/copy of GAPDH mRNA is independent of the mRNA heterogeneity and the abundance of specific transcripts within the RNA population of interest. Therefore, normalization relative to the housekeeping gene GAPDH provides a widely applicable value for comparative studies of gene expression on the level of mRNA. Here, a normalized IF mRNA expression rate of three copies per GAPDH mRNA molecule was measured in human stomach mucosa.

Monoclonal antibodies to human intrinsic factor

Mice were immunized with human intrinsic factor, and their lymph node cells were fused with a myeloma cell line by standard hybridoma techniques. Eleven of the resulting 227 hybridomas secreted immunoglobulin G capable of binding to intrinsic factor-cobalamin complex. Cloning by limiting dilution gave 6 clones secreting anti-intrinsic factor antibodies that bound human intrinsic factor-cobalamin complex with affinities of 13-116 nM; 3 antibodies also bound rabbit intrinsic factor-cobalamin complex. Five antibodies inhibited to some degree the binding of cobalamin by intrinsic factor, and 2 also prevented attachment of intrinsic factor-cobalamin complex to guinea pig ileal receptors. Anti-rabbit intrinsic factor antibodies specifically precipitated a peptide of molecular weight 53,000, corresponding to the molecular weight of rabbit intrinsic factor from homogenates of rabbit gastric mucosal explants biosynthetically labeled with [35S]methionine and from culture medium in which the explants were incubated. Indirect fluorescence immunocytochemistry with the antibodies in human and rabbit gastric mucosal sections showed intense selective staining of parietal cells. These results (a) document species differences between human and rabbit intrinsic factors not previously demonstrable with polyclonal anti-intrinsic factor sera; (b) confirm earlier evidence that cobalamin binding and receptor functions occur at separate sites in intrinsic factor; and (c) provide a useful approach to studying structure-function relations of the intrinsic function molecule.

Immunohistochemical survey of cobalamin-binding proteins

Dietary cobalamin is bound to intrinsic factor (IF) and nonintrinsic factor (R protein) in the gastrointestinal tract. Distribution of IF has previously been described only in the stomach (parietal, chief cells), duodenum (mucous cells), and pancreatic juice. Cells containing R protein have been reported to be more widespread, including mucin-secreting cells of the intestinal tract. To further clarify the cells producing these cobalamin binders in the various organs, we surveyed a number of tissues in four species, with monospecific antisera raised against rat IF and hog R protein, using indirect immunoperoxidase histochemistry. A positive staining pattern was confirmed after blocking with the appropriate protein purified to homogeneity. Strong IF staining was noted over chief cells in the rat stomach, with weaker but substantial staining in the parietal cells as well. Intrinsic factor was found only in parietal cells in all other species examined. R protein was found in parietal cells of all species tested, except in the hog, where mucous cells of the basal crypt stained. The area of the brush border and apical cytoplasm in small intestinal epithelial cells was also positive for both IF and R protein, probably reflecting uptake. Accessory digestive organs, such as salivary gland and pancreas were also positive for both IF and R protein in the secretory ducts. Accessory digestive organs contribute to the secretion of IF as well as R protein, but the physiologic importance of this IF secretion is not clear.

Membrane receptors in the gastrointestinal tract

This review focusses on the roles that membrane receptors and their transducers play in the physiology and pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. The multifactorial regulation of [correction] mucosal growth and function is discussed in relation to the heterogeneity of exocrine and endocrine populations that originate from progenitor cells in stomach and intestine.

H+ production by isolated cells from human gastric mucosa

Gastric mucosal cells were isolated from human mucosa obtained at surgery. H+ production was indirectly estimated by 14C aminopyrine (AP) uptake. The maximal response to histamine occurred after 30 min of incubation whereas intrinsic factor (IF) secretion was maximal after only 7.5 to 15 min. According to the concentration response curve 10(-4) mol/1 histamine proved to be the most effective concentration, the response to which was completely inhibited by ranitidine. Carbachol, dibutyryl cAMP and IMX also enhanced AP uptake, IMX being even more powerful than histamine. Carbachol and IMX failed to potentiate the response to histamine. Parietal cell fractions enriched by a Percoll density gradient revealed a pronounced background stimulation so that additional stimulation by test agents was less effective than in non-fractionized cells.