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Lombardo GP, Miller A, Aragona M, Messina E, Fumia A, Kuciel M, Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Lauriano ER. Immunohistochemical Characterization of Langerhans Cells in the Skin of Three Amphibian Species. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:210. [PMID: 38666822 PMCID: PMC11048468 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The amphibian taxon includes three orders that present different morphological characteristics: Anura, Caudata, and Apoda. Their skin has a crucial role: it acts as an immune organ constituting a physical, chemical, immunological, and microbiological barrier to pathogen insult and conducts essential physiological processes. Amphibians have developed specialized features to protect the vulnerable skin barrier, including a glandular network beneath the skin surface that can produce antimicrobial and toxic substances, thus contributing to the defense against pathogens and predators. This study aims to characterize Langerhans cells in the skin of Lithobates catesbeianus (order: Anura; Shaw, 1802), Amphiuma means (order: Caudata; Garden, 1821), and Typhlonectes natans (order: Apoda; Fischer, 1880) with the following antibodies: Langerin/CD207 (c-type lectin), Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)II, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 (expressed by different types of DCs). Our results showed Langerhans cells positive for Langerin CD/207 in the epidermis of the three species; moreover, some antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the connective tissue expressed TLR2 and MHCII. The distribution of the Langerhans cells is very similar in the three amphibians examined, despite their different habitats. A greater knowledge of the amphibian immune system could be useful to better understand the phylogeny of vertebrates and to safeguard amphibians from population declines. Furthermore, the similarities between amphibians' and human skin concerning immunological features may be useful in both biology and translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pia Lombardo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Anthea Miller
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Emmanuele Messina
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Angelo Fumia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Michał Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501 Krakòw, Poland;
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
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Capillo G, Zaccone G, Cupello C, Fernandes JMO, Viswanath K, Kuciel M, Zuwala K, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Icardo JM, Lauriano ER. Expression of acetylcholine, its contribution to regulation of immune function and O 2 sensing and phylogenetic interpretations of the African butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi (Osteoglossiformes, Pantodontidae). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 111:189-200. [PMID: 33588082 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the main neurotransmitter in the neuronal cholinergic system and also works as a signaling molecule in non-neuronal cells and tissues. The diversity of signaling pathways mediated by Ach provides a basis for understanding the biology of the cholinergic epithelial cells and immune cells in the gill of the species studied. NECs in the gill were not found surprisingly, but specialized cells showing the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of eosinophils were located in the gill filaments and respiratory lamellae. Much remains unknown about the interaction between the nerves and eosinophils that modulate both the release of acetylcholine and its nicotinic and muscarinic receptors including the role of acetylcholine in the mechanisms of O2 chemosensing. In this study we report for the first time the expression of Ach in the pavement cells of the gill lamellae in fish, the mast cells associated with eosinophils and nerve interaction for both immune cell types, in the gill of the extant butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi. Multiple roles have been hypothesized for Ach and alpha nAChR in the gills. Among these there are the possible involvement of the pavement cells of the gill lamellae as O2 chemosensitive cells, the interaction of Ach positive mast cells with eosinophils and interaction of eosinophils with nerve terminals. This could be related to the use of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and the alpha 2 subunit of the acetylcholine nicotinic receptor (alpha 2 nAChR). These data demonstrate the presence of Ach multiple sites of neuronal and non-neuronal release and reception within the gill and its ancestral signaling that arose during the evolutionary history of this conservative fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy.
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia-IBRAG, Universidade de Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Kiron Viswanath
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8026, Bodø, Norway
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501, Cracow, Poland
| | - Krystyna Zuwala
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Zaccone G, Cupello C, Capillo G, Kuciel M, Nascimento ALR, Gopesh A, Germanà GP, Spanò N, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Crupi R, Icardo JM, Lauriano ER. Expression of Acetylcholine- and G protein coupled Muscarinic receptor in the Neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of the obligated air-breathing fish, Arapaima gigas (Arapaimatidae: Teleostei). ZOOLOGY 2020; 139:125755. [PMID: 32088527 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The air-breathing specialization has evolved idependently in vertebrates, as many different organs can perfom gas exchange. The largest obligate air-breathing fish from South America Arapaima gigas breathe air using its gas bladder, and its dependence on air breathing increases during its growth. During its development, gill morphology shows a dramatic change, remodeling with a gradual reduction of gill lamellae during the transition from water breathing to air breathing . It has been suggested that in this species the gills remain the main site of O2 and CO2 sensing. Consistent with this, we demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of the neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in the glottis, and in the gill filament epithelia and their distal halves. These cells contain a broader spectrum of neurotransmitters (5-HT, acetylcholine, nNOS), G-protein subunits and the muscarininic receptors that are coupled to G proteins (G-protein coupled receptors). We report also for the first time the presence of G alpha proteins coupled with muscarinic receptors on the NECs, that are thought as receptors that initiate the cardiorespiratory reflexes in aquatic vertebrates. Based on the specific orientation in the epithelia and their closest vicinity to efferent vasculatures, the gill and glottal NECs of A. gigas could be regarded as potential O2 and CO2 sensing receptors. However, future studies are needed to ascertain the neurophysiological characterization of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagellonian University, Kpernika 15, 30-501 Krakòw, Poland
| | - Ana L R Nascimento
- Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de Setembro, 87, 20551-030, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anita Gopesh
- Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, U.P., India
| | - Germana Patrizia Germanà
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Nunziacarla Spanò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy
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Zaccone G, Lauriano ER, Kuciel M, Capillo G, Pergolizzi S, Alesci A, Ishimatsu A, Ip YK, Icardo JM. Identification and distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and neurochemical markers in the neuroepithelial cells of the gill and the skin in the giant mudskipper, Periophthalmodon schlosseri. ZOOLOGY 2017; 125:41-52. [PMID: 28830730 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mudskippers are amphibious fishes living in mudflats and mangroves. These fishes hold air in their large buccopharyngeal-opercular cavities where respiratory gas exchange takes place via the gills and higher vascularized epithelium lining the cavities and also the skin epidermis. Although aerial ventilation response to changes in ambient gas concentration has been studied in mudskippers, the localization and distribution of respiratory chemoreceptors, their neurochemical coding and function as well as physiological evidence for the gill or skin as site for O2 and CO2 sensing are currently not known. In the present study we assessed the distribution of serotonin, acetylcholine, catecholamines and nitric oxide in the neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of the mudskipper gill and skin epithelium using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Colocalization studies showed that 5-HT is coexpressed with nNOS, Na+/K+-ATPase, TH and VAChT; nNOS is coexpressed with Na+/K+-ATPase and TH in the skin. In the gill 5-HT is coexpressed with nNOS and VAhHT and nNOS is coexpressed with Na+/K+-ATPase and TH. Acetylcholine is also expressed in chain and proximal neurons projecting to the efferent filament artery and branchial smooth muscle. The serotonergic cells c labeled with VAChT, nNOS and TH, thus indicating the presence of NEC populations and the possibility that these neurotransmitters (other than serotonin) may act as primary transmitters in the hypoxic reflex in fish gills. Immunolabeling with TH antibodies revealed that NECs in the gill and the skin are innervated by catecholaminergic nerves, thus suggesting that these cells are involved in a central control of branchial functions through their relationships with the sympathetic branchial nervous system. The Na+/K+-ATPase in mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs), which are most concentrated in the gill lamellar epithelium, is colabeled with nNOS and associated with TH nerve terminals. TH-immunopositive fine varicosities were also associated with the numerous capillaries in the skin surface and the layers of the swollen cells. Based on the often hypercapnic and hypoxic habitat of the mudskippers, these fishes may represent an attractive model for pursuing studies on O2 and CO2 sensing due to the air-breathing that increases the importance of acid/base regulation and the O2-related drive including the function of gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide that has an inhibitory (regulatory) function in ionoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Department of Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Michał Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Jagiellonian University Medical Collage, Kopernika 15, 31-501 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Atsushi Ishimatsu
- Institute for East China Sea Research, Nagasaki University, 1551-7 Tairamachi, Nagasaki 851-2213, Japan
| | - Yuen Kwong Ip
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Jose M Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Polígono de Cazoña, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
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Zaccone D, Icardo JM, Kuciel M, Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Satora L, Lauriano ER, Zaccone G. Polymorphous granular cells in the lung of the primitive fish, the bichirPolypterus senegalus. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zaccone
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Polígono de Cazoña; Faculty of Medicine; University of Cantabria; s/n 39011 Santander Spain
| | - Michał Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre; Jagiellonian University Medical College; Kopernika 15 31-501 Crakow Poland
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Leszek Satora
- Department of Physiology and Reproduction of Animals; University of Rzeszow; Werynia 502 36-100 Kolbuszowa Rzeszow Poland
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
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Lauriano ER, Icardo JM, Zaccone D, Kuciel M, Satora L, Alesci A, Alfa M, Zaccone G. Expression patterns and quantitative assessment of neurochemical markers in the lung of the gray bichir, Polypterus senegalus (Cuvier, 1829). Acta Histochem 2015; 117:738-46. [PMID: 26362573 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anatomical and functional studies of the autonomic innervation and the putative oxygen receptors-the neuroepithelial (NEC)-like cells of the bichirs are lacking. The present paper describes the distribution of both NEC-like cells and the polymorphous granular cells (PGCs) that populate the mucociliated epithelium of the lung in the air breathing fish Polypterus senegalus. By using confocal immunohistochemistry we determined the coexpression of specific neurochemical markers. Colocalization studies showed that 5HT is coexpressed with calbindin and nNOS in the NEC-like cells and PGCs, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is coexpressed with nNOS in both the two types of cells. Distribution of neurotransmitters (5HT, NO) and neurochemical marker ChAT is also investigated in the lung muscle. The role of these transmitters may be the autonomic control of circulation and respiration. However, the importance of these signals for the respiratory responses in the species studied is still not known. The present study also shows for the first time the simultaneous occurrence of piscidin 1 and 5HT in the PGCs. The function of these cells being equivalent to ones found in fish gill subepithelial parenchyma, is still not known. Due to the importance of piscidin 1 in local immune defense, more research is useful to understand a possible interaction of PGCs with immune response in the bichir lung.
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