In the present paper, the effect of natural environment non- lethal heavy metal concentration on cell renewal of Liza aurata intestinal epithelium, was studied by the TUNEL (ter- minal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) method and anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) immunohistochemistry, in order to detect, respec- tively, apoptosis and cell proliferation. In addition, the pres- ence and distribution of the cell renewal regulator, sero- tonin, was immunohistochemically investigated. In order to reduce variability, only immature specimens were consid- ered. The results indicated that in the control specimens from non-polluted areas, the PCNA immunoreactive nuclei of the proximal intestinal epithelium were only located at the bottom of the intestinal folds, together with a few TUNEL-positive nuclei, and goblet mucous differentiated cells. In the specimens from polluted areas, the number of PCNA immunoreactive cells was greatly enhanced, and they extended along the mid portion of the intestinal folds; the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei was enhanced as well, but they were almost exclusively detected in the third apical portion of the intestinal folds. Serotonin immunoreactive nerve elements were more frequently detected in the intes- tinal wall of L. aurata specimens from polluted areas, and besides that, some serotonin immunoreactive endocrine cells were also present. Variations in distribution and fre- quency of TUNEL-positive nuclei, PCNA immunoreactive nuclei, and serotonin immunoreactivity put in evidence an alteration of cell renewal with an enhancement of cell pro- liferation, probably leading to morphological intestinal fold changes.
Apoptosis, cell proliferation and serotonin immunoreactivity in gut of Liza aurata from natural heavy metal polluted environments: preliminary observations
FERRANDO, SARA;FERRANDO, TIZIANA;TAGLIAFIERRO, GRAZIA
2005-01-01
Abstract
In the present paper, the effect of natural environment non- lethal heavy metal concentration on cell renewal of Liza aurata intestinal epithelium, was studied by the TUNEL (ter- minal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) method and anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) immunohistochemistry, in order to detect, respec- tively, apoptosis and cell proliferation. In addition, the pres- ence and distribution of the cell renewal regulator, sero- tonin, was immunohistochemically investigated. In order to reduce variability, only immature specimens were consid- ered. The results indicated that in the control specimens from non-polluted areas, the PCNA immunoreactive nuclei of the proximal intestinal epithelium were only located at the bottom of the intestinal folds, together with a few TUNEL-positive nuclei, and goblet mucous differentiated cells. In the specimens from polluted areas, the number of PCNA immunoreactive cells was greatly enhanced, and they extended along the mid portion of the intestinal folds; the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei was enhanced as well, but they were almost exclusively detected in the third apical portion of the intestinal folds. Serotonin immunoreactive nerve elements were more frequently detected in the intes- tinal wall of L. aurata specimens from polluted areas, and besides that, some serotonin immunoreactive endocrine cells were also present. Variations in distribution and fre- quency of TUNEL-positive nuclei, PCNA immunoreactive nuclei, and serotonin immunoreactivity put in evidence an alteration of cell renewal with an enhancement of cell pro- liferation, probably leading to morphological intestinal fold changes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.