muramidase and Metaplasia

Deep esophageal glands play a vital role in the protection and regeneration of the esophageal mucosa. Conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus have been associated with a change in the usual glands by oncocytic metaplasia. However, little is known regarding the function of oncocytes or the relevance of this metaplastic change in the human esophagus. We hypothesized that oncocytes of deep esophageal glands also express markers characteristic of a ductal epithelial phenotype because similar oncocytes have been described as part of large ductal epithelial cells in salivary glands. We used immunohistochemical stains to define structural, functional, proliferative, and potential stem/progenitor characteristics of oncocytes. Oncocytes did not express mucins or lysozyme C, two molecules found in mucous cells and used for antimicrobial defense. Oncocytes did not express CK5, a cytokeratin found in myoepithelial cells and basal epithelial cells, but expressed CK7, a cytokeratin found in intralobular ductal epithelial cells and luminal epithelial cells of the main duct. Oncocytes expressed cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and sodium/potassium ATPase, ion channels that play a role in bicarbonate secretion. Membrane-bound beta-catenin was detected in oncocytes, but these cells did not express the proliferative marker Ki67. Approximately, a third of oncocytes expressed SOX9 and p63, transcription factors expressed in epithelial progenitor cells in multiple organs. Moreover, oncocytes expressed CD44, a transmembrane Glycoprotein expressed in cancer stem cells. Taken together, our data show that oncocytes express markers of intralobular ductal epithelial cells and luminal epithelial cells of the main duct. Additionally, our observations suggest that oncocytes act as epithelial progenitor cells and play a role in bicarbonate secretion. Since oncocytic metaplasia is associated with conditions of chronic acid injury, it is possible that oncocytes replace the mucous cells in deep esophageal glands (dEG) as an adaptive change to counteract injury from acid reflux. The marker characterization suggests that oncocytes may originate from transdifferentiation of myoepithelial and mucous cells. This transdifferentiation might lead to an overall decrease of mucins production and secretion by the dEG and a subsequent reduction of the protection conferred by the viscoelastic mucous layer.

Topics: beta Catenin; Cell Transdifferentiation; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Epithelium; Esophagus; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors; Immunohistochemistry; Keratin-5; Keratin-7; Ki-67 Antigen; Metaplasia; Mucins; Muramidase; Oxyphil Cells; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Stem Cells; Transcription Factors; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Lysozyme is as an innate enzyme with potent antibacterial properties found in Paneth cells in normal duodenal crypts. Since celiac disease concurs with an abnormal duodenal microbiota we explored the expression of lysozyme in this disease. Fifty-three duodenal biopsies were stained with anti-lysozyme: 15 had normal duodenal mucosa (NDM), 7 chronic active duodenitis (CAD), 3 borderline (BL), 17 subtotal villous atrophy (SVA) and 11 total villous atrophy (TVA). NDM showed lysozyme-positive Paneth cells arranged in "Indian file" in 93.3%. In contrast, lysozyme-positive mucus metaplasia in crypts (LPMMC) replacing Paneth cells was found in 71.5% in CAD, in 96.4% in SVA/TVA, and in 2 cases with B. In 19.3% cases with BL/SVA/TVA, LPMMC replaced all Paneth cells in all crypts in entire sections. In crypts and villi, lysozyme-positive goblet cells (LPGC) were found in 92.8%. Changes were more frequent in the duodenal bulb than in pars descendens. In normal duodenal mucosa, absorptive enterocytes and goblet cells migrate from stem cells upwards, while Paneth cells migrate downwards, towards the base of the crypts. In celiac disease stem cells seem to have been re-programmed, as the normal production of Paneth cells in the crypts was replaced by lysozyme-producing mucus cells. LPMMC and LPGC in celiac disease might mirror an antimicrobial adaptation of stem cells to signals generated by pathogenic duodenal bacteria. The molecular mechanism(s) behind the abrogation of Paneth cells in duodenal crypts and its substitution by LPMMC in celiac disease remains to be elucidated.

Topics: Celiac Disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Duodenitis; Duodenum; Female; Goblet Cells; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Metaplasia; Microvilli; Muramidase; Paneth Cells; Staining and Labeling

Methods of light, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were used to study the samples of maxillary sinus (MS) mucous membrane (MM) under normal conditions and in odontogenic sinusitis. To study the normal structure, the samples were obtained at autopsy from 26 human corpses 12-24 hours after death. Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study was performed on biopsies of grossly morphologically unchanged MS MM, obtained during the operations for retention cysts in 6 patients. MS MM in perforative sinusitis was studied using the biopsies obtained from 43 patients. The material is broken into 4 groups depending on perforative sinusitis duration. Under normal conditions, MS MM is lined with a pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. Degenerative changes of ciliated epithelial cells were already detected at short time intervals after MS perforations and become apparent due to reduction of specific volume of mitochondria and, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and increase of nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. In the globlet cells, the reduction of nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was associated with the disturbance of the secretory product release. At time intervals exceeding 3 months, epithelium underwent metaplasia into simple cuboidal and stratified squamous keratinized, while in MS MM lamina propria, cellular infiltration was increased. CD4+ cell content in sinus MM gradually increased, while at late periods after perforation occurrence it decreased. Low CD4+ cell count within the epithelium and the absence of muromidase on the surface of MS MM was detected. With the increase of the time interval since MS perforation, the number of CD8+ and CD20+ cells in MS MM was found to increase.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antigens, CD20; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; CD4-CD8 Ratio; Cilia; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Maxillary Sinus; Maxillary Sinusitis; Metaplasia; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucous Membrane; Muramidase; Young Adult

To investigate the effects of chronic smoking on the ocular surface and tear characteristics.. The Schirmer I-test, tear film break-up time, rose Bengal staining scores, impression cytology, tear lysozyme concentration, eye irritation symptoms, and eye irritation indices were determined for 44 eyes in 44 healthy, chronic smokers who had smoked six or more cigarettes per day for the previous year. Thirty-seven eyes in 37 healthy, non-smokers were assessed in the same masked manner for comparison. Cytological specimens were obtained from the temporal interpalpebral bulbar conjunctiva by 'impression' technique. Goblet cells were counted in the specimens obtained and squamous metaplasia was graded following epithelial cell morphology assessment.. In chronic smokers, we found decreased tear film break-up time (p=0.022) and tear lysozyme concentration (p=0.013), and increased Schirmer I-test values (p=0.047), squamous metaplasia scores (p=0.016), eye irritation scores (p<0.001) and eye irritation indices (p=0.013), as compared with the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in goblet cell counts (p=0.710) or rose Bengal staining scores (p=0.827).. These findings suggest that chronic smoking has a negative effect on the ocular surface and affects some tear characteristics. The chronic ocular irritative effects of cigarette smoking may lead to defects in ocular surface defence.

Topics: Adult; Cell Count; Chronic Disease; Conjunctival Diseases; Corneal Diseases; Epithelial Cells; Fluorescent Dyes; Goblet Cells; Humans; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Rose Bengal; Smoking; Staining and Labeling; Tears

It has been suggested that the behavior and function of Paneth cells in metaplasia are different from those found in normal intestinal mucosa. In this study, we investigated whether calnexin, a protein involved in secretory pathways, might be associated with differentiation and function of Paneth cells in normal small intestine, in complete intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, and in Paneth cell-rich adenomas. Differentiation and function of Paneth cells was monitored by Ki67, lysozyme, and morphologic features. Using a newly established monoclonal antibody, we found that calnexin is regularly synthesized by Paneth cells of normal small intestine. In these cells, the staining intensity of calnexin was inversely correlated with their content of secretory granules (lysozyme). In contrast, Paneth cells of intestinal metaplasia and Paneth cell-rich adenomas showed a reduced immunostaining of both calnexin and lysozyme. Moreover, these Paneth cells synthesized the proliferation marker Ki67, a phenomenon that was never observed in Paneth cells of normal small intestine. In vitro experiments using CaCo2 cells showed that the expression of calnexin is not directly affected by the induction of mitosis. In conclusion, calnexin probably reflects the status of Paneth cell differentiation and function. The results do not necessarily indicate that calnexin has a function in Paneth cell proliferation.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Caco-2 Cells; Calnexin; Cell Differentiation; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intestine, Small; Ki-67 Antigen; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Paneth Cells; Secretory Vesicles; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Stomach; Stomach Neoplasms

Paneth cell-like metaplasia has been reported in the epithelium of the epididymis and prostatic adenocarcinomas. We studied the expression of group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a marker of Paneth cell differentiation, in six orchiectomy specimens with Paneth cell-like metaplasia. Both immunohistochemistry for group II PLA2 protein and in situ hybridization for the mRNA of group II PLA2 gave negative results in all six cases but positive reaction for lysozyme. The results show that the cells of the Paneth cell-like metaplasia are not true Paneth cells.

Topics: Biomarkers; Cytoplasmic Granules; Epididymis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; Male; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Paneth Cells; Phospholipases A; Phospholipases A2; RNA, Messenger

We previously reported (Gray, T. E., K. Guzman, C. W. Davis, L. H. Abdullah, and P. Nettesheim. 1996. Mucociliary differentiation of serially passaged normal human tracheobronchial epithelial cells. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 14:104-112) that retinoic acid (RA)-deprived cultures of normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells became squamous, failed to produce mucin, and instead secreted or released large amounts of lysozyme (LZ). The purpose of the studies reported here was to elucidate the relationship between RA deficiency-induced squamous differentiation and increased LZ, and to determine what mechanisms were involved. We found that intracellular LZ began to accumulate in RA-deficient NHTBE cultures early during squamous differentiation. Between Days 10 and 18 of culture, cellular LZ levels were more than 10 times higher in RA-deficient than in RA-sufficient cultures. On Day 12, large numbers of cells began to exfoliate in RA-deficient cultures and extracellular LZ appeared at the apical surface, presumably released from the exfoliated cells. Metabolic labeling studies showed that the rate of LZ synthesis was not increased in RA-deficient cultures over that in RA-sufficient cultures; however, intracellular LZ half-life was much longer in RA-deficient cultures. We concluded that the increased accumulation of both intra- and extracellular LZ in RA-deficient cultures was due to increased LZ stability and was not the result of increased LZ synthesis. When RA-deficient cultures were treated on Day 7 with 10(-6) M RA, intracellular LZ levels did not substantially decrease until 3 d later, coinciding with a marked increase in mucin secretion. LZ messenger RNA levels were unchanged at 24 h, but were modestly increased (rather than decreased) at all subsequent time points. We concluded that RA does not directly regulate LZ, and that the excessive accumulation of LZ in RA-deprived NHTBE cells is a consequence of vitamin A deficiency-induced abnormal differentiation.

Topics: Bronchi; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Cornified Envelope Proline-Rich Proteins; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Keratinocytes; Membrane Proteins; Metaplasia; Mucins; Muramidase; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Time Factors; Trachea; Transcription, Genetic; Tretinoin

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix (mucinous type of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma, mucinous MDA), is a unique neoplasm that is difficult to diagnose owing to the deceptively benign appearance of the tumour cells. The present study was undertaken to explore the phenotypic expression of this tumour compared with those of non-neoplastic cervical tissues and of cervical carcinomas of various types. Ten cases of mucinous MDA, 50 cases with non-neoplastic cervical tissues, 13 of cervical adenocarcinoma including the mucinous (endocervical or intestinal type) and endometrioid types, and 2 of mucoepidermoid carcinoma were examined by various histochemical staining methods, including those for gastric mucins, pepsinogen, lysozyme, chromogranin A and carcinoembryonic antigen. The results revealed that mucinous MDA characteristically exhibited gastric phenotypes. The presence of gastric metaplasia was also demonstrated in 9 cases of mucinous MDA and in 5 of the other cases examined. The 7 endocervical-type adenocarcinomas also included 4 that expressed gastric phenotypes, and 2 of the 3 intestinal-type adenocarcinomas showed the same properties focally. These results indicate the presence of a group of lesions expressing gastric phenotypes in the uterine cervix and suggest a close relationship between these lesions. Cervical adenocarcinomas expressing gastric phenotypes are probably derived from MDA.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous; Adolescent; Adult; Chromogranin A; Chromogranins; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Mucins; Muramidase; Neuraminic Acids; Pepsinogens; Stomach; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cytodiagnosis; Gastric Mucosa; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactoferrin; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Serous Membrane

We have examined 38 stomachs with the adenocarcinoma and multiple submucosal gastric gland (SG) lesions. Almost the SG lesions consisted of the foveolar epithelium, which stained negative with alcian blue whereas the ordinary glands stained positive with con-A (III), or with both types of epithelium, and they had no atypicality. Only 14 out of 2,188 SG lesions (0.63%) showed atypical proliferation. Three hundred and forty-nine out of 1,535 SG that were examined by lysozyme staining were strongly lysozyme positive. Almost all the propria mucosa in the areas of the minute SG showed erosive lesions with an atrophy of ordinary glands, glandular erosion, and a regenerative epithelium. Eleven stomachs (11/38 cases, 29.0%) had multiple adenocarcinomas.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Stomach; Stomach Neoplasms

Ninety-two cases of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder were classified into the metaplastic or non-metaplastic type, based on the presence or absence of metaplastic changes in the tumour tissues. The differences in biological characteristics were compared between these tumour types. The metaplastic type was more common than the non-metaplastic type in females and the survival rate in this type was better than that in the non-metaplastic type. The modes of tumour spread also differed, the metaplastic type frequently showed lymphatic metastasis, whereas the non-metaplastic type often metastasized by direct invasion. The difference in prognosis might be explained by the different modes of tumour spread. This classification corresponded well to that of gastric carcinoma into intestinal type and diffuse type and the results suggest that it might provide a basis for evaluating various aspects of gallbladder carcinoma.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma; Female; Gallbladder Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; Muramidase; Prognosis; Time Factors

A total of 238 randomly selected gastric biopsies were examined with polyclonal antibodies from rabbits (antihuman-lysozyme and antihuman-lactoferrin) using the Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase-method according to Sternberger. The preparations were evaluated by comparing the intensity of the staining as well as the quantity and distribution of positive cells within the mucosa. The results show that lysozyme can be demonstrated constantly in the glandular neck zone and in the mucoid glandular body within the normal non-inflamed mucosa of the antrum, whereas in the normal corpus mucosa only a small amount of lysozyme appears focally and inconsistently in the neck area of the glands. A substantial increase in the intensity of lysozyme presentation due to inflammatory changes as related to the chronic superficial gastritis of the antrum cannot be discovered. On the contrary, the presentable amount of lysozyme decreases in line with the progressing inflammation and, in case of chronic-atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is restricted to the Paneth cells. A distinct and constant presentation of lysozyme can be achieved in the glandular neck zone, in the lower gastric pits and partially in the upper glandular body of the corpus mucosa in cases of chronic inflammatory processes. Obviously lysozyme is formed in the epithelial cells and not taken up from other cells. Furthermore it can be concluded from the findings that to a large extent lysozyme formation is linked to the proliferation activity of the epithelial cells. Lactoferrin cannot be found in normal non-inflammatory mucosa neither of the antrum nor of the corpus. But it can be found among most of the biopsy specimens with inflammatory changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biopsy; Campylobacter Infections; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Gastritis, Atrophic; Granulocytes; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase

A total of 89 gallbladders with various conditions were examined histologically and immunohistochemically to detect various kinds of metaplastic changes. The gallbladder mucosa of the fetus and normal gallbladder showed no metaplastic changes. In 32 cases of chronic cholecystitis, metaplastic changes, such as mucous gland metaplasia (23 cases), Paneth's cells (six cases), and goblet cells (four cases) were observed. All cases containing Paneth's cells or goblet cells showed simultaneous lysozyme immunoreactivity and also contained argyrophilic cells. Among 23 cases with mucous gland metaplasia, 15 cases showed lysozyme immunoreactivity, eight contained argyrophilic cells, and 16 showed lysozyme immunoreactivity and/or argyrophilic reaction. The other seven cases showed only mucous gland metaplasia without endocrine cells or lysozyme immunoreactivity. These results suggest that the presence of lysozyme and/or endocrine cells is a conventional marker of gastrointestinal metaplasia of the gallbladder mucosa. Using these markers, 14 (28.6%) of 49 cases of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder contained endocrine cells; 18 (36.7%) showed lysozyme immunoreactivity; and 25 (51.0%) contained at least one marker of endocrine cells or lysozyme immunoreactivity. These results suggest that at least half of adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder might be derived from metaplastic changes.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous; Adolescent; Adult; Argyria; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholecystitis; Cholelithiasis; Fetus; Gallbladder; Gallbladder Neoplasms; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Infant; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Precancerous Conditions; Serotonin; Staining and Labeling

The distribution of ferritin and lysozyme in 19 normal and abnormal duodenal biopsies was studied by an immunoperoxidase technique. The abnormal biopsies included cases of chronic duodenitis with gastric metaplasia, gastric heterotopia, villous atrophy, and a case of hemochromatosis. Ferritin is demonstrated in duodenal absorptive cells, with the staining being most intense in the hemochromatosis case. It was absent in duodenal cells showing gastric metaplasia and in the surface epithelial cells of most biopsies with villous atrophy and gastric heterotopia. Lysozyme-positive mononuclear inflammatory cells were markedly increased in all abnormal biopsies. Not all lysozyme-positive cells were ferritin positive. The latter were especially abundant in areas with gastric metaplasia. It is suggested that this abundance may be related to passive diffusion of intestinal contents, particularly iron, through the metaplastic areas, and consequently there may be a relationship between the presence of duodenal gastric metaplasia and uncontrolled iron absorption.

Topics: Atrophy; Biopsy; Choristoma; Duodenitis; Duodenum; Ferritins; Hemochromatosis; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestinal Mucosa; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Stomach Diseases

Epithelial distributions of immunoglobulin A, secretory component, lysozyme, and lactoferrin were studied by paired immunofluorescence staining in ethanol-fixed biopsy specimens from gastric antral and body mucosa. Fluorescence scores were assigned semiquantitatively for the epithelium in three mucosal zones (foveolar, isthmus, and glandular). In each case, degree of inflammation was graded blindly after conventional histologic staining of serial sections. The results showed that the overall epithelial expression of local defense factors was significantly enhanced in association with gastritis, both with regard to nonspecific antimicrobial substances (lysozyme and lactoferrin) and the external transfer of immunoglobulin A (mediated by secretory component) as a potential carrier of protective antibodies. The antral isthmus and glandular zones were most active in both respects. Despite the expression of relatively large amounts of epithelial immunoglobulin A and secretory component in metaplastic glands, these elements lacked the nonspecific defense factors (except for lysozyme in Paneth cells)--even when they occurred in the antral mucosa--and may, therefore, represent particularly vulnerable areas.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Secretory Component; Staining and Labeling

Five thousand seven hundred seventy-eight adenomas or adenomas containing carcinoma from 3215 patients were examined by routine histologic methods for the presence of epithelial metaplasias. Three forms of epithelial metaplasia were encountered: squamous cell metaplasia (0.44%), Paneth cell metaplasia (0.20%), and melanocytic metaplasia (0.017%). In several instances multiple forms of metaplasia were encountered in the same polyp. In those cases in which the paraffin blocks were available, a Grimelius stain was performed. Grimelius-positive cells were present in 63% of the adenomas containing a metaplastic cell type. All cases with Paneth cell differentiation were immunoreactive for lysozyme; all lesions containing areas of squamous differentiation were immunoreactive for keratin except 2. The histopathologic features of these cases are discussed, and it is concluded that rather than representing a true metaplastic process, Paneth cell, squamous cell, and melanocyte differentiation represent the full range of cellular differentiation that endodermally derived tissues can exhibit, particularly when they undergo neoplastic alterations.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Cell Differentiation; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Intestinal Polyps; Intestine, Large; Keratins; Male; Melanocytes; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Rectal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors

We studied goblet cell metaplasia and pseudopyloric gland metaplasia in 25 surgically removed, paraffin-embedded gallbladder specimens using mucin histochemistry, silver methods for endocrine cells, and the indirect immunoperoxidase method for 12 peptide hormones, secretory component, and lysozyme. Goblet cell metaplasia was closely related to the occurrence of endocrine cells that showed argentaffinity, argyrophilia, or immunoreactive gastrin, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, or motilin. Mucosal areas without goblet cell metaplasia were devoid of such endocrine cells. Metaplastic pseudopyloric glands showing lysozyme immunoreactivity were positive for class III mucin with paradoxical concanavalin A staining. Specimens with florid metaplastic lesions revealed a low tendency to form Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses whose cells never showed a metaplastic nature. We compared the pathophysiological significance of metaplastic lesions in the gallbladder with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach.

Topics: Endocrine Glands; Gallbladder; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunochemistry; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Secretory Component

Using an immunoperoxidase technique lysozyme (LZM) was identified in the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease in inflammatory cells of the lamina propria, in Paneth cells and in pseudopyloric gland metaplasia. These observations demonstrate a further analogy of pseudopyloric gland metaplasia with true pyloric glands, and may offer an additional explanation for the raised concentration of serum-LZM in patients with Crohn's disease.

Topics: Crohn Disease; Exocrine Glands; Humans; Ileum; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestinal Mucosa; Metaplasia; Muramidase; Pylorus

Gallbladders of 12 cases with chronic cholecystitis showing pseudopyloric glands (PPG) and of 18 cases with acute cholecystitis or chronic cholecystitis but without PPG were examined by the peroxidase - antiperoxidase (PAP) method using rabbit antibody against human lysozyme (LM). LM-immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm of PPG and, to a lesser extent, in the pits of epithelial crypts that gave rise to PPG. No LM was found in normal gallbladders; in cases of cholecystitis without PPG, LM-immunoreactivity was restricted to infiltrating inflammatory cells. The presence of LM in PPG suggests that PPG represent functional metaplastic areas, involved in the non-specific defence mechanisms through participation of LM.

Topics: Cholecystitis; Chronic Disease; Gallbladder; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Metaplasia; Muramidase

Topics: Animals; Appendicitis; Biological Evolution; Cell Division; Colitis, Ulcerative; Colonic Neoplasms; Crohn Disease; Ethionine; Gastritis; Germ-Free Life; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Intestines; Metaplasia; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome; Puromycin; Rats; Stomach Neoplasms; Stomach Ulcer; Triparanol; Whipple Disease; Zinc

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Appendix; Atrophy; Autopsy; Biopsy; Chronic Disease; Female; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Ileum; Intestine, Small; Male; Metaplasia; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Muramidase