Cell-specific processing of chromogranin A in endocrine cells of the rat stomach

J Histochem Cytochem. 2001 Jan;49(1):9-18. doi: 10.1177/002215540104900102.

Abstract

The rat stomach is rich in endocrine cells. The acid-producing (oxyntic) mucosa contains ECL cells, A-like cells, and somatostatin (D) cells, and the antrum harbours gastrin (G) cells, enterochromaffin (EC) cells and D cells. Although chromogranin A (CgA) occurs in all these cells, its processing appears to differ from one cell type to another. Eleven antisera generated to different regions of rat CgA, two antisera generated to a human (h) CgA sequences, and one to a bovine (b) CgA sequence, respectively, were employed together with antisera directed towards cell-specific markers such as gastrin (G cells), serotonin (EC cells), histidine decarboxylase (ECL cells) and somatostatin (D cells) to characterize the expression of CgA and CgA-derived peptides in the various endocrine cell populations of the rat stomach. In the oxyntic mucosa, antisera raised against CgA(291-319) and CGA(316-321) immunostained D cells exclusively, whereas antisera raised against bCgA(82-91) and CgA(121-128) immunostained A-like cells and D cells. Antisera raised against CgA(318-349) and CgA(437-448) immunostained ECL cells and A-like cells, but not D cells. In the antrum, antisera against CgA(291-319) immunostained D cells, and antisera against CgA(351-356) immunostained G cells. Our observations suggest that each individual endocrine cell type in the rat stomach generates a unique mixture of CgA-derived peptides, probably reflecting cell-specific differences in the post-translational processing of CgA and its peptide products. A panel of antisera that recognize specific domains of CgA may help to identify individual endocrine cell populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins / immunology
  • Chromogranins / metabolism*
  • Enteroendocrine Cells / cytology
  • Enteroendocrine Cells / metabolism*
  • Frozen Sections
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Gastrin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Parietal Cells, Gastric / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Pyloric Antrum / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Somatostatin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Stomach / cytology

Substances

  • CHGA protein, human
  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins
  • Immune Sera
  • Peptide Fragments
  • chromogranin A, rat