Distribution of ghrelin-positive mast cells in rat stomach

Abstract

It is known that the gastrointestinal peptide hormone ghrelin is expressed in human and rodent B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, monocytes and natural killer cells. However, there are no data about ghrelin expression by mast cells. These facts, as well as the common progenitor cells of mast cells and the above-mentioned immune cells, motivated us to undertake the current work in order to prove that like other granulocytes, rat gastric mast cells are capable of immunohistochemical expression of ghrelin. Gastric wall sections of Wistar rats were studied immunohistochemically for detection of ghrelin and tryptase and histochemically for toluidine blue in order to identify ghrelinpositive mast cells as well as to establish their localization and distribution. Results showed that mast cell granules expressed ghrelin. The ghrelin-positive mast cells were the least numerous as compared to tryptase-positive mast cells and toluidine blue-positive mast cells. Based on the observed expression of ghrelin in granules of mast cells localized in the rat gastric wall, we suggested that this type of cell can be regarded as an important source of ghrelin and suggested that ghrelin may exert different physiological functions, such as regulation of muscular, epithelial and glandular functions.

Ghrelin Expression in Mast Cells of Infant Lung with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

“…Ninety-seven percent (97%) of these cells were observed in alveolar septa and 3% in vascular walls, but no metachromatic cells were found within the alveoli. In the current study we used anti-tryptase antibody to identify mast cells which express GHR as we did in our previous study in rat stomach [8]. It is known that Try plays a key role in allergic diseases by amplifying the responses of mast cells to diff erent stimuli including allergens [29].…”

“…Ghrelin immunoreactivity in MCs was established in the serosal, muscular, submucosal and mucosal layers of the rat stomach [8]. Thus, the authors suggested that these cells are probably an important source of GHR with a variety of physiological functions, such as regulation of stomach epithelial, glandular and muscular functions.…”