The distribution and chemical coding of enteroendocrine cells in Trypanosoma cruzi -infected individuals with chagasic megacolon

In this study, we investigated the distribution and chemical coding of EEC in the dilated and non-dilated portion ofT. cruzi-induced megacolon and in non-infected individuals (control colon). Using immunohistochemistry, EECs were identified by applying antibodies to chromogranin A (CgA), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), peptide YY (PYY) and somatostatin (SST). Greater numbers of EEC expressing GLP-1 and SST occurred in the dilated portion compared to the non-dilated portion of the same patients with Chagas disease and in control colon, but numbers of 5-HT and PYY EEC were not significantly different. However, it was noticeable that EEC in which 5-HT and PYY were co-expressed were common in control colon, but were rare in the non-dilated and absent in the dilated portion of chagasic megacolon. An increase in the number of CgA immunoreactive EEC in chagasic patients reflected the increases in EEC numbers summarised above. Our data suggests that the denervation and associated chronic inflammation are accompanied by changes in the number and coding of EEC that could contribute to disorders of motility and defence in the chagasic megacolon.
Source: Histochemistry and Cell Biology - Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research