Pseudopod-like basal cell processes in intestinal cholecystokinin cells.

ABSTRACT: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is secreted by neuroendocrine cells comprising 0.1%-0.5% of the mucosal cells in the upper small intestine. Using CCK promoter-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in transgenic mice, we have applied immunofluorescence techniques to analyze the morphology of CCK cells. GFP and CCK colocalize in neuroendocrine cells with little aberrant GFP expression. CCK-containing cells are either flask- or spindle-shaped, and in some cells, we have found dendritic processes similar to pseudopods demonstrated for gut somatostatin-containing D cells. Most pseudopods are short, the longest process visualized extending across three cells. Pseudopods usually extend to adjacent cells but some weave between neighboring cells. Dual processes have also been observed. Three-dime

SUBMITTER: Chandra R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4846361 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature