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Title: HOW STICKY ARE DEVELOPING INSECT MIDGUT CELLS? IMMUNOCYTOLOGICAL STUDIES WITH FIBRONECTIN AND INTEGRIN (B1) ANTIBODIES ON DEVELOPING HELIOTHIS VIRESCENS MIDGUT STEM CELLS CULTURED IN VITRO

Author
item Loeb, Marcia
item HAKIM, RAZIEL - HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular And Developmental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lepidopteran midgut stem cells are located at the bases of the existing epithelium in vivo. They multiply just prior to the molt, and move into the existing monolayer of midgut epithelium where they differentiate to mature columnar and goblet cells. The existing pattern in which goblet cells are surrounded by columnar cells is maintained and the midgut is enlarged to suit the growing larva. Fibronectin and its receptor, (B) integrin indicate cell surface adhesive sites. Here we show most stem cells are immunologically positive to fibronectin and integrin (B1) subunit antibodies, but become negative as they elongate. Mature columnar cells exhibit a network of positively staining material overall, with an apically positive concentration to which weakly active young cells appear to attach in vitro. Mature goblet cells stain more weakly than columnar cells; unstained goblet cells are seen attached to more intensely stained columnar cells. Thus a hierarchy of stickiness seems to exist which may influence placement of developing columnar and goblet cells in the gut integument.