The colonic groove of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): histochemical evidence of an abrupt change in the glycosylation pattern of goblet cells

TANO DE LA HOZ M.F.; FLAMINI, M. A.; ZANUZZI C.N.; DÍAZ A.O.

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2017 vol. 278 p. 1606 - 1618

0362-2525

The ascending colon of most rodent species shows a longitudinal colonic groove that works as a retrograde transport pathway of a mixture of bacteria and mucus toward the cecum. The aim of the present study was to describe the morphology and glycosylation pattern of the colonic groove of Lagostomus maximus to analyze the role of mucins in this anatomical adaptation. We also studied the distribution pattern of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) to evaluate their regulatory influence on gut motility. The groove originated near the cecocolic junction and extended along the mesenteric side of the ascending colon, limited at both ends by non-papillated ridges. These ridges divided the lumen of the ascending colon into two compartments: a narrow channel and a large channel, called the groove lumen and the main lumen, respectively. The histochemical analysis revealed important differences between the glycosylation pattern of the goblet cells inside and outside the groove. Unlike the mucosa lining the main lumen of the colon, the groove was rich in goblet cells that secrete sulfomucins. The PA/Bh/KOH/PAS technique evidenced an abrupt change in the histochemical profile of goblet cells, which presented a negative reaction in the groove and a strongly positive one in the rest of the colonic mucosa. The anti-c-kit immunohistochemical analysis showed different ICC subpopulations in the ascending colon of L. maximus. Of all types identified, the ICC-SM were the only ones located solely within the colonic groove. The abrupt change in the ascending colon?s histochemical profile at the level of the ridges suggests a key role of the mucus pattern of glycosylation in the functioning of the L. maximus groove. The results of the present study provide significant data that may help to understand the role of mucins and ICC in the functioning of this anatomical adaptation.