AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 256, Issue 2 319-G327, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society
Effect of Yersinia enterocolitica on intestinal mucin secretion
M. Mantle, E. Thakore, J. Hardin and D. G. Gall
Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Mucin and glycoprotein synthesis and secretion were evaluated in the upper,
mid, and distal small intestine and in the proximal colon of rabbits
infected with Yersinia enterocolitica (YE). Infected (INF) animals were
examined on day 6 and compared with pair-fed controls and unmanipulated
weight-matched rabbits. Tissue mucin content in vivo and mucin secretion in
vitro, measured by a specific immunoassay, were significantly elevated in
all four regions of the gut of INF rabbits compared with both control
groups. In vitro secretion of stored glycoprotein, prelabeled with
[3H]glucosamine, was not increased in the upper and mid small intestine of
INF animals but was significantly elevated in the distal small intestine
and proximal colon. In vitro incorporation of [14C]glucosamine was
increased in all four regions of the gut of INF rabbits, but secretion of
newly synthesized [14C]glycoprotein was only significantly elevated in the
distal small intestine and proximal colon. A graded response was observed
down the intestinal tract of INF rabbits, with the greatest increase in
mucin content, synthesis and secretion occurring in the distal small
intestine and proximal colon where the morphological impact of disease is
also most severe.
