Paneth cells in the developing gut: when do they arise and when are they immune competent? (original) (raw)

Pediatric Research volume 80, pages 306–310 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background:

Little is known about the perinatal development of Paneth cells (PCs) during gestation and the relation with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We aimed to investigate when PCs arise and when they become immune competent during gestation.

Methods:

We included 57 samples of ileum tissue of fetuses/infants with a gestional age (GA) between 9 and 40 wk taken as part of a standard autopsy procedure. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and anti-human defensin 5 immunohistochemistry were performed. We performed a semi-quantitative assessment of (immune-competent) PC numbers per 10 crypts per tissue section per GA.

Results:

The number of PCs and the number of immune-competent PCs increased with increasing GA (Spearman’s ρ = 0.41, P = 0.002 and ρ = 0.61, P < 0.001, respectively). Whereas significantly higher PC numbers were observed after 37 wk gestation (median 7, range 0–12) compared to preterm infants (median 0, range 0–15; P = 0.002), we counted higher numbers of immune-competent PCs already in infants with GA above 29 wk (median 6, range 0–18) compared to infants with GA under 29 wk (median 2, range 0–9; P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The significant increase of immune-competent PCs starting from a GA of 29 wk mimics the rise in incidence of NEC during a similar postmenstrual age in preterm infants.

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Acknowledgements

This study was part of the research program of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Research institute GUIDE, University of Groningen. We thank M. Norrie for editing the English language in the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
    Fardou H. Heida, Gaia Beyduz & Jan B.F. Hulscher
  2. Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen,
    Fardou H. Heida, Gaia Beyduz, Marian L.C. Bulthuis & Albertus Timmer
  3. University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
    Fardou H. Heida, Gaia Beyduz, Marian L.C. Bulthuis & Albertus Timmer
  4. Department of Neonatology, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
    Elisabeth M.W. Kooi & Arend F. Bos

Authors

  1. Fardou H. Heida
  2. Gaia Beyduz
  3. Marian L.C. Bulthuis
  4. Elisabeth M.W. Kooi
  5. Arend F. Bos
  6. Albertus Timmer
  7. Jan B.F. Hulscher

Corresponding author

Correspondence toFardou H. Heida.

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Heida, F., Beyduz, G., Bulthuis, M. et al. Paneth cells in the developing gut: when do they arise and when are they immune competent?.Pediatr Res 80, 306–310 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2016.67

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