Role of multipotent fibroblasts in the healing colonic mucosa of rabbits. Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study.

Light- and electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry were used to study the healing colonic mucosa of rabbits after experimental excision. Between 3 and 5 days, abundant young fibroblasts which retained many features of mesenchymal cells invaded the growing capillaries into the loose connective tissue of the healing colonic mucosa. Our electron microscopy revealed the transformation of these young fibroblasts into smooth muscle cells, into histiocyte-like cells involved in phagocytotic activity, and into vasoformative cells incorporated into the growing capillaries. The mitotic proliferation of pre-existing smooth muscle cells at the ulcer margin did not seem to be the major reason for re-establishment of the muscular tissue. The present immunocytochemistry revealed an active production of fibronectin in rough endoplasmic reticulum in the young fibroblasts. This may mean that this glycoprotein is involved in the re-establishment of both connective and muscular tissues by enhancement of adhesion and chemoattractant activities of such cells. In addition, the immunoreaction of endothelial cells of the growing capillaries suggests a role of this glycoprotein in the acceleration of the neocapillarization.