A novel endocrine cell type in the guinea-pig gastric mucosa: cellular source of pro-enkephalin-derived peptides. A histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopical characterization.

A novel endocrine cell type has been identified in the guinea-pig gastric mucosa which preferentially occurs in the oxyntic area. Cells of this type exhibit immunoreactivities for bovine adrenal medulla dodecapeptide (BAM-12P) and in many cases for Met-enkephalin and are thus presumed to contain a pro-enkephalin-like precursor protein. Systematic immunohistochemical investigations show that these cells do not contain immunoreactivities for various enteric hormones, neuropeptides and biogenic amines (serotonin, histamine). However, they do contain immunoreactivity for chromogranin A, an acidic glycoprotein which is common to the majority of entero-endocrine cells. Using silver impregnation techniques BAM-12P immunoreactive cells prove to be argyrophil, but fail to react argentaffin. On the electron microscopical level, these cells contain a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and numerous polymorphous secretion granules which measure about 290 nm in diameter. The secretion granules are ovoid or pear-shaped but largely plump compared to those of enterochromaffin cells. Light and electron microscopical findings indicate that BAM-12P immunoreactive cells constitute an endocrine cell population of the gastric epithelium in addition to the "established" endocrine cells hitherto known in this location.