Immunohistochemical localization of gastrin/CCK-B receptors in the dog and guinea-pig stomach.

Gastrin/CCK-B receptors are involved in the regulation of several types of cells of the gastric mucosa, including the parietal cells, the ECL cells and the D cells. In this study, we aimed at localizing such receptors in the gastric mucosa. For this purpose, we prepared monospecific antibodies against two sequences of the canine gastrin/CCK-B receptor. Sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded corpus and antrum from dog and guinea-pig were immunostained with these antibodies. In parallel, sections were stained with antibodies against somatostatin. Staining with gastrin/CCK-B receptor antibodies was observed in a few, small epithelial cells in the bottom part of the corpus mucosa. Immunoreactive cells of the antral mucosa were structurally similar, but more frequent. The same cells also stained with somatostatin antibodies. In addition one of the gastrin/CCK-B antibodies reacted with canine submucosal smooth muscle cells. No staining was observed in sections exposed to antibodies that were pre-absorbed with the corresponding antigen. We conclude that gastrin/CCK-B receptors are present in D cells of the gastric mucosa and in submucosal smooth muscle cells.