BACKGROUND: The intestinal epithelium is covered by a continuous layer of mucus which is secreted by well differentiated epithelial cells. Disregulation of the expression of mucins has been reported to have possible implications in the neoplastic process which affects intestinal mucosae. It is well known that preneoplastic and neoplastic tissues can express fetal phenotypic characteristics. AIMS: To assess whether the expression of mucin genes in the intestinal tract is linked to the stage of cellular differentiation and tissue development, by studying the expression of six mucin genes in human fetal small intestine and colon, and also adult tissues. METHODS: In situ hybridisation was used to study mRNA expression of MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC5AC, and MUC6 in 32 human embryos and fetuses (6.5-27 weeks gestation). Normal adult mucosae were used as controls. RESULTS: Three mucin genes, MUC2, MUC4, and MUC5AC, were differently expressed in fetal intestine compared with expression in normal adults. CONCLUSION: These differences in mucin gene expression suggest a possible regulatory role for these products in intestinal epithelial cell differentiation.
BACKGROUND: The intestinal epithelium is covered by a continuous layer of mucus which is secreted by well differentiated epithelial cells. Disregulation of the expression of mucins has been reported to have possible implications in the neoplastic process which affects intestinal mucosae. It is well known that preneoplastic and neoplastic tissues can express fetal phenotypic characteristics. AIMS: To assess whether the expression of mucin genes in the intestinal tract is linked to the stage of cellular differentiation and tissue development, by studying the expression of six mucin genes in human fetal small intestine and colon, and also adult tissues. METHODS: In situ hybridisation was used to study mRNA expression of MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC5AC, and MUC6 in 32 human embryos and fetuses (6.5-27 weeks gestation). Normal adult mucosae were used as controls. RESULTS: Three mucin genes, MUC2, MUC4, and MUC5AC, were differently expressed in fetal intestine compared with expression in normal adults. CONCLUSION: These differences in mucin gene expression suggest a possible regulatory role for these products in intestinal epithelial cell differentiation.
Authors: J P Aubert; N Porchet; M Crepin; M Duterque-Coquillaud; G Vergnes; M Mazzuca; B Debuire; D Petitprez; P Degand Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 1991-08 Impact factor: 6.914
Authors: N W Toribara; A M Roberton; S B Ho; W L Kuo; E Gum; J W Hicks; J R Gum; J C Byrd; B Siddiki; Y S Kim Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 1993-03-15 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Bin Dong; Yu-Quan Xie; Ke Chen; Tao Wang; Wei Tang; Wei-Cheng You; Ji-You Li Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-06-21 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Steven J McElroy; Lawrence S Prince; Jörn-Hendrik Weitkamp; Jeff Reese; James C Slaughter; D Brent Polk Journal: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol Date: 2011-07-07 Impact factor: 4.052
Authors: Daiju Ichikawa; Masanao Asano; Susan A Shinton; Joni Brill-Dashoff; Anthony M Formica; Anna Velcich; Richard R Hardy; Kyoko Hayakawa Journal: J Immunol Date: 2014-12-05 Impact factor: 5.422