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Laminins in the developing and adult human small intestine: Relation with the functional absorptive unit
Author(s) -
Teller Inga C.,
Auclair Joëlle,
Herring Elizabeth,
Gauthier Rémy,
Ménard Daniel,
Beaulieu JeanFrançois
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21186
Subject(s) - biology , crypt , laminin , small intestine , microbiology and biotechnology , epithelium , immunofluorescence , messenger rna , immunology , endocrinology , gene , extracellular matrix , biochemistry , genetics , antibody
The expression of the five laminin α‐chains was analyzed in the developing and mature human small intestine at the protein and transcript levels in order to further delineate specific involvement of individual laminins in relation to the epithelial cell state as defined along the functional crypt‐villus axis. The results show that all of the α‐laminin transcripts are expressed in significant amounts in the small intestine relative to a panel of other tissues and organs. Further analysis of their expression by indirect immunofluorescence and semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR demonstrates a close correlation between transcript and protein expression, distinct epithelial and mesenchymal origins, as well as differential occurrence in intestinal basement membranes according to developmental stage, along the crypt‐villus axis and in compartment‐related experimental intestinal cell models. Taken together, the data point out the prime importance of α2‐, α3‐, and α5‐containing laminins for the development and maintenance of the functional human intestinal epithelium. Developmental Dynamics 236:1980–1990, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.