Summary
Argyrophilic and argentaffin cells occur in the stomach and intestinal epithelium of the sea-squirt, Ciona intestinalis L.. These cells are characterized by their basal swelling which contains the nucleus surrounded by small secretory granules and by a filamentous cell-apex which reaches the gut lumen. The cells are scattered unevenly within the epithelium. Their number decreases rapidly towards the lower part of the intestine. The localization, size of granules and their shape are features which differentiate these cells from other secretory cells in the gut epithelium such as mucous cells. These cells are thought to possess an endocrine function.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Davidson, J.K., Falkmer, S., Mehrotra, B.K., Wilson, S.: Insulin assays and light microscopical studies of digestive organs in Protostomian and Deuterostomian species and in Coelenterates. Gen. comp. Endocr. 17, 388–401 (1971)
Dawson, I.: The endocrine cells of the gastro-intestinal tract. Histochem. J. 2, 527–549 (1970)
Erspamer, V.: Presenza di enteramina o di una sostanza enteraminosimile negli estratti gastrointestinali e splenici dei pesci e negli estratti gastroenterici delle Ascidie. Experientia (Basel) 2, 369–371 (1946)
Erspamer, V., Asero, B.: Identification of enteramine, the specific hormone of the enterochromaffin cell system, as 5-hydroxytryptamine. Nature (Lond.) 169, 800 (1952)
Falkmer, S.: Insulin production in vertebrates and invertebrates. Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl. 3, 184–191 (1972)
Falkmer, S., Emdin, S., Havn, N., Lundgren, G., Marques, M., Östberg, Y., Steiner, D.F., Thomas, N.W.: Insulin in invertebrates and cyclostomes. Amer. Zool. 13, 625–638 (1973)
Forssmann, W.G.: Ultrastructure of hormone — producing cells of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In: Origin, chemistry, physiology and pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal hormones (W. Creutzfeldt, ed.), pp. 31–70. Stuttgart-New York: F.K. Schattauer 1970
Fritsch, H.A.R., Van Noorden, S., Pearse, A.G.E.: Cytochemical and immunofluorescence investigations on insulin-like producing cells in the intestine of Mytilus edulis L. (Bivalvia). Cell Tiss. Res. 165, 365–369 (1976)
Gerzelli, G.: Presence of Enterochromaffin cells in the gut of Amphioxus. Nature (Lond.) 189, 237–238 (1961)
Gerzelli, G.: Le cellule enterochromaffini nei Tunicati. Pubbl. staz. zool. Napoli 33, 117–124 (1963)
Grimelius, L.: A silver nitrate stain for α2-cells in human pancreatic islets. Acta Soc. med. Upsal. 73, 243–270 (1968)
Pearse, D.G.E.: Common cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of cells producing polypeptide hormones (the APUD series) and their relevance to thyroid and ultimobranchial C cells calcitonin. Proc. roy. Soc. B 170, 72–80 (1968)
Pearse, A.G.E.: The cytochemistry and ultrastructure of polypeptide hormone producing cells of the APUD series and the embryologic, physiologic and pathologic implication of the concept. J. Histochem. 17, 303–313 (1969)
Pearse, A.G.E.: The endocrine polypetide cells of the APUD series (structural and functional correlations). Mem. Soc. Endocr. 19, 543–556 (1971)
Pearse, A.G.E.: The gut as an endocrine organ. Proceedings of an International Conference on the Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry of Intestinal Adaptation (R.H. Dowling and E.O. Riecken, eds.), pp. 21–32. Stuttgart-New York: F.K. Schattauer 1974
Polak, J.M., Bussolati, G., Pearse, A.G.E.: Cytochemical, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural investigations on the antral G cells in hyperparathyroidism. Virchows Arch. Abt. B 9, 187–197 (1971)
Solcia, E., Sampietro, R., Capella, C.: Differential staining of catecholamines, 5-hydroxytryptamine and related compounds in aldehyde-fixed tissues. Histochemie 17, 273–283 (1969)
Solcia, E., Vassallo, G., Capella, C.: Cytology and cytochemistry of hormone producing cells of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In: Origin, chemistry, physiology and pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal hormones (W. Creutzfeld, ed.), pp. 3–30. Stuttgart-New York: F.K. Schattauer 1970
Thomas, N.W.: Morphology of cell types from the gastric epithelium of Ciona intestinalis. J. mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 50, 737–746 (1970)
Van Noorden, S., Greenberg, J., Pearse, A.P.E.: Cytochemical and immunofluorescence investigation on polypeptide hormone localization in the pancreas and gut of the larval lamprey. Gen. comp. Endocr. 19, 192–199 (1972)
Van Noorden, S., Pearse, A.G.E.: Immunoreactive polypeptide hormones in the pancreas and gut of the lamprey. Gen. comp. Endocr. 23, 311–324 (1974)
Welsh, J.H., Loveland, R.E.: 5-Hydroxytryptamine in the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis L. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 27, 719–722 (1968)
Wilson, S., Falkmer, S.: Starfish insulin. Canad. J. Biochem. 43, 1615–1624 (1965)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The excellent technical assistance of Mrs. R. Sprang is gratefully acknowledged
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fritsch, H.A.R. The occurrence of argyrophilic and argentaffin cells in the gut of Ciona intestinalis L.. Cell Tissue Res. 175, 131–135 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220829
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220829