Summary
This communication summarizes current concepts on amine mechanisms in two endocrine cell systems present in the gastric mucosa of the ten mammalian species studied. One of the cell systems consists of the 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing enterochromaffin cells, which are agyrophilic as well as argentaffin. The other system of cells, which have been referred to as “enterochromaffin-like” because of their morphological resemblance with the enterochromaffin cells, are also argyrophilic but not argentaffin. The enterochromaffin-like cells are devoid of histochemically detectable monoamines but can be made to produce and store dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine after administration of the immediate natural precursors. There is a considerable species variation regarding the number and distribution and the cytochemical properties of the two cell systems in the gastric mucosa. In the rat and mouse the enterochromaffin-like cells are the main storage site for gastric histamine. In all other species studied, gastric histamine is contained in mast cells exclusively. The enterochromaffin and enterochromaffin-like cells appear to be the main stores for the non-specific aromaticl-amino acid decarboxylase of gastric mucosa. Histidine decarboxylase has been demonstrated only in those enterochromaffin-like cells which contain histamine.
Recent observations indicate that these two cell systems are responsible for the production of gastrointestinal hormones and probably also for the antipernicious principle (“intrinsic factor”). It is suggested that in the enterochromaffin and enterochromaffin-like cells the capacity to produce amines and polypeptide (or protein) hormones is functionally interrelated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aures, D., andR. Håkanson: Amine formation in polypeptide-producing endocrine cells of the digestive tract. Europ. J. Pharmacol.3, 316–321 (1968).
Aures, D., Håkanson, andA. Schauer: Histidine decarboxylase and DOPA decarboxylase in the rat stomach. Properties and cellular localization. Europ. J. Pharmacol.3, 217–234 (1968a).
Aures, D., R. Håkanson, Ch. Owman, andB. Sporrong: Cellular stores of histamine and monoamines in the dog stomach. Life Sci.7, 1147–1153 (1968b).
Baumgarten, H.-G.: Über die Verteilung von Catecholaminen im Darm des Menschen. Z. Zellforsch.83, 133–146 (1967).
Erspamer, V.: Il sistema enterochromaffine ed i suoi rapporti con il sistema insulare. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-gesch.109, 586–608 (1939).
Erspamer, V., andB. Asero: Identification of enteramine, the specific hormone of the enterochromaffin cell system, as 5-hydroxytryptamine. Nature169, 800–801 (1952).
Falck, B.: Observations on the possibilities of the cellular localization of monoamines by a fluorescence method. Acta physiol. Scand.56, suppl. 197, 1–25 (1962).
Falck, B., andCh. Owman: A detailed methodological description of the fluorescence method for the cellular demonstration of biogenic monoamines. Acta Univ. Lund. Il7, 1–23 (1965).
Falck, B., N.-Å. Hillarp, G. Thieme, andA. Torp: Fluorescence of catechol amines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J. Histochem. Cytochem.10, 348–354 (1962).
Håkanson, R., andCh. Owman: Distribution and properties of amino acid decarboxylases in gastric mucosa. Biochem. Pharmacol.15, 489–499 (1966).
Håkanson, R., andCh. Owman: Concomitant histochemical demonstration of histamine and catecholamines in enterochromaffin-like cells of gastric mucosa. Life Sci.6, 759–766 (1967).
Håkanson, R., andCh. Owman: Argyrophilic reaction of histamine-containing epithelial cells in murine gastric mucosa. Experientia25, 625–626 (1969).
Håkanson, R., B. Lilja, andCh. Owman: Properties of a new system of aminestoring cells in the gastric mucosa of the rat. Europ. J. Pharmacol.1, 188–199 (1967).
Håkanson, R., B. Lilja, andCh. Owman: Cellular localization of histamine and monoamines in the gastric mucosa of man. Histochemie18, 74–86 (1969a).
Håkanson, R., Ch. Owman, andN.-O. Sjöberg: Cellular stores of gastric histamine in the developing rat. Life Sci.6, 2535–2543 (1967).
Håkanson, R., K. Lindstrand, L. Nordgren, andCh. Owman: Histamine-containing enterochromaffin-like cells: A possible storage site for rat gastric intrinsic factor. Europ. J. Pharmacol. In press (1969 b).
Håkanson, R., Ch. Owman, N.-O. Sjöberg, andB. Sporrong: Amine mechanisms in enterochromaffin and enterochromaffin-like cells in the gastric mucosa of various mammals. Histochemie. In press (1969 c).
Pearse, A. G. E.: Common cytochemical properties of cells producing polypeptide hormones, with particular reference to calcitonin and the thyroid C cells. Vet. Rec.79, 587–590 (1966).
Pearse, A. G. E.: Gastric enzyme histochemistry, with special reference to amine precursor uptake and the secretion of polypeptides. In: The Physiology of Gastric Secretion,L. S. Semb andJ. Myren eds, 92–96. Oslo and London: Universitetsforlaget and Williams & Wilkins, 1968.
Penttilä, A.: Histochemical reactions of the enterochromaffin cells and the 5-hydroxytryptamine content of the mammalian duodenum. Acta physiol. Scand.69, suppl. 281, 1–77 (1966).
Solcia, E., G. Vassallo, andR. Sampietro: Endocrine cells in the antro-pyloric mucosa of the stomach. Z. Zellforsch.81, 474–486 (1967).
Thunberg, R.: Localization of cells containing and forming histamine in the gastric mucosa of the rat. Exp. Cell Res.47, 108–115 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
With 6 Figures
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aures, D., Håkanson, R. & Owman, C. Formation and storage of amines in endocrine cells of gastric mucosa. J. Neuro-Viscer. Relat 31, 337–349 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02312736
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02312736