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The amazing complexity of insect midgut cells: types, peculiarities, and functions

Cell and Tissue Research volume 377, pages 505–525 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

The insect midgut epithelium represents an interface between the internal and the external environment and it is the almost unique epithelial tissue by which these arthropods acquire nutrients. This epithelium is indeed able to produce digestive enzymes and to support vectorial transport of small organic nutrients, ions, and water. Moreover, it plays a key role in the defense against pathogenic microorganisms and in shaping gut microbiota. Another important midgut function is the ability to produce signaling molecules that regulate its own physiology and the activity of other organs. The two main mature cell types present in the midgut of all insects, i.e., columnar and endocrine cells, are responsible for these functions. In addition, stem cells, located at the base of the midgut epithelium, ensure the growth and renewal of the midgut during development and after injury. In insects belonging to specific orders, midgut physiology is deeply conditioned by the presence of unique cell types, i.e., goblet and copper cells, which confer peculiar features to this organ. This review reports current knowledge on the cells that form the insect midgut epithelium, focusing attention on their morphological and functional features. Notwithstanding the apparent structural simplicity of this organ, the properties of the cells make the midgut a key player in insect development and homeostasis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors apologize to colleagues whose work could not be cited due to space limitation. We are thankful to Daniele Bruno and Aurora Montali for figure preparation.

Funding

This work was financially supported by Fondazione Cariplo (grant no. 2014-0550) and by Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) (grant nos. 2017J8JR57 and 2017JLN833).

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  1. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Portici, NA, Italy

    Silvia Caccia

  2. Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Morena Casartelli

  3. Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Gianluca Tettamanti

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  1. Silvia Caccia
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Correspondence to Gianluca Tettamanti.

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Caccia, S., Casartelli, M. & Tettamanti, G. The amazing complexity of insect midgut cells: types, peculiarities, and functions. Cell Tissue Res 377, 505–525 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03076-w

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Keywords

  • Insect midgut
  • Midgut lumen pH
  • Columnar cell
  • Stem cell
  • Endocrine cell
  • Goblet cell
  • Copper cell