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Principal cell types in the pancreatic islet of a teleost fish, Xiphophorus helleri H.

A correlative light and electron microscopic investigation

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Summary

By means of correlative light and electron microscopy, five pancreatic islet cell categories are described in the teleost fish, Xiphophorus helleri, each of which has specific light microscopic appearance and fine structure. Different histochemical techniques have been used, including immunofluorescence with antiporcine insulin and glucagon sera. In addition to B- and A1-cells, two categories of A2-cells have been observed, both reacting with antiporcine glucagon serum: A2-cells with round granules gave a positive reaction for tryptophan; A2-cells with crystalline granules gave a negative reaction with the same staining technique on the same section. The “clear cells”, the last category, were not specifically stained by any of the staining methods carried out in this investigation. The influence of fixation on staining affinities and on ultrastructure was shown to be considerable.

Résumé

Cinq catégories cellulaires sont décrites dans l'îlot endocrine du poisson téléostéen Xiphophorus helleri. Chacune est définie par un ensemble de caractères histochimiques et ultrastructuraux, ce qui peut être fait avec certitude grâce à l'étude comparée de coupes ultra-fines et sémi-fines successives. Les techniques d'immunofluorescence ont été appliquées à du matériel préparé pour la microscopie électronique, à l'aide de sérums anti-glucagon et anti-insuline de porc. Un des résultats les plus intéressants est la démonstration de l'existence de 2 catégories de cellules A2: les cellules Adams positives, qui ont des grains de sécrétion amorphes et de section circulaire (≪ cellules à grains ronds ≫) et les cellules Adams négatives, dont de nombreux grains sont des cristaux (≪cellules à grains cristallins≫). Les cellules B et les cellules A1 constituent deux autres types cellulaires. Les ≪cellules claires≫, qui ne réagissent à aucune des techniques employées, représentent un type cellulaire distinct des précédents. L'influence de la fixation se révèle très importante, aussi bien sur les affinités tinctoriales des cellules que sur leurs caractères ultrastructuraux.

The authors are grateful to Mrs. L.G. Heding, Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, for antiporcine insulin and glucagon sera, to Dr. S. Syed Ali, Elektronenmikroskopie, Zentrum für Anatomie und Cytobiologie, Universität Giessen, for preparing FITC-labeled γ-globulin, and to Mr. D. Streicher, Laboratoire de Zoologie et Embryologie expérimentale, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, for technical assistance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Zoologie et Embryologie expérimentale, Université Louis Pasteur, France

    Catherine Klein

  2. Laboratoire de Physiologie comparée des Régulations (CNRS), Strasbourg, France

    Catherine Klein

  3. Elektronenmikroskopie, Zentrum für Anatomie und Cytobiologie, Justus Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Rainer H. Lange

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Supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg (grant La 229/4) and by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Bonn-Bad Godesberg.

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Klein, C., Lange, R.H. Principal cell types in the pancreatic islet of a teleost fish, Xiphophorus helleri H.. Cell Tissue Res. 176, 529–551 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231406

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