Characteristic expression of γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate decarboxylase in rat jejunum and its relation to differentiation of epithelial cells

AIM:To investigate the expression between γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate decarboxylase and its relation with differentiation and maturation of jejunal epithelial cells in rat jejunum. METHODS:Immunohistochemical expression of GABA and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, including two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67) was investigated in rat jejunum.Meanwhile, double staining was performed with GAD65 immunohistochemistry, followed by lectin histochemistry of fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin.Furthermore, evaluation of cell kinetics in jejunum was conducted by 3 Hthymidine autoradiography and immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). RESULTS:The cells showing positive immunoreactivity GABA and GAD65 were mainly distributed in the villi in rat jejunum, while jejunal epithelial cells were negative for GAD67.Positive GABA or GAD65 staining was mainly located in the cytoplasm and along the brush border of epithelial cells in the middle and upper portions.In addition, a few GABA and GAD65 strongly positive cells were scattered in the upper two thirds of jejunal villi.Double staining showed that GAD65 immunoreactivity was not found in goblet cells.3 H-thymidine-labeled nuclei were found in the lower and middle portions of jejunal crypts, which was consistent with PCNA staining.Therefore, GABA and GAD65 were expressed in a maturation or functional zone. CONCLUSION:The characteristic expression of GABA and GAD suggests that GABA might be involved in regulation of differentiation and maturation of epithelial cells in rat jejunum.