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. 2022 Sep 17;11(9):1366.
doi: 10.3390/biology11091366.

Detecting Intestinal Goblet Cells of the Broadgilled Hagfish Eptatretus cirrhatus (Forster, 1801): A Confocal Microscopy Evaluation

Alessio Alesci  1 , Simona Pergolizzi  1 , Serena Savoca  2   3 , Angelo Fumia  4 , Angelica Mangano  1 , Marco Albano  1 , Emmanuele Messina  1 , Marialuisa Aragona  5 , Patrizia Lo Cascio  1 , Gioele Capillo  2   3 , Eugenia Rita Lauriano  1
Affiliations

Detecting Intestinal Goblet Cells of the Broadgilled Hagfish Eptatretus cirrhatus (Forster, 1801): A Confocal Microscopy Evaluation

Alessio Alesci et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

The fish intestine operates as a complicated interface between the organism and the environment, providing biological and mechanical protections as a result of a viscous layer of mucus released by goblet cells, which serves as a barrier against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and contributes to the functions of the immune system. Therefore, goblet cells have a role in preserving the health of the body by secreting mucus and acting as sentinels. The ancient jawless fish broadgilled hagfish (Eptatretus cirrhatus, Forster, 1801) has a very basic digestive system because it lacks a stomach. By examining the presence, localization, and co-localization of 5-HT, TLR2, iNOS, and Piscidin1, this study intends to provide insight into the potential immune system contributions arranged by the gut goblet cells of broadgilled hagfish. Our results characterize intestinal goblet cells of broadgilled hagfish, for the first time, with the former antibodies, suggesting the hypothesis of conservation of the roles played by these cells also in primitive vertebrates. Moreover, this study deepens the knowledge about the still little-known immune system of hagfish.

Keywords: Eptatretus cirrhatus; confocal microscopy; goblet cells; gut; immune system.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Intestine sections of broadgilled hagfish stained with Mallory Trichrome and AB/PAS, 20× and 40× scale bars of 20 and 40 µm. Zigzag ridges constitute the mucosa, which also contains scattered immune cells (IC) and visible zymogenous cells (ZC). Furthermore, goblet cells (GC) can be identified based on the type of secretion. Numerous ovoid-shaped goblet cells with acidophilic secretion are highlighted in blue by AB/PAS.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunofluorescence of 5-HT and TLR2 in the intestine of hagfish, 40×, scale bar 20 nm. Immunopositivity of goblet cells to 5-HT (green) and TLR2 (red) is evident (arrows). In addition, some neuroendocrine cells are highlighted with 5-HT (*). The colocalization of the two antibodies is confirmed by the “display profile” function. TL = transmitted light.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunofluorescence of iNOS and Piscidin1 in the intestine of hagfish, 40×, scale bar 20 nm. Immunopositivity of goblet cells to iNOS (green) and Piscidin1 (red) is noticeable (arrows). The colocalization of the two antibodies is confirmed by the “display profile” function. TL = transmitted light.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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