Corticosterone activity during early weaning reprograms molecular markers in rat gastric secretory cells

Author(s)

Zulian, Juliana Guimaraes ; Massarenti Hosoya, Larissa Yukari ; Figueiredo, Priscila Moreira ; Ogias, Daniela ; Osaki, Luciana Harumi ; Gama, Patricia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, MAR 31 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Gastric epithelial cells differentiate throughout the third postnatal week in rats, and become completely functional by weaning time. When suckling is interrupted by early weaning (EW), cell proliferation and differentiation change in the gastric mucosa, and regulatory mechanisms might involve corticosterone activity. Here we used EW and RU486 (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) to investigate the roles of corticosterone on differentia tion of mucous neck (MNC) and zymogenic cells (ZC) in rats, and to evaluate whether effects persisted in young adults. MNC give rise to ZC, and mucin 6, Mist1, pepsinogen a5 and pepsinogen C are produced to characterize these cells. We found that in pups, EW augmented the expression of mucins, Mist1 and pepsinogen C at mRNA and protein levels, and it changed the number of MNC and ZC. Corticosterone regulated pepsinogen C expression, and MNC and ZC distributions. Further, the changes on MNC population and pepsinogen C were maintained until early-adult life. Therefore, by using EW as a model for altered corticosterone activity in rats, we demonstrated that the differentiation of secretory epithelial cells is sensitive to the type of nutrient in the lumen. Moreover, this environmental perception activates corticosterone to change maturation and reprogram cellular functions in adulthood. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18459-0 - Cell differentiation in the gastric mucosa of rats: role of dietary patterns during postnatal development
• Grantee: Larissa Yukari Massarenti Hosoya
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 11/17415-3 - Postnatal development of gastric mucosa: interaction among feeding, hormones and growth factors
• Grantee: Patrícia Gama
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/21449-9 - Gene expression, cell differentiation and gastric functions: can alimentary changes during postnatal development disturb the growth program in rats?
• Grantee: Patrícia Gama
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/03076-0 - Cell differentiation in the gastric epithelium of rats: evaluation of corticosterone action
• Grantee: Juliana Guimarães Zulian
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master