Immunofluorescent Localization of Secretin and Enteroglucagon in Human Intestinal Mucosa

Abstract

The two distinct endocrine polypeptide (APUD) cells responsible for the production and storage of secretin and enteroglucagon have been demonstrated, in human foetal and adult intestinal mucosa, with an indirect immunofluorescence technique. This result has been achieved, using anti-pure porcine secretin and anti-pure porcine pancreatic glucagon, with carbodiimide-fixed cryostat sections. The cytological, cytochemical, and ultra-structural characteristics of the cells are essentially similar to those found in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Secretin cells are restricted to the upper small intestine while enteroglucagon is predominantly a hormone of its distal portion.

Key-words:

• Endocrine polypeptide
• glucagon
• immunofluorescence
• intestinal mucosa
• secretin