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- Title
The multifaceted Paneth cell.
- Authors
Porter, E M; Bevins, C L; Ghosh, D; Ganz, T
- Abstract
Paneth cells (PCs) were described over a century ago as granulated cells located at the base of small intestinal crypts, the 'crypts of Lieberkühn.' Various histochemical staining procedures were developed that identified PCs based on their distinctive granule-staining pattern. Early on, PCs were proposed to perform a specialized function other than absorption of digested nutrients, the predominant task of the small intestinal epithelium. Since then, many constituents of the PC granules have been biochemically characterized. The presence of various granule-associated antimicrobial substances and their release upon microbial challenge suggest that PCs function as specialized defense cells in the small intestine. Altered resistance to microbial infection in animal models with disrupted or augmented PC function provides further support for the host defense role of PCs. Other PC components suggest that PCs may also participate in the regulation of lumenal ionic composition, crypt development, digestion, and intestinal inflammation.
- Publication
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 2002, Vol 59, Issue 1, p156
- ISSN
1420-682X
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00018-002-8412-z