- Paneth cell
Paneth cells provide host defense against
microbes in thesmall intestine . They are functionally similar to neutrophils. When exposed tobacteria or bacterialantigen s, Paneth cells secrete a number ofantimicrobial molecule s into the lumen of the crypt, thereby contributing to maintenance of thegastrointestinal barrier . Paneth cells are named afterJoseph Paneth (1857–1890), Austrian physician.tem cells
Small intestinal crypts house stem cells that serve to constantly replenish
epithelial cells that die and are lost from thevilli .Protection of these
stem cells is essential for long-term maintenance of the intestinalepithelium , and the location of Paneth cells adjacent to stem cells suggests that they play a critical role in defending epithelial cell renewal.ecretions
Defensins
The principal defense molecules secreted by Paneth cells are alpha-defensins, also known as
cryptdin . [ cite journal | author = Wilson C, Ouellette A, Satchell D, Ayabe T, López-Boado Y, Stratman J, Hultgren S, Matrisian L, Parks W | title = Regulation of intestinal alpha-defensin activation by the metalloproteinase matrilysin in innate host defense. | journal = Science | volume = 286 | issue = 5437 | pages = 113–7 | year = 1999 | pmid = 10506557 | doi = 10.1126/science.286.5437.113] Thesepeptides havehydrophobic and positively-charged domains that can interact withphospholipids incell membranes . This structure allows defensins to insert into membranes, where they interact with one another to form pores that disrupt membrane function, leading to cell lysis. Due to the higher concentration of negatively-charged phospholipids in bacterial than vertebratecell membrane s, defensins preferentially bind to and disrupt bacterial cells, sparing the cells they are functioning to protect. [cite journal | author = Ayabe T, Satchell D, Wilson C, Parks W, Selsted M, Ouellette A | title = Secretion of microbicidal alpha-defensins by intestinal Paneth cells in response to bacteria. | journal = Nat Immunol | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 113–8 | year = 2000 | pmid = 11248802 | doi = 10.1038/77783]Paneth cells are stimulated to secrete defensins when exposed to bacteria (both Gram positive and negative types) or such bacterial products as
lipopolysaccharide ,muramyl dipeptide andlipid A .Other secretions
In addition to defensins, Paneth cells secrete
lysozyme andphospholipase A2 , both of which have clearantimicrobial activity. This battery of secretory molecules gives Paneth cells a potent arsenal against a broad spectrum of agents, including bacteria,fungi and even some envelopedvirus es.References
Further reading
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*External links
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* - "Endocrine System: duodenum, enteroendocrine cells"
* - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal - duodenum, paneth cells"
* [http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/smallgut/paneth.html Overview and diagram at colostate.edu]
* [http://meded.ucsd.edu/hist-img-bank/chapter_6/Slide_94_crypts_duodenum/pages/b.6.94.1.5.htm Histology at ucsd.edu]
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