PMID: 7540034Dec 1, 1994Paper

Tenascin may not be required for intestinal villus development

The International Journal of Developmental Biology
N DeslogesJ F Beaulieu

Abstract

Tenascin, a large extracellular matrix protein, is subject to complex spatial and temporal patterns of expression in the course of various organogenetic processes including the formation of the small intestinal villus. In the present study, the presence of tenascin was analyzed in human fetal colonic villi, which are transient structures that are programmed to disappear at the time of colonic mucosal remodeling. While the labeling of muscles and peripheral mesenchyme was similar in both segments, surprisingly the colonic villus cores were mostly devoid of tenascin as opposed to those of the small intestine. Western blot analysis revealed that the 220 and 320 kDa forms of tenascin were detected in both segments. However, the 200 kDa form present in small intestinal villi was absent in colonic villi. These data suggest that tenascin under its 200 kDa form is not required for villus formation.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cell Adhesion Molecules in the Brain

Cell adhesion molecules found on cell surface help cells bind with other cells or the extracellular matrix to maintain structure and function. Here is the latest research on their role in the brain.