In vitro binding of FITC-labelled plant lectins to gastrointestinal cells in the hen (Galius domesticus)

Abstract

Binding of a panel of FITC-labelled lectins to deparaffinized histological sections from the crop, glandular stomach and duodenum of hens was studied. Succinyl-ConA produced a diffuse staining in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the three organs examined. In the epithelium of the crop, staining of the intercellular matrix by WGA, PHA, PNA and LCA displayed a net-like pattern. In the deep gastric glands, oxyntopeptic cells did not react with lectins except succinyl-ConA. Duodenal and gastric mucous cells were stained by WGA and PNA, but not by UEA-I or SNA-I. Binding of WGA and RPA-I to duodenal brush border was demonstrated. PHA did not attach to the brush border, which explains why this lectin is harmless if fed to chicken. The subepithelial connective tissue was strongly stained by LCA. The findings are discussed in relation to carbohydrate receptors and compared to the reactivity of mammalian tissues.