HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shatos, M. A. Articles by Dartt, D. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Shatos, M. A. Articles by Dartt, D. A.

Isolation, Characterization, and Propagation of Rat Conjunctival Goblet Cells In Vitro

From the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

 
PURPOSE. To isolate, culture, and characterize goblet cells from the conjunctiva of rats.

METHODS. Conjunctival tissue was surgically removed from Sprague-Dawley rats. Goblet cells were then isolated from the nictitating membrane and fornix using explant cultures. Cells derived from the explants were grown and propagated in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. They were characterized using an enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), Western blot analysis, PCR, light and electron microscopy, specialized histochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS. Goblet cells were successfully isolated from conjunctival explants by scraping nongoblet cells from the culture vessel. To date, cultures have been passaged a minimum of three times without the loss of their specific cellular markers. Cells identified as goblet cells fulfilled the following criteria: positive staining for alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff reagent, cytokeratin (CK)-7, the lectins UEA-I and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), MUC5AC, and M₃ muscarinic receptor; detection of MUC5AC mRNA using RT-PCR; and negative staining for CK-4, M₁ muscarinic receptor, and Banderia simplicifolia lectin. The authors also measured, using the ELLA, substantial amounts of UEA-I–detectable high-molecular-weight glycoproteins and MUC5AC released into the medium.

CONCLUSIONS. Cultured goblet cells retain many characteristics of goblet cells in vivo and thus may serve as a useful tool in delineating the pathobiology of the ocular surface.

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

 
The epithelium comprising the conjunctiva is classified as a nonkeratinizing, stratified squamous epithelium consisting of several layers.¹ Goblet cells, which are highly specialized epithelial cells, are located in the apical surface of the conjunctiva, interspersed among the layers of stratified epithelium.^{2 3} These cells are readily identified by their extensive apical accumulation of secretory vesicles^{4 5} and can occur either singly, as in humans and other mammals,^{6 7 8} or in clusters, as found in the conjunctiva of adult rats.⁹ Irrespective of species, goblet cells are primarily responsible for the secretion of the inner mucous layer of the tear film, which provides a physical and chemical barrier to protect the ocular surface from dryness or other deleterious environments and/or a variety of noxious agents.^{10 11 12 13}

In this regard, goblet cells synthesize, store, and secrete high-molecular-weight glycoproteins referred to as mucins, which when secreted have the ability to hydrate and gel, producing a protective scaffolding over the ocular surface.^{14 15} Maintenance of this covering is essential to the health of the corneal and conjunctival surfaces. Inability or interference in the ability of goblet cells to secrete normal levels of mucin can lead to pathologic abnormalities within the conjunctiva. Mucin deficiency often results as a consequence of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, alkali burns, and neurotrophic keratitis. In contrast, overproduction of mucin due to excessive goblet cell secretion or proliferation is thought to be mediated by activated T-cells and macrophages in a chronic conjunctivitis, such as atopic keratoconjunctivitis.^{16 17 18 19} These diseases and their sequelae can eventually lead to deterioration of the ocular surface.

The importance of goblet cells as the major source of ocular mucin has been recognized and, as such, these cells have been widely studied. Yet, the pathogenesis of goblet cell abnormalities is currently not well understood. A system to monitor goblet cell differentiation and function on the individual cell level would be useful. At the present time, much of the information collected on goblet cells is limited, because it is often extrapolated from studies using whole mounted or sectioned conjunctival tissue or is derived from neoplastic cell lines that mimic only select functions of goblet cells. This limitation has been largely due to the inability to successfully and consistently isolate and culture goblet cells without altering their phenotype and/or function. It is often necessary to use a variety of complex culture media as well as artificial matrices for the cells to attach.^{20 21 22} These techniques, however, do not always ensure growth, propagation, and preservation of cellular function.

Our primary purpose in this study was to develop a method by which we could simply and reproducibly isolate and subculture conjunctival goblet cells, which would exhibit morphologic, histochemical, immunocytochemical, and biochemical markers indicative of goblet cells in vivo and retain these markers after subcultivation. We present evidence herein that primary cultures of goblet cells can be isolated from fragments of rat conjunctiva using a modified explant culture system. Primary and passaged cultures of rat goblet cells obtained from the fornical region of the conjunctiva, specifically the nictitating membrane, reacted positively with alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff’s reagent (AB/PAS) and with the goblet cell specific lectins, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1) and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), similar to their counterparts in vivo. They also showed positive, selective staining for the intermediate filament cytokeratin (CK)-7 and the mucin MUC5AC (selective markers for goblet cells in vivo) and secreted mucin into their culture medium. MUC5AC mRNA was also detected using RT-PCR in these cultured goblet cells. Moreover, these same markers persisted after subcultivation.

	Materials and Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

 
RPMI-1640 culture medium, L-glutamine, penicillin-streptomycin, Hanks’ balanced salt solution, and trypsin-EDTA solution were obtained from BioWhittaker (Walkersville, MD) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) from HyClone Laboratories (Logan, UT). Falcon tissue culture flasks, pipettes, and other routine plastics were obtained from Becton Dickson Labware (Franklin Lakes, NJ); glass coverslips from VWR Scientific (San Francisco, CA); and Laboratory Tek chamber slides from Nunc, Inc. (Naperville, IL). Monoclonal antibody against CK7 was from ICN (San Francisco, CA) and antibody against Ki-67 was from Novocastra Labotatories, Ltd. (New Castle-upon-Tyne, UK). UEA-1 and HPA lectins, directly conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or Texas red, were obtained from Pierce (Rockford, IL); Banderia simplicifolia lectin (BS-1) conjugated to FITC from Vector Laboratories (Burlingame, CA); and polyclonal antibodies against M₁ and M₃ acetylcholine receptor (AchR) subtypes from Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (Berkeley, CA). All other chemicals, unless otherwise specified, were obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). The CK-4 antibody was purchased from ICN (Costa Mesa, CA) and was a gift of James Zieske, Schepens Eye Research Institute (Boston, MA). Ilene Gipson, Schepens Eye Research Institute provided antibodies to rat and human MUC5AC,²³ and Marcia Jumblatt, University of Louisville School of Medicine, (Louisville, Kentucky) provided the antibody to human MUC5AC.²⁴

Isolation and Culture of Cells
All removal of tissue and subsequent manipulations of animals used in this study conformed to the guidelines established by the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research and were approved by the Schepens Eye Research Institute Animal Care and Use Committee. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were used in this study and were obtained from Taconic Farms (Germantown, NY). Male rats were used to avoid possible gender-related differences in goblet cell biology. Rats were anesthetized for 1 minute in CO₂, decapitated, and both eyes surgically removed. Conjunctival tissue, more specifically the nictitating membranes and fornix, were excised and immediately placed into Hanks’ balanced salt solution containing 3x penicillin-streptomycin (300 µg/ml). The fornix was identified as the band running along the most posterior part of the fold at the junction of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva. The lower, nasal portion of the fornix was grasped and lifted, and it was cut from the conjunctiva. Tissue was finely minced into 1-mm³ pieces that were anchored onto either scored culture dishes or onto glass coverslips placed within six-well culture dishes. Approximately 18 to 36 explants were obtained from each animal. The yield was usually dependent on the size of the animal. One piece of tissue was anchored per tissue culture well. The culture dishes contained just enough medium to cover the bottom of the dish so that the tissue would receive nutrients through surface tension. Cell medium used to feed explants and culture goblet cells consisted exclusively of RPMI -1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 100 µg/ml penicillin-streptomycin. Explants were refed every 2 days with this medium and were grown under routine culture conditions of 95% O₂-5% CO₂ at 37°C.

Cells were permitted to grow from the tissue plug until evenly spaced nodules were evident, forming a circular pattern around the plug, which was then removed and discarded. At this juncture, all cells that grew outside this circular perimeter were removed by scraping the bottom of the dish with a rubber policeman. Goblet cells and occasional cells that assumed a neuronal morphology were then observed to grow from these nodules. However, cells that appeared neuronal in shape were transient and short-lived, whereas goblet cells persisted and eventually covered the remainder of the culture vessel. Some cultures were trypsinized and passaged after reaching confluence. Not every culture of goblet cells that grew from a single nodule was able to reach confluence. For those that did, it usually required at least 3 weeks of growth and regular feeding for cells to cover the surface of the dish. Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization of confluent, adherent cells with 0.05% trypsin-0.53 mM EDTA (pH 7.4). The inoculation density of passaged cultures was approximately 5 to 10 x 10⁴ cells per well.

Preparation of Rat Conjunctival Sections
The entire conjunctiva was removed from male rats, fixed in 4% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; 145 mM NaCl, 7.3 mM Na₂HPO₄, 2.7 mM NaH₂PO₄ [pH 7.2]), and preserved overnight in 30% sucrose in PBS at 4°C. The conjunctiva was then frozen in optimal-cutting embedding compound, and sections (6 µm) were cut and placed on gelatin-coated slides for use in histochemical and immunohistochemical experiments.

Histochemistry
Cells were fixed with 100% methanol and processed for AB/PAS²⁵ and lectin histochemistry. Goblet cells examined for lectin histochemistry were grown on chamber slides, glass coverslips, or plastic tissue culture wells, rinsed in PBS, and fixed in 100% methanol for 15 minutes at room temperature before they were returned to fresh PBS. Fixed cells were incubated in blocking buffer that consisted of 1% BSA and 0.2% Triton X-100 in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Cells then were incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with either UEA-1 conjugated directly to FITC diluted 1:100 in PBS, BS-1 conjugated to FITC diluted 1:200, or HPA conjugated to Texas red and diluted 1:100 in PBS.

Immunocytochemistry
Methanol-fixed cells were examined for the presence of CK-4 and -7 and for MUC5AC. Slides with cultured goblet cells were incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature in blocking buffer that contained 1% BSA and 0.2% Triton-X in PBS. Cells were then incubated with the following dilutions of primary antibodies for 1 hour at room temperature: Antibody to CK-7, which recognizes a goblet cell–specific keratin, was diluted 1:15 in PBS²⁶ ; antibody to CK-4, specific for stratified, squamous, nongoblet epithelial cells, was diluted 1:10 in PBS²⁶ ; antibody to rat MUC5AC, specific for mucin produced by goblet cells, was diluted 1:2000 and 1:4000 in PBS; and antibody to human MUC5AC was diluted 1:1000 in PBS. To investigate the proliferation profile of cultured goblet cells, antibody to human Ki-67 nuclear antigen was diluted 1:100 in PBS. For muscarinic receptor subtypes M₁ and M₃, methanol-fixed cells were incubated in blocking buffer that contained 1.5% normal goat serum and 0.2% Triton X-100 in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. Their respective antibodies were each diluted 1:2000 in PBS and incubated overnight at 4°C. The secondary antibodies, conjugated to either FITC or rhodamine were diluted 1:200 in PBS and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. Slides, coverslips, or dishes were washed 3 times in PBS, after which coverslips were mounted with a media containing 100 mM Tris (pH 8.5), 25% glycerol, 10% polyvinyl alcohol, and 2.5% 1,4-diazobicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane. Cells were viewed by inverted phase-contrast microscope equipped for fluorescence (Eclipse TE 300; Nikon, Inc., Melville, NY), and cells adherent to glass coverslips or microscope slides were visualized with a fluorescence microscope (Eclipse E 800; Nikon). Negative controls consisted of substituting PBS for the primary antibody. Positive controls included frozen and/or fixed sections of rat conjunctiva containing prominent goblet cells.

RNA Isolation and RT-PCR
Total RNA was isolated from lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, and goblet cell cultures using Trizol (Gibco-BRL, Life Technologies, Rockville, MD). Purified RNA was subjected to reverse transcription in buffer containing 5 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 9), 50 mM KCl, 0.1% Triton X-100, 1 mM each dNTP, 0.5 µg oligo(dT)₁₅, 1 µg total RNA, 15 U reverse transcriptase (AMV; Promega, Madison, WI), and 1 U recombinant RNasin (Promega) for 1 hour at 42°C. The cDNA was amplified by PCR with 0.75 U Taq polymerase (Promega) in buffer containing 1.5 mM MgCl₂. PCR was performed using primers for rat MUC5AC.²⁷ Primer sequences were as follows: MUC5AC 3' primer, 5'-GCC CTC CGG ACA GAA GCA GCC TTC-3', and MUC5AC 5' primer, 5'-GGC CAG TGC GGC ACT TGC ACC AAC-3'. The amplification reaction was performed in a thermal cycler (PCR Sprint; Thermo Hybaid, Ashton, UK). The conditions were: 5 minutes at 94°C, followed by 30 cycles of denaturation for 30 seconds at 94°C, amplification for 1 minute at 57°C, and extension for 1 minute at 72°C. Amplified cDNA was analyzed by electrophoresis on a 1% agarose gel in buffer containing 89 mM Tris borate (pH 8.3) and 2 mM EDTA and viewed by ethidium bromide staining.

Transmission Electron Microscopy
Cell-conditioned medium was removed from confluent cultures of goblet cells, after which monolayers were washed with cacodylate buffer pH 7.3. Cells were fixed with cacodylate-buffered Karnovsky solution, postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, and embedded in Epon according to standard transmission electron microscopy techniques. Thin sections, mounted on copper grids, were stained with lead citrate and examined with a transmission electron microscope (model 410; Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands).

Measurement of Goblet Cell Mucin Secretion
Cell-conditioned medium was collected at various time points after placement of the explant into culture (48–72 hours) to measure the amount of mucin released by goblet cells. The amount of high-molecular-weight glycoconjugate (an index of mucin secretion) was determined by enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) with a biotinylated lectin, UEA-1, known to react with specific carbohydrates present in terminal sugars on mucins synthesized, stored, and secreted by goblet cells.²⁸ The ELLA was performed according to the manufacturer’s protocol (Pierce), as previously described.²⁹ In brief, biotinylated UEA-1 was used at 2 µg/ml; streptavidin, conjugated to alkaline phosphatase, was used at 1 µg/ml; and the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate was used at 2.5 mM. A 250-µl aliquot of the cell-conditioned medium was placed on a titer microplate (MaxiSorb; Nunc, Inc.), and dried overnight at 40°C. Nonspecific binding sites were blocked with 3% BSA, 0.05% Tween-20, and 0.15 M NaCl in 0.25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5). Wash buffer contained 0.3% BSA, 0.05% Tween-20, and 0.15 M NaCl in 0.25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5). The amount of UEA-1–detectable glycoconjugates in the goblet cell–conditioned medium was determined in duplicate using a microplate reader (model MR 700; Dynex Technologies, Ashton, UK). A standard curve was constructed using bovine submaxillary gland mucin.

Electrophoresis and Immunoblotting
Medium was removed from cells of varying ages that had been refed within 48 hours, pooled, and stored at 4°C. The remaining cells were scraped and collected into homogenization buffer containing 30 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 10 mM EGTA, 5 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 10 mg/ml phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and 5 units/ml aprotinin. Cells were further lysed by sonication and, whenever necessary, by freeze-thawing the cell pellet. To determine the presence of MUC5AC, a goblet cell–specific mucin, and the glycoconjugate recognized by UEA-1, proteins present in goblet cell–conditioned medium and cell lysates were separated by SDS-PAGE with 6% gels and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes as described by Towbin et al.³⁰ To measure UEA-1–detectable glycoconjugates, the membranes were blocked overnight at 4°C in 5% dried milk in TBST consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 500 mM NaCl, and 0.05% Tween-20 and then incubated with biotinylated UEA-1 (1:100) for 1 hour at room temperature. The nitrocellulose membranes were washed three times with TBST and then incubated with a 1:2500 dilution of horseradish peroxidase-labeled streptavidin in TBST for 1 hour The membranes were washed three times, after which the UEA-1–reactive glycoconjugates were visualized using enhanced chemiluminescence. Homogenized adult rat conjunctival tissue was used as a positive control. To detect MUC5AC, membranes were blocked for 1 hour, as described earlier, and incubated with anti-human MUC5AC antibody (1:500) in 5% dried milk overnight at 4°C.²⁴ The membranes were washed and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with a secondary antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase in 5% dry milk. They were washed and developed using enhanced chemiluminescence, as before.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

 
Growth and Morphology of Goblet Cells in Culture
As early as 24 hours after establishment of the organ culture, adherent cells were visible around most sides of the tissue plug. By 36 to 48 hours, the cells were clearly observed displaying a cobblestone morphology. Within 7 to 10 days of culture, evenly spaced nodules were visible forming a circular pattern around the plug of conjunctival tissue (Fig. 1) . Not every explant gave rise to nodules. Those that were nodule-free were routinely discarded. In initial attempts at locating goblet cells within this mixed population of cells AB/PAS, a well-documented stain for glycoconjugates in fixed tissue sections, was used.²⁵ The nodules depicted in Figure 1 reacted strongly to AB/PAS, displaying a dark blue stain indicative of acidic mucin (data not shown).

View larger version (169K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Phase contrast micrograph showing a representative explant culture of rat conjunctival tissue grown in RPMI-1640 culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Cells grew out of the tissue plug within days of establishment of the culture. Magnification, x40.

View larger version (58K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Phase contrast micrographs illustrating the growth patterns of conjunctival explants in vitro. (A) When examined closely, each nodule (arrow) appeared to be the source of numerous goblet cells that traversed the underlying epithelial cells. (B) The single cells moved along the epithelium until they found an empty space and adhered to the bottom of the culture flask, exhibiting a cobblestone morphology. (C) The goblet cells contained tiny translucent droplets on their surfaces that were similar in appearance to mucin. (D) As goblet cells grew in vitro, so did the droplets. They often appeared as if the mucin droplets were released from the cells and secreted into the cell medium. Magnification, x100.

View larger version (69K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Immunocytochemical reaction of the nuclear antigen Ki-67 with primary cultures of goblet cells. Goblet cells in primary and passaged culture reacted positively with Ki-67, which selectively stains the nuclei of cells actively engaged in proliferation. Magnification, x200.

View larger version (65K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Histochemical reactivity of primary cultures of goblet cells to AB/PAS. (A) Goblet cells stained intensely with AB/PAS, indicating the presence of both acidic (blue) and neutral (pink) glycoconjugates associated with the cells. (B) Goblet cells that appeared to contain secretory droplets on their surface also reacted strongly to AB/PAS staining a pinkish color, whereas the droplets themselves stained bright red, indicating the presence of a neutral mucin product. (C) As a positive control, secretory products present in goblet cells of the conjunctiva reacted positively to AB/PAS. epi, epithelium. Magnification, (A) x100; (B) x600; (C) x200.

View larger version (123K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 5. Lectin histochemistry confirmed that UEA-1, which recognizes the L-fucose moiety of glycoproteins, labeled both (A) the secretory product in primary cultures of rat conjunctival goblet cells and (B) the secretory product in goblet cells located in the conjunctiva. In addition, both primary culture goblet cells (C) and goblet cells present in sections of rat conjunctiva (D) were reactive to HPA, which recognizes L-galactosamine within their secretory granules. epi, epithelium. Magnification, x200.

View larger version (39K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 6. Immunocytochemical localization of MUC5AC indicated that secretory products of (A) primary cultures of goblet cells and (B) goblet cells located in conjunctival tissue (positive control) contained this mucin. Almost all cultured cells were positive for MUC5AC, when visualized with fluorescence microscopy. (C) Ethidium bromide–stained gel of MUC5AC RT-PCR in RNA isolated from lacrimal gland (negative control), cultured goblet cells, and rat conjunctiva (positive control). MW, molecular weight marker; epi, epithelium. Magnification, (A, B) x100.

View larger version (64K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 7. (A) Cultured goblet cells and (B) goblet cells in conjunctival sections displayed intense immunocytochemical staining for CK-7, a specific marker of intermediate filaments associated exclusively with goblet cells.26 epi, epithelium. Magnification, x200.

View larger version (64K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 8. Immunocytochemical reactivity of goblet cells to the muscarinic receptor subtype 3 (M3) is shown in (A) a primary, mixed conjunctival explant culture and (B) in rat conjunctival tissue. Only goblet cells stained for the M3 receptor. epi, epithelium. Magnification, x100.

View larger version (53K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 9. Transmission electron micrographs of two representative cultured goblet cells sectioned en face. These cells displayed degrees of cell polarity and the presence of numerous intact secretory granules. Magnification, x6000.

View larger version (17K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 10. Western blot analysis of (A) UEA-1–containing high-molecular-weight glycoprotein and (B) MUC5AC in cultured goblet cells and homogenized conjunctival epithelium.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

Previous reports of systems developed for culturing goblet cells in vitro are limited. Goblet cell cultures derived from airway epithelia of hamsters, rats, and humans^{39 40 41} have been in use for several years. By comparison, the development of systems to culture conjunctival goblet cells is still in its infancy. Among the methods that have been used to study these cells are the following: sectioning of conjunctival tissue combined with a battery of histochemical staining, immunocytochemical localization, transmission electron microscopy and in situ hybridization,^{5 42 43 44} histochemical staining of wholemounted tissue,^{5 8} PAS staining of filter paper strips applied to the conjunctival surface,⁴⁵ phalloidin labeling of excised conjunctiva⁴⁶ and neutral protease removal of viable sheets of conjunctival epithelium,³ and growth of conjunctival cells on various substrata, including natural extracellular matrix components, fibroblast feeder layers, collagen, and commercial substrate (Matrigel; Becton Dickinson Labware).^{20 21 22} These systems are limited, in that they yield indirect information that requires extrapolation to the goblet cell in vivo. Conjunctival cells have been grown from a variety of tissues including human, but no reproducible, characterized system by which goblet cells can be propagated has been reported.

The present study demonstrates that rat conjunctival goblet cells can be isolated from the fornix, specifically the nictitating membrane of the fornix, using a modified explant culture system. Moreover, the cells can be grown and propagated in uncoated tissue culture vessels and nourished in a simple, basic culture medium supplemented only with FBS, L-glutamine, and antibiotics. Cultures derived in this manner can be kept relatively (>90%) pure by scraping contaminating cell types from the culture dish. We demonstrated that cultured goblet cells proliferate in vitro and that they can be passaged at least three times with full retention of identifying cellular markers and functional activity.

The cultured goblet cells described in this study fulfilled the following criteria, which enabled us to readily identify them as conjunctival goblet cells. Morphologically, although the cultured cells did not assume the typical in vivo goblet cell morphology, they contained numerous secretory vesicles and secreted droplets of mucin and, as they matured in culture strands of mucin, these cells were observed on top of the cultures. When analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, well-described goblet cell morphology was observed, with cytoplasm filled with numerous translucent, distinct secretory vesicles, thus supporting the fact that the cultured cells were not other types of epithelial cells. Histochemically, the cytoplasm of most cultured cells as well as their associated mucin droplets and strands reacted with AB/PAS.

We infrequently observed a cohort of goblet cells in the cultures that did not react with AB/PAS. Most of these unreactive cells appeared to be grouped into two categories: large, senescent cells with extensive numbers of empty vacuoles within the cytoplasm or sparse clusters of small cells interspersed among cells of similar morphology that were reactive to AB/PAS. Adams and Dilly³³ have also demonstrated that there are goblet cells in the conjunctiva that do not stain with PAS, PAS-hematoxylin, or alcian blue, when used either singly or in combination. Cultured goblet cells showed positive reactivity to the goblet cell–associated lectins UEA-1 and HPA. However, not all goblet cells reacted with UEA-1 and HPA simultaneously. Because AB/PAS and lectins interact with the secretory product of goblet cells, loss of staining could indicate that the cells have secreted their contents and thus are not labeled with these markers. It is also possible, in the case of lectins that bind to specific carbohydrate moieties, that the nonreactive cells reflect differences in glycosylation of the mucin protein core. The immunocytochemical markers CK-7 and MUC5AC and the muscarinic receptor M₃ were expressed by cultured cells. Moreover, cultured goblet cells were biochemically functional in vitro by retention of their ability to secrete mucin.

Proliferating goblet cells in culture, which fulfill morphologic, histochemical, immunocytochemical, and functional markers and functions of their in vivo counterparts may be invaluable tools with which to study the many facets of goblet cell mucin synthesis and secretion in a direct, controlled, and reproducible manner. Furthermore, the use of cultured goblet cells decreases dependence on using and/or killing large numbers of animals to derive the same information. It is anticipated that the availability of large numbers of cultured goblet cells will make it possible to gain new information on their molecular, cellular, and functional contribution to the development of novel therapies designed to alleviate aberrant mucin-induced diseases of the ocular surface.

	Acknowledgements

 
The authors thank Patricia Pearson and Veronica Chau for excellent technical assistance and J. Wayne Streilein and Michael J. Young for generously providing access to their respective tissue culture and microscopy facilities.

	Footnotes

 
Supported by National Institutes of Health Grant EY09057.

Submitted for publication July 20, 2000; revised January 26, 2001; accepted February 23, 2001.

Commercial relationships policy: N.

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Corresponding author: Marie A. Shatos, Schepens Eye Research Institute, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114. shatos{at}vision.eri.harvard.edu

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Gipson, IK (1994) Anatomy of the conjunctiva, cornea and limbus Smolin, G Thoft, R eds. The Cornea ,3-24 Little, Brown Boston.
2. Wei, ZG, Wu, RL, Lavker, RM, Sun, TT (1993) In vitro growth and differentiation of rabbit bulbar fornix and palpebral conjunctival epithelia Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 34,1814-1828[Abstract/Free Full Text]
3. Geggel, HS, Gipson, IK (1985) Removal of viable sheets of conjunctival epithelium with dispase II Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 26,15-22[Abstract/Free Full Text]
4. Jeffery, PK, Gaillard, D, Maret, S. (1992) Human airway secretory cells during development and in mature airway epithelium Eur Respir J 5,93-104[Abstract]
5. Huang, AJ, Tseng, SC, Kenyon, KR (1988) Morphogenesis of rat conjunctival goblet cells Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 29,969-975[Abstract/Free Full Text]
6. Kessing, SV (1968) Investigations of the conjunctival mucin (quantitative studies of goblet cells of the conjunctiva) Acta Ophthalmol 95(suppl 1),1-33
7. Latkovic, S. (1979) The ultrastructure of the normal conjunctival epithelium of the guinea pig. III: the bulbar zone, the zone of the fornix and the supranular zone Acta Ophthalmol 57,305-320
8. Tseng, SCG, Hirst, LW, Farazdaghi, M, Green, WR (1984) Goblet cell density and vascularization during conjunctival transdifferentiation Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 25,1168-1176[Abstract/Free Full Text]
9. Srinivasan, BD, Worgul, BV, Iwamoto, T, Merriam, GR (1997) The conjunctival epithelium. II: histochemical and ultrastructural studies on human and rat conjunctiva Ophthalmic Res 9,65-79
10. Lamberts, DW (1994) Physiology of the tear film Smolin, G Thoft, R eds. The Cornea ,439-483 Little, Brown Boston.
11. Nichols, BA, Chioppino, ML, Dawson, CR (1985) Demonstration of the mucous layer of the tear film by electron microscopy Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 26,464-473[Abstract/Free Full Text]
12. Gibbons, RJ (1982) Review and discussion of the role of mucus in mucosal defense Strober, W Hanson, L Sell, K eds. Recent Advances in Mucosal Immunity ,343-351 Raven Press; New York.
13. Lemp, MA, Holly, FJ, Iwata, S, Dohlman, C. (1970) The precorneal tear film. I: factors in spreading and maintaining a continuous tear film over the corneal surface Arch Ophthalmol 83,89-94[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
14. Chao, CW, Butala, SM, Herp, A. (1988) Studies on the isolation and composition of human ocular mucin Exp Eye Res 47,185-196[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
15. Steuhl, KP (1989) Ultrastructure of the conjunctival epithelium Dev Ophthalmol 19,1-104[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
16. Lemp, MA (1973) The mucin-deficient dry eye Int Ophthalmol Clin 13,185-189[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
17. Tseng, SCG, Hirst, L, Maumenee, A, Kenyon, KR, Sun, TT, Green, WR (1984) Possible mechanisms for the loss of goblet cells in mucin-deficient disorders Ophthalmol 91,545-552
18. Gilbard, JP, Rossi, SR (1990) Tear film and ocular surface changes in a rabbit model of neurotrophic keratitis Ophthalmology 97,308-312[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
19. Lemp, MA (1992) Basic principles and classification of dry eye disorders Lemp, M Marquardt, R eds. The Dry Eye: A Comprehensive Guide, ,101-132 Springer-Verlag Berlin.
20. Sun, T, Green, H. (1977) Cultured epithelial cells of cornea, conjunctiva and skin: absence of marked intrinsic divergence of their differentiated states Nature 269,489-493[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
21. Rheinwald, J, Green, H. (1977) Epidermal growth factor and the multiplication of cultured human epidermal keratocytes Nature 265,421-424[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
22. Tsai, RJF, Tseng, SCG (1988) Substrate modulation of cultured rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 29,1565-1576[Abstract/Free Full Text]
23. Gipson, IK, Yankauckas, M, Spurr-Michaud, SJ, Tisdale, AS, Rinehart, W. (1992) Characteristics of a glycoprotein in the ocular surface glycocalyx Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33,218-227[Abstract/Free Full Text]
24. Jumblatt, MM, McKenzie, RW, Jumblatt, JE (1999) MUC5AC mucin is a component of the human precorneal tear film Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 40,43-49[Abstract/Free Full Text]
25. Sheehan, DC, Hrpchack, BB (1980) Theory and Practice of Histochemistry CV Mosby St. Louis.
26. Krenzer, KL, Freddo, TF (1997) Cytokeratin expression in normal human bulbar conjunctiva obtained by impression cytology Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 38,142-152[Abstract/Free Full Text]
27. Borchers, MT, Wert, SE, Leikauf, GD (1998) Acrolein-induced MUC5ac expression in rat airways Am J Physiol 274,L573-L581[Abstract/Free Full Text]
28. Kawano, K, Uehara, F, Sameshina, M, Ohba, N. (1984) Application of lectins for detection of goblet cell carbohydrates of the human conjunctiva Exp Eye Res 38,439-447[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
29. Rios, JD, Zoukhri, D, Rawe, IM, Hodges, RR, Zieske, JD, Dartt, DA (1999) Immunolocalization of muscarinic and VIP receptor subtypes and their role in stimulating goblet cell secretion Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 40,1102-1111[Abstract/Free Full Text]
30. Towbin, H, Staehelin, T, Gordon, J. (1979) Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets: procedures and some applications Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76,4350-4354[Abstract/Free Full Text]
31. Gerdes, J, Schwab, T, Gordon, J. (1983) Production of a mouse monoclonal antibody reactive with a human nuclear antigen associated with cell proliferation Int J Cancer 31,13-20[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
32. Gerdes, J, Schwab, U, Lemke, H, Stein, H. (1984) Cell cycle analysis of a cell proliferation-associated human nuclear antigen defined by the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 J Immunol 133,1710-1715[Abstract]
33. Adams, GG, Dilly, PN (1989) Differential staining of ocular goblet cells Eye 3,840-844
34. Inatomi, T, Spurr-Michaud, SJ, Tisdale, AS, Zhan, Q, Feldman, ST, Gipson, IK (1996) Expression of secretory mucin genes by human conjunctival epithelia Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37,1684-1692[Abstract/Free Full Text]
35. Setzer, PY, Nichols, BA, Dawson, CR (1987) Unusual structure of rat conjunctival epithelium: light and electron microscopy Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 28,531-537[Abstract/Free Full Text]
36. Moore, CP, Wilsman, NJ, Nordheim, EV, Majors, LJ, Collier, LL (1987) Density and distribution of canine conjunctival goblet cells Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 28,1925-1932[Abstract/Free Full Text]
37. Oduntan, AO (1992) The inferior conjunctiva of the monkey Acta Anat (Basel) 143,178-181[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
38. Breithnach, R, Spitznas, M. (1998) Ultrastructure of the paralimbal and juxtacaruncular human conjunctiva Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 226,567-575
39. Wu, R, Nolan, E, Turner, C. (1985) Expression of tracheal differentiated functions in serum-free hormone-supplemented medium J Cell Physiol 125,167-181[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
40. Kaartinen, L, Nettesheim, P, Adler, KB, Randell, SH (1993) Rat tracheal epithelial cell differentiation in vitro In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 29A,481-492
41. Wu, R, Martin, WR, Robinson, CB, et al (1990) Expression of mucin synthesis and secretion in human tracheobronchial epithelial cells grown in culture Am J Respir Cell Biol 3,467-478
42. Greiner, JV, Weidman, TA, Korb, DR, Allansmith, MR (1985) Histochemical analysis of secretion vesicles in nongoblet conjunctival epithelial cells Acta Ophthalmol 63,89-92[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]
43. Allansmith, MR, Baird, RS, Greiner, JV (1981) Density of goblet cells in vernal conjunctivitis and contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis Arch Ophthalmol 99,884-885[Abstract]
44. Kinoshita, S, Kiorpes, TC, Friend, J, Thoft, RA (1983) Goblet cell density in ocular surface disease: a better indicator than tear mucin Arch Ophthalmol 101,1284-1287[Abstract]
45. Adams, AD (1979) The morphology of human conjunctival mucus Arch Ophthalmol 97,730-734[Abstract]
46. Gipson, IK, Tisdale, AS (1997) Visualization of conjunctival goblet cell actin cytoskeleton and mucin content in tissue whole mounts Exp Eye Res 65,407-415[Medline][Order article via Infotrieve]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Shatos, J. Gu, R. R. Hodges, K. Lashkari, and D. A. Dartt ERK/p44p42 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Mediates EGF-Stimulated Proliferation of Conjunctival Goblet Cells in Culture Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., August 1, 2008; 49(8): 3351 - 3359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Li, D. Carlsson, C. Lohmann, E. Suuronen, S. Vascotto, K. Kobuch, H. Sheardown, R. Munger, M. Nakamura, and M. Griffith Cellular and nerve regeneration within a biosynthetic extracellular matrix for corneal transplantation PNAS, December 23, 2003; 100(26): 15346 - 15351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. Gukasyan, K.-J. Kim, R. Kannan, R. A. Farley, and V. H. L. Lee Specialized Protective Role of Mucosal Glutathione in Pigmented Rabbit Conjunctiva Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2003; 44(10): 4427 - 4438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Shatos, J. D. Rios, Y. Horikawa, R. R. Hodges, E. L. Chang, C. R. Bernardino, P. A. D. Rubin, and D. A. Dartt Isolation and Characterization of Cultured Human Conjunctival Goblet Cells Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., June 1, 2003; 44(6): 2477 - 2486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Horikawa, M. A. Shatos, R. R. Hodges, D. Zoukhri, J. D. Rios, E. L. Chang, C. R. Bernardino, P. A. D. Rubin, and D. A. Dartt Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase by Cholinergic Agonists and EGF in Human Compared with Rat Cultured Conjunctival Goblet Cells Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., June 1, 2003; 44(6): 2535 - 2544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Kanno, Y. Horikawa, R. R. Hodges, D. Zoukhri, M. A. Shatos, J. D. Rios, and D. A. Dartt Cholinergic agonists transactivate EGFR and stimulate MAPK to induce goblet cell secretion Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, April 1, 2003; 284(4): C988 - C998. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M. Joussen, V. Poulaki, N. Mitsiades, S. U. Stechschulte, B. Kirchhof, D. A. Dartt, G.-H. Fong, J. Rudge, S. J. Wiegand, G. D. Yancopoulos, et al. VEGF-Dependent Conjunctivalization of the Corneal Surface Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2003; 44(1): 117 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. Gukasyan, V. H. L. Lee, K.-J. Kim, and R. Kannan Net Glutathione Secretion across Primary Cultured Rabbit Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Layers Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2002; 43(4): 1154 - 1161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shatos, M. A. Articles by Dartt, D. A.