Paneth cell: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:20, 16 February 2025

Overview[edit]

Diagram of intestinal immunology, highlighting Paneth cells.

Paneth cells are specialized cells located in the small intestine, particularly in the crypts of Lieberkühn. They play a crucial role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and host defense. Paneth cells are one of the four principal cell types found in the epithelium of the small intestine, alongside enterocytes, goblet cells, and enteroendocrine cells.

Structure[edit]

Paneth cells are characterized by their location at the base of the intestinal crypts and their distinctive granules. These granules contain antimicrobial peptides and proteins, such as lysozyme, defensins, and phospholipase A2. The presence of these granules is a key feature that distinguishes Paneth cells from other intestinal epithelial cells.

Function[edit]

Paneth cells contribute to the innate immune system of the gut by secreting antimicrobial compounds that help control the microbial population in the intestine. This secretion is crucial for protecting the intestinal epithelium from pathogenic bacteria and maintaining a balanced gut microbiota.

Antimicrobial Peptides[edit]

The antimicrobial peptides secreted by Paneth cells include:

Alpha-defensins: These peptides disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria, leading to their death.
Lysozyme: An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls.
Secretory phospholipase A2: An enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids in bacterial membranes.

Role in Intestinal Homeostasis[edit]

Paneth cells also play a role in regulating the stem cell niche in the intestinal crypts. They provide essential signals that support the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Dysfunction or loss of Paneth cells has been associated with various intestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease and necrotizing enterocolitis. In these conditions, the impaired antimicrobial function of Paneth cells can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota and increased susceptibility to infection.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Paneth cell''' is a type of [[epithelial cell]] found in the [[small intestine]] and [[appendix]]. Named after the Austrian physician [[Joseph Paneth]], these cells play a crucial role in maintaining the intestinal [[microbiota]] and defending against [[pathogenic bacteria]].
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Paneth cell}}
+== Overview ==
+[[File:Intestine_immunology_scheme.jpg|thumb|right|Diagram of intestinal immunology, highlighting Paneth cells.]]
+'''Paneth cells''' are specialized cells located in the [[small intestine]], particularly in the [[crypts of Lieberkühn]]. They play a crucial role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and host defense. Paneth cells are one of the four principal cell types found in the epithelium of the small intestine, alongside [[enterocytes]], [[goblet cells]], and [[enteroendocrine cells]].
+== Structure ==
+Paneth cells are characterized by their location at the base of the intestinal crypts and their distinctive granules. These granules contain antimicrobial peptides and proteins, such as [[lysozyme]], [[defensins]], and [[phospholipase A2]]. The presence of these granules is a key feature that distinguishes Paneth cells from other intestinal epithelial cells.
 == Function ==
-Paneth cells are primarily responsible for the production and secretion of [[antimicrobial peptides]], including [[lysozyme]] and [[defensins]]. These peptides are capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria, thus helping to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota and protect the body from infection.
+Paneth cells contribute to the innate immune system of the gut by secreting antimicrobial compounds that help control the microbial population in the intestine. This secretion is crucial for protecting the [[intestinal epithelium]] from pathogenic bacteria and maintaining a balanced [[gut microbiota]].
-In addition to their antimicrobial function, Paneth cells also contribute to the regulation of the [[intestinal stem cells]]. They provide essential signals for the survival and proliferation of these cells, thereby playing a key role in the maintenance and renewal of the intestinal epithelium.
+=== Antimicrobial Peptides ===
+The antimicrobial peptides secreted by Paneth cells include:
+* '''Alpha-defensins''': These peptides disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria, leading to their death.
+* '''Lysozyme''': An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls.
+* '''Secretory phospholipase A2''': An enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids in bacterial membranes.
-== Location ==
+=== Role in Intestinal Homeostasis ===
-Paneth cells are located at the base of the [[crypts of Lieberkühn]], small glandular structures found throughout the small intestine and appendix. They are most abundant in the [[ileum]], the final section of the small intestine.
+Paneth cells also play a role in regulating the [[stem cell niche]] in the intestinal crypts. They provide essential signals that support the proliferation and differentiation of [[intestinal stem cells]].
-== Development ==
+== Clinical Significance ==
-The development of Paneth cells is regulated by various [[transcription factors]], including [[Math1]], [[Gfi1]], and [[Sox9]]. Disruptions in the expression of these factors can lead to abnormalities in Paneth cell development and function, which may contribute to the development of intestinal disorders such as [[Crohn's disease]] and [[ulcerative colitis]].
+Dysfunction or loss of Paneth cells has been associated with various intestinal disorders, including [[Crohn's disease]] and [[necrotizing enterocolitis]]. In these conditions, the impaired antimicrobial function of Paneth cells can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota and increased susceptibility to infection.
-== Clinical significance ==
+== Related pages ==
-Abnormalities in Paneth cell function have been implicated in a number of intestinal disorders. For example, in Crohn's disease, Paneth cells have been found to produce abnormally high levels of certain antimicrobial peptides, which may contribute to the chronic inflammation characteristic of this condition. On the other hand, a reduction in Paneth cell numbers has been observed in patients with ulcerative colitis, which may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection seen in this condition.
+* [[Intestinal epithelium]]
+* [[Gut microbiota]]
-== See also ==
+* [[Crypts of Lieberkühn]]
-* [[Goblet cell]]
+* [[Innate immune system]]
-* [[Enterocyte]]
-* [[Microvillus]]
 [[Category:Cell biology]]
-[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
+[[Category:Digestive system]]
-[[Category:Histology]]
+[[Category:Immunology]]
-{{Cell-biology-stub}}
-{{Gastroenterology-stub}}