Tracheal epithelium and submucosal glands are predominant sites expressing Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 2 alpha in the mouse

Authors

  • C. Luziga Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3016, Morogoro Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5596-7732
  • J. Ngou Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3016, Morogoro Tanzania

Keywords:

CTLA 2-alpha, immunohistochemistry, distribution profile, mouse trachea

Abstract

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 2-alpha (CTLA 2-alpha) is cysteine proteinase inhibitor protein originally expressed in mouse activated T-cells and mast cells. Microarray, semi-quantitative PCR and Western blotting techniques identified CTLA 2-alpha as a novel lung tissue-specific secretory gene in the mouse. We also demonstrated the expression of CTLA 2-alpha in bronchiolar epithelial cells of the mouse lung. To extend these findings, we performed immunohistochemical analysis to determine the distribution of CTLA 2-alpha in the trachea. Results showed that CTLA 2-alpha is strongly expressed in pseaudostratified epithelium within columnar ciliated cells, and goblet cells that produce mucin. Staining was also evident in the submucosal glands within serous cells, and cuboidal cells lining ducts of submucosal glands. In the hyaline cartilage, CTLA 2-alpha was found in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes located in lacuna. The distribution pattern implicates an important role of CTLA 2-alpha in relation to immune defense of the trachea against infections and processing of secretions produced by the submucosal glands.

Published

07-10-2024

How to Cite

Luziga, C. and Ngou, J. (2024) “Tracheal epithelium and submucosal glands are predominant sites expressing Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 2 alpha in the mouse”, Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 39(2), pp. 9–17. Available at: http://tvj.sua.ac.tz/vet2/index.php/TVJ/article/view/640 (Accessed: 7 November 2024).

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLES