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The activities of social insect colonies are supported by exocrine glands and the tremendous functional diversity of the compounds that they secrete. Many social wasps in the subfamilies Vespinae and Polistinae have two sternal glands-the van der Vecht and Richards' glands-that vary in their features and function across the species in which they are found. Field observations suggest that giant hornets use secretions from the van der Vecht gland to chemically mark targeted nests when workers initiate group attacks on social insect prey. However, descriptions of giant hornets' sternal glands and details about their recruitment behavior are lacking. We describe the morphology of the sternal glands of the giant hornet Vespa soror du Buysson and consider their potential to contribute to a marking pheromone. We also assess the gastral rubbing behavior of workers as they attacked Apis cerana F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies. V. soror workers have well-developed van der Vecht and Richards' glands on their terminal gastral sternites, with morphologies that robustly support the synthesis, storage, and dissemination of their secretory products. Observations confirm that the van der Vecht gland is exposed during gastral rubbing, but that the Richards' gland and glands associated with the sting apparatus may also contribute to a marking pheromone. Workers briefly but repeatedly rubbed their gasters around hive entrances and on overhead vegetation. Colonies were heavily marked over consecutive attacks. Our findings provide insight into the use of exocrine secretions by giant hornets as they recruit nestmates to prey colonies for group attacks. ispartof: ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA vol:115 issue:2 pages:202-216 ispartof: location:England status: published

Chemical signals play indispensable roles in the communication and social behavior of many organisms. Pheromones are a class of chemical signals identified initially in insects. Later, it became evident that diverse animals secrete pheromones in their body exudates and from exocrine glands and use them for social communication. The pig is a vital food animal in which steroid pheromones have been identified and their behavioral effects known since the 1960s. More recently, non-steroidal pheromones have been identified. To date, studies have reported various pheromone sources in boars (saliva, urine, and glandular secretions) and sows (urine, mammary gland secretions, and feces) and pheromone-mediated behavioral consequences are evidenced. These include the boar effect on puberty onset and subsequent estrous behaviors as well as agonistic and avoidance behaviors. Recent research has facilitated the development and evaluation of pheromone-based applications and products to improve the welfare and reproductive performance of pigs. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of pig pheromones, and their implications in behaviors.

The cloaca of salamanders is a complex organ with exocrine glands involved in the production of sex pheromones, spermatophores, and storage of sperm. Since the cloaca provides reproductive functions, its signs are important for phylogenetic analysis in the evolutionary biology of tailed amphibians. For clarification of intrafamilial variation of cloacal characteristics in hynobiids, we studied the anatomy of male and female cloacae of Onychodactylus fischeri via histological, histochemical, and 3D-reconstruction methods. Males and females had ciliated cloacal linings and with sexual dimorphism in cloacal conformation and cloacal glands. As in other males and females of hynobiids, females of O. fischeri possessed only ventral glands, secreting neutral glycoproteins. In contrast, males of this species had three types of the cloacal glands. Glands «B» were like ventral glands of females and other hynobiids, while glands «A» and «C» had different histochemical and morphological characteristics. As our results are generally consistent with the data for the related species O. japonicus, these characteristics of the male and female cloacal anatomy may be common to all species of the genus Onychodactylus. The presence of three types of unique cloacal glands in males distinguishes Onychodactylus from all other hynobiids and salamanders.

Abstract The production of sticky threads from spinnerets is known from various myriapod groups including some representatives of the millipedes (Diplopoda). In Diplopoda the thread-producing glands are mostly seta-like and positioned terminally on the telson, and the secretion product is typically used to build molting chambers or egg sacs. So far, no such secretions or organs have been documented for the subgroup Pentazonia. Here we describe thread-producing glands from the species-poor Glomeridesmida. These putative spinning organs are single circular fields of small pores (spinning fields) positioned on the outer side of the tarsi of all walking legs of mature and juvenile individuals of both sexes. These pores are the openings of cuticular tubuli (conducting canals), which extend from the tarsus to an aggregation of cells, a putative gland, within the femur. In several specimens thin threads were observed to be extruded from the pores. The tarsal spinning fields are present in all 21 investigated Glomeridesmida morphospecies, including Termitodesmidae and Glomeridesmidae from South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Oceania, and South and Central America. These organs might constitute an apomorphic character of the Glomeridesmida, as similar organs are absent in other Myriapoda. The function of the extruded threads in Glomeridesmida remains speculative, because observations of living specimens of the group are almost non-existing. We suggest that the secretion might be used for defense, to build molting chambers or to secure tunnels burrowed in the substrate.

Odontocete cetaceans have undergone profound modifications to their integument and sensory systems and are generally thought to lack specialized exocrine glands that in terrestrial mammals function to produce chemical signals (Thewissen & Nummela, 2008). Keenan-Bateman et al. (2016, 2018), though, introduced an enigmatic exocrine gland, associated with the false gill slit pigmentation pattern in Kogia breviceps. These authors provided a preliminary description of this cervical gill slit gland in their helminthological studies of the parasitic nematode, Crassicauda magna. This study offers the first detailed gross and histological description of this gland and reports upon key differences between immature and mature individuals. Investigation reveals it is a complex, compound tubuloalveolar gland with a well-defined duct that leads to a large, and expandable central chamber, which in turn leads to two caudally projecting diverticula. All regions of the gland contain branched tubular and alveolar secretory regions, although most are found in the caudal diverticula, where the secretory process is holocrine. The gland lies between slips of cutaneous muscle, and is innervated by lamellar corpuscles, resembling Pacinian's corpuscles, suggesting that its secretory product may be actively expressed into the environment. Mature K. breviceps display larger gland size, and increased functional activity in glandular tissues, as compared to immature individuals. These results demonstrate that the cervical gill slit gland of K. breviceps shares morphological features of the specialized, chemical signaling, exocrine glands of terrestrial members of the Cetartiodactyla.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Mucoviscidosis is an inherited condition. In cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein does not functions properly i.e regulation of fluids and salts outside the cells. Cystic fibrosis affects exocrine glands eg., the mucus-secreting and sweat glands in the respiratory and digestive systems. The frequency of common mutation F508del (deletion of phenylalanine residue at position 508) in children is between 19% and 34%. The estimate frequency of CF as 1:10,000 to 1:40,000 in children. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but treatment can reduce symptoms and complications to improve quality of life. Close monitoring and early, aggressive intervention is recommended to slow the progression of CF, which can lead to possible longer life. Keywords: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sweat Chloride, Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, Ivacaftor.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:40:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-16 KU Leuven UNESP Many of the phenotypic manifestations present in social insects are related to the development of exocrine glands, well represented by the nest-building behaviors. Among bees, four tribes compose the corbiculate bees, including both solitary and eusocial species: Apini, Bombini, Euglossini and Meliponini, which use wax as an endogenous product to construct several structures of their nests. Previous works described the presence of wax glands dorsally in meliponine bees, ventrally in Apis, and dorsally and ventrally in Bombus. In euglossine bees, there is some confusion about the presence and location of wax glands. This work, therefore, aims to investigate the position of the wax glands in the four tribes regarding the literature uncertainty. In addition, gathering more information allows a better interpretation of the evolution of this structure and provides more information on the evolution of corbiculate bees. In this work, we collected females from the four tribes of corbiculate bees in the active building area of the nest. Our data showed the presence of wax glands dorsally in Meliponini, ventrally in Apini, and ventrally and dorsally in Bombini; however, no trace of the wax gland was found in Euglossini. Therefore, the absence of wax products in Euglossini suggests that wax glands are an important component of social life and it should be understood as a unique acquisition of the clade formed by the three eusocial corbiculate bee tribes (Bombini, Meliponini and Apini). Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool & Bot, Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto FF, Dept Biol, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Katholieke Univ Leuven, Zool Inst, Naamsestr 59,Box 2466, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool & Bot, Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil KU Leuven: 3E150873 UNESP: 3E150873

Pieces of the sublingual multi-duct salivary glands of a domestic sexually mature large white pig were fixed in a 4 % paraform solution in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH = 7.4) with addi-tional fixation in a 1 % OsO4 solution, dehydrated in alcohols of increasing concentration. Taking into account the recommendations of G. Gayer, pieces of organs were poured into araldite accord-ing to the standard technique. Contrasting was performed according to Reynolds. In the cytoplasm of the mucocytes of the sublingual multi-duct salivary gland, the agranu-lar endoplasmic reticulum predominates, which gives oxyphilic staining. According to electron microscopic studies of mucous glandulocytes in the acini of the sub-lingual salivary glands of domestic pigs, the secretory vacuoles of the cytoplasm are large, with pro-nounced electron-dense membranes. The content of vacuoles in mucocytes of one acinus is differ-ent.

The mammary gland (MG) is an exocrine gland present in female mammals responsible for the production and secretion of milk during the process of lactation. It is mainly composed by epithelial cells and adipocytes. Among the features that make the MG unique there are 1) its highly plastic properties displayed during pregnancy, lactation and involution (all steps belonging to the lactation cycle) and 2) its requirement to grow in close association with adipocytes which are absolutely necessary to ensure MG’s proper development at puberty and remodeling during the lactation cycle. Although MG adipocytes play such a critical role for the gland development, most of the studies have focused on its epithelial component only, leaving the role of the neighboring adipocytes largely unexplored. In this review we aim to describe evidences regarding MG’s adipocytes role and properties in physiologic conditions (gland development and lactation cycle), obesity and breast cancer, emphasizing the existing gaps in the literature which deserve further investigation.

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is the major physiological agonist of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) chloride channel activity. VIP functions as a neuromodulator and neurotransmitter secreted by neurons innervating all exocrine glands. VIP is also a potent vasodilator and bronchodilator that regulates exocrine gland secretions, contributing to local innate defense by stimulating the movement of water and chloride transport across intestinal and tracheobronchial epithelia. Previous human studies have shown that the rich intrinsic neuronal networks for VIP secretion around exocrine glands could be lost in tissues from patients with cystic fibrosis. Our research has since confirmed, in vitro and in vivo, the need for chronic VIP exposure to maintain functional CFTR chloride channels at the cell surface of airways and intestinal epithelium, as well as normal exocrine tissues morphology [1]. The goal of the present study was to examine changes in VIP in the lung, duodenum and sweat glands of 8- and 17-weeks old F508del/F508del mice and to investigate VIPergic innervation in the small intestine of CF mice, before important signs of the disease development. Our data show that a low amount of VIP is found in CF tissues prior to tissue damage. Moreover, we found a specific reduction in VIPergic and cholinergic innervation of the small intestine. The general innervation of the primary and secondary myenteric plexus was lost in CF tissues, with the presence of enlarged ganglionic cells in the tertiary layer. We propose that low amount of VIP in CF tissues is due to a reduction in VIPergic and cholinergic innervation and represents an early defect that constitutes an aggravating factor for CF disease progression.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:46:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-02-01 Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid that has been used to control insect pests. The literature reports a few behavioral studies evaluating the toxic effect of thiamethoxam in ants; however, there are scarce studies at the cellular level. The present research evaluated the effects of thiamethoxam in labial (LG) and mandibular glands (MG), fat bodies (FB), and Malpighian tubules (MT) of workers of Atta sexdens, using transmission electron microscopy. The duct and secretory cells of LG were profoundly affected, then the production of saliva can be compromised, as well as its quality and subsequent use. In MG, reservoir and canaliculi cells presented slight alterations; however, MG secretory cells presented vacuoles containing lamellar structures, increased lipid production, and a large amount of mitochondria, which may lead to organ's malfunctioning. The FB cell alterations do not seem enough to cause significant changes that lead to cell death. Prominent changes in MT, such as loss of the electron-dense concentric ring, increased smooth endoplasmic reticulum, loss of basal infolds, vacuoles containing mineralized granules, and lamellar structures associated with mitochondria, suggest that their excretory function is compromised. In conclusion, thiamethoxam acts not only in the nervous system but also contributes to systemic toxicity on the target organism. Department of Biology Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Center of Study of Social Insects, Avenida 24A, 1515 Department of Biology Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Center of Study of Social Insects, Avenida 24A, 1515

In this study, we investigated the morphological characteristics of three glands that are associated with the labium and the maxillae in the female castes as well as males of the ant Camponotus japonicus Mayr, 1866 using serial semithin sections and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We propose to name these glands as the postmentum base gland, the stipes base gland and the cardo base gland. The cardo base gland represents what was previously known as the maxillary gland, the two other glands are novel findings. They all belong to class-3 glands and have no reservoir for the storage of secretion. Their morphology is similar among the studied categories (major worker, minor worker, queen and male). The postmentum base gland is made up by 10–15 secretory units that open through the articulation membrane on both sides of the base of the labial postmentum with no significant differences among castes. The stipes base gland is formed by a cluster of secretory units that open at the articulation membrane between cardo and stipes. This gland is much larger in major workers (almost 140 cells) than in the other castes (approx. 50–60 cells). The cardo base gland opens through the membrane that connects the cardo and stipes to the head capsule. The number of cells of this gland is much larger in major workers and queens (approximately 190 and 150, respectively) than in minor workers and males (approximately 45 and 40, respectively). No information is yet available on the function of the glands.

Parasites are globally widespread pathogenic organisms, which impose important selective forces upon their hosts. Thus, in accordance with the Adjustment to parasite pressure hypothesis, it is expected that defenses among hosts vary relative to the selective pressure imposed by parasites. According to the latitudinal gradient in diversity, species richness and abundance of parasites peak near the equator. The uropygial gland is an important defensive exocrine gland against pathogens in birds. Size of the uropygial gland has been proposed to vary among species of birds because of divergent selection by pathogens on their hosts. Therefore, we should expect that bird species from the tropics should have relatively larger uropygial glands for their body size than species from higher latitudes. However, this hypothesis has not yet been explored. Here, we analyze the size of the uropygial gland of 1719 individual birds belonging to 36 bird species from 3 Neotropical (Peru) and 3 temperate areas (Spain). Relative uropygial gland volume was 12.52% larger in bird species from the tropics than from temperate areas. This finding is consistent with the relative size of this defensive organ being driven by selective pressures imposed by parasites. We also explored the potential role of this gland as a means of avoiding haemosporidian infection, showing that species with large uropygial glands for their body size tend to have lower mean prevalence of haemosporidian infection, regardless of their geographical origin. This result provides additional support for the assumption that secretions from the uropygial gland reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with haemosporidians.

Most species of moths use a female-produced sex pheromone to bring mates together. Typically, sex pheromone is synthesized in a specialized gland and released during the behavior of "calling", in which the ovipositor and gland are extruded, allowing pheromone to evaporate. Although there has been much study on how a gland makes specific pheromone components, we know relatively little about how it actually functions with regard to synthesis, storage and release. In this paper, we investigated three aspects of gland function in the noctuid moth Chloridea virescens (Fabricius): (i) whether translocation of pheromone from site of synthesis to release is dependent on calling or ovipositor movement, (ii) whether pheromone synthesis rate limits release and (iii) how intermittent calling (observed in this and other species) might affect the dynamics of release rate. Firstly, by manipulating the gland to simulate calling (extruded) or non-calling (retracted), we showed that pheromone translocation occurred regardless of whether the gland was retracted or extruded. Secondly, by manipulating pheromone production, we found that females that produced more pheromone had higher release rates. It was especially noticeable that females had a higher release rate at the start of calling, which dropped rapidly and leveled off over time. Together, these data suggest that intermittent calling in C. virescens (and other species) may function to allow females to replenish pheromone stores on the gland surface between calling bouts, so that brief, high release rates occur at the start of a calling bout; thus, potentially increasing a female's chances of attracting a mate.

Formicine ants in distress spray alarm pheromone which typically recruits nestmates for help. Studying the western carpenter ant, Camponotus modoc Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), our objectives were to (1) determine the exocrine glands that contain alarm recruitment pheromone, (2) identify the key alarm recruitment pheromone components, and (3) ascertain the pheromone components that are discharged by distressed ants. In Y‐tube olfactometer experiments, extracts of poison glands, but not of Dufour’s glands, elicited anemotactic responses from worker ants. Gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analyses of poison gland extracts revealed the presence of (1) aliphatic alkanes (undecane, tridecane, pentadecane, heptadecane), (2) aliphatic alkenes [(Z)‐7‐pentadecene, (Z)‐7‐ and (Z)‐8‐heptadecene], (3) two acids (formic, benzoic), and (4) other oxygenated compounds (hexadecan‐1‐ol, hexadecyl formate, hexadecyl acetate). Testing the responses of worker ants in Y‐tube olfactometers to complete and partial synthetic blends of these compounds revealed that the acids and the alkanes are essential alarm pheromone components. In two‐choice arena bioassays, micro‐locations treated with synthetic alarm pheromone recruited worker ants. Acids and alkanes were abundant in the poison gland and the Dufour’s gland, respectively, suggesting that the alarm pheromone components originate from both glands. Moreover, alarm pheromone sprays of ants differed in that all sprays contained formic acid but only some also contained alkanes, implying that ants can independently discharge the content of either one or both glands in accordance with the type of distress incident they experience.

The diversity in the organization of the tracheal system is one of the drivers of insect evolutionary success; however, the genetic mechanisms responsible are yet to be elucidated. Here, we highlight the advantages of utilizing hemimetabolous insects, such as the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus , in which the final adult tracheal patterning can be directly inferred by examining its blueprint in embryos. By reporting the expression patterns, functions, and Hox gene regulation of trachealess (trh ), ventral veinless ( vvl ), and cut ( ct ), key genes involved in tracheal development, this study provides important insights. First, Hox genes function as activators, modifiers, and suppressors of trh expression, which in turn results in a difference between the thoracic and abdominal tracheal organization. Second, spiracle morphogenesis requires the input of both trh and ct , where ct is positively regulated by trh . As Hox genes regulate trh , we can now mechanistically explain the previous observations of their effects on spiracle formation. Third, the default state of vvl expression in the thorax, in the absence of Hox gene expression, features three lateral cell clusters connected to ducts. Fourth, the exocrine scent glands express vvl and are regulated by Hox genes. These results extend previous findings [Sánchez-Higueras et al., 2014], suggesting that the exocrine glands, similar to the endocrine, develop from the same primordia that give rise to the trachea. The presence of such versatile primordia in the miracrustacean ancestor could account for the similar gene networks found in the glandular and respiratory organs of both insects and crustaceans.

It is a commonly known fact that all ground beetles possess abdominal pygidial glands with relatively similar gross structure and function among species. Still, morphology of the glands and composition of their secretions have not been studied in most ground beetle species. These exocrine glands and their products are mainly associated with defence in natural environments. In this paper, we studied three predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, namely C. (Archicarabus) montivagus Palliardi, 1825, C. (Megodontus) caelatus Fabricius, 1801, and C. (M.) violaceus Linnaeus, 1758, to identify chemical components of their pygidial gland secretions. Altogether, 10 carboxylic acids were isolated from the analysed secretions [two from the secretion of C. (A.) montivagus, 10 from that of C. (M.) caelatus, and nine from that of C. (M.) violaceus]. The finding of 2-hexenoic acid in the secretion of C. (M.) caelatus is the first finding of it within the entire subfamily Carabinae. In addition, we also analysed the morphology of glands of the species C. (M.) violaceus.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in a gene encoding a protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). The CFTR protein is known to acts as a chloride (Cl− ) channel expressed in the exocrine glands of several body systems where it also regulates other ion channels, including the epithelial sodium (Na+ ) channel (ENaC) that plays a key role in salt absorption. This function is crucial to the osmotic balance of the mucus and its viscosity. However, the pathophysiology of CF is more challenging than a mere dysregulation of epithelial ion transport, mainly resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance (MCC) with consecutive bronchiectasis and in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This review shows that the CFTR protein is not just a chloride channel. For a long time, research in CF has focused on abnormal Cl− and Na+ transport. Yet, the CFTR protein also regulates numerous other pathways, such as the transport of HCO3−, glutathione and thiocyanate, immune cells, and the metabolism of lipids. It influences the pH homeostasis of airway surface liquid and thus the MCC as well as innate immunity leading to chronic infection and inflammation, all of which are considered as key pathophysiological characteristics of CF., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction of salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in xerostomia (dry mouth) and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes). Autoantibodies, such as anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, are hallmarks and important diagnostic factors for SS. In our previous study, we demonstrated that SS-like xerostomia was observed in SATB1 conditional knockout (SATB1cKO) mice, in which the floxed SATB1 gene was specifically deleted in hematopoietic cells as early as 4 weeks of age. In these mice, autoantibodies were not detected until 8 weeks of age in SATB1cKO mice, although exocrine gland function reached its lowest at this age. Therefore, other markers may be necessary for the diagnosis of SS in the early phase. Here, we found that mRNA expression of the interferonγ (IFN-γ) gene and the IFN-responsive indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene is upregulated in the salivary glands of SATB1cKO mice after 3 and 4 weeks of age, respectively. We detected l-kynurenine (l-KYN), an intermediate of l-tryptophan (l-Trp) metabolism mediated by IDO, in the serum of SATB1cKO mice after 4 weeks of age. In addition, the upregulation of IDO expression was significantly suppressed by the administration of IFN-γ neutralizing antibodies in SATB1cKO mice. These results suggest that the induction of IFN-dependent IDO expression is an initial event that occurs immediately after the onset of SS in SATB1cKO mice. These results also imply that serum l-KYN could be used as a marker for SS diagnosis in the early phases of the disease before autoantibodies are detectable.

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting from the inflammatory infiltration of exocrine glands, mainly salivary and lacrimal glands, leading to secretory dysfunction and serious complications including debilitating fatigue, systemic autoimmunity, and lymphoma. Like other autoimmune disorders, a strong interferon (IFN) signature is present among subsets of pSS patients, suggesting the involvement of innate immunity in pSS pathogenesis. NCR3/NKp30 is a natural killer (NK) cell-specific activating receptor regulating the cross talk between NK and dendritic cells including type II IFN secretion upon NK-cell activation. A genetic association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NCR3/NKp30 promoter gene and a higher susceptibility for pSS has been previously described, with pSS patients most frequently carrying the major allele variant associated with a higher NKp30 transcript and IFN-γ release as a consequence of the receptor engagement. In the present study, we combined RNA-sequencing and histology from pSS salivary gland biopsies to better characterize NKp30 (NCR3) and its ligand B7/H6 (NCR3LG1) in pSS salivary gland tissues. Levels of NCR3/NKp30 were significantly increased both in salivary glands and in circulating NK cells of pSS patients compared with sicca controls, especially in salivary glands with organized ectopic lymphoid structures. In line with this observation, a strong correlation between NCR3/NKp30 levels and salivary gland infiltrating immune cells (CD3, CD20) was found. Furthermore, NCR3/NKp30 levels also correlated with higher IFN-γ, Perforin, and Granzyme-B expression in pSS SGs with organized ectopic lymphoid structures, suggesting an activation state of NK cells infiltrating SG tissue. Of note, NKp30+ NK cells accumulated at the border of the inflammatory foci, while the NKp30 ligand, B7/H6, is shown to be expressed mainly by ductal epithelial cells in pSS salivary glands. Finally, immunomodulatory treatment, such as the B-cell depleting agent rituximab, known to reduce the infiltration of immune cells in pSS SGs, prevented the upregulation of NCR3/NKp30 within the glands.

Dear Editor,We thank the authors for commenting on our article [1]. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional protein mainly secreted by the mammary and other exocrine glands, as well as secondarily by...

BackgroundPrimary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease of the exocrine glands characterized by specific pathological features. Previous studies have pointed out that salivary glands from pSS patients express a unique profile of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and chemokines compared to those from healthy controls. However, there is limited evidence supporting the utility of individual markers for different stages of pSS. This study aimed to explore potential biomarkers associated with pSS disease progression and analyze the associations between key genes and immune cells.MethodsWe combined our own RNA sequencing data with pSS datasets from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs)viabioinformatics analysis. Salivary gland biopsies were collected from 14 pSS patients, 6 non-pSS patients, and 6 controls. Histochemical staining and transmission electron micrographs (TEM) were performed to macroscopically and microscopically characterize morphological features of labial salivary glands in different disease stages. Then, we performed quantitative PCR to validate hub genes. Finally, we analyzed correlations between selected hub genes and immune cells using the CIBERSORT algorithm.ResultsWe identified twenty-eight DEGs that were upregulated in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. These were mainly involved in immune-related pathways and infection-related pathways. According to the morphological features of minor salivary glands, severe interlobular and periductal lymphocytic infiltrates, acinar atrophy and collagen in the interstitium, nuclear shrinkage, and microscopic organelle swelling were observed with pSS disease progression. Hub genes based on above twenty-eight DEGs, including MS4A1, CD19, TCL1A, CCL19, CXCL9, CD3G, and CD3D, were selected as potential biomarkers and verified by RT-PCR. Expression of these genes was correlated with T follicular helper cells, memory B cells and M1 macrophages.ConclusionUsing transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis combined with our clinical data, we identified seven key genes that have potential value for evaluating pSS severity.

Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration of exocrine glands, resulting in dry mouth and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The clinical symptoms may range from mucosal dryness to more systemic complaints. We report a 42-year-old man presenting with rapid cognitive decline and memory impairment for 2 months. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cranium revealed abnormal signals at the bilateral medial temporal lobe and hippocampal region. The autoimmune panel and paraneoplastic antibodies were negative. The patient was labeled as a case of primary SS based on the vasculitis profile and pathological examination of lip biopsy. This case illustrates a rare, heralding manifestation of SS as limbic encephalitis.

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant neoplasm involving mainly the exocrine glands. The most common site of involvement is the head and neck region. However, the neoplasm can b...

Chronic enteritis is manifested by the number of changes in the mucous membranes over three divisions of the small intestine. Morphologically this is presented by tissues atrophy and sclerosis, by changes in its architecture, and enterocyte adhesions. This results in the functional disorders including the lipid metabolism impairment, the suppression of the exocrinocyte functioning, and some others, but the size of exocrine glands along the length of the small intestine is still unchanged. The small intestine is an actively functioning organ. Its villi and folds expand the area of the mucous membrane in almost 500 times; while the area of the small intestine active surface, which can come into direct contact with various affecting factors, is 200-300 m2. Therefore, the small intestine is still requiring more detailed study. However, the reports on comparing data on the morphological features of the small intestinal wall in white rats of the Wistar line, which are the most commonly used in experiments, are far from being as multitudinous in the medical and experimental literature as it was expected. This study was aimed at identifying and comparing the peculiarities in the structure and morphofunctional parameters of small intestine in rats. The study of the morphofunctional status of structural components in the small intestine (duodenum, hollow, iliac) wall was performed on 60 sexually mature Wistar male rats weighing 140-190 g, which were kept under standard conditions of the vivarium, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy. All the manipulations with animals were carried out in accordance with the “Rules for the Use of Laboratory Animals” (2006, Annex 4) and the mandates of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The animals were divided into 4 groups: Group I included intact rats (n=15); Group (control) II included rats, which had their outer thigh incised (n=15); Group (control) III included animals treated intraperitoneally with 1 ml of saline solution (n=15); Group (control) IV included animals, which were given injections of 1 ml of saline solution intraperitoneally and had their outer thigh incised (n=15). The studying the structure of the small intestine wall in rats has demonstrated this of control animals does not differ from that in the group I intact rats. A deeper analysis has been performed by using morphometric methods to find out statistically significant differences between the parameters studied. The statistical analysis has shown that the morphometric parameters (overall wall thickness, mucosal layer thickness, submucous layer thickness, muscular layer thickness, and serous layer sickness) of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum,ilium) in the rats of control groups (II, III, IV respectively) during all study periods demonstrate no statistically significant difference. The difference reliability was insignificant at p> 0.05. Comparison of these indices with those in the intact group has pointed out that the difference reliability was also insignificant (p> 0.05). This fact will enable to carry out further comparing the studied morphometric parameters using the values presented by the intact rats only, without using data obtained in the control group of the rats.

Background Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is one of the most common autoimmune disorders leading to exocrine gland dysfunction. Both immune-dependent processes – like Type I Interferon (IFN) signaling and immune-independent processes – such as calcium signaling in epithelial cells – contribute to disease pathophysiology. However, a mechanistic link between these processes has not been demonstrated. Methods Primary human salivary gland cells were used to evaluate the differential expression of miRNAs with smRNA-seq in primary epithelial cells culture and digital PCR was conducted in SS human salivary glands (SG) biopsies to verify the results. With siRNA screening and pull-down assays to establish the role of miRNA in IFN activation. Findings Activation of IFN-β by miR-1248 is through the direct association with both RIG-I and AGO2. Further functional studies establish a unique dual functional role of miR-1248 in phSG cells: i) activation of the RIG-I pathway by acting as ligand of this sensor leading to IFN production and ii) regulation of the expression of mRNAs through the canonical microRNA function. Importantly, ITPR3, a key component of calcium signaling in epithelial cells, that has previously shown to be downregulated in SS SG, was directly targeted and downregulated by miR-1248, inducing the same functional calcium signaling changes as observed in SS SGs. Interpretation Identification of the first endogenous mammalian microRNA that binds to RIG-I inducing IFN production but also demonstrate a novel pathophysiological underlying mechanism in which miR-1248 overexpression links two major pathways associated with SS, namely activation of IFN production with modulation of calcium signaling. Together, these findings suggest a unifying hypothesis for the immune-independent and -dependent processes contributing to the pathogenesis of SS. Fund This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

The tear film is produced by two ocular glands, the lacrimal glands, which produce the aqueous component of this film, and the meibomian glands, which secrete the lipidic component that is key to reduce evaporation of the watery film at the surface of the eye. Embryonic development of these exocrine glands has been mostly studied in mice, which also develop Harderian glands, a third type of ocular gland whose role is still not well understood. This review provides an update on the signalling pathways, transcription factors andextracellular matrix components that have been shown to play a role in ocular gland development.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens produce pheromones responsible for mediating both male mating behavior and many critical facets of worker social organization within their colony. These pheromones are dynamic multi-component blends, allowing the communication of detailed information. Indeed, variation in the queen's mating and reproductive state is associated with significant changes in her pheromone profiles, and these different pheromone profiles elicit different behavioral and physiological responses in female workers. Here we evaluate behavioral responses of male drones to the chemical blends produced by two exocrine glands in queens, and determine if the blends and responses are altered by the queen's mating and reproductive state. We find that drone attraction to the chemical blends of mandibular glands produced by mated, laying queens versus virgin queens is reduced, suggesting that the queens produce a reliable signal of their mating receptivity. Interestingly, while the chemical blends of mating, laying queens and virgins queens largely overlap, mated, laying queens produce a greater number of chemicals and greater quantities of certain chemicals than virgin queens, suggesting that these chemicals may serve to inhibit behavioral responses of drones to mated, laying queens. Thus, our results highlight the importance of considering chemical cues and signals that serve to both stimulate and inhibit behavioral responses during social interactions in animals.

ObjectivePrimary Sjögren syndrome (SS) is characterized by a focal lymphocytic infiltrate in exocrine glands. We describe patients who lacked this key feature.Methods.We evaluated patients with sicca in a comprehensive clinic at which medical, dental, and ophthalmological examinations were performed. All subjects underwent a minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score calculation. Extraglandular manifestations were also determined. We categorized subjects as high, intermediate, or low in terms of expression of interferon (IFN)-regulated genes.Results.About 20% (51 of 229, 22%) of those classified as having primary SS had a focus score of zero. Compared to those with anti-Ro positivity and a focus score > 1.0, the patients with focus score of zero (who by classification criteria must be anti-Ro–positive) were statistically less likely to have anti-La (or SSB) and elevated immunoglobulin, as well as less severe corneal staining. The focus score zero patients were less likely to have elevated expression of IFN-regulated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells than anti-Ro–positive SS patients with a focal salivary infiltrate.Conclusion.There are only a few clinical differences between patients with primary SS with focus score zero and those with both anti-Ro and a focus score > 1.0. The small subset of focus score zero patients tested did not have elevated expression of IFN-regulated genes, but did have systemic disease. Thus, extraglandular manifestations are perhaps more related to the presence of anti-Ro than increased IFN. This may have relevance to pathogenesis of SS.

We previously discovered that rooibos extract activates the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R), a key component of exocrine secretion. In this study, we examined the rooibos extract for active components in vitro and monitored its fast-acting effects against dryness in humans. Our in vitro analysis demonstrated that the M3R-stimulating effect of rooibos extract was similar to that of eriodictyol-6-C-β- d -glucoside (E6CG), whereas other rooibos constituents (aspalathin, orientin, isoorientin or eriodictyol-8-C-β- d -glucoside) were not active. In a placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover clinical trial, 36 subjects with dryness at the mouth, eyes, and skin consumed a daily dose of either 100 mg rooibos or placebo tablets for three days. Rooibos extract ingestion increased resting-saliva content, tear volume, and stratum corneum moisture content, and reduced the dryness symptoms. In conclusion, rooibos extract contains E6CG as an M3R activator and stimulates exocrine gland secretion, which relieves dryness at the mouth, eyes, and skin in humans.

The ant Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775) is the only extant species of Paraponerinae and is widely distributed in Brazilian forests. Aspects of its biology are documented extensively in the literature; however, knowledge of P. clavata internal morphology, specifically of exocrine glands, is restricted to the venom apparatus. The objective of this study was to describe the mandibular gland morphology of P. clavata workers. The mandibular gland is composed of a reservoir connected to a cluster of Type III secretory cells with cytoplasm rich in mitochondria and lipid droplets, similar to that of other ants. Notably, the glandular secretion is rich in protein and has a solid aspect. This is the first morphological description of the mandibular gland of P. clavata. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This study presents the morphological description of the mandibular gland of Paraponera clavata (Hymenoptera: Paraponerinae). Singular characteristics of the gland are described: the glandular secretion is rich in protein and has a solid aspect.

The pygidial gland system is a key innovation in adephagan beetles, producing, storing, and spraying defensive chemical compounds. As the source of defensive chemical production and storage, the pygidial gland system experiences severe chemical stress which challenges the integrity of the entire gland system. Here, we utilize autofluorescence-based confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine the morphology of pygidial gland secretory lobes and collecting ductules in a common Pennsylvanian harpaline species, Harpalus pensylvanicus. The glandular units are composed of type-III exocrine cells which empty into resilin-rich ductules, which themselves lead into a larger resilin-rich collecting duct, and ultimately the pygidial reservoir pump. We also utilize histological staining with toluidine blue and brightfield imaging to provide additional support for the presence of resilin in the collecting duct, as toluidine blue has been shown to stain resilin without metachromasia. We hypothesize that the high resilin content of the collecting ducts might be a widespread key evolutionary adaptation to prevent damage caused by physical and chemical stress generated in pump-containing insect exocrine gland systems.

Summary Understanding how epithelial progenitors within exocrine glands establish specific cell lineages and form complex functional secretory units is vital for organ regeneration. Here we identify the transcription factor Sox10 as essential for both the maintenance and differentiation of epithelial KIT+FGFR2b+ progenitors into secretory units, containing acinar, myoepithelial, and intercalated duct cells. The KIT/FGFR2b-Sox10 axis marks the earliest multi-potent and tissue-specific progenitors of exocrine glands. Genetic deletion of epithelial Sox10 leads to loss of secretory units, which reduces organ size and function, but the ductal tree is retained. Intriguingly, the remaining duct progenitors do not compensate for loss of Sox10 and lack plasticity to properly form secretory units. However, overexpression of Sox10 in these ductal progenitors enhances their plasticity toward KIT+ progenitors and induces differentiation into secretory units. Therefore, Sox10 controls plasticity and multi-potency of epithelial KIT+ cells in secretory organs, such as mammary, lacrimal, and salivary glands., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • Sox10 marks the initial multi-potent KIT+ progenitors of exocrine glandular tissues • KIT+ progenitors require Sox10 for their maintenance • Sox10 is necessary for proper lineage development of secretory units • Sox10 is sufficient to induce cell plasticity in non-KIT+ epithelial cells, In this manuscript, Lombaert and colleagues discovered that transcription factor Sox10 is not only essential to maintain epithelial progenitors in exocrine glands, but also acts as a master regulator to induce plasticity toward secretory units. These results provide new avenues for directed differentiation and engineering of secretory units in vitro and/or in vivo.

Biological background data up to 11 weeks of age and tumorigenic susceptibility to xenotransplantation with HeLa cells were compared between severely immuno-deficient NOG and NSG mice. The body weight was lower in NOG mice than in NSG mice. Severe depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphoid hypoplasia that are well-known characteristics of these mice were equally observed. No lymphoproliferative lesions developed in any mouse of either strain. The occurrence of ectopic exocrine gland and cyst was a common finding in the thymus of both strains. In addition, minimal spongiotic change was observed in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord in both strains, and its incidence in female NOG mice was a little higher than that in NSG mice. In the adrenal, subcapsular cell hyperplasia that is known as an age-related change in non-genetically modified mice developed earlier and its incidence was higher in NSG mice than in NOG mice. The development of female genital organs of NOG mice was slightly retarded in comparison with that of NSG mice. To evaluate tumorigenic susceptibility to xenotransplantation, female mice were implanted in the dorsal subcutis with 1×103 to 1×106 cells/head of HeLa cells, and were checked up to 16 weeks after implantation. As a result, there was no significant strain difference on tumor formation rate and tumor volume. In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated that NOG and NSG mice showed no distinct strain differences in either biological features or biological disadvantages.

Simple Summary Hedgehogs have a sensitive olfaction, but little is known about their vomeronasal organ, which detects specific chemicals such as pheromones. This is the first study to reveal the morphological and histological features of the vomeronasal organ in the African pygmy hedgehog. Notably, unlike other mammals, the hedgehog has a large, well-developed serous gland in the vomeronasal organ. This gland seems to allow flushing out odorous substances from the vomeronasal organ and might be favorable for subsequent stimulus reception. Abstract The vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects specific chemicals such as pheromones and kairomones. Hedgehogs (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae) have a well-developed accessory olfactory bulb that receives projections from the VNO, but little is known about the hedgehog VNO. Here, we studied the histological features of the VNO in five individual African pygmy hedgehogs by hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Alcian blue stains. The hedgehog VNO comprises a hyaline cartilage capsule, soft tissue and epithelial lumen, and it branches from the site just before the incisive duct opening into the nasal cavity. The soft tissues contain several small mucous (or mucoserous) glands and a large serous gland, and many venous sinuses all around the lumen. The VNO lumen is round to oval throughout the hedgehog VNO, and the sensory epithelium lines almost the entire rostral part and medial wall of the middle part. These findings indicate that the VNO is functional and plays an important role in the hedgehog. Notably, the VNO apparently has a characteristic flushing mechanism with serous secretions like those of gustatory glands, which the hedgehog might frequently use to recognize the external environment.

The mandibular gland is an important exocrine gland of worker bees, which mainly secretes fatty acids and pheromones. Lipids have important roles in energy storage, membrane structure stabilization, and signaling. However, molecular underpinnings of mandibular gland development and lipid remodeling at the different physiological stages of worker bees is still lacking. In this study, we used scanning and transmission electron microscopy to reveal the morphological changes in secretory cells, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and RNA-seq to investigate the lipidome and gene transcripts during development. The morphology of secretory cells was flat in newly emerged workers, becoming vacuolated and turgid when they were activated in nurse bees and foragers. Transport vesicles became denser from newly emerged bees to 21-day worker bees. Concentrations of 10-HDA reached a maximum within 15d workers and changes in genes expression were consistent with 10-HDA content. Non-targeted lipidomics analysis of newly emerged, 6d, and 15d worker bees revealed that PC and TAG were the main lipids in mandibular gland, and lipids dramatically altered across developmental stages. TAG 54:4 was increased most strongly at 6d and 15d worker bees, meanwhile, the abundances of TAG 54:1 and TAG 54:2 were decreased sharply. Further, transcriptomics analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in key nutrient metabolic pathways, particularly lipid metabolism, in 6d and 15d bees. This multi-omic perspective provides a unique resource and deeper insight into bee mandibular gland development and baseline data for further study of the mandibular gland in worker bees.

We describe a novel ventral scape gland in all 19 species of the genus Strumigenys that we examined, confirming the postulated existence of this gland by Bolton (1999). The gland occurs in workers and queens; it belongs to 'class-1' and is formed by a layer of epithelial secretory cells that line the ventrodistal tegumental cuticle of the antennal scape. The gland is characterized by its bowl-shape, by the ultrastructural characteristics of microvillar arrangement and by the presence of nerves in between the epithelial cells. These features make this gland structurally very similar to 3 other epithelial glands that occur exclusively in Strumigenys. Besides the epithelial ventral scape gland, also scattered class-3 glandular cells are found. The function of both glands in the scape remains unclear, although a role in prey attraction cannot be excluded. ispartof: ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT vol:63 ispartof: location:England status: published

Exocrine glands in the legs of social insects are found throughout all leg segments, but studies of exocrine glands in legs of solitary insects are very limited. We discovered a novel gland at the apex of the fore, mid and hind femurs from six representative species of Cicadidae, which we propose to name as the epithelial femoral gland. The epithelial femoral gland is located between the paired apodemes and the articulation membrane within the apex of the femur, which faces the proximal articulation region of the tibia. The epithelial femoral gland in the midlegs is less developed than that in the fore- and hindlegs within a species. The glandular cells belong to class-1, which contain a large amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicles and Golgi bodies, indicating that these cells may produce a proteinaceous secretion. Details of the epithelial femoral gland at the ultrastructural level suggest that it may function to produce nourishing substances to the joint between femur and tibia. The less developed epithelial femoral gland in the midlegs and the slight difference in the glands between fore- and hindlegs within a species could be related to the functional differentiation of the corresponding legs in cicadas. Further studies of exocrine glands in the legs of cicadas and other Cicadomorpha insects may improve our understanding of the structural and functional divergence of legs in hemipteran insects. ispartof: ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT vol:64 ispartof: location:England status: published

The C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mouse model has been extensively studied to define the underlying cellular and molecular bioprocesses critical in the onset of primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS), a human systemic autoimmune disease characterized clinically as the loss of lacrimal and salivary gland functions leading to dry eye and dry mouth pathologies. This mouse model, together with several gene knockout mouse models of SS, has indicated that B lymphocytes, especially marginal zone B (MZB) cells, are necessary for development and onset of clinical manifestations despite the fact that destruction of the lacrimal and salivary gland cells involves a classical T cell-mediated autoimmune response. Because migrations and functions of MZB cells are difficult to study in vivo, we have carried out ex vivo investigations that use temporal global RNA transcriptomic analyses to profile autoimmunity as it develops within the salivary glands of C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice. Temporal profiles indicate the appearance of Notch2-positive cells within the salivary glands of these SS-susceptible mice concomitant with the early-phase appearance of lymphocytic foci (LF). Data presented here identify cellular bioprocesses occurring during early immune cell migrations into the salivary glands and suggest MZB cells are recruited to the exocrine glands by the upregulated Cxcl13 chemokine where they recognize complement (C’)-decorated antigens via their sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and B cell (BC) receptors. Based on known MZB cell behavior and mobility, we propose that MZB cells activated in the salivary glands migrate to splenic follicular zones to present antigens to follicular macrophages and dendritic cells that, in turn, promote a subsequent systemic cell-mediated and autoantibody-mediated autoimmune T cell response that targets exocrine gland cells and functions. Overall, this study uses the power of transcriptomic analyses to provide greater insight into several molecular events defining cellular bioprocesses underlying SS that can be modelled and more thoroughly studied at the cellular level.

Understanding how organs originate is challenging due to the twin problems of explaining how new cell types evolve and how collective interactions between cell types arise and become selectively advantageous. Animals are assemblages of organs and cell types of different antiquities, and among the most rapidly and convergently evolving are exocrine glands and their constituent secretory cell types. Such structures have arisen independently thousands of times across the Metazoa, impacting how animals chemically interact with their environments. The recurrent evolution of exocrine systems provides a paradigm for examining how qualitative phenotypic novelties arise from variation at the cellular level. Here, we take a hierarchical perspective, focusing on the evolutionary assembly of novel biosynthetic pathways and secretory cell types, and how both selection and non-adaptive molecular processes may combine to build the complex, modular architectures of many animal glands.

In 1999, Barry Bolton postulated the presence of a basimandibular gland in the mandibles in all species of the ant genus Strumigenys, solely based on scanning microscopy observations. We now confirm the presence of this putative gland in the proximal outer part of the mandibles of 22 investigated species by histological and ultrastructural examination, including 10 short- and 12 long-mandibulate species. All species have a basimandibular gland, that is formed by 15&ndash, 25 &micro, m thick epithelial cells and belongs to class-1 following the standard classification of insect exocrine glands. We consider it a novel gland because of its peculiar bowl-shape and special arrangement of the microvilli that are confined to large vacuolar spaces instead of reaching the cuticle. The gland is most pronounced in S. mutica, particularly in the queen. In addition to this gland, we also found scattered class-3 intramandibular gland cells in the mandibles. Queens of S. mutica are peculiar in having a cluster of these cells in the distal tip of their mandibles. As this species is a social parasite, further research is required to determine whether the development of these mandibular glands is related to its parasitic lifestyle.

Salivary glands are exocrine glands composed of several cell types including ductal, acinar, and basal/myoepithelial cells. Salivary glands, through the production of saliva, play essential roles in the maintenance of proper oral health such as the digestion of starch, swallowing, and the maintenance of teeth. Pluripotent stem cell–derived organoids are three-dimensional self-organizing structures that have recently emerged as a novel model system for investigating embryonic development and disease progression. Organoids serve as a valuable tool in developmental and physiological research, disease modeling, drug screening, and potential cell-based therapies. Organoids can be grown in vitro from pluripotent stem cells by the stepwise manipulation of molecular signals that mimic the signaling cues present during in vivo organ development. Recently, we reported the generation of salivary gland organoids using mouse embryonic stem cells. The salivary gland organoid showed a similar morphology and gene expression profile to the embryonic salivary gland. Moreover, orthotopically engrafted salivary gland organoids exhibited characteristics of mature salivary glands, including saliva secretion. The culture methods used, as well as transplant model, are therefore expected to be a promising model for the understanding of salivary gland development and diseases.

Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conducted an in vivo preliminary study to investigate the antiviral effect of oral and intranasal liposomal bovine Lf (bLf) in asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. From April 2020 to June 2020, a total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided into three groups. Thirty-two patients (14 hospitalized and 18 in home-based isolation) received only oral and intranasal liposomal bLf, 32 hospitalized patients were treated only with standard of care (SOC) treatment, and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, untreated, healthy subjects were added for ancillary analysis. Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p &lt, 0.0001) SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion compared to the SOC-treated and untreated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs. 27.13 vs. 32.61 days, respectively). Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients showed fast clinical symptoms recovery compared to the SOC-treated COVID-19 patients. In bLf-treated patients, a significant decrease in serum ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimers levels was observed. No adverse events were reported. These observations led us to speculate a potential role of bLf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

The pancreas is an abdominal glandular organ which is involved in the maintenance of the nutritional balance, through the synthesis and secretion of hormones and enzymes. It consists of two main parts: endocrine and exocrine glands. Endocrine part of the pancreas is composed of clusters of cells which are collectively called as islets of Langerhans, containing five types of cells; these cells produce different hormones that are responsible for maintaining the balance of glucose in blood. Exocrine part of the pancreas consists of acinar cells and ductal cells. They are involved in the secretion of enzymes that assist digestion. The absence of proper functioning β-cells causes diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by deficiency or loss of the insulin-producing β-cells of the pancreas. Stem cells are a revolution in modern medicine and have become the most promising therapeutic approach for treating diabetes that can offer an alternative source of insulin-producing cells. This chapter reviews some attempts that have been used depicting different differentiation methodologies of transforming stem cells into β-cells in vitro and in vivo. It also sheds light on some of the human clinical trials, and the results used for stem cells for diabetes treatment that have been achieved.

The basitarsus of the mid- and/or hindlegs of several Amblyoponinae ants shows a deep longitudinal groove or sulcus on its anterior face in workers and queens. Histological examination reveals this sulcus is associated with a conspicuous novel epithelial gland, which brings the number of exocrine glands in the legs of ants to 25. The ultrastructural characteristics of the gland show the presence of a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This is indicative for the elaboration of a non-proteinaceous and thus possibly pheromonal secretion. Behavioural observations show that this secretion is collected by the tarsomeres and spread onto the brood and nest, suggesting a role in nestmate recognition. A similar basitarsal sulcus gland was also found in Nothomyrmecia, Paraponera and Tetraponera, which represents both a wide phylogenetic and ecological distribution, as it includes arboreal, ground-dwelling as well as subterranean taxa. ispartof: ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT vol:61 ispartof: location:England status: published

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:59:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Salivary glands are omnipresent in termites and occur in all developmental stages and castes. They function to produce, store, and secrete compounds, ranging from a feeding function to defensive mechanisms. Here, we provide a complete morphological overview of the salivary glands in the soldierless species Ruptitermes reconditus and R. xanthochiton, and the first proteomic profile of the salivary glands in a Neotropical Apicotermitinae representative, R. reconditus. Salivary glands from both species were composed of several acini, roughly spherical structures composed of two types of central cells (type I and II) and peripheral parietal cells, as well as transporting ducts and two salivary reservoirs. Central cells were richly supplied with electron-lucent secretory vesicles and rough endoplasmic reticulum, a feature of protein-secreting cells. Parietal cells of Ruptitermes spp. had conspicuous characteristics such as electron-lucent secretory vesicles surrounded by mitochondria and well-developed microvilli. Moreover, different individuals showed variation in the secretory cycle of salivary acini, which may be related to polyethism. Ultrastructural analysis evidenced a high synthesis of secretion and also the occurrence of lysosomes and autophagic structures in central cells. Proteomic analysis of the salivary glands revealed 483 proteins divided into functional groups, highlighting toxins/defensins and compounds related to alarm communication and colony asepsis. Soldierless termites are quite successful, especially due to morphological adaptations of the workers, including unknown modifications of exocrine glands. Thus, according to our morphological and proteomic findings, we discuss the potential roles of the salivary gland secretion in different social aspects of the sampled species. Laboratório de Cupins Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada Instituto de Biociências Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Campus Rio Claro, Avenida 24A, 1515, Bela Vista Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais-CEIS Instituto de Biociências Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Campus Rio Claro, Avenida 24A, 1515, Bela Vista Laboratório de Cupins Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada Instituto de Biociências Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Campus Rio Claro, Avenida 24A, 1515, Bela Vista Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais-CEIS Instituto de Biociências Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP Campus Rio Claro, Avenida 24A, 1515, Bela Vista

The human body contains dozens of endocrine and exocrine glands, which regulate physiological processes by secreting hormones and other factors. Glands can be subdivided into contiguous tissue modules, each consisting of an interdependent network of cells that together perform particular tissue functions. Among those cells are macrophages, a diverse type of immune cells endowed with trophic functions. In this review, we discuss recent findings on how resident macrophages support tissue modules within glands via the creation of mutually beneficial cell-cell circuits. A better comprehension of gland macrophage function and local control within their niche is essential to achieve a refined understanding of gland physiology in homeostasis and disease.

Objective To present a case of Sjogren syndrome with pulmonary manifestations in an adult female and discuss its assessment and management. Design Case Report. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Patient One. Results A 50 yrs female admitted with complaints of dryness of eyes with decreased salivation causing difficulty in swallowing since last 3 years, with persistent dry cough since 10–15 days and progressive dyspnea since 4–5 days. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) profile revealed Anti- Ro/SS-A and Anti- La/SS-B Positive. Also, sub-lingual excisional biopsy was done which was consistent with findings of Sjogren's syndrome. Patient showed significant improvement after starting oral glucocorticoids, systemic anti inflammatory agents (Tab. HCQS), artificial tear drops, oral iron supplements and other supportive treatment. Conclusion Sjogren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by diminished lacrimal and salivary gland function and associated with lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, and can affect extraglandular organ systems including the skin, lung, heart, kidney, neural, and hematopoietic systems. We present a case of Sjogren syndrome in an adult female presenting with xerostomia and dyspnea and was diagnosed upon detection of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies and confirmed by histopathological examination of lip biopsy. Patient was started on oral steroids and other supportive treatment, General condition improved significantly and is doing very well on regular follow-up.