IDENTIFICATION OF GASTRIN-CELLS AND CHOLECYSTOKININ-CELLS IN HUMAN GASTRIC ANTRUM AND DUODENUM USING INSITU HYBRIDIZATION TECHNIQUE

In situ hybridization technique was applied to identification of the cells producing structurally related hormones, gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK). By this technique using biotinylated DNA probes and alkaline phosphatase histochemistry, we looked for the localization of each messenger RNA (mRNA) for the hormones on tissue sections of biopsy specimens of human gastric antrum and duodenum. As a result, gastrin mRNA positive cells were found in the pyloric glands, while CCK cells were not detectable in the gastric antral mucosa. In the proximal duodenum, CCK- and gastrin-cells were detected separately. In conclusion, detection of mRNA by in situ hybridization was considered to be a useful means for analyzing endocrine cells in the gut.