Complex regulation of mucosal pentraxin (Mptx) revealed by discrete micro-anatomical locations in colon

Recently a mucosal pentraxin, Mptx, regulated by heme and calcium was reported in rat gut mucosal scrapings using microarray strategies. Considering the heterogeneity of gut mucosa scrapings and the widespread use of the rat as a model to study colon pathologies this study was undertaken to generate detailed mapping of micro-anatomical locations of Mptx and gain further insight into potential functions of this mucosal pentraxin in rat colon. Differential regulation was also examined in colon from different rat strains and rat models of oxidative stress and in pre-cancerous colon tissue. Different regional patterns of expression and discrete localisation in epithelial cells within transverse and distal colon crypts and an absence of expression in proximal colon were confirmed by regional PCR analysis and in situ hybridisation studies of colon. This study demonstrates that consideration of regional differences in Mptx gene expression and micro-anatomical location is necessary in the interpretation and deciphering of its regulation in colon.