Cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms of lipid transport from gut to lymph.

Although the general structure of the barrier between the gut and the blood is well known, many details are still missing. Here, we analyse the literature and our own data related to lipid transcytosis through adult mammalian enterocytes, and their absorption into lymph at the tissue level of the intestine. After starvation, the Golgi complex (GC) of enterocytes is in a resting state. The addition of lipids in the form of chyme leads to the initial appearance of pre-chylomicrons (ChMs) in the tubules of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which are attached at the basolateral plasma membrane, immediately below the 'belt' of the adhesive junctions. Then pre-ChMs move into the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and then into the expansion of the perforated Golgi cisternae. Next, they pass through the GC, and are concentrated in the distensions of the perforated cisternae on the trans-side of the GC. The arrival of pre-ChMs at the GC leads to the transition of the GC to a state of active transport, with formation of intercisternal connections, attachment of cis-most and trans-most perforated cisternae to the medial Golgi cisternae, and disappearance of COPI vesicles. Post-Golgi carriers then deliver ChMs to the basolateral plasma membrane, fuse with it, and secret ChMs into the intercellular space between enterocytes at the level of their interdigitating contacts. Finally, ChMs are squeezed out into the interstitium through pores in the basal membrane, most likely due to the function of the actin-myosin 'cuff' around the interdigitating contacts. These pores appear to be formed by protrusions of the dendritic cells and the enterocytes per se. ChMs are absorbed from the interstitium into the lymphatic capillaries through the special oblique contacts between endothelial cells, which function as valves through the contraction-relaxation of bundles of smooth muscle cells in the interstitium. Lipid overloading of enterocytes results in accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets, an increase in diameter of ChMs, inhibition of intra-Golgi transport, and fusion of ChMs in the interstitium. Here, we summarise and analyse recent findings, and discuss their functional implications.

Structure of the enterocyte transcytosis compartments during lipid absorption.

In spite of tremendous progress in deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in intracellular transport in cell culture and in the test tube, many aspects of this process in situ remain unclear. Here, we examined lipid transcytosis in enterocytes in adult rats. Apical clathrin-coated buds and the ER exit sites were not found. After starvation, the Golgi complex was in a non-transporting state and contained many vesicles, but no intercisternal connections and typical the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae. Following the addition of the lipids in the form of chyme, pre-chylomicrons (pre-ChMs) were initially found in the tubules of the smooth SER attached to the basolateral plasmalemma below the belt composed of adhesive junctions (AJ) and always connected with other cisternae. However, the ER exit sites were still absent. Pre-ChMs moved into the cis-most cisterna and were concentrated in cisternal distensions at the trans-side of the Golgi complex. This induced attachment of the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae to the Golgi complex. Post-Golgi carriers fused with the basolateral plasmalemma and delivered ChMs outside. Overloading of enterocytes with lipids resulted in an accumulation of lipid droplets, an increase of the diameter of ChMs, and shift of the Golgi complex to the transporting state with the formation of intercisternal connections, attachment of the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae and disappearance of vesicles. These data are discussed from the functional point of view. In spite of tremendous progress in deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in intracellular transport in cell culture and in the test tube, many aspects of this process in situ remain unclear. Here, we examined lipid transcytosis in enterocytes in adult rats. Apical clathrin-coated buds and the ER exit sites were not found. After starvation, the Golgi complex was in a non-transporting state and contained many vesicles, but no intercisternal connections and typical the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae. Following the addition of the lipids in the form of chyme, pre-chylomicrons (pre-ChMs) were initially found in the tubules of the smooth SER attached to the basolateral plasmalemma below the belt composed of adhesive junctions (AJ) and always connected with other cisternae. However, the ER exit sites were still absent. Pre-ChMs moved into the cis-most cisterna and were concentrated in cisternal distensions at the trans-side of the Golgi complex. This induced attachment of the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae to the Golgi complex. Post-Golgi carriers fused with the basolateral plasmalemma and delivered ChMs outside. Overloading of enterocytes with lipids resulted in an accumulation of lipid droplets, an increase of the diameter of ChMs, and shift of the Golgi complex to the transporting state with the formation of intercisternal connections, attachment of the cis-most and the trans-most cisternae and disappearance of vesicles. These data are discussed from the functional point of view.