An immunocytochemical study on the occurrence of liver fatty-acid-binding protein in the digestive organs of rats: specific localization in the D cells and brush cells.

Rat liver fatty-acid-binding protein (L-FABP) was originally isolated from the liver parenchymal cells and later found also in the intestinal absorptive cells. By light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry we examined the distribution of L-FABP in the entire digestive system of the rat and revealed two other cell types, i.e. the endocrine D cell and the brush cell, to be specifically immunoreactive for L-FABP. The immunoreactive D cells, identified by the simultaneous immunoreactivity for somatostatin and by characteristic endocrine granules, were found in the stomach epithelium and pancreatic islets. The immunoreactive brush cells, identified by the ultrastructural features of cell apex, were found primarily in the stomach epithelium and also in the epithelia of the rectum and common bile duct. Almost all immunoreactive brush cells had a thin process in contact with the basement membrane. No secretory granules with dense cores similar to those of the endocrine cells were observed in the brush cells. The present findings reveal L-FABP to be a useful marker of the gastrointestinal D cells and brush cells, especially of the latter, confirming that the brush cell is a distinct entity different from any other cell types in the gastrointestinal epithelia. Furthermore, FABP may be involved in the specific functions of these cell types related to fatty acid metabolism.