Goblet cells are simple columnar epithelial cells that secrete gel-forming mucins, like mucin 5AC.[1] The goblet cells mainly use the merocrine method of secretion, secreting vesicles into a duct, but may use apocrine methods, budding off their secretions, when under stress.[2] The term goblet refers to the cell's goblet-like shape. The apical portion is shaped like a cup, as it is distended by abundant mucus laden granules; its basal portion lacks these granules and is shaped like a stem.
The goblet cell is highly polarized with the nucleus and other organelles concentrated at the base of the cell and secretory granules containing mucin, at the apical surface.[1] The apical plasma membrane projects short microvilli to give an increased surface area for secretion.[3]
Goblet cells are simple columnar epithelial cells, having a height of four times that of their width. The cytoplasm of goblet cells tends to be displaced toward the basal end of the cell body by the large mucin granules, which accumulate near the apical surface of the cell along the Golgi apparatus, which lies between the granules and the nucleus. This gives the basal part of the cell a basophilic staining because of nucleic acids within the nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum staining with hematoxylin. Mucin within the granules stains pale in routine histology sections, primarily because these carbohydrate-rich proteins are washed out in the preparation of microscopy samples. However, they stain easily with the PAS staining method, which colours them magenta.[8][9]
In mucicarmine stains, deep red mucin is found within goblet cell bodies. Goblet cells can be seen in the examples below as the larger, more pale cells.
An intestinal gland from the human intestine with goblet cells visible
The main role of goblet cells is to secrete mucus in order to protect the mucous membranes where they are found. Goblet cells accomplish this by secreting mucins, large glycoproteins formed mostly by carbohydrates. The gel-like properties of mucins are given by its glycans (bound carbohydrates) attracting relatively large quantities of water.[10] On the inner surface of the human intestine, it forms a 200 µm thick layer (less in other animals) that lubricates and protects the wall of the organ.[11]
Distinct forms of mucin are produced in different organs: while MUC2 is prevalent in the intestine, MUC5AC and MUC5B are the main forms found in the human airway.[12] In the airway, mucus is swept by the cilia of the respiratory epithelium, in a process called mucociliary clearance, and propelled out of the lungs and into the pharynx, which results in the removal of debris and pathogens from the airway.[13] MUC5AC is overexpressed in allergic lung inflammation.[13]
Mucins are continuously made and secreted by goblet cells in order to repair and replace the existing mucus layer.[13] Mucins are stored in granules inside the goblet cells before being released to the lumen of the organ.[10] Mucin secretion in the airway may occur via regulated secretion.[14] Secretion may be stimulated by irritants such as dust and smoke, especially in the airway.[12] Other stimuli are microbes such as viruses and bacteria.
Anomalies in the number of goblet cells are associated with changes in the secretion of mucins, which can result in many of the abnormalities seen in asthma patients, such as clogged airways due to mucus hypersecretion, and eventual loss of lung function.[13] Overexpression of MUC5AC alone does not result in the pathophysiology seen in asthma patients; it is the excessive production along with the speed of secretion that leads to the formation of thick mucus that cannot be removed by cilia or coughing action.[13] This, in addition to airway narrowing leads to the clogging of the airways, which can be detrimental to health if not treated.[13]
Oral tolerance is the process by which the immune system is prevented from responding to antigen derived from food products, as peptides from food may pass into the bloodstream via the gut, which would in theory lead to an immune response. A paper published in Nature in 2012 has shed some light on the process and implicated goblet cells as having a role in the process.[16] It was known that CD103-expressing dendritic cells of the lamina propria had a role to play in the induction of oral tolerance (potentially by inducing the differentiation of regulatory T cells), and this paper suggests that the goblet cells act to preferentially deliver antigen to these CD103+ dendritic cells.[16]
Clinical significance
Allergic asthma
The excessive mucus production seen in allergic asthma patients is due to goblet cell metaplasia, the differentiation of airway epithelial cells into mucin producing goblet cells.[17] These cells produce the thick mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B, which clog the airway, leading to the airflow obstruction characteristic of asthma.[17]
Goblet cell metaplasia in allergic asthma is due to the action of the cytokineIL-13. IL-13 binds to the IL-4Rα receptor and initiates a STAT6 signalling response.[18] Binding of IL-13 causes phosphorylation of tyrosine residues at the IL-4Rα.[18] This results in docking of STAT6 monomers, which themselves are phosphorylated and then subsequently leave the receptor and congregate form STAT6 homodimers in the cytoplasm.[18] These homodimers then enter the nucleus, where they bind to regulatory elements in the DNA, which affects the transcription of certain genes involved in mucus production.[18]
Induction of STAT6 signaling by IL-13 leads to increased of expression of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO-1), which is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of unsaturated fatty acids.[19] 15-lipoxygenase acts by binding to phospholipids and yields hydroperoxy and epoxy metabolites.[19] One such metabolite, 15-hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid (15-HETE), is released intracellularly, where it conjugates to phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid component.[19] 15-HETE-PE induces expression of the mucin MUC5AC.[19]
Incomplete intestinal metaplasia (incomplete Barrett's esophagus), showing both foveolar cells and goblet cells, latter indicated by arrows, and usually having a slightly bluish color compared to the apical cytoplasm of foveolar cells on H&E stain.
Studies of mice given monoclonal antibodies for IL-13 results in decreased expression of goblet cells in asthma patients.[23] Some treatments that use anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibodies include tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab.[23] These treatments have shown improvements in asthma patients, yet there are still limitations to the use of anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibodies.[23]Dupilumab is a newer drug that targets the shared receptor of IL-4 and IL-13, IL4Rα.[23] Since IL-4 and IL-13 have interrelated biological activities, Dupilumab is a more effective form of treatment as it targets both interleukins.[23]
History
The cells were first noted by Henle in 1837 when studying the lining of the small intestine, seen to be mucus producing by Leydig in 1857 (who was examining the epidermis of fish), and were given their name by Schulze in 1867,[24][25] Schulze chose the descriptive name "goblet" because of the shape of the cell, rather than a functional name, as he remained uncertain as to the mucus-producing function of the cell.[25]
Nowadays these cells are used in the laboratories to evaluate the intestinal absorption of drug targets with different kits, such as the CacoGoblet.[26]
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