Résumé :
Introduction : The sense of taste informs the organism about the quality of ingested food. This sense is exposed to many external pathogens and its dysfunction impacts negatively the quality of life. Although immune cells are rarely found in taste bud cells, while high levels of cytokines are observed in taste buds. Yet, the origin of these cytokines in the lingual epithelium remains clarified.

Materials and methods : In this study, using an immunomagnetic approach we isolated type I taste bud cells (TBC) which share many features with astrocytes. Then, characterization of type 1 TBC cells assessed by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR.

Results : We observed that the isolated type I gustatory cells express F4/80 a specific marker of macrophage. They also express CD11b and CD11c founded in glial cells. Further, in inflammatory conditions (cells incubation with LPS) ,the addition of IL-4 in culture medium triggered an increase in the mRNA expression of Arginase 1, F4/80 and IL-4; and decreased the mRNA expression of TNFα. Conversely, the addition of LPS+anti-IL-4 increased the mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6.

Discussion/conclusion : These findings provide evidence that type I gustatory cells share many features with macrophage and are involved in the inflammatory process with the ability to react according to the inflammatory situation.

Mots clés : Inflammation; Taste ; Glast ; F4/80; Type I cells

Auteurs : Hamza Saidi, Amira Khan,  Pernelle Degbegni, Naim Akhtar Khan, Aziz Hichami

Mail de la personne à contacter pour questions : aziz.hichami@u-bourgogne.fr