Topographical Variations in Crypt Response After Cytocidal Treatment

Abstract

The response of murine ileal crypts to cytotoxic treatments has been analysed, using the crypt microcolony assay, with respect to three topographic zones - crypts overlying Payer’s patches (P), non-patch crypts on the antimesenteric aspect of an intestinal circumference (NPA), non-patch crypts adjacent to the mesenteric attachment (NPM). For y-rays, survival was highest in P crypts, intermediate in NPA crypts, lowest in NPM crypts. It could not be clearly demonstrated that this was caused by a high number of clonogenic cells in P crypts. The ratio of Do's between P and NPM crypts was 1.65:1. For nitrogen mustard, crypt survival was again highest for P crypts, but NPA crypts were more sensitive than NPM crypts. It is suggested that these differences in response reflect differences in the delivered dose of drug to the three zones, following intraperitoneal injection. The cellular kinetics of unperturbed P and NP crypts were similar.