A multitude of complex ultrastructural features are involved in endothelial cell (EC) gating and sorting of lipid through capillaries and into steroidogenic cells of the adrenal cortex. Correlative microscopy is necessary to distinguish the structural identity of features involved in specific cellular pathways. In addition to diaphragmed fenestrae that frequently appear in clusters, other 60-80 nm openings; plasmalemma vesicles (PV), channels and pockets fitted with diaphragms of the same dimension, coexist on the thin EC surface. Non-diaphragmed coated pits (CP) (100-120 nm) involved in receptor mediated endocytosis were also present on the EC membrane. The present study employed HRSEM of cryofractured and chromium coated specimens and low voltage HRSTEM of 80 nm thick LX-112 embedded sections stained with 2.0% uranyl acetate. Both preparations were imaged at 25 kV with a Topcon DS-130 FESEM equipped with in-lens stage and STEM detector.HRSEM images of the capillary lumen coated with a lnm continuous fine grain Cr film, provided the ability to scan many openings and resolve (SE-I contrast) the fine structure of diaphragm spokes and central densities (Fig. 1).
The Immunological Organ Environment Dictates the Molecular and Cellular Pathways of Cytotoxic Antibody Activity
