scholarly journals THE FINE STRUCTURE OF ELASTIC FIBERS

1966 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore K. Greenlee ◽  
Russell Ross ◽  
Jerry L. Hartman
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Elastic Fiber ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Elastic Fibers ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Central Regions

The fine structure of developing elastic fibers in bovine ligamentum nuchae and rat flexor digital tendon was examined. Elastic fibers were found to contain two distinct morphologic components in sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead. These components are 100 A fibrils and a central, almost amorphous nonstaining area. During development, the first identifiable elastic fibers are composed of aggregates of fine fibrils approximately 100 A in diameter. With advancing age, somewhat amorphous regions appear surrounded by these fibrils. These regions increase in prominence until in mature elastic fibers they are the predominant structure surrounded by a mantle of 100 A fibrils. Specific staining characteristics for each of the two components of the elastic fiber as well as for the collagen fibrils in these tissues can be demonstrated after staining with lead, uranyl acetate, or phosphotungstic acid. The 100 A fibrils stain with both uranyl acetate and lead, whereas the central regions of the elastic fibers stain only with phosphotungstic acid. Collagen fibrils stain with uranyl acetate or phosphotungstic acid, but not with lead. These staining reactions imply either a chemical or an organizational difference in these structures. The significance and possible nature of the two morphologic components of the elastic fiber remain to be elucidated.

Ultrastructure and Staining of Developing Elastic Tissue

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 244-245
Author(s):  
E. N. Albert
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Staining Method ◽  
Rat Aorta ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Elastic Fibers ◽  
Elastic Tissue ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
New Born

Silver tetraphenylporphine sulfonate (Ag-TPPS) was synthesized in this laboratory and used as an electron dense stain for elastic tissue (Fig 1). The procedures for the synthesis of tetraphenylporphine sulfonate and the staining method for mature elastic tissue have been described previously.The fine structure of developing elastic tissue was observed in fetal and new born rat aorta using tetraphenylporphine sulfonate, phosphotungstic acid, uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The newly forming elastica consisted of two morphologically distinct components. These were a central amorphous and a peripheral fibrous. The ratio of the central amorphous and the peripheral fibrillar portion changed in favor of the former with increasing age.It was also observed that the staining properties of the two components were entirely different. The peripheral fibrous component stained with uranyl acetate and/or lead citrate while the central amorphous portion demonstrated no affinity for these stains. On the other hand, the central amorphous portion of developing elastic fibers stained vigorously with silver tetraphenylporphine sulfonate, while the fibrillar part did not (compare figs 2, 3, 4). Based upon the above observations it is proposed that developing elastica consists of two components that are morphologically and chemically different.

Electron Microscopy of Wound Healing in Patients with Hernia

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 352-353
Author(s):  
C.N. Sun ◽  
H.J. White ◽  
R.C. Read
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Phosphate Buffer ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Rectus Sheath ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Native Collagen

Previously we have reported the defect of collagen fibrils from herniated rectus sheath. This presentation includes additional sections from postsurgical incisions (10 days) from both control and hernia patients. Small pieces of rectus sheath were fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and post fixed with buffered 2% osmium tetroxide. The tissues were then dehydrated in serially increasing concentrations of alcohol and embedded in Epon 812. Sections were stained with 2.5% phosphotungstic acid or uranyl acetate and lead citrate.Previously we found that collagen fibrils from "non-herniated" rectus sheath have uniform diameters and 640 Å periodicity with seven or more intraperiodic bands resembling typical native collagen fibrils, while the fibrils from fascia obtained from patients with direct herniation show considerable variation in diameter. These variations are often found in the same individual fibers with a range from 300 Å to 3000 Å.

Observations on the Collagen and Proteinpolysaccharide Complex of Rabbit Corneal Stroma

1969 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-436
Author(s):  
J. W. SMITH ◽  
J. FRAME
Keyword(s):  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Corneal Stroma ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Bismuth Nitrate ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Links ◽  
Beaded Filaments ◽  
Corneal Collagen

The form and interrelationship of the collagen fibrils and proteinpolysaccharide complex of rabbit corneal stroma were studied by electron microscopy. The intact tissue was examined as Araldite sections stained with alkaline lead citrate and uranyl acetate, and the mechanically disintegrated cornea after positive or negative staining with phosphotungstic acid or after treatment with 0.5% bismuth nitrate in 0.1 M nitric acid. The corneal collagen fibrils vary in cross-sectional area from 4.6 to 9.6 x 104 sq. Å and do not exhibit a regular hexagonal distribution. Like tendon fibrils they consist of longitudinal filaments, but their appearance suggests that they lack some of the interfilament cross-links present in tendon. In sections of intact cornea and in negatively stained disintegrated cornea, filaments which are considered to be the protein cores of proteinpolysaccharide macromolecules are evident. They are about 40 Å wide and 2000 Å long. They appear to run an angular course, orthogonal to the collagen fibrils, and to be tangentially attached to several fibrils in the region of the a band. After treatment with bismuth nitrate disintegrated cornea contains coarsely beaded filaments. The filaments are about 2000 Å long and the beads about 70 Å in diameter. It is considered that these are again proteinpolysaccharide macromolecules and that each bead represents one or more polysaccharide chains in coiled configuration.

Developing Elastic Fibers in the Chick Embryo

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 58-59
Author(s):  
C. R. Basom
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Elastic Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Ground Substance ◽  
Elastic Fibers ◽  
The Third ◽  
Immersion Medium ◽  
Individual Unit ◽  
Homogeneous Matrix

The tunica media of the developing chick aorta was examined for elastic fiber formation. Embryos of three to eighteen days incubation age were prepared for electron microscopy by Karnovsky's fixation. Small embryos were fixed by “in toto” immersion: medium sized embryos were previously transected. The aortae of larger embryos were removed prior to fixation. Epon 812 was used for embedment.Irregular masses of amorphous ground substance appeared in the interstitial space of the aortae in three to five day embryos. These masses were located where elastic fibers would later form (Fig. 1). Later loose tangles of microfibrils appeared within the same masses (Fig. 2). In still older embryos, individual unit collagen fibrils appeared within this loose network. At one week's incubation, small elastic fibers could be identified by their homogeneous matrix. These arose within the conglomerate masses described above. At the beginning of the third week compact bundles of colinear unit collagen fibrils appeared (Fig. 3). These fibrils swelled, gradually lost their periodicity and became very lucid (Fig. 4).

Fine Structure of Interdental Cells in the Mouse Cochlea

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 140-141
Author(s):  
Roberta M. Bruck
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Ground Substance ◽  
Tectorial Membrane ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Unusual Structure ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Collagenous Fibers

An unusual structure in the cochlea is the spiral limbus; this periosteal tissue consists of stellate fibroblasts and collagenous fibers embedded in a translucent ground substance. The collagenous fibers are arranged in vertical columns (the auditory teeth of Haschke). Between the auditory teeth are interdental furrows in which the interdental cells are situated. These epithelial cells supposedly secrete the tectorial membrane.The fine structure of interdental cells in the rat was reported by Iurato (1962). Since the mouse appears to be different, a description of the fine structure of mouse interdental cells' is presented. Young adult C57BL/6J mice were perfused intervascularly with 1% paraformaldehyde/ 1.25% glutaraldehyde in .1M phosphate buffer (pH7.2-7.4). Intact cochlea were decalcified in .1M EDTA by the method of Baird (1967), postosmicated, dehydrated, and embedded in Araldite. Thin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were examined in a Phillips EM-200 electron microscope.

Fine Structure of Carotid Body: Normal and Anoxic Cats

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 150-151
Author(s):  
Fadhil Al-Lami ◽  
R.G. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Adrenal Medulla ◽  
Carotid Body ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Glomus Cells ◽  
Sustentacular Cells ◽  
Carotid Bodies

Although the fine structure of the carotid body has been described in several recent reports, uncertainties remain, and the morphological effects of anoxia on the carotid body cells of the cat have never been reported. We have, therefore, studied the fine structure of the carotid body both in normal and severely anoxic cats, and to test the specificity of the effects, have compared them with the effects on adrenal medulla, kidney, and liver of the same animals. Carotid bodies of 50 normal and 15 severely anoxic cats (9% oxygen in nitrogen) were studied. Glutaraldehyde followed by OsO4 fixations, Epon 812 embedding, and uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining, were the technics employed.We have called the two types of glomus cells enclosed and enclosing cells. They correspond to those previously designated as chemoreceptor and sustentacular cells respectively (1). The enclosed cells forming the vast majority, are irregular in shape with many processes and occasional peripheral densities (Fig. 1).

Banded Structures in the Connective Tissue of Meningioma

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 234-235
Author(s):  
C. N. Sun ◽  
H. J. White
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Native Collagen ◽  
Routine Procedures

Previously, we have reported on extracellular cross-striated banded structures in human connective tissues of a variety of organs (1). Since then, more material has been examined and other techniques applied. Recently, we studied a fibrocytic meningioma of the falx. After the specimen was fixed in 4% buffered glutaraldehyde and post-fixed in 1% buffered osmium tetroxide, other routine procedures were followed for embedding in Epon 812. Sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. There were numerous cross striated banded structures in aggregated bundle forms found in the connecfive tissue of the tumor. The banded material has a periodicity of about 450 Å and where it assumes a filamentous arrangement, appears to be about 800 Å in diameter. In comparison with the vicinal native collagen fibrils, the banded material Is sometimes about twice the diameter of native collagen.

High-resolution SEM and STEM of adrenocortical endothelium: Molecular resolution of membrane complexes

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 610-611
Author(s):  
Robert P. Apkarian
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Correlative Microscopy ◽  
Coated Pits ◽  
Fine Grain ◽  
Structural Identity ◽  
Cellular Pathways ◽  
Steroidogenic Cells ◽  
Cr Film

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).

Identification of the pulmonary syndrome hantavirus by direct and colloidal gold immune Electron Microscopy

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 274-275
Author(s):  
C. D. Humphrey ◽  
C.S. Goldsmith ◽  
L. Elliott ◽  
S.R. Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
United States ◽  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Colloidal Gold ◽  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Immune Electron Microscopy ◽  
Negative Stain

An outbreak of unexplained acute pulmonary syndrome with high fatality was recognized in the spring of 1993 in the southwestern United States. The cause of the illness was quickly identified serologically and genetically as a hantavirus and the disease was named hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Recently, the virus was isolated from deer mice which had been trapped near the homes of HPS patients, and cultivated in Vero E6 cells. We identified the cultivated virus by negative-stain direct and colloidal gold immune electron microscopy (EM).Virus was extracted, clarified, and concentrated from unfixed and 0.25% glutaraldehyde fixed supernatant fluids of infected Vero E6 cells by a procedure described previously. Concentrated virus suspensions tested by direct EM were applied to glow-discharge treated formvar-carbon filmed grids, blotted, and stained with 0.5% uranyl acetate (UA) or with 2% phosphotungstic acid (PTA) pH 6.5. Virus suspensions for immune colloidal gold identification were adsorbed similarly to filmed grids but incubated for 1 hr on drops of 1:50 diluted monoclonal antibody to Prospect Hill virus nucleoprotein or with 1:50 diluted sera from HPS virus infected deer mice.

A combined pseudoreplica-immunocytochemical technique for research and diagnostic virology

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 900-901
Author(s):  
Blayne Fritz ◽  
Stanley J. Naides ◽  
Kenneth Moore
Keyword(s):  
Phosphotungstic Acid ◽  
Immunogold Labelling ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
Specimen Retrieval ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Diagnostic Virology

The pseudoreplica method of staining viral particles for visualization by transmission electron microscopy is a very popular technique. The ability to concentrate clinical specimens while semi-embedding viral particles makes it especially well suited for morphologic and diagnostic virology. Immunolabelling viral particles with colloidal gold is a technique frequently employed by both research and diagnostic virologists. We have characterized a procedure which provides the advantage of both by modifying and combining pseudoreplica staining and immunogold labelling.Modification of specimen retrieval and delay of staining allows us to utilize pseudoreplica processed specimens within our standard immunogold labelling protocol. In brief, we absorbed samples onto 2% agarose, added.25% Formvar and wicked dry. We then floated the Formvar-virus film onto double distilled water, added grids and retrieved with parafilm. The Formvar-virus specimens were then treated as thin tissue sections within our standard two stage immunolabelling protocol. Following completion of immunogold labelling; each grid was negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid or uranyl acetate contrast stains.

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