scholarly journals PERMEABLE JUNCTIONAL COMPLEXES

1972 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry E. Machen ◽  
David Erlij ◽  
F. B. P. Wooding
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Ion Permeation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Resistance Pathway ◽  
Junctional Complexes

Ionic lanthanum has been used to study transepithelial ion permeation in in vitro rabbit gallbladder and intestine (ileum) by adding 1 mM La3+ to only the mucosal bathing solution. Transepithelial fluid transport electrical potential differences (p.d.), and resistances were measured. During La3+ treatment the gallbladder's rate of active solute-coupled fluid transport remained constant, the resistance increased, and the 2:1 NaCl diffusion p.d. decreased. Mucosa-to-serosa fluxes of 140La3+ were measured and indicate a finite permeability of the gallbladder to La3+. La3+ also increased the transepithelial resistance and p d. of ileum. Electron microscopic examination of La3+-treated gallbladder showed: (a) good preservation of the fine structure, (b) electron-opaque lanthanum precipitates in almost every lateral intercellular space, most frequently near the apical end of the lateral spaces close to or within the junctional complex, (c) lanthanum among the subjacent muscle and connective tissue layers, and (d) lanthanum filling almost the entire length of so-called "tight" junctions. No observations were made which unequivocally showed the penetration of lanthanum into the gallbladder cells. Electron micrographs of similar La3+-treated ilea showed lanthanum deposits penetrating the junctional complexes. These results coupled with other physiological studies indicate that the low resistance pathway for transepithelial ion permeation in gallbladder and ileum is through the tight junctions A division of salt-transporting epithelia into two main groups, those with "leaky" junctional complexes and those with tight junctional complexes, has been proposed.

An Investigation of the Role of Possible Neural Mechanisms in Cholera Toxin-Induced Secretion in Rabbit Ileal Mucosa in Vitro

1989 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Moriarty ◽  
N. B. Higgs ◽  
M. Woodford ◽  
L. A. Turnberg
Keyword(s):  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Electrical Potential Difference ◽  
Rabbit Ileum ◽  
Ileal Mucosa

1. Cholera toxin stimulates intestinal secretion in vitro by activation of mucosal adenylate cyclase. However, it has been proposed that cholera toxin promotes secretion in vivo mainly through an indirect mechanism involving enteric neural reflexes. 2. We examined this hypothesis further by studying the influence of neuronal blockade on cholera toxin-induced changes in fluid transport across rabbit ileum in vitro. Mucosa, stripped of muscle layers, was mounted in flux chambers and luminal application of crude cholera toxin (2 μg/ml) caused a delayed but sustained rise in the short-circuit current, electrical potential difference and Cl− secretion. Pretreatment with the nerve-blocking drug, tetrodotoxin (5 × 10−6 mol/l serosal side), failed to influence the secretory response to cholera toxin, and addition of tetrodotoxin at the peak response to cholera toxin also had no effect. 3. That tetrodotoxin could block neurally mediated secretagogues was confirmed by the demonstration that the electrical responses to neurotensin (10−7 mol/l and 10−8 mol/l) were blocked by tetrodotoxin (5 × 10−6 mol/l). Furthermore, the response to cholera toxin of segments of ileum, which included the myenteric, submucosal and mucosal nerve plexuses, was not inhibited by tetrodotoxin. 4. We conclude that cholera toxin-induced secretion in rabbit ileum in vitro is not mediated via a neurological mechanism.

Transepithelial electrical potential of nonsensory region of gerbil utricle in vitro

1986 ◽  
Vol 251 (5) ◽  
pp. C662-C670 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Difference ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Sensory Cells ◽  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Electrical Potential Difference ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Direct Demonstration ◽  
Voltage Change

Transepithelial electrical potential difference (VT) was measured across the vestibular labyrinth of the inner ear in vitro by puncturing the epithelial wall of the utricle with a glass microelectrode. A region of nonsensory cells of the utricle was isolated from the sensory regions by introducing columns of liquid Sylgard 184. Under control conditions, the VT of this region was +7.5 +/- 0.3 mV (means +/- SE), lumen positive. This potential difference was rapidly reduced by either 1 mM ouabain, 10-100 microM bumetanide, 0.5-5.0 mM Ba (in the bathing solution), or cooling, but not by the disulfonic stilbene, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Changes in VT due to reductions of Cl or Na or to increases of K in the bathing solution in exchange for presumably impermeant ions were observed in this region and were compared with those in a preparation in which the insulating seals were absent. The K-induced voltage change was significantly higher in the unblocked preparation, a finding consistent with a high K permeability of the sensory cells. The voltage change due to reduction of Cl was not inhibited by Cl channel blockers (9-anthracenecarboxylate and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate) in the bathing solution. These results represent the first direct demonstration that the nonsensory cells of the utricle produce a lumen-positive active-transport potential and characterize some of the properties of the cell membranes in terms of their pharmacological sensitivities and net voltage responses to changes in the bathing medium ions Na, K, and Cl.

Combined high-voltage and scanning electron microscopy on the same brain tissue samples for the study of blood-brain barrier injury

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 986-987
Author(s):  
A.S. Lossinsky ◽  
M. J. Song ◽  
R. Pluta ◽  
R. C. Moretz ◽  
H. M. Wisniewski
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Scanning Electron

The application of combined techniques utilizing both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) has a decided advantage because it permits analysis of identical tissue areas. If one is interested in analyzing of endothelial cell (EC) tight junctions, for example, although SEM offers unlimited topographical information, it is of critical importance to concomitantly assess EC junctions by CTEM from adjacent tissue blocks in order to visualize whether or not the junctional complexes are open only at the surface, for example, while deeper regions of this junctional complex may actually be occluded. Generally, three dimensional reconstruction is required employing either serial thin section analysis or high-voltage electron microscopic (HVEM) analysis of thick (0.25-1.0 μm) sections in order to obtain this information.Micro blood vessels (veins and venules) from the thalamus of SJL mice subjected to chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis were used in the present studies for examining EC junctional complexes and perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells. Animals were perfused, fixed with standards buffered aldehydes, prepared for SEM, and blood vessels were identified and analyzed with an ISI-40 SEM. The same tissue blocks were trimmed to the targeted micro blood vessels, rinsed three times in propylene oxide (p.o.) for 20 min. each and flat-embedded in Spurr plastic following 1 hr. in 1:1 p.o.:Spurr. Thick (0.5 μm) sections were collected on Formvar-coated slot grids, stained with uranyl and lead salts and examined with an AEl HVEM (Albany, NY) at 1000 KV.

scholarly journals The growth and differentiation of transitional epithelium in vitro.

1979 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
F J Chlapowski ◽  
L Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Growth Surface ◽  
Transitional Epithelium ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Apical Cells ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Plastic Surfaces

The development of rat transitional epithelial cells grown on conventional non-permeable surfaces was compared with development on permeable collagen supports. On glass or plastic surfaces, cells grew as expanding nomolayer sheets. Once confluent, growth continued with a bilayer being formed in most areas and apical cells being continuously sloughed off. Although most cells were interconnected by desmosomes, and junctional complexes were formed, no other indications of differentiation were observed. After 2-3 wk of growth, division stopped and cel death ensued. In contrast, single-cell suspensions plated on collagen-coated nylon disks reassociated into multicellular islands and commenced growth. Mitoses were confined to the basal cells in contact with the permeable substrate. The islands developed into epithelial trilayers, tapering to monolayers along spreading edges. Once the islands were confluent, stratification was completed and appeared similar to that observed in vivo. Germinal cells formed a basal lamina, and the upper layer was composed of large, flattened cells with an unusually thick asymmetrical plasma membrane on the apical surface. Electron microscopic and radioactive tracers demonstrated "leaky" zonulae occludentes with a restricted permeability to small molecules. The movement of urea was retarded in comparison to water. Unlike the slow turnover of adult epithelium in vivo, maturation and sloughing of apical cells were measurable. Transfer of cells could be effected and growth maintained for up to 4 mo. These results may indicate the necessity of a nutrient-permeable growth surface for the polarized differentiation of adult transitional epithelium.

scholarly journals A component of fluid absorption linked to passive ion flows in the superficial pars recta.

1975 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Schafer ◽  
C S Patlak ◽  
T E Andreoli
Keyword(s):  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Fluid Absorption ◽  
Intercellular Spaces ◽  
Concentration Gradients ◽  
Lateral Intercellular Spaces ◽  
Pars Recta ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Transepithelial Voltage

We studied salt and water absorption in isolated rabbit superficial proximal straight tubules perfused and bathed with solutions providing oppositely directed transepithelial anion gradients similar to those which might obtain in vivo. The perfusing solution contained 138.6 mM Cl- 3.8 mM HCO-3 (pH 6.6) while the bathing solution contained 113.6 mM Cl- and 25 mM HCO-3 (pH 7.4); the system was bubbled with 95% O2-5% CO2. At 37 degrees C, net volume absorption (Jv nl min-1 mm-1) was 0.32 +/- 0.03 (SEM); Ve, the transepithelial voltage (millivolts; lumen to bath), was +3.1 +/- 0.2. At 21 degrees C, Ve rose to +3.7 +/- 0.1 and Jv fell to 0.13 +/- 0.01 (significantly different from zero at P less than 0.001); in the presence of 10(-4)M ouabain at 37 degrees C, Ve rose to +3.8 +/- 0.1 and Jv fell to 0.16 +/- 0.01 (P less than 0.001 with respect to zero). In paired experiments, the ouabain- and temperature-insensitive moieties of Jv and Ve became zero when transepithelial anion concentration gradients were abolished. Titrametric determinations net chloride flux at 21 degrees C or at 37 degrees C with 10(-4) M ouabain showed that chloride was the sole anion in an isotonic absorbate. And, combined electrical and tracer flux data indicated that the tubular epithelium was approximately 18 times more permeable to Cl- than to HCO-3. We interpret these results to indicate that, in these tubules, NaCl absorption depends in part on transepithelial anion concentration gradients similar to those generated in vivo and in vitro by active Na+ absorption associated with absorption to anions other than chloride. A quantitative analysis of passive solute and solvent flows in lateral intercellular spaces indicated that fluid absorption occurred across junctional complexes when the osmolality of the lateral intercellular spaces was equal to or slightly less than that of the perfusing and bathing solutions; the driving force for volume flow under these conditions depended on the fact that sigmaHCO3 exceeded sigmaCl.

Cytoplasmic Granules in Lymphocytes from Rats Dosed with SK&F 14336-D

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 556-557
Author(s):  
T. G. Merrill ◽  
B. J. Payne ◽  
A. J. Tousimis
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Storage ◽  
Pokeweed Mitogen ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cytoplasmic Granules ◽  
Storage Diseases ◽  
Tay Sachs Disease ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Neurovisceral Lipidosis

Rats given SK&F 14336-D (9-[3-Dimethylamino propyl]-2-chloroacridane), a tranquilizing drug, developed an increased number of vacuolated lymphocytes as observed by light microscopy. Vacuoles in peripheral blood of rats and humans apparently are rare and are not usually reported in differential counts. Transforming agents such as phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen induce similar vacuoles in in vitro cultures of lymphocytes. These vacuoles have also been reported in some of the lipid-storage diseases of humans such as amaurotic familial idiocy, familial neurovisceral lipidosis, lipomucopolysaccharidosis and sphingomyelinosis. Electron microscopic studies of Tay-Sachs' disease and of chloroquine treated swine have demonstrated large numbers of “membranous cytoplasmic granules” in the cytoplasm of neurons, in addition to lymphocytes. The present study was undertaken with the purpose of characterizing the membranous inclusions and developing an experimental animal model which may be used for the study of lipid storage diseases.

Freeze-etch observations on the tight junctions of sertoli cells grown in organ culture with FSH

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-341
Author(s):  
Rita Meyer ◽  
Zoltan Posalaky ◽  
Dennis Mcginley
Keyword(s):  
Organ Culture ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Intramembranous Particles ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Oriented Parallel

The Sertoli cell tight junctional complexes have been shown to be the most important structural counterpart of the physiological blood-testis barrier. In freeze etch replicas they consist of extensive rows of intramembranous particles which are not only oriented parallel to one another, but to the myoid layer as well. Thus the occluding complex has both an internal and an overall orientation. However, this overall orientation to the myoid layer does not seem to be necessary to its barrier function. The 20 day old rat has extensive parallel tight junctions which are not oriented with respect to the myoid layer, and yet they are inpenetrable by lanthanum. The mechanism(s) for the control of Sertoli cell junction development and orientation has not been established, although such factors as the presence or absence of germ cells, and/or hormones, especially FSH have been implicated.

Electron microscopic study of the membrane glycoproteins in the rat kidney after cisplatin treatment

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 912-913
Author(s):  
S.K. Aggarwal
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Interstrand Cross Links ◽  
Cross Links

The proposed primary mechanism of action of the anticancer drug cisplatin (Cis-DDP) is through its interaction with DNA, mostly through DNA intrastrand cross-links or DNA interstrand cross-links. DNA repair mechanisms can circumvent this arrest thus permitting replication and transcription to proceed. Various membrane transport enzymes have also been demonstrated to be effected by cisplatin. Glycoprotein alkaline phosphatase was looked at in the proximal tubule cells before and after cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro for its inactivation or its removal from the membrane using light and electron microscopy.Outbred male Swiss Webster (Crl: (WI) BR) rats weighing 150-250g were given ip injections of cisplatin (7mg/kg). Animals were killed on day 3 and day 5. Thick slices (20-50.um) of kidney tissue from treated and untreated animals were fixed in 1% buffered glutaraldehyde and 1% formaldehyde (0.05 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.3) for 30 min at 4°C. Alkaline phosphatase activity and carbohydrates were demonstrated according to methods described earlier.

Cytological changes induced by platinum-thymine in sarcoma-180 cells: Electron microscopy study

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-291
Author(s):  
Gustav Ofosu
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Antitumor Agent ◽  
Microscopy Study ◽  
Electron Microscopy Study ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Sarcoma 180 ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cytological Changes

Platinum-thymine has been found to be a potent antitumor agent, which is quite soluble in water, and lack nephrotoxicity as the dose-limiting factor. The drug has been shown to interact with DNA and inhibits DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in mammalian cells in vitro. This investigation was undertaken to elucidate the cytotoxic effects of piatinum-thymine on sarcoma-180 cells in vitro ultrastructurally, Sarcoma-180 tumor bearing mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of platinum-thymine 40mg/kg. A concentration of 60μg/ml dose of platinum-thymine was used in in vitro experiments. Treatments were at varying time intervals of 3, 7 and 21 days for in vivo experiments, and 30, 60 and 120 min., 6, 12, and 24th in vitro. Controls were not treated with platinum-thymine.Electron microscopic analyses of the treated cells in vivo and in vitro showed drastic cytotoxic effect.

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