ANALOGOUS BODY IN THE CELLS OF THE EPENDYMA OF CHOROID PLEXUS AND OF RETINAL PIGMENT LAYER

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are a family of highly homologous membrane proteins that mediate the 1:1 transport of a proton and a lactate ion. In chicken, MCT3 is preferentially expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). We have isolated the mouse MCT3 cDNA and gene and characterized the pattern of tissue expression. MCT3 is a single copy gene with a 1.8-kb transcript that encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 51.5 kDa. Based on Northern hybridization analysis, MCT3 transcript was expressed in only two tissues: RPE and choroid plexus epithelium (CPE). The choroid plexus forms a barrier between the cerebrospinal fluid and fenestrated capillaries, similar to the organization of the RPE and choroidal vessels. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that MCT3 was restricted to the basolateral membranes of both epithelia but was more abundant in RPE than CPE. Differences in the level of protein expression were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The cloning of MCT3 identifies a specific transporter that could regulate lactate levels in fluid-bathing neuronal tissues.

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Organization of tight junctions in the choroid plexus epithelium

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100082546 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 336-337

Author(s):

B. Van Deurs ◽

J. K. Koehler

Keyword(s):

Choroid Plexus ◽

Present Report ◽

Freeze Fracture ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Cell Junctions ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Apical Surface ◽

Choroid Plexus Epithelium ◽

Solid Nitrogen ◽

Special Composition

The choroid plexus epithelium constitutes a blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, and is involved in regulation of the special composition of the CSF. The epithelium is provided with an ouabain-sensitive Na/K-pump located at the apical surface, actively pumping ions into the CSF. The choroid plexus epithelium has been described as “leaky” with a low transepithelial resistance, and a passive transepithelial flux following a paracellular route (intercellular spaces and cell junctions) also takes place. The present report describes the structural basis for these “barrier” properties of the choroid plexus epithelium as revealed by freeze fracture.Choroid plexus from the lateral, third and fourth ventricles of rats were used. The tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde and stored in 30% glycerol. Freezing was performed either in liquid nitrogen-cooled Freon 22, or directly in a mixture of liquid and solid nitrogen prepared in a special vacuum chamber. The latter method was always used, and considered necessary, when preparations of complementary (double) replicas were made.

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High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) of mitochondria from various rat tissues

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100102158 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 14-15

Author(s):

P.J. Lea ◽

M.J. Hollenberg

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Rat Hepatocytes ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Objective Lens ◽

Rat Tissues ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Reconstruction Methods ◽

Scanning Electron

Our current understanding of mitochondrial ultrastructure has been derived primarily from thin sections using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This information has been extrapolated into three dimensions by artist's impressions (1) or serial sectioning techniques in combination with computer processing (2). The resolution of serial reconstruction methods is limited by section thickness whereas artist's impressions have obvious disadvantages.In contrast, the new techniques of HRSEM used in this study (3) offer the opportunity to view simultaneously both the internal and external structure of mitochondria directly in three dimensions and in detail.The tridimensional ultrastructure of mitochondria from rat hepatocytes, retinal (retinal pigment epithelium), renal (proximal convoluted tubule) and adrenal cortex cells were studied by HRSEM. The specimens were prepared by aldehyde-osmium fixation in combination with freeze cleavage followed by partial extraction of cytosol with a weak solution of osmium tetroxide (4). The specimens were examined with a Hitachi S-570 scanning electron microscope, resolution better than 30 nm, where the secondary electron detector is located in the column directly above the specimen inserted within the objective lens.

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Ultrastructural Changes of Smoooth Endoplasmic Reticulum in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium by Choline Chloride

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100093547 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 58-59

Author(s):

Kazushige Hirosawa ◽

Eichi Yamada

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Epithelial Cell ◽

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Choline Chloride ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Ultrastructural Changes ◽

Lower Vertebrate ◽

Visual Cells ◽

Pigment Epithelial

The pigment epithelium is located between the choriocapillary and the visual cells. The pigment epithelial cell is characterized by a large amount of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) in its cytoplasm. In addition, the pigment epithelial cell of some lower vertebrate has myeloid body as a specialized form of the SER. Generally, SER is supposed to work in the lipid metabolism. However, the functions of abundant SER and myeloid body in the pigment epithelial cell are still in question. This paper reports an attempt, to depict the functions of these organelles in the frog retina by administering one of phospholipid precursors.

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High-voltage electron microscopy of subretinal scar formation

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100122836 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 486-487

Author(s):

G.E. Korte ◽

M. Marko ◽

G. Hageman

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽

Glial Cells ◽

High Voltage ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Sodium Iodate ◽

High Voltage Electron Microscopy ◽

Voltage Electron

Sodium iodate iv. damages the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in rabbits. Where RPE does not regenerate (e.g., 1,2) Muller glial cells (MC) forma subretinal scar that replaces RPE. The MC response was studied by HVEM in 3D computer reconstructions of serial thick sections, made using the STEREC0N program (3), and the HVEM at the NYS Dept. of Health in Albany, NY. Tissue was processed for HVEM or immunofluorescence localization of a monoclonal antibody recognizing MG microvilli (4).

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The photoreceptor cytoskeleton visualized

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100122800 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 480-481

Author(s):

Beth Burnside

Keyword(s):

Outer Segment ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Cell Polarization ◽

Synaptic Proteins ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Vertebrate Photoreceptor ◽

Numerous Cell ◽

Turn Over

The vertebrate photoreceptor provides a drammatic example of cell polarization. Specialized to carry out phototransduction at its distal end and to synapse with retinal interneurons at its proximal end, this long slender cell has a uniquely polarized morphology which is reflected in a similarly polarized cytoskeleton. Membranes bearing photopigment are localized in the outer segment, a modified sensory cilium. Sodium pumps which maintain the dark current critical to photosensory transduction are anchored along the inner segment plasma membrane between the outer segment and the nucleus.Proximal to the nucleus is a slender axon terminating in specialized invaginating synapses with other neurons of the retina. Though photoreceptor diameter is only 3-8u, its length from the tip of the outer segment to the synapse may be as great as 200μ. This peculiar linear cell morphology poses special logistical problems and has evoked interesting solutions for numerous cell functions. For example, the outer segment membranes turn over by means of a unique mechanism in which new disks are continuously added at the proximal base of the outer segment, while effete disks are discarded at the tip and phagocytosed by the retinal pigment epithelium. Outer segment proteins are synthesized in the Golgi near the nucleus and must be transported north through the inner segment to their sites of assembly into the outer segment, while synaptic proteins must be transported south through the axon to the synapse.The role of the cytoskeleton in photoreceptor motile processes is being intensely investigated in several laboratories.

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