scholarly journals MeHg Causes Ultrastructural Changes in Mitochondria and Autophagy in the Spinal Cord Cells of Chicken Embryo

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana F. Ferreira ◽  
Evelise M. Nazari ◽  
Yara M. R. Müller

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neurodevelopmental toxicant, which causes changes in various structures of the central nervous system (CNS). However, ultrastructural studies of its effects on the developing CNS are still scarce. Here, we investigated the effect of MeHg on the ultrastructure of the cells in spinal cord layers. Chicken embryos at E3 were treated in ovo with 0.1 μg MeHg/50 μL saline solution and analyzed at E10. Then, we used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify possible damage caused by MeHg to the structures and organelles of the spinal cord cells. After MeHg treatment, we observed, in the spinal cord mantle layer, a significant number of altered mitochondria with external membrane disruptions, crest disorganization, swelling in the mitochondrial matrix, and vacuole formation between the internal and external mitochondrial membranes. We also observed dilations in the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum cisterns and the appearance of myelin-like cytoplasmic inclusions. We observed no difference in the total mitochondria number between the control and MeHg-treated groups. However, the MeHg-treated embryos showed an increased number of altered mitochondria and a decreased number of mitochondrial fusion profiles. Additionally, unusual mitochondrial shapes were found in MeHg-treated embryos as well as autophagic vacuoles similar to mitophagic profiles. In addition, we observed autophagic vacuoles with amorphous, homogeneous, and electron-dense contents, similar to the autophagy. Our results showed, for the first time, the neurotoxic effect of MeHg on the ultrastructure of the developing spinal cord. Using TEM we demonstrate that changes in the endomembrane system, mitochondrial damage, disturbance in mitochondrial dynamics, and increase in mitophagy were caused by MeHg exposure.

Author(s):  
Shyamal K. Majumdar ◽  
Marion Shapiro ◽  
J. Gary Caputi

Ultrastructural studies of gerbil testes after vasectomy have been described (2S3). The present study was undertaken to obtain additional information on the effects of vasectomy in the fine structures of the epididymis of the Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The animals were subjected to vasectomy or sham operation at intervals up to one year. An incision was made on the ventral side of the animal just above the scrotum, and about one centimeter of each vas deferens was removed and the ends were firmly ligated. The cauda epididymis of vasectomized and sham operated animals was fixed for two hours in Karnovsky's fixative. Following a rinse in buffer, the tissue was post fixed for one hour in osmium tetroxide, dehydrated, and embedded in Epon 812. The sections were stained with uranyl acetate followed by Reynolds' lead citrate, and examined with a Philips 201 transmission electron microscope operating at 60 kV.


ASN NEURO ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175909142092533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Kim St-Pierre ◽  
Eva Šimončičová ◽  
Eszter Bögi ◽  
Marie-Ève Tremblay

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are not a homogeneous population; their morphology, molecular profile, and even their ultrastructure greatly vary from one cell to another. Recent advances in the field of neuroimmunology have helped to demystify the enigma that currently surrounds microglial heterogeneity. Indeed, numerous microglial subtypes have been discovered such as the disease-associated microglia, neurodegenerative phenotype, and Cd11c-positive developmental population. Another subtype is the dark microglia (DM), a population defined by its ultrastructural changes associated with cellular stress. Since their first characterization using transmission electron microscopy, they have been identified in numerous disease conditions, from mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, fractalkine signaling deficiency to chronic stress, just to name a few. A recent study also identified the presence of cells with a similar ultrastructure to the DM in postmortem brain samples from schizophrenic patients, underlining the importance of understanding the function of these cells. In this minireview, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the DM, from their initial ultrastructural characterization to their documentation in various pathological contexts across multiple species. We will also highlight the current limitations surrounding the study of these cells and the future that awaits the DM.


Author(s):  
A. Gonzalez Angulo ◽  
R. Berlioz ◽  
R. Aznar

Recent ultrastructural studies on endometrial tissues from women wearing copper, wire intrauterine devices have disclosed morphological evidence of impaired glycogen degradation and secretion resulting in interference with the viability of blastocysts. Reduced microapocrine secretion observed with the scanning electron microscope supports this (1). In addition, organelle modifications have been observed in the epithelial cells of these women. The changes are seen in biopsies taken in the proliferative phase of the cycle and consist of mitochondrial vacuolation and myelin figure formation. These modifications disappear in the secretory phase and therefore have been regarded as reversible (2).The aim of the present studies was to investigate surface epithelial changes as well as organelle modifications in relation to the site of contact with an IUD that releases greater amounts of copper. Endometrial tissue was obtained from the uterine cavity of four young women wearing TCu-380-A intrauterine contraceptive devices for 4-6 weeks.


Author(s):  
D. M. DePace

The majority of blood vessels in the superior cervical ganglion possess a continuous endothelium with tight junctions. These same features have been associated with the blood brain barrier of the central nervous system and peripheral nerves. These vessels may perform a barrier function between the capillary circulation and the superior cervical ganglion. The permeability of the blood vessels in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat was tested by intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Three experimental groups of four animals each were given intravenous HRP (Sigma Type II) in a dosage of.08 to.15 mg/gm body weight in.5 ml of.85% saline. The animals were sacrificed at five, ten or 15 minutes following administration of the tracer. Superior cervical ganglia were quickly removed and fixed by immersion in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in Sorenson's.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Three control animals received,5ml of saline without HRP. These were sacrificed on the same time schedule. Tissues from experimental and control animals were reacted for peroxidase activity and then processed for routine transmission electron microscopy.


Author(s):  
Delma P. Thomas ◽  
Dianne E. Godar

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from all three waveband regions of the UV spectrum, UVA (320-400 nm), UVB (290-320 nm), and UVC (200-290 nm), can be emitted by some medical devices and consumer products. Sunlamps can expose the blood to a considerable amount of UVR, particularly UVA and/or UVB. The percent transmission of each waveband through the epidermis to the dermis, which contains blood, increases in the order of increasing wavelength: UVC (10%) < UVB (20%) < UVA (30%). To investigate the effects of UVR on white blood cells, we chose transmission electron microscopy to examine the ultrastructure changes in L5178Y-R murine lymphoma cells.


Author(s):  
P. M. Lowrie ◽  
W. S. Tyler

The importance of examining stained 1 to 2μ plastic sections by light microscopy has long been recognized, both for increased definition of many histologic features and for selection of specimen samples to be used in ultrastructural studies. Selection of specimens with specific orien ation relative to anatomical structures becomes of critical importance in ultrastructural investigations of organs such as the lung. The uantity of blocks necessary to locate special areas of interest by random sampling is large, however, and the method is lacking in precision. Several methods have been described for selection of specific areas for electron microscopy using light microscopic evaluation of paraffin, epoxy-infiltrated, or epoxy-embedded large blocks from which thick sections were cut. Selected areas from these thick sections were subsequently removed and re-embedded or attached to blank precasted blocks and resectioned for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).


Author(s):  
T. Shimizu ◽  
Y. Muranaka ◽  
I. Ohta ◽  
N. Honda

There have been many reports on ultrastructural alterations in muscles of hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hpp) and hypokalemic myopathy(hm). It is stressed in those reports that tubular structures such as tubular aggregates are usually to be found in hpp as a characteristic feature, but not in hm. We analyzed the histological differences between hpp and hm, comparing their clinical manifestations and morphologic changes in muscles. Materials analyzed were biopsied muscles from 18 patients which showed muscular symptoms due to hypokalemia. The muscle specimens were obtained by means of biopsy from quadriceps muscle and fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde (pH 7.4) and analyzed by ordinary method and modified Golgimethod. The ultrathin section were examined in JEOL 200CX transmission electron microscopy.Electron microscopic examinations disclosed dilated t-system and terminal cistern of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)(Fig 1), and an unique structure like “sixad” was occasionally observed in some specimens (Fig 2). Tubular aggregates (Fig 3) and honeycomb structure (Fig 4) were also common characteristic structures in all cases. These ultrastructural changes were common in both the hypokalemic periodic paralysis and the hypokalemic myopathy, regardless of the time of biopsy or the duration of hypokalemia suffered.


Author(s):  
Ellen Holm Nielsen

In secretory cells a dense and complex network of actin filaments is seen in the subplasmalemmal space attached to the cell membrane. During exocytosis this network is undergoing a rearrangement facilitating access of granules to plasma membrane in order that fusion of the membranes can take place. A filamentous network related to secretory granules has been reported, but its structural organization and composition have not been examined, although this network may be important for exocytosis.Samples of peritoneal mast cells were frozen at -70°C and thawed at 4°C in order to rupture the cells in such a gentle way that the granule membrane is still intact. Unruptured and ruptured cells were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.075% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in ethanol. For TEM (transmission electron microscopy) cells were embedded in Lowicryl K4M at -35°C and for SEM (scanning electron microscopy) they were placed on copper blocks, critical point dried and coated. For immunoelectron microscopy ultrathin sections were incubated with monoclonal anti-actin and colloidal gold labelled IgM. Ruptured cells were also placed on cover glasses, prefixed, and incubated with anti-actin and colloidal gold labelled IgM.


Author(s):  
H. J. Finol ◽  
M. E. Correa ◽  
L.A. Sosa ◽  
A. Márquez ◽  
N.L. Díaz

In classical oncological literature two mechanisms for tissue aggression in patients with cancer have been described. The first is the progressive invasion, infiltration and destruction of tissues surrounding primary malignant tumor or their metastases; the other includes alterations produced in remote sites that are not directly affected by any focus of disease, the so called paraneoplastic phenomenon. The non-invaded tissue which surrounds a primary malignant tumor or its metastases has been usually considered a normal tissue . In this work we describe the ultrastructural changes observed in hepatocytes located next to metastases from diverse malignant tumors.Hepatic biopsies were obtained surgically in patients with different malignant tumors which metatastized in liver. Biopsies included tumor mass, the zone of macroscopic contact between the tumor and the surrounding tissue, and the tissue adjacent to the tumor but outside the macroscopic area of infiltration. The patients (n = 5), 36–75 years old, presented different tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, pancreas carcinoma, biliar duct carcinoma and colon carcinoma. Tissue samples were processed with routine techniques for transmission electron microscopy and observed in a Hitachi H-500 electron microscope.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
James B. Talmage ◽  
Jay Blaisdell

Abstract Injuries that affect the central nervous system (CNS) can be catastrophic because they involve the brain or spinal cord, and determining the underlying clinical cause of impairment is essential in using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), in part because the AMA Guides addresses neurological impairment in several chapters. Unlike the musculoskeletal chapters, Chapter 13, The Central and Peripheral Nervous System, does not use grades, grade modifiers, and a net adjustment formula; rather the chapter uses an approach that is similar to that in prior editions of the AMA Guides. The following steps can be used to perform a CNS rating: 1) evaluate all four major categories of cerebral impairment, and choose the one that is most severe; 2) rate the single most severe cerebral impairment of the four major categories; 3) rate all other impairments that are due to neurogenic problems; and 4) combine the rating of the single most severe category of cerebral impairment with the ratings of all other impairments. Because some neurological dysfunctions are rated elsewhere in the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, the evaluator may consult Table 13-1 to verify the appropriate chapter to use.


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