Hydra regeneration from recombined ectodermal and endodermal tissue. II. Differential stability in the ectodermal and endodermal epithelial organization

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (16) ◽  
pp. 1919-1934
Author(s):  
M. Murate ◽  
Y. Kishimoto ◽  
T. Sugiyama ◽  
T. Fujisawa ◽  
H. Takahashi-Iwanaga ◽  
...  

Hydra tissue consists of the ectodermal and the endodermal layers. When the two layers were separated by procaine treatment and then recombined, the ectodermal epithelial cells spread as a single cell layer over the endoderm as in epiboly in vertebrate embryogenesis, and the resultant spherical structure subsequently regenerated into a complete hydra. In this study, light and electron microscopy were used to examine the structural changes which took place in the cells and tissue during this epibolic ectodermal spreading process. Within a few hours after tissue recombination, the endoderm underwent dramatic changes; it lost its epithelial sheet organization, and turned into a mass of irregularly shaped cells without the apical-basal cell polarity initially present. In contrast, the ectoderm maintained its basic epithelial sheet organization as it spread over the endoderm. Later, the endodermal epithelial cells reorganized themselves into a single-layered epithelial sheet underneath the spreading ectodermal layer. The resultant spherical structure consisted of a single layer of ectodermal epithelial cells outside, a single layer of endodermal epithelial cells inside, and an empty cavity in the center as in normal hydra tissue. This structure regenerated into hydra in the following days. These and other observations demonstrate that the two-layered epithelial sheet organization is highly dynamic, and that its stability is maintained by strong interactions between the two layers in normal hydra. It is suggested that this dynamic nature of the hydra tissue, particularly the high plasticity of the endodermal epithelial sheet organization, may be an important element for the high regenerative capacity of this organism.

Author(s):  
U.I. Heine ◽  
G.R.F. Krueger ◽  
E. Munoz ◽  
A. Karpinski

Infection of newborn mice with Moloney leukemia virus (M-MuLV) causes a T-cell differentiation block in the thymic cortex accompanied by proliferation and accumulation of prethymic lymphoblasts in the thymus and subsequent spreading of these cells to generate systemic lymphoma. Current evidence shows that thymic reticular epithelial cells (REC) provide a microenvironment necessary for the maturation of prethymic lymphoblasts to mature T-lymphocytes by secretion of various thymic factors. A change in that environment due to infection of REC by virus could be decisive for the failure of lymphoblasts to mature and thus contribute to lymphoma development.We have studied the morphology and distribution of the major thymic cell populations at different stages of tumorigenesis in Balb/c mice infected when newborn with 0.2ml M-MuLV suspension, 6.8 log FFU/ml. Thymic tissue taken at 1-2 weekly intervals up to tumor development was processed for light and electron microscopy, using glutaraldehyde-OsO4fixation and Epon-Araldite embedding.


Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
HF Irving-Rodgers ◽  
RJ Rodgers

Different morphological phenotypes of follicular basal lamina and of membrana granulosa have been observed. Ten preantral follicles (< 0. 1 mm), and 17 healthy and six atretic antral follicles (0.5-12 mm in diameter) were processed for light and electron microscopy to investigate the relationship the between follicular basal lamina and membrana granulosa. Within each antral follicle, the shape of the basal cells of the membrana granulosa was uniform, and either rounded or columnar. There were equal proportions of follicles </= 4 mm in diameter with columnar basal cells and with rounded basal cells. Larger follicles had only rounded basal cells. Conventional basal laminae of a single layer adjacent to the basal granulosa cells were observed in healthy follicles at the preantral and antral stages. However, at the preantral stage, the conventional types of basal lamina were enlarged or even partially laminated. A second type of basal lamina, described as 'loopy', occurred in about half the preantral follicles and in half the antral follicles </= 4 mm diameter. 'Loopy' basal laminae were not observed in larger follicles. 'Loopy' basal laminae were composed of basal laminae aligning the basal surface of basal granulosa cells, but with additional layers or loops often branching from the innermost layer. Each loop was usually < 1 microm long and had vesicles (20-30 nm) attached to the inner aspect. Basal cellular processes were also common, and vesicles could be seen budding off from these processes. In antral follicles, conventional basal laminae occurred in follicles with rounded basal granulosa cells. Other follicles with columnar cells, and atretic follicles, had the 'loopy' basal lamina phenotype. Thus, follicles have different basal laminae that relate to the morphology of the membrana granulosa.


2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahida Shahana ◽  
Caroline Kampf ◽  
Godfried M. Roomans

Background: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).Aim: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.Methods: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.Results: Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes.Conclusions: The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.


1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-287
Author(s):  
J. G. LAFONTAINE ◽  
A. LORD

Radioautography under both light and electron microscopy was exploited to investigate the structural changes of the chromatin reticulum which characterizes the interphase nucleus of a number of plants. Allium porrum meristematic plant cells were used for this purpose. In this species, the telophase chromosomes uncoil into dense strands which, during the G1 period, gradually give rise to a coarse reticulum. There then follows an extensive unravelling of portions of these strands, and high-resolution radioautography reveals that labelling with tritiated thymidine predominantly occurs over zones of the nucleus consisting of diffuse fine fibrillar material. As the S-period progresses, a chromatin reticulum reappears throughout the nuclear cavity, the tortuous strands being approximately 0.25 µm in diameter. Most of the radioautographic grains still remain over the light nucleoplasmic areas but a number of these are now located on the outermost portion of the dense chromatin profiles. By the end of the S-period, the chromatin strands are slightly thicker (ca. 0.3 µm) and form a looser reticulum. Labelling has decreased noticeably in nuclei of that period, the radioautographic grains being grouped into clusters resting over more or less spherical regions of the chromatin reticulum. Judging from their localization at the surface of the nucleolus or close to the nuclear envelope, these structures correspond to chromocentres. The additional interesting finding that such nuclear structures appear much less compactly organized strongly suggests that chromocentres undergo important conformational modifications during duplication of their DNA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 30-38
Author(s):  
E. A. Savchuk ◽  
E. P. Golubinskaya ◽  
T. N. Shcherbinina ◽  
G. Yu. Voronin ◽  
E. O. Savchuk ◽  
...  

The article presents an analysis of the literature and a clinical case of a rare disease from the group of diseases of small vessels — cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarction and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).It is based on the deposition of osmiophilic granulation material in vessels of small and medium caliber. A mutation in the NOTCH3 gene on chromosome 19p13 leads to significant structural changes in the walls of small arteries due to impaired differentiation and maturation of smooth muscle cells.CADASIL is characterized by four key symptoms: migraines, recurrent ischemic strokes, mental disorders, and cognitive decline. The clinical case study is presented from the standpoint of a multidisciplinary patient-oriented approach of joint work of neurologists and morphologists. On the basis of clinical and laboratory criteria, a probable diagnosis was made. To confirm it, a muscle biopsy was performed (a musculocutaneous flap from the inner surface of the thighs and forearms), in order to conduct light and electron microscopy. The details of the results of the morphological study, which made it possible to verify the patient’s diagnosis, are presented. Differential diagnostic judgments are presented and recommendations for genetic studies in the family, prognosis and treatment of the patient are given.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (2) ◽  
pp. H423-H430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasumi Uchida ◽  
Yasuto Uchida ◽  
Akimasa Matsuyama ◽  
Atsushi Koga ◽  
Yuko Maezawa ◽  
...  

Although there are a number of studies on vasospastic angina, the structural changes at the cellular level that occur in the coronary arterial wall during spasm are not well known. Coronary spasm was induced by brushing the coronary adventitia in nine anesthetized beagles, and structural changes in the spastic coronary segments were examined by light and electron microscopy, making comparisons with the adjacent nonspastic segments. The % diameter stenosis of the spastic segments as measured angiographically was 79.4 ± 12% (mean ± SD). Light microscopic changes in the spastic and nonspastic segments were as follows: medial thickness 1,512 vs. 392 μm ( P < 0.0001) and % diameter and % area stenoses of spastic segment 81.0% and 96.5%, respectively, indicating that spasm was induced by medial thickening. Circular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the media were arranged in parallel with the internal (IEL) and external (EEL) elastic lamina in nonspastic segments but radially rearranged in spastic segments. SMCs were classified by their patterns of connection to IEL into six types by electron microscopy. Of these, three contracted and pulled the IEL toward the EEL, causing folding of the IEL and waving of EEL resulting in thickening of the media and narrowing of the lumen. We conclude that coronary spasm was elicited by radial rearrangement of the medial SMCs due to their own contraction and resultant medial thickening and folding of IEL, creating a piston effect to narrow the lumen, i.e., spasm.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (69) ◽  
pp. 734-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Maia ◽  
Regina H. F. Macedo ◽  
Matthew D. Shawkey

Avian plumage colours are model traits in understanding the evolution of sexually selected ornamental traits. Paradoxically, iridescent structural colours, probably the most dazzling of these traits, remain the most poorly understood. Though some data suggest that expression of bright iridescent plumage colours produced by highly ordered arrays of melanosomes and keratin is condition-dependent, almost nothing is known of their ontogeny and thus of any developmental mechanisms that may be susceptible to perturbation. Here, we use light and electron microscopy to compare the ontogeny of iridescent male and non-iridescent female feathers in blue-black grassquits. Feather barbules of males contain a single layer of melanosomes bounded by a thin layer of keratin-producing blue iridescent colour, while those of females contain disorganized melanosomes and no outer layer. We found that nanostructural organization of male barbules occurs late in development, following death of the barbule cell, and is thus unlikely to be under direct cellular control, contrary to previous suggestions. Rather, organization appears to be caused by entropically driven self-assembly through depletion attraction forces that pin melanosomes to the edge of barbule cells and to one another. These forces are probably stronger in developing barbules of males than of females because their melanosomes are (i) larger, (ii) more densely packed, and (iii) more homogeneously distributed owing to the more consistent shape of barbules during keratinization. These data provide the first proposed developmental pathway for iridescent plumage colours, and suggest that any condition dependence of iridescent barbules is likely driven by factors other than direct metabolic cost.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-422
Author(s):  
JOSÉ G. VAN DEN BERG ◽  
JAN ATEN ◽  
M. ANWAR CHAND ◽  
NIKE CLAESSEN ◽  
LISETTE DIJKINK ◽  
...  

Abstract. In minimal change nephrosis (MCN), proteinuria is associated with structural changes of the glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GVEC). The occurrence of MCN has been associated with T-helper2 lymphocyte-dependent conditions. To examine a direct role for type 2 cytokines in GVEC injury, the expression of interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 receptors by GVEC and direct effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on GVEC were studied. Reverse transcription-PCR showed that isolated human and rat glomeruli and cultured human and rat GVEC expressed mRNA for IL-4Rα, IL-13Rα1, and IL-13Rα2. Protein expression of IL-4Rα and IL-13Rα2 by GVEC in human kidney biopsies and by cultured human GVEC was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting demonstrated phosphorylation of STAT6 in cultured GVEC upon incubation with IL-4 or IL-13. This indicated signal transduction via the heterodimeric receptor complex IL-4R2, which is composed of the IL-4Rα and the IL-13Rα1. Direct effects on GVEC function were examined in monolayer experiments. IL-4 and IL-13 dose-dependently decreased transepithelial electrical resistance of monolayers of rat GVEC to approximately 30 and 40% of baseline values, respectively. The transepithelial electrical resistance decrease was associated with a significant increase in short-circuit current, whereas no changes were observed in the transmonolayer flux of the macromolecules horseradish peroxidase (molecular weight, 44 kD) and 14C-mannitol (molecular weight, 182 Da). No changes in cell structure were observed with electron microscopy. It is concluded that by binding to specific IL-4/IL-13 receptors, IL-4 and IL-13 can exert specific effects on GVEC function, which could be of pathogenetic relevance for glomerular injury in MCN.


Development ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-49
Author(s):  
Antone G. Jacobson ◽  
George F. Oster ◽  
Garrett M. Odell ◽  
Louis Y. Cheng

We present here a new model for epithelial morphogenesis, which we call the ‘cortical tractor model’. This model assumes that the motile activities of epithelial cells are similar to those of mesenchymal cells, with the added constraint that the cells in an epithelial sheet remain attached at their apical circumference. In particular, we assert that there is a time-averaged motion of cortical cytoplasm which flows from the basal and lateral surfaces to the apical region. This cortical flow carries with it membrane and adhesive structures that are inserted basally and resorbed apically. Thus the apical seal that characterizes epithelial sheets is a dynamic structure: it is continuously created by the cortical flow which piles up components near where they are recycled in the apical region. By use of mechanical analyses and computer simulations we demonstrate that the cortical tractor motion can reproduce a variety of epithelial motions, including columnarization (placode formation), imagination and rolling. It also provides a mechanism for driving active cell rearrangements within an epithelial sheet, while maintaining the integrity of the apical seal. Active repacking of epithelial cells appears to drive a number of morphogenetic processes. Neurulation in amphibians provides an example of a process in which all four of the above morphogenetic movements appear to play a role. Here we reexamine the process of neurulation in amphibians in light of the cortical tractor model, and find that it provides an integrated view of this important morphogenetic process.


1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun P. Collin ◽  
Bernd Fritzsch

The shape of the lens in the eye of the silver lamprey, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis was examined in live, frozen, and fixed material. Contrary to other reports, the lens was found to be nonspherical with a cone-shaped posterior. The egg-shaped lens, which contains horizontal sutures on both the anterior and posterior surfaces, is also asymmetric in the nasotemporal axis. Its equatorial diameter exceeds its axial diameter (thickness) and the radius of curvature of the lens in the dorsoventral axis is greater than the radius of curvature in the anterioposterior axis. The lens is surrounded by a thick basement membrane with the anterior lens surface covered by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells. Juxtaposed to the lens capsule is a dense layer of lens fibres, which stain more darkly and surround an ill-defined lens nucleus. The shape of the lens is discussed in relation to that in aquatic gnathostomes and compared with the putative multifocal lenses of some mesopelagic teleosts. It is also hypothesized that the previously reported active focussing ability of the lamprey eye may have been misinterpreted, owing to failure to take into account the nonspherical lens shape, and may reflect measurements taken of the eye and lens at different angles.


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