Contacts between pigmented retina epithelial cells in culture

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Middleton ◽  
S.M. Pegrum
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Embryonic Chick ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Gradual Reduction ◽  
Extensive Region ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Number Of Cells

The behaviour of primary cultures of dissociated embryonic chick pigmented retina epithelial (PRE) cells has been investigated. Isolated PRE cells have a mean speed of locomotion of 7–16 mum/h. Collisions between the cells normally result in the development of stable contacts between the cells involved. This leads to a gradual reduction in the number of isolated cells and an increase in the number of cells incorporated into islands. Ultrastructural observations of islands of cells after 24 h in culture show that junctional complexes are present between the cells. These complexes consist of 2 components: (a) an apically situated region of focal tight junctions and/or gap junctions, and (b) a more ventrally located zonula adhaerens with associated cytoplasmic filaments forming a band running completely around the periphery of each cell. The intermembrane gap in the region of the zonula is 6-0-12-0 nm. The junctional complexes become more differentiated with time and after 48 h in culture consist of an extensive region of tight junctions and/or gap junctions and a more specialized zonula adhaerens. It is suggested that the development of junctional complexes may be responsible for the stable contacts that the cells display in culture.

scholarly journals Intercellular junctions and transfer of small molecules in primary vascular endothelial cultures.

1982 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
D M Larson ◽  
J D Sheridan
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Lucifer Yellow ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Cell Transfer ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cell To Cell Transfer

The ultrastructure of gap and tight junctions and the cell-to-cell transfer of small molecules were studied in primary cultures and freshly isolated sheets of endothelial cells from calf aortae and umbilical veins. In thin sections and in freeze-fracture replicas, the gap and tight junctions in the freshly isolated cells from both sources appeared similar to those found in the intimal endothelium. Most of the interfaces in replicas had complex arrays of multiple gap junctions either intercalated within tight junction networks or interconnected by linear particle strands. The particle density in the center of most gap junctions was noticeably reduced. In confluent monolayers, after 3-5 days in culture, gap and tight junctions were present, although reduced in complexity and apparent extent. Despite the relative simplicity of the junctions, the cell-to-cell transfer of potential changes, dye (Lucifer Yellow CH), and nucleotides was readily detectable in cultures of both endothelial cell types. The extent and rapidity of dye transfer in culture was only slightly less than that in sheets of freshly isolated cells, perhaps reflecting a reduced gap junctional area combined with an increase in cell size in vitro.

A New Junctional Structure in the Epithelia of Insects of the Order Dictyoptera

1972 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-691
Author(s):  
N. E. FLOWER
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Hexagonal Array ◽  
Septate Junctions ◽  
New Type ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Junctional Structure

The junctional complexes in the epithelia of insects of the order Dictyoptera have been investigated using the freeze-etch technique. As well as septate junctions, a new type of junction has been identified and the name ‘inverted gap junction’ proposed. The patch-like distribution of the inverted gap junctions basal to and often closely associated with septate junctions is very similar to the form of gap junctions and their relationship to tight junctions in vertebrates. This suggests that the inverted gap junctions, like normal gap junctions, could perform a communicating function between epithelial cells. The following features distinguish inverted gap junctions from normal gap junctions in freeze-etch preparations: (i) the arrays of particles and holes within inverted gap junctions appear on B- and A-type faces respectively, i.e. on the opposite faces to the particles and holes in gap junctions; (ii) the particles within inverted gap junctions appear to lie in rows which anastomose to form an irregular net, and not in an hexagonal array, as occurs in gap junctions.

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.

scholarly journals Primary Cultures of Embryonic Chicken Neurons for Sensitive Cell-Based Assay of Botulinum Neurotoxin: Implications for Therapeutic Discovery

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Stahl ◽  
Gordon Ruthel ◽  
Edna Torres-Melendez ◽  
Tara A. Kenny ◽  
Rekha G. Panchal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Embryonic Chick ◽  
Sensitive Cell ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin A ◽  
Therapeutic Compounds

Botulinum toxin is an exceedingly potent inhibitor of neurotransmission across the neuromuscular junction, causing flaccid paralysis and death. The potential for misuse of this deadly poison as a bioweapon has added a greater urgency to the search for effective therapeutics. The development of sensitive and efficient cell-based assays for the evaluation of toxin antagonists is crucial to the rapid and successful identification of therapeutic compounds. The authors evaluated the sensitivity of primary cultures from 4 distinct regions of the embryonic chick nervous system to botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) cleavage of synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kD (SNAP-25). Although differences in sensitivity were apparent, SNAP-25 cleavage was detectable in neuronal cells from each of the 4 regions within 3 h at BoNT/A concentrations of 1 nM or lower. Co-incubation of chick neurons with BoNT/A and toxin-neutralizing antibodies inhibited SNAP-25 cleavage, demonstrating the utility of these cultures for the assay of BoNT/A antagonists. ( Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2007:370-377)

scholarly journals HIGH-YIELD PREPARATION OF ISOLATED RAT LIVER PARENCHYMAL CELLS

1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Berry ◽  
D. S. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Rat Liver ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Nylon Mesh ◽  
Parenchymal Cells

A new technique employing continuous recirculating perfusion of the rat liver in situ, shaking of the liver in buffer in vitro, and filtration of the tissue through nylon mesh, results in the conversion of about 50% of the liver into intact, isolated parenchymal cells. The perfusion media consist of: (a) calcium-free Hanks' solution containing 0.05% collagenase and 0.10% hyaluronidase, and (b) magnesium and calcium-free Hanks' solution containing 2 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Biochemical and morphologic studies indicate that the isolated cells are viable. They respire in a medium containing calcium ions, synthesize glucose from lactate, are impermeable to inulin, do not stain with trypan blue, and retain their structural integrity. Electron microscopy of biopsies taken during and after perfusion reveals that desmosomes are quickly cleaved. Hemidesmosome-containing areas of the cell membrane invaginate and appear to pinch off and migrate centrally. Tight and gap junctions, however, persist on the intact, isolated cells, retaining small segments of cytoplasm from formerly apposing parenchymal cells. Cells which do not retain tight and gap junctions display swelling of Golgi vacuoles and vacuoles in the peripheral cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic vacuolization in a small percentage of cells and potassium loss are the only indications of cell injury detected. By other parameters measured, the isolated cells are comparable to normal hepatic parenchymal cells in situ in appearance and function.

Studies On Plasma Membranes

1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-512
Author(s):  
E. L. BENEDETTI ◽  
P. EMMELOT
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Iron Hydroxide ◽  
Chelating Agent ◽  
Colloidal Iron ◽  
Outer Leaflet ◽  
Liver Membranes ◽  
Junctional Complexes ◽  
Pre Treatment

Plasma membranes were isolated from rat liver and a transplanted rat hepatoma of the hepatocellular type. After glutaraldehyde fixation the membranes were treated with colloidal iron hydroxide (CIH) at pH 1.7, which was found to react specifically with the neuraminidase-sensitive sialic acid of the liver membranes. The CIH-reactive, neuraminidase-sensitive sialic acid, comprising 70% of the membrane-bound sialic acid, was exclusively located in the outer leaflet of the liver membranes as shown by the rather regular distribution of electron-dense CIH granules. This granular, asymmetric type of staining was also observed in the hepatoma membranes, which contained some 50% more sialic acid than did the liver membranes. In addition, the hepatoma membranes showed an intense and uniform staining by CIH of short segments of both membrane leaflets; the latter type of staining was but little impaired by neuraminidase pre-treatment. None of the junctional complexes of the liver membranes was stained by CIH. Tight junctions were very rarely observed in the hepatoma membrane preparations, and the desmosomes and intermediate junctions of these membranes not infrequently exhibited a loosened appearance exposing CIH-reactive neuraminidase-sensitive sialic acid at their opposite plates. This aspect could be induced in the desmosomes and intermediate junctions, but not in the tight junctions, by pre-treatment of the liver membranes with the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetra-acetate.

Modulation of tight junction structure in blood-brain barrier endothelial cells. Effects of tissue culture, second messengers and cocultured astrocytes

1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 1347-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Wolburg ◽  
J. Neuhaus ◽  
U. Kniesel ◽  
B. Krauss ◽  
E.M. Schmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Brain Endothelial Cells ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Camp Levels

Tight junctions between endothelial cells of brain capillaries are the most important structural elements of the blood-brain barrier. Cultured brain endothelial cells are known to loose tight junction-dependent blood-brain barrier characteristics such as macromolecular impermeability and high electrical resistance. We have directly analyzed the structure and function of tight junctions in primary cultures of bovine brain endothelial cells using quantitative freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and ion and inulin permeability. The complexity of tight junctions, defined as the number of branch points per unit length of tight junctional strands, decreased 5 hours after culture but thereafter remained almost constant. In contrast, the association of tight junction particles with the cytoplasmic leaflet of the endothelial membrane bilayer (P-face) decreased continuously with a major drop between 16 hours and 24 hours. The complexity of tight junctions could be increased by elevation of intracellular cAMP levels while phorbol esters had the opposite effect. On the other hand, the P-face association of tight junction particles was enhanced by elevation of cAMP levels and by coculture of endothelial cells with astrocytes or exposure to astrocyte-conditioned medium. The latter effect on P-face association was induced by astrocytes but not fibroblasts. Elevation of cAMP levels together with astrocyte-conditioned medium synergistically increased transendothelial electrical resistance and decreased inulin permeability of primary cultures, thus confirming the effects on tight junction structure and barrier function. P-face association of tight junction particles in brain endothelial cells may therefore be a critical feature of blood-brain barrier function that can be specifically modulated by astrocytes and cAMP levels. Our results suggest an important functional role for the cytoplasmic anchorage of tight junction particles for brain endothelial barrier function in particular and probably paracellular permeability in general.

scholarly journals VARIATIONS IN TIGHT AND GAP JUNCTIONS IN MAMMALIAN TISSUES

1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 758-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Friend ◽  
Norton B. Gilula
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Junctional Complex ◽  
Exocrine Glands ◽  
Rat Pancreas ◽  
Zonula Occludens ◽  
Mammalian Tissues

The fine structure and distribution of tight (zonula occludens) and gap junctions in epithelia of the rat pancreas, liver, adrenal cortex, epididymis, and duodenum, and in smooth muscle were examined in paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde-fixed, tracer-permeated (K-pyroantimonate and lanthanum), and freeze-fractured tissue preparations. While many pentalaminar and septilaminar foci seen in thin-section and tracer preparations can be recognized as corresponding to well-characterized freeze-fracture images of tight and gap junction membrane modifications, many others cannot be unequivocally categorized—nor can all freeze-etched aggregates of membrane particles. Generally, epithelia of exocrine glands (pancreas and liver) have moderate-sized tight junctions and large gap junctions, with many of their gap junctions basal to the junctional complex. In contrast, the adrenal cortex, a ductless gland, may not have a tight junction but does possess large gap junctions. Mucosal epithelia (epididymis and intestine) have extensive tight junctions, but their gap junctions are not as well developed as those of glandular tissue. Smooth muscle contains numerous small gap junctions The incidence, size, and configuration of the junctions we observed correlate well with the known functions of the junctions and of the tissues where they are found.

Differential effects of hydroxamate histone deacetylase inhibitors on cellular functionality and gap junctions in primary cultures of mitogen-stimulated hepatocytes

2008 ◽  
Vol 178 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Henkens ◽  
Mathieu Vinken ◽  
Aneta Lukaszuk ◽  
Dirk Tourwé ◽  
Tamara Vanhaecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Histone Deacetylase ◽  
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Differential Effects
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