Desmosomes in hamster cheek pouch epithelium: their quantitative characterization during epithelial differentiation

1984 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-429
Author(s):  
F.H. White ◽  
K. Gohari

Desmosomes in stratified squamous epithelia appear to exhibit quantitative alterations during differentiation. In this work we use stereological and other morphometric methods to quantify these structures in epithelial cells from defined basal, spinous and granular strata. Hamster cheek pouch mucosa from five animals was processed for electron microscopy using strictly standardized techniques and a stratified random sampling procedure was used to obtain micrographs of cells from basal, spinous and granular layers. Stereological intersection counting techniques were used to determine for each layer the relative surface area of plasma membrane occupied by desmosomes (Ss), the number of desmosomes per unit surface area of plasma membrane (Ns), the mean individual desmosomal diameter (delta) and the mean individual desmosomal surface area (s). In addition, estimates of nuclear volume were obtained by direct measurement of nuclear profiles and volume-to-surface ratios were obtained by a combination of point and intersection counting, which enabled estimates for the volume (Vcell) and plasma membrane surface area (SPM) of the ‘average’ cell within each stratum to be acquired. Using this information, it was then possible to calculate both the total surface area (S) and the number (N) of desmosomes on the plasma membranes of average cells. The parameters Ss and Ns showed progressive increases between basal and granular layers, whereas values for delta and s were lower in granular cells when compared with basal and spinous cells. The parameters Vcell, SPM, S and N all increased progressively and significantly during differentiation. Between basal and granular layers, the mean cell volume and surface area had each increased approximately threefold, whereas the surface area and number of desmosomes on the average cell plasma membrane had increased approximately seven- and eleven-fold, respectively. Granular cells thus possess more numerous desmosomes, which occupy a greater proportion of the plasma membrane area but which are individually smaller, when compared with basal and spinous layers.

1984 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-85
Author(s):  
F.H. White ◽  
D.A. Thompson ◽  
K. Gohari

The presence of gap junctions in stratified epithelia has now been extensively documented, but there have been few attempts to quantify them. In the present report, samples of hamster cheek pouch mucosa were processed for electron microscopy and electron micrographs from defined basal, spinous and granular layers were obtained. Using a combination of direct measurement and stereological intersection counting techniques, the relative surface areas of peripheral gap junctions (i.e. those in direct contact with the epithelial plasma membrane) and annular gap junctions (i.e. those present as complete, approximately circular profiles within the epithelial cell cytoplasm) were determined. Following estimation of the plasma membrane surface area of ‘average’ epithelial cells from each of the defined strata, relative values were transformed into absolute data. Data from peripheral and annular junctions were pooled to provide an estimate of total gap junctions area. Relative surface area estimates were similar for peripheral, annular and total gap junctions, in that values were invariably highest in the spinous layer and lowest in the granular layer. Absolute data indicate that there is more than a threefold increase in the area of membrane differentiated into gap junctions in the average spinous cell when compared with the average basal cell. Values for total gap-junctional areas in the average granular cell are reduced somewhat with respect to the average spinous cell and this is effected by a decrease in the area of peripheral gap junctions. We conclude that there is synthesis of gap junctions between basal and spinous cells, which is followed by evidence of degradation between spinous and granular cells. The magnitude of the estimates of area is comparable to those obtained from other stratified and non-stratified epithelia and it would thus appear that gap junctions may play a significant role in cellular control processes in all viable epithelial strata.


Parasitology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Wilson ◽  
J. Ruth Lawson

SummaryA living hamster cheek pouch preparation has been used to study the skin phase of schistosomulum migration. Between 0 and 16 h post-exposure schistosomula become increasingly difficult to see and lateral movement in the skin ceases. Up to 50 h post-exposure they remain poorly visible. They lie in fluid-filled lacunae within the epidermis, external to the basement membrane. The first schistosomula enter the dermis from. 40 h post-exposure, approximately half having done so by 52·5 h. Coincidentally, they can be more easily distinguished from surrounding tissue. Up to 91% of original penetrants have been observed alive in. pouch tissue at 65 h post-exposure. Since only 26% eventually mature in the hepatic portal system there would appear to be considerable attrition subsequent to the skin phase of migration. The mean diameter of venules penetrated was 22·7 μm and the mean time taken to penetrate was 8·01 h. The majority of schistosomula left the pouch between 60 and 80 h post-exposure.


1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 346
Author(s):  
R.M. MacKay ◽  
M.A.K. Khalil

A physically plausible theory of the 100 kyr climate cycle is proposed. Free oscillations between the mean ocean temperature and the marine ice-margin colatitude are shown to exist without requiring orbital forcing. It is shown that the curvature of the Earth causes two effects: (1) as the marine ice margin grows towards the equator, the net emmision of radiation (solar and terrestrial) per unit surface area increases; and (2) as the poleward extent of the ocean decreases, the net absorption of radiation per unit surface area increases. These radiation balance considerations, included with a realistic meridional transport of energy from the ocean to the marine-ice region and an atmospheric feedback process enhancing the ocean warming, are combined to form two nonlinear differential equations coupling the mean ocean temperature with the marine-ice margin colatitude. Using physically realistic parameters we are able to reproduce the major features of the 100 kyr climate cycle. This can be seen from Figure I which shows the δ18O record as given by Imbrie and others (1984), plotted against the model output. In addition we have found that the parameters used to obtain the general features of the ice-volume record also predict temperature “spikes” (1 to 2 K. above average) of relatively short duration (5 to 10 kyr) in the mean ocean temperature. We find that there is good qualitative agreement between the model's predicted mean ocean temperature and the estimation of summer sea-surface temperature at RC11-120 presented by Martinson and others (1987).


1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 346-346
Author(s):  
R.M. MacKay ◽  
M.A.K. Khalil

A physically plausible theory of the 100 kyr climate cycle is proposed. Free oscillations between the mean ocean temperature and the marine ice-margin colatitude are shown to exist without requiring orbital forcing. It is shown that the curvature of the Earth causes two effects: (1) as the marine ice margin grows towards the equator, the net emmision of radiation (solar and terrestrial) per unit surface area increases; and (2) as the poleward extent of the ocean decreases, the net absorption of radiation per unit surface area increases. These radiation balance considerations, included with a realistic meridional transport of energy from the ocean to the marine-ice region and an atmospheric feedback process enhancing the ocean warming, are combined to form two nonlinear differential equations coupling the mean ocean temperature with the marine-ice margin colatitude. Using physically realistic parameters we are able to reproduce the major features of the 100 kyr climate cycle. This can be seen from Figure I which shows the δ18O record as given by Imbrie and others (1984), plotted against the model output. In addition we have found that the parameters used to obtain the general features of the ice-volume record also predict temperature “spikes” (1 to 2 K. above average) of relatively short duration (5 to 10 kyr) in the mean ocean temperature. We find that there is good qualitative agreement between the model's predicted mean ocean temperature and the estimation of summer sea-surface temperature at RC11-120 presented by Martinson and others (1987).


1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Ghezzo ◽  
G N Berta ◽  
B Bussolati ◽  
A Bosio ◽  
G Corvetti ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (11) ◽  
pp. 1829-1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narinder Gautam ◽  
Heiko Herwald ◽  
Per Hedqvist ◽  
Lennart Lindbom

Activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and adhesion to the endothelial lining is a major cause of edema formation. Although known to be dependent on the function of β2 integrins (CD11/CD18), the precise mechanisms by which adherent PMNs may impair endothelial barrier capacity remain unclear. Here, the role of transmembrane signaling by β2 integrins in PMN-induced alterations in tight junctional permeability of cultured endothelial cell (EC) monolayers was investigated. PMN activation, in the absence of proinflammatory stimuli, was accomplished through antibody cross-linking of CD11b/CD18, mimicking adhesion-dependent receptor engagement. CD18 cross-linking in PMNs added to the EC monolayer provoked a prompt increase in EC permeability that coincided with a rise in EC cytosolic free Ca2+ and rearrangement of actin filaments, events similar to those evoked by chemoattractant PMN activation. Cell-free supernatant obtained after CD18 cross-linking in suspended PMNs triggered an EC response indistinguishable from that induced by direct PMN activation, and caused clear-cut venular plasma leakage when added to the hamster cheek pouch in vivo preparation. The PMN-evoked EC response was specific to β2 integrin engagement inasmuch as antibody cross-linking of l-selectin or CD44 was without effect on EC function. Our data demonstrate a causal link between outside-in signaling by β2 integrins and the capacity of PMNs to induce alterations in vascular permeability, and suggest a paracrine mechanism that involves PMN-derived cationic protein(s) in the cellular crosstalk between PMNs and ECs.


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