scholarly journals Characterization of Human Transition Zone Reveals a Putative Progenitor-Enriched Niche of Corneal Endothelium

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yam ◽  
Seah ◽  
Yusoff ◽  
Setiawan ◽  
Wahlig ◽  
...  

: The corneal endothelium regulates corneal hydration to maintain the transparency of cornea. Lacking regenerative capacity, corneal endothelial cell loss due to aging and diseases can lead to corneal edema and vision loss. There is limited information on the existence of corneal endothelial progenitors. We conducted ultrastructural examinations and expression analyses on the human transition zone (TZ) at the posterior limbus of corneal periphery, to elucidate if the TZ harbored progenitor-like cells, and to reveal their niche characteristics. Within the narrow TZ (~190 μm width), the inner TZ—adjacent to the peripheral endothelium (PE)—contained cells expressing stem/progenitor markers (Sox2, Lgr5, CD34, Pitx2, telomerase). They were located on the inner TZ surface and in its underlying stroma. Lgr5 positive cells projected as multicellular clusters into the PE. Under transmission electron microscopy and serial block face-scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, the terminal margin of Descemet’s membrane was inserted beneath the TZ surface, with the distance akin to the inner TZ breadth. Porcine TZ cells were isolated and proliferated into a confluent monolayer and differentiated to cells expressing corneal endothelial markers (ZO1, Na+K+ATPase) on cell surface. In conclusion, we have identified a novel inner TZ containing progenitor-like cells, which could serve the regenerative potential for corneal endothelium.

Author(s):  
Jane A. Westfall ◽  
S. Yamataka ◽  
Paul D. Enos

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides three dimensional details of external surface structures and supplements ultrastructural information provided by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Animals composed of watery jellylike tissues such as hydras and other coelenterates have not been considered suitable for SEM studies because of the difficulty in preserving such organisms in a normal state. This study demonstrates 1) the successful use of SEM on such tissue, and 2) the unique arrangement of batteries of nematocysts within large epitheliomuscular cells on tentacles of Hydra littoralis.Whole specimens of Hydra were prepared for SEM (Figs. 1 and 2) by the fix, freeze-dry, coat technique of Small and Màrszalek. The specimens were fixed in osmium tetroxide and mercuric chloride, freeze-dried in vacuo on a prechilled 1 Kg brass block, and coated with gold-palladium. Tissues for TEM (Figs. 3 and 4) were fixed in glutaraldehyde followed by osmium tetroxide. Scanning micrographs were taken on a Cambridge Stereoscan Mark II A microscope at 10 KV and transmission micrographs were taken on an RCA EMU 3G microscope (Fig. 3) or on a Hitachi HU 11B microscope (Fig. 4).


Author(s):  
W. D. Cooper ◽  
C. S. Hartley ◽  
J. J. Hren

Interpretation of electron microscope images of crystalline lattice defects can be greatly aided by computer simulation of theoretical contrast from continuum models of such defects in thin foils. Several computer programs exist at the present time, but none are sufficiently general to permit their use as an aid in the identification of the range of defect types encountered in electron microscopy. This paper presents progress in the development of a more general computer program for this purpose which eliminates a number of restrictions contained in other programs. In particular, the program permits a variety of foil geometries and defect types to be simulated.The conventional approximation of non-interacting columns is employed for evaluation of the two-beam dynamical scattering equations by a piecewise solution of the Howie-Whelan equations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Li ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Ilker Capoglu ◽  
Karl A. Hujsak ◽  
Dhwanil Damania ◽  
...  

AbstractEssentially all biological processes are highly dependent on the nanoscale architecture of the cellular components where these processes take place. Statistical measures, such as the autocorrelation function (ACF) of the three-dimensional (3D) mass–density distribution, are widely used to characterize cellular nanostructure. However, conventional methods of reconstruction of the deterministic 3D mass–density distribution, from which these statistical measures can be calculated, have been inadequate for thick biological structures, such as whole cells, due to the conflict between the need for nanoscale resolution and its inverse relationship with thickness after conventional tomographic reconstruction. To tackle the problem, we have developed a robust method to calculate the ACF of the 3D mass–density distribution without tomography. Assuming the biological mass distribution is isotropic, our method allows for accurate statistical characterization of the 3D mass–density distribution by ACF with two data sets: a single projection image by scanning transmission electron microscopy and a thickness map by atomic force microscopy. Here we present validation of the ACF reconstruction algorithm, as well as its application to calculate the statistics of the 3D distribution of mass–density in a region containing the nucleus of an entire mammalian cell. This method may provide important insights into architectural changes that accompany cellular processes.


1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 883-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Reichelt ◽  
A Holzenburg ◽  
E L Buhle ◽  
M Jarnik ◽  
A Engel ◽  
...  

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) prepared from Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclear envelopes were studied in "intact" form (i.e., unexposed to detergent) and after detergent treatment by a combination of conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) and quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). In correlation-averaged CTEM pictures of negatively stained intact NPCs and of distinct NPC components (i.e., "rings," "spoke" complexes, and "plug-spoke" complexes), several fine structural features arranged with octagonal symmetry about a central axis could reproducibly be identified. STEM micrographs of unstained/freeze-dried intact NPCs as well as of their components yielded comparable but less distinct features. Mass determination by STEM revealed the following molecular masses: intact NPC with plug, 124 +/- 11 MD; intact NPC without plug, 112 +/- 11 MD; heavy ring, 32 +/- 5 MD; light ring, 21 +/- 4 MD; plug-spoke complex, 66 +/- 8 MD; and spoke complex, 52 +/- 3 MD. Based on these combined CTEM and STEM data, a three-dimensional model of the NPC exhibiting eightfold centrosymmetry about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the nuclear envelope but asymmetric along this axis is proposed. This structural polarity of the NPC across the nuclear envelope is in accord with its well-documented functional polarity facilitating mediated nucleocytoplasmic exchange of molecules and particles.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Ye ◽  
Da Yin ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Qingwen Zhang

We report the synthesis of three-dimensional Fe3O4/graphene aerogels (GAs) and their application for the removal of arsenic (As) ions from water. The morphology and properties of Fe3O4/GAs have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum inference device. The 3D nanostructure shows that iron oxide nanoparticles are decorated on graphene with an interconnected network structure. It is found that Fe3O4/GAs own a capacity of As(V) ions adsorption up to 40.048 mg/g due to their remarkable 3D structure and existence of magnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles for separation. The adsorption isotherm matches well with the Langmuir model and kinetic analysis suggests that the adsorption process is pseudo-second-ordered. In addition to the excellent adsorption capability, Fe3O4/GAs can be easily and effectively separated from water, indicating potential applications in water treatment.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 394-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirotoshi Furusho ◽  
Yumiko Mishima ◽  
Norihiro Kameta ◽  
Mitsutoshi Masuda ◽  
Ichiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7404-7409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aihua Jing ◽  
Gaofeng Liang ◽  
Hao Shi ◽  
Yixin Yuan ◽  
Quanxing Zhan ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene with high specific surface area, excellent conductivity and designed porosity is essential for many practical applications. Herein, holey graphene oxide with nano pores was facilely prepared via a convenient mild defect-etching reaction and then fabricated to 3D nanostructures via a reduction method. Based on the 3D architectures, a novel enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor was successfully fabricated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the 3D holey graphene oxide architectures (3DHGO). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to evaluate the electrochemical performance of 3DHGO at glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H2O2 was observed, and a linear range of 5.0×10-8~5.0×10-5 M with a detection limit of 3.8×10-9 M was obtained. These results indicated that 3DHGO have potential as electrochemical biosensors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1729-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Nie ◽  
Yimin Guan ◽  
Dongshan Zhao ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Jianian Gui ◽  
...  

The crystallographic orientation relationships (ORs) of precipitated β-Mg2Sn particles in Mg–9.76 wt% Sn alloy aged at 573 K for 5 h, corresponding to its peak hardness, were investigated by advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM). OR-3 of (110)β//(0001)αand [\overline 111]β//[1\overline 210]αand OR-4 of (110)β//(0001)αand [001]β//[2\overline 1\overline 10]αare the key ORs of β-Mg2Sn particles in the alloy. The proportions of β-Mg2Sn particles exhibiting OR-3 and OR-4 were determined as 75.1 and 24.3%, respectively. Crystallographic factors determined the predominance of OR-3 in the precipitated β-Mg2Sn particles. This mechanism was analyzed by a three-dimensional invariant line model constructed using a transformation matrix in reciprocal space. Models of the interface of precipitated β-Mg2Sn and the α-Mg matrix were constructedviahigh-resolution TEM and atomic resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning TEM.


2003 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Marlovits ◽  
B. Tichy ◽  
M. Truppe ◽  
D. Gruber ◽  
W. Schlegel

This study describes the culture and three-dimensional assembly of aged human articular chondrocytes under controlled oxygenation and low shear stress in a rotating-wall vessel. Chondrocytes cultured in monolayer were released and placed without any scaffold as a single cell suspension in a rotating bioreactor for 12 weeks. Samples were analyzed with immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and electron microscopy. During serial monolayer cultures chondrocytes dedifferentiated to a “fibroblast-like” structure and produced predominantly collagen type I. When these dedifferentiated cells were transferred to the rotating bioreactor, the cells showed a spontaneous aggregation and formation of solid tissue during the culture time. Expression of collagen type II and other components critical for the extracellular cartilage matrix could be detected. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a fine network of randomly distributed collagen fibrils. This rotating bioreactor proves to be a useful tool for providing an environment that enables dedifferentiated chondrocytes to redifferentiate and produce a cartilage-specific extracellular matrix.


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