Ultramicroscopic structure of peyer’s patches in the rats’ small intestine after imunofan correction of experimental immunosuppression

Aim. To study the structure of Peyer’s patches at the ultramicroscopic level after the administration of imunofan against the background of experimentally modeled immunosuppression caused by the administration of cyclophosphamide. Materials and methods. The study was carried out on 36 white mature male rats, divided into 2 groups. The Group 1 included rats, which on the 1st day of the experiment were injected with cyclophosphamide at a dose of 200 mg/kg, and then imunofan according to the scheme on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 at a dose of 0.7 μg/kg of body weight. Group 2 was formed from rats, which were injected with an equivalent amount of isotonic sodium chloride solution. Animals of the Group 1 were Taken out from the experiment on the days 7 and 30 after the correction of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression with imunofan. Pieces of Peyer’s patches were isolated and processed according to a standard technique. Ultrathin sections were contrasted in a solution of uranyl acetate and lead citrate according to E. Reynolds and studied under an electron microscope with further photographing. Results. It was found that lymphocytes, in most cases, are tightly adjacent to each other on the days 7 and 30 after the correction of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression with imunofan; in the control group, the stroma is more often located between them. In the nucleus of these cells, heterochromatin is located in clumps and adjoins the nuclear membrane; in the control group, it fills two-thirds of the karyoplasm. The cells with patterns of mitosis, lymphoblasts are often found, macrophages contain large lysosomes on days 7 and 30 of experiment, compared with the control group of rats. In plasmocytes, the granular endoplasmic reticulum occupied up to 2/3 of the cell cytoplasm. The stromal component is well expressed in the control group of animals, compared with the experimental one, and is represented by reticulocytes, reticular fibers and vessels, and fibroblastic reticular cells are also found. Conclusion. In an ultramicroscopic study, the administration of the immunomodulator imunofan against the background of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression promoted an increase in lysosomes in macrophages, lymphoblasts, cells with mitotic patterns, as well as the development of a granular endoplasmic reticulum on days 7 and 30 of the experiment, compared with the control group.

Ultrastructure of ER-bodies in statocytes and cells of the distal elongation zone of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) heynh. root apices under X-radiation

Among plants used in spaceflight experiments, species of family Brassicaceaeare considered as the most resistant to radiation exposure. It is supposed that ER-bodies, which are derivative of granular endoplasmic reticulum and selectively accumulate an enzyme β-glucosidase, may be responsible for this resistance. The aim of the study was to investigate the ultrastructure and topography of ER-bodies in statocytes and cells of the distal elongation zone in root apices of A. thaliana seedlings in the control and under X-radiation. Methods. Seedlings grown on agar nutrient medium were treated with X-rays of doses 0.5 Gy, 1 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy, 6 Gy, 8 Gy, 10 Gy, and 12 Gy on the unit RUM-17 (dose rate 0.43 cGr/s). The root apices were fixed with a mixture of epoxide resins. Ultra-thin longitudinal sections were investigated with a transmission electron microscope JEM-1230 EX. Results. It was shown the similarity in the root apex cell ultrastructure in control and under X-radiation. At the same time there were some differences in the ultrustructure of statocytes and cells of the distal elongation zone under X-radiation. An increase in the number of profiles of granular endoplasmic reticulum and the total area of ER-bodies per cell in two hours and ten days after X-radiation more than twice in comparison to control was established. It was revealed the variability of ER-bodies in shape and size depending on the dose of X-rays. The nature of such alterations in the cell may indicate certain changes in metabolism, carried out within the range of cell physiological responses. Conclusions. For the first time, the influence of X-radiation on dynamics of the formation of ER-bodies, which are derivative of granular endoplasmic reticulum, in statocytes and cells of the distal elongation zone in root apices of A. thaliana seedlings has been studied. The increased area of ER-bodies, which contain β-glucosidase (PYK 10), is considered as an adaptive cell response to ionizing radiation.

Submicroscopic structure of canine articular cartilage

Canine articular cartilage was studied in male dogs at age 1, 4, 5 and 8 years. Samples collected from four hip joints and two humeral joints in each age category were processed by standard methods to be examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cartilage of both joints was similar in structure. In the superficial cartilage layer of one-year-old animals, individual spindle-shaped chondrocytes in the extracellular matrix were, together with associated collagen fibrils, located parallel to the surface. When viewed by scanning electron microscopy, they were distinctly prominent above the surrounding surface. Changes in the thickness and arrangement of both the chondrosynovial membrane and intercellular matrix were apparent in the 4-, 5- and 8-year-old animals, indicating the onset or progression of an osteoarthritic process. The middle cartilage layer in young animals showed elliptical chondrocytes occurring in pairs. The voluminous cytoplasm contained a great amount of granular endoplasmic reticulum, a large Golgi complex and numerous transport vesicles. The pericellular matrix, up to 1 µm thick, was composed of aperiodic fibrils. In the old animals the pericellular matrix was absent and was replaced by thick collagen fibrils with a marked periodicity. The deep cartilage layer in young dogs included groups of three to four chondrocytes situated in a common territory. The cytoplasm contained distinct bundles of intermediary filaments. The pericellular matrix occasionally formed septa between adjoining cells. The intracellular matrix included bundles of collagen fibrils arranged in a matted structure. In the old animals aggregation of chondrocytes into groups almost disappeared. The cytoplasm showed only short cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum, small numbers of mitochondria and transport vesicles, frequent lipid droplets and small glycogen deposits. The intercellular matrix consisted of only short collagen fibrils with no distinct periodicity.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of GER-bodies in the intrauterine eggs of Wenyonia virilis Woodland, 1923 (Cestoda, Caryophyllidea)

Ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of GER-bodies observed in the vitellocyte cytoplasm of the intrauterine eggs of the caryophyllidean cestode Wenyonia virilis are described. In this species GER-bodies were observed only in the cytoplasm of vitellocytes, surrounded by a newly formed egg-shell. They are composed of spherical areas of condensed, electron-dense cytoplasm which contains concentrically arranged parallel lamellae of granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER), forming characteristic balls of different sizes. Each GER-body is surrounded by numerous free ribosomes, polyribosomes, α-glycogen rosettes and large mitochondria. Results of cytochemical analysis by means of PATSC-SP test for polysaccharides indicated that glycogen is absent within the GER-bodies, however, a strongly positive reaction was observed only in large aggregations of α-glycogen rosettes and β-glycogen particles, localised usually near GER-bodies.

Electron microscopical study to assess thein vitroeffects of the synthetic trioxolane OZ78 against the liver fluke,Fasciola hepatica

SUMMARYAdultFasciola hepaticawere incubated for 48 hin vitroin the synthetic peroxide, OZ78 at a concentration of 100 μg/ml and then prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. There was limited disruption to the external fluke surface, with only slight swelling and blebbing of the interspinal tegument in the midbody and ventral tail regions. By contrast, significant disruption was observed to the ultrastructure of the tegument and subtegumental tissues. There was severe swelling of the basal infolds in the tegumental syncytium and the flooding spread internally to affect the subtegumental tissues. In the tegumental system, there was swelling of the cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum and of the mitochondria, with the latter showing signs of breaking down. Autophagic vacuoles and lipid droplets were present and the synthesis of tegumental secretory bodies was much reduced. The gastrodermal cells were severely affected, with swelling and degeneration of the mitochondria and the presence of autophagic vacuoles and lipid droplets. The granular endoplasmic reticulum was swollen and vesiculated and the cells contained few secretory bodies. Both the vitelline and testis follicles showed evidence of extensive cellular disruption and degeneration. This study confirms previous data indicating the potential flukicidal activity of OZ78.

Ultrastructure of the Pharynx and Some Parenchyma Cells of Zeuxapta-Seriolae and Paramicrocotyloides-Reticularis (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea, Microcotylidae)

The ultrastructure of the pharynx of Zeuxapta seriolae and Paramicrocotyloides reticularis (Monogenea : Microcotylidae) is described. The pharynx of both species is surrounded by a thick sheath resembling a basal lamina. It contains layers of longitudinal, circular and radial muscles, glandular cells, smaller cells interpreted as connective tissue cells, axons, and loose connective tissue. The cell bodies of the glandular cells are subdivided by deep invaginations of cell membranes; the cytoplasm is rich in granular endoplasmic reticulum and golgi complexes. The pharyngeal lumen is branched and lined with a layer of cytoplasm which contains numerous surface lamellae, branched 'supportive' lamellae, and vesicles. A body consisting of stacks of tubules, and associated with axons, is interpreted as a proprioceptor. Bacteria were found in the cytoplasm of some parts of the pharynx of Z. seriolae, particularly near the lumen. In Z. seriolae, three types of parenchyma cells near the pharynx were examined. All have deep invaginations of the cell membrane which, at least in some cells, are anchored near the nucleus by means of desmosomes, and which contain processes of adjacent cells.