scholarly journals THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE RENAL GLOMERULUS OF THE MOUSE

1955 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eichi Yamada

Sections of mouse renal glomerulus fixed by perfusion with buffered osmium tetroxide solution have been studied with the electron microscope. Four components are recognized in the mouse glomerulus: epithelium, basement membrane, endothelium, and intercapillary cell. The three cellular components all display in their cytoplasm mitochondria, Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, and uncharacterized vesicles. The concepts of Hall, of Pease, and of Rhodin regarding the glomerular filtration surface are confirmed. The epithelial cells are characterized by intricate, branching, interdigitating ridge-like processes or pedicels, the summits of which press against the urinary surface of the basement membrane, covering the glomerular capillary tuft almost completely except for narrow spaces about 200 to 300 A wide between the processes. These spaces are termed the epithelial filtration slits, and are bridged by a very delicate gossamer-like membrane about 30 A thick,—the filtration slit membrane. The basement membrane is interposed everywhere between epithelial processes and endothelium, and between epithelial and intercapillary cells. The basement membrane of the filtration surface of the glomerular capillary has smooth surfaces and is about 800 A thick. It consists of three layers—a thick central lamina densa, appearing to have a very delicate felt-like structure, flanked on each side by thinner lamina rara externa and lamina rara interna. This membrane continues to the intercapillary space and makes a complicated sponge-work of varying thickness in which the intercapillary cells are enmeshed. The endothelial cells are of moderate thickness in the nuclear region, but send out thin sheet-like extensions over the filtration surface. These extensions are about 300 to 400 A thick and are characterized by numerous round endothelial filtration pores about 500 to 1000 A in diameter. The intercapillary tissue or mesangium is composed of the network of the basement membrane and the intercapillary cells. The intercapillary cells, with characteristic fine fibrillar cytoplasm, make contact with epithelial and endothelial cells and are enmeshed within the network of the basement membrane. Rounded processes of intercapillary cells penetrate into the endothelial cell through the basement membrane, and may even perforate entirely through the endothelium. Such processes are called (after Zimmermann) the intracapillary colliculi. In the endothelial cytoplasm close to the intracapillary colliculi are many dense endothelial juxtacollicular vesicles and caveolae. The cell boundaries of the endothelial cell resemble terminal bars. Some physiological speculations relating to glomerular structure are advanced. The description of Zimmermann (54), based on a light microscope study, is confirmed in many respects.

1957 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. F. Pak Poy ◽  
J. S. Robertson

Electron microscopy of sections of chicken glomeruli shows them to possess a large central cell mass, occupying the hilum and the centre of the glomerulus, and continuous with the adventitia of the afferent and efferent arterioles. The glomerular capillaries form a much simpler system than in mammals and are spread over the surface of the central cell mass. Between the capillaries the mass is limited externally by the major component of the glomerular capillary basement membrane, which continues over the surface of the mass from one capillary to the next. Projections of the central cell mass characteristically form the support for glomerular capillaries, and smaller knobs of the central mass may project actually into the lumen of the capillaries, but always carry a layer of endothelial cytoplasm before them. They are never in direct contact with blood. The basement membrane of the glomerular capillary loop has a central dense layer and two lateral less dense layers as in mammals. The central dense layer is continuous with similar appearing dense material in the intercellular spaces of the adventitiae of the arterioles, and also with that of the central cell mass. The two less dense layers can also be traced into direct continuity with the less dense regions of this intercellular substance. The endothelial cytoplasm is spread as a thin sheet over the inner surface of the capillary basement membrane, and shows scattered "pores" resembling those described in mammals. Epithelial cells with interlacing pedicels are at least as prominent as those in mammals. Bowman's capsular membrane also possesses three layers similar to but less wide than those of the capillary basement membrane, and all three layers can be traced into continuity with the dark and light regions of the intercellular material of the adventitial cells of the arterioles, and beyond them with that of the central cell mass. At the hilum Bowman's capsular membrane also fuses with the capillary basement membrane.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 3206-3217 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Dubois-Stringfellow ◽  
A Jonczyk ◽  
VL Bautch

Abstract Fibrinolytic activity and its relation to morphogenesis was investigated in several transformed murine endothelial cell lines and primary cultures of endothelial cells. Two in vitro systems, fibrin gels and Matrigel (Collaborative Research, Bedford, MA), were used. Fibrin gels model a fibrin-rich extracellular matrix that frequently supports neovascularization in vivo, and Matrigel models the basement membrane surrounding quiescent endothelial cells in vivo. The transformed endothelial cell lines have higher levels of plasminogen activator (PA) mRNA than primary cultures of endothelial cells, and an increased PA-mediated proteolytic activity was correlated with formation of cysts in fibrin gels. Addition of neutralizing anti- urokinase antibodies, plasminogen depletion, or addition of a plasmin inhibitor prevented cyst formation. Addition of plasminogen restored the ability to form cysts in the plasminogen-depleted system. Normal endothelial cells organized into capillary-like structures in fibrin gels regardless of manipulations affecting the fibrinolytic pathway. In Matrigel, both transformed and primary cultures of endothelial cells rapidly formed a capillary-like network that was not affected by plasminogen depletion or addition of plasmin inhibitors. Thus, elements of the fibrinolytic pathway necessary for cyst formation are not critical in capillary-like structure formation on a reconstituted basement membrane. These results suggest that plasmin is essential for hemangioma formation but is not critical to the organizational behavior of normal endothelial cells.


1955 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn F. Piel ◽  
Luther Dong ◽  
F.W.S. Modern ◽  
Joseph R. Goodman ◽  
Roger Moore

Nephrotoxic serum disease in rats has been studied by light and electron microscopy from 1 hour to 10 weeks after production of the disease. By light microscopy leucocytic infiltration of the glomerular capillary was observed between the 3rd and 6th hour. At 6 hours an increase in colloidal iron-positive material was observed coating the extraluminal surface of the capillaries. Also at this time swelling of the endothelial cells becomes prominent. By 72 hours, thickening of the basement membrane was observed. Glomerular capillary thrombi were observed in approximately half the tissue examined in the first 2 weeks of disease. 50 per cent of the animals showed severe chronic lesions, exudation into the capsular space, crescent formation, and obliteration of glomeruli. At 1 hour electron microscopic pictures showed that osmophilic material may line the foot processes of the epithelial cells and obliterate all but narrow channels of the space between the feet. By 6 hours thickening of the basement membrane was prominent. This change persisted throughout 10 weeks of observation. The tissue from animals which had severe chronic alterations by light microscopy revealed changes which could not be interpreted at this time.


1964 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1129-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max G. Menefee ◽  
C. Barber Mueller ◽  
Allen L. Bell ◽  
Joseph K. Myers

Purified human globin injected into rats forms aggregates which are identifiable by their characteristic appearance in thin sections in the electron microscope and by their positive autoradiographs when the globin is tritiated before injection. Globin is taken up by endothelial cells of glomerular capillaries and is transported across the cell within the limits of a surrounding membrane. Globin is rarely seen to pass through fenestrations. Globin is also taken into the stalk region where it is seen usually within the sponge fibers and only occasionally within stalk cells. Globin is seen in all stages of passage through the basement membranes and sponge fibers, which are not deformed by its passage. On the basis of the findings presented here and by others, it is postulated that the basement membrane and sponge fibers consist of a thixotrophic gel. After traversing the basement membrane, the globin passes between foot processes of the epithelial cells. The slit membranes are deformed by this passage and thus appear to be distinctive structures. The globin is next found free in Bowman's space; the earliest aggregates are seen there within 1 minute after injection. Globin taken up in the stalk region is slowly discharged and very little is found there 6 hours postinjection.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 3206-3217 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Dubois-Stringfellow ◽  
A Jonczyk ◽  
VL Bautch

Fibrinolytic activity and its relation to morphogenesis was investigated in several transformed murine endothelial cell lines and primary cultures of endothelial cells. Two in vitro systems, fibrin gels and Matrigel (Collaborative Research, Bedford, MA), were used. Fibrin gels model a fibrin-rich extracellular matrix that frequently supports neovascularization in vivo, and Matrigel models the basement membrane surrounding quiescent endothelial cells in vivo. The transformed endothelial cell lines have higher levels of plasminogen activator (PA) mRNA than primary cultures of endothelial cells, and an increased PA-mediated proteolytic activity was correlated with formation of cysts in fibrin gels. Addition of neutralizing anti- urokinase antibodies, plasminogen depletion, or addition of a plasmin inhibitor prevented cyst formation. Addition of plasminogen restored the ability to form cysts in the plasminogen-depleted system. Normal endothelial cells organized into capillary-like structures in fibrin gels regardless of manipulations affecting the fibrinolytic pathway. In Matrigel, both transformed and primary cultures of endothelial cells rapidly formed a capillary-like network that was not affected by plasminogen depletion or addition of plasmin inhibitors. Thus, elements of the fibrinolytic pathway necessary for cyst formation are not critical in capillary-like structure formation on a reconstituted basement membrane. These results suggest that plasmin is essential for hemangioma formation but is not critical to the organizational behavior of normal endothelial cells.


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Klopsch ◽  
Marion Ludwig ◽  
Anna Skorska ◽  
Loni Zacher ◽  
Max Jerke ◽  
...  

AbstractOptimizing endothelialization of medical implants requires deep mechanistic insight into cellular adhesion, cell junction and physiological basement membrane development at the endothelial cell-to-scaffold substrate interface.We employed and standardized endothelial cells and fibrin hydrogel for simultaneous cell-plus-fibrin (EC-Fib) spray application using the MaslankaDirect sprayed endothelialization outlined the necessity for preconditioning acellular SynerGraft


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara L Haas

The process of sprouting angiogenesis requires that the endothelial cells degrade the basement membrane matrix and migrate into the interstitial matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes capable of cleaving numerous extracellular matrix proteins. Increased production and activity of matrix metalloproteinases in any cell type is associated with a more migratory and invasive phenotype. This paper describes results of recent in-vitro studies of the regulation of transcription and activation of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in endothelial cells, as well as studies that examined roles of matrix metalloproteinases in activity-induced angiogenesis.Key words: proteolysis, extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, mechanotransduction.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 352-359
Author(s):  
Marc Gervais ◽  
John B. Richardson ◽  
Jane Chiu ◽  
Keith N. Drummond

Pathologic and immunopathologic studies were done in four patients with the hemolytic uremic syndrome. The principal lesions involved the endothelial and subendothelial regions of the renal arterioles and of the glomerular capillaries. The endothelial cells were swollen and, in the case of the glomerular capillary loops, separated from the basement membrane by an accumulation of material in the subendothelial space. In contrast to the glomerular capillaries, the endothelial changes in the renal arterioles were associated with a striking deposition of fibrinogen or its derivatives. No evidence for the operation of immune mechanisms of the type known to be associated with the development of vascular pathology was found to account for the microangiopathy.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (1) ◽  
pp. F117-F125 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Marsden ◽  
D. M. Dorfman ◽  
T. Collins ◽  
B. M. Brenner ◽  
S. H. Orkin ◽  
...  

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a powerful vasoconstrictor known to be produced and secreted by endothelial cells lining large vessels. Because ET-1 stimulates glomerular mesangial cell contraction, glomerular capillary endothelial cells (GEN), normally situated in close apposition to mesangial cells, were examined for potential ET expression and secretion. Cultured bovine GEN released ET in a time-dependent fashion. ET secretion was significantly stimulated by bradykinin, an agonist known to activate phospholipase C in these cells. Preproendothelin 1 (preproET-1) mRNA levels in GEN rose in a biphasic manner on stimulation with bradykinin. The early increments (at 30 min) were not dependent on new protein synthesis, whereas the late rise (6 h after addition of bradykinin) appeared to be protein synthesis dependent. Neither early or late bradykinin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA expression in glomerular endothelial cells was due to inhibition of mRNA breakdown. Both phases of preproET-1 mRNA expression were observed with other glomerular endothelial cell calcium-mobilizing agonists, namely thrombin, and were mimicked by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. By contrast, the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate only enhanced preproET-1 mRNA expression at 30 min and suppressed expression thereafter. It is concluded that GEN have the potential to express and secrete ET-1 in a phospholipase C-regulated fashion. Furthermore, because glomerular mesangial cells respond to this peptide, the findings raise the possibility of paracrine regulation of mesangial cell tone by glomerular endothelial cell-derived ET-1.


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 979-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert Hallmann ◽  
Nathalie Horn ◽  
Manuel Selg ◽  
Olaf Wendler ◽  
Friederike Pausch ◽  
...  

Endothelial cells of the blood and lymphatic vasculature are polarized cells with luminal surfaces specialized to interact with inflammatory cells upon the appropriate stimulation; they contain specialized transcellular transport systems, and their basal surfaces are attached to an extracellular basement membrane. In adult tissues the basement membrane forms a continuous sleeve around the endothelial tubes, and the interaction of endothelial cells with basement membrane components plays an important role in the maintenance of vessel wall integrity. During development, the basement membrane of endothelium provides distinct spatial and molecular information that influences endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation/maturation. Microvascular endothelium matures into phenotypically distinct types: continuous, fenestrated, and discontinuous, which also differ in their permeability properties. Development of these morphological and physiological differences is thought to be controlled by both soluble factors in the organ or tissue environment and by cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Basement membranes of endothelium, like those of other tissues, are composed of laminins, type IV collagens, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and nidogens. However, isoforms of all four classes of molecules exist, which combine to form structurally and functionally distinct basement membranes. The endothelial cell basement membranes have been shown to be unique with respect to their laminin isoform composition. Laminins are a family of glycoprotein heterotrimers composed of an α, β, and γ chain. To date, 5α, 4β, and 3γ laminin chains have been identified that can combine to form 15 different isoforms. The laminin α-chains are considered to be the functionally important portion of the heterotrimers, as they exhibit tissue-specific distribution patterns and contain the major cell interaction sites. Vascular endothelium expresses only two laminin isoforms, and their expression varies depending on the developmental stage, vessel type, and the activation state of the endothelium. Laminin 8 (composed of laminin α4, β1, and γ1 chains) is expressed by all endothelial cells regardless of their stage of development, and its expression is strongly upregulated by cytokines and growth factors that play a role in inflammatory events. Laminin 10 (composed of laminin α5, β1, and γ1 chains) is detectable primarily in endothelial cell basement membranes of capillaries and venules commencing 3–4 wk after birth. In contrast to laminin 8, endothelial cell expression of laminin 10 is upregulated only by strong proinflammatory signals and, in addition, angiostatic agents such as progesterone. Other extracellular matrix molecules, such as BM40 (also known as SPARC/osteonectin), thrombospondins 1 and 2, fibronectin, nidogens 1 and 2, and collagen types VIII, XV, and XVIII, are also differentially expressed by endothelium, varying with the endothelium type and/or pathophysiological state. The data argue for a dynamic endothelial cell extracellular matrix that presents different molecular information depending on the type of endothelium and/or physiological situation. This review outlines the unique structural and functional features of vascular basement membranes, with focus on the endothelium and the laminin family of glycoproteins.


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