Neurulation in Xenopus laevis. An analysis and model based upon light and electron microscopy

Development ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-462
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Neural Plate ◽  
General Knowledge ◽  
Morphogenetic Movements ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Causal Mechanisms ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Shape Changes

It is a matter of general knowledge that neurulation, as it occurs in most chordate embryos, proceeds by longitudinal in-folding of the neural plate. Løvtrup (1965) ably described such morphogenetic movements as they occur in several neurulating amphibians. The mechanical causes of these movements are not clearly understood, however. In his review of the prominent theories of neurulation, Curtis (1967) points to their various inadequacies and concludes that ‘possibly the solution of this problem is to search for contractile movements in the cells involved in neurulation’ (p. 310). The present paper seeks to identify the causal mechanisms of neurulation in the African clawed toad Xenopus laevis. The study was originally undertaken specifically to test Cloney's (1966) prediction that the presumed contractility of neural plate cells is associated with the morphological presence of fine cytoplasmic filaments which actually constitute the molecular agents of contraction and cellular shape-changes.

Development of the optic nerve in Xenopus laevis

Development ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-249
Author(s):  
Charles Cima ◽  
Philip Grant
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Near Neighbour ◽  
Dorsoventral Axis ◽  
Fibre Size ◽  
Autoradiographic Analysis ◽  
Young Old

Development of the Xenopus laevis optic nerve was studied by light and electron microscopy from embryonic stage 26, before the retina has formed, to juveniles, 8 months post-metamorphic. Low-power EM photographs of sections through the retinal optic nerve (RON), middle optic nerve (MON) and chiasmatic optic nerve (CON) were prepared at different stages and the areas containing large axons (0·5 μm) were traced in optic nerve reconstructions. Ordering of fibre size along a dorsoventral axis was noted in the embryonic nerve, and this pattern persisted throughout development. Most large fibres, myelinated and unmyelinated, occupy an eccentric dorsocentral position in the MON while small axons are seen in a ventral peripheral crescent. In the CON, the dorsal one third to one half is occupied by large fibres while the ventral CON contains small fibres exclusively. If, as assumed, large axons are older than small axons (0·1–0·3 μm), then patterns of large and small axons along the nerve might reveal a chronotopic fibre ordering. Chronotopic ordering was confirmed by autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of old, labelled fibres and young, unlabelled newly arriving fibres in optic nerves between stage 51 and 57. The young—old labelling pattern corresponds to the small and large axon patterns respectively, in all sections of the optic nerve. Chronotopic ordering of fibres in the developing optic nerve can be explained, in part, by the dorsoventral asymmetric marginal growth of the developing retina and the phenomenon of fibre following as ganglion cell axons join near neighbour fascicles in the retina, converge at the optic disc and grow through the optic nerve.

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure on microfilaments and microtubules in Xenopus laevis

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-295
Author(s):  
Paul-Emil Messier ◽  
C. Seguin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Cell Elongation ◽  
High Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Neuroepithelial Cells ◽  
Exerted Pressure ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Embryos

Xenopus laevis embryos of stages 14–20 were subjected, for periods of 5–330 min, to hydrostatic pressures ranging from 500 to 10000 psi. The specimens were fixed under corresponding pressures and their neuroepithelium was studied under light and electron microscopy. A pressure of 3000 psi, maintained for as long as 180 min, did not inhibit neurulation though it induced slight deformities of the neuroepithelium. A pressure of 4000 psi, applied for 180 min, disrupted the apical ring of microfilaments and blocked neurulation. The cells lost their dissymmetry. The effect was reversible. Lengthening the duration of treatment to 330 min caused the neuroepithelial cells to loose their microtubules and to become round. This situation was not reversible. Our results indicated that microfilaments are more sensitive than microtubules, that both organelles became increasingly sensitive as the exerted pressure was increased and that microtubules of older embryos exhibited a better resistance. Finally, we showed a correlation between the presence of microfilaments and the constricted state of the cellular apices and a relationship between the presence of microtubules and cell elongation.

Development of the optic nerve in Xenopus laevis

Development ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-267
Author(s):  
Charles Cima ◽  
Philip Grant
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ependymal Cells ◽  
Glia Limitans ◽  
Nerve Development ◽  
Myelinated Fibres ◽  
Cytoplasmic Processes ◽  
Time Of Origin

We studied the time of origin, development and location of glial elements in the developing optic nerve of Xenopus with light and electron microscopy. The first cells acting as a primitive glia are ependymal cells lying dorsal to the chiasmatic optic nerve (CON) at Nieuwkoop & Faber (1956) NF stage 39. Later (stage 47/48), immature astrocyte cell bodies migrate from the periphery of the middle optic nerve (MON) into the central fibre mass along cytoplasmic processes extending from the outer glia limitans. Shortly thereafter, oligodendrocyte cell bodies appear in the centre of the fibre mass and myelination begins, first in the middle of the MON, spreading from the centre distally towards the chiasm and proximally to the retina. In late tadpoles myelinated fibres appear first in the CON then in the retinal optic nerve (RON) increasing markedly in juveniles and adults. Segment-specific patterns of glia and myelination appear during optic nerve development. During metamorphic climax, the ptic nerve shortens (Cullen & Webster, 1979), a process involving myelin and axon remodelling primarily in the MON. Neither the profound changes during metamorphosis, nor the processes of gliogenesis and myelination significantly alter the underlying chronotopic ordering in the tadpole nerve. In juvenile and adult optic nerves, however, as myelination and gliogenesis increase, and as more axons mature and grow in diameter, the dorsoventral chronotopic arrangement of axons becomes less apparent.

Mechanisms of neurulation: traditional viewpoint and recent advances

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.C. Schoenwolf ◽  
J.L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cell Shape ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Neural Plate ◽  
Neuroepithelial Cell ◽  
Morphogenetic Movements ◽  
Cell Behaviors ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Shape Changes

In this review article, the traditional viewpoint of how neurulation occurs is evaluated in light of recent advances. This has led to the formulation of the following fundamentals: (1) neurulation, specifically neural plate shaping and bending, is a multifactorial process resulting from forces both intrinsic and extrinsic to the neural plate; (2) neurulation is driven by both changes in neuroepithelial cell shape and other form-shaping events; and (3) forces for cell shape changes are generated by both the cytoskeleton and other factors. Several cell behaviors within the neural plate have been elucidated. Future challenges include identifying cell behaviors within non-neuroepithelial tissues, determining how intrinsic and extrinsic cell behaviors are orchestrated into coordinated morphogenetic movements and elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying such behaviors.

The Morphology of Vacuolated Cells in the Liver Following Administration of Vitamin A.

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 408-409
Author(s):  
Odell T. Minick ◽  
Hidejiro Yokoo ◽  
Fawzia Batti
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Liver Cells ◽  
Prominent Feature ◽  
Vascular Space ◽  
Vacuolated Cell ◽  
Vacuolated Cells ◽  
Vacuolated Cytoplasm

Vacuolated cells in the liver of young rats were studied by light and electron microscopy following the administration of vitamin A (200 units per gram of body weight). Their characteristics were compared with similar cells found in untreated animals.In rats given vitamin A, cells with vacuolated cytoplasm were a prominent feature. These cells were found mostly in a perisinusoidal location, although some appeared to be in between liver cells (Fig. 1). Electron microscopy confirmed their location in Disse's space adjacent to the sinusoid and in recesses between liver cells. Some appeared to be bordering the lumen of the sinusoid, but careful observation usually revealed a tenuous endothelial process separating the vacuolated cell from the vascular space. In appropriate sections, fenestrations in the thin endothelial processes were noted (Fig. 2, arrow).

Complex Vesicles, Microtubules, and Cytoplasmic Filaments in the Endothelial Cells of Normal Dog Aorta

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 172-173
Author(s):  
C. N. Sun ◽  
J. J. Ghidoni
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Tubular Structures ◽  
Aldehyde Fixation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments

Endothelial cells in longitudinal and cross sections of aortas from 3 randomly selected “normal” mongrel dogs were studied by electron microscopy. Segments of aorta were distended with cold cacodylate buffered 5% glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes prior to being cut into small, well oriented tissue blocks. After an additional 1-1/2 hour period in glutaraldehyde, the tissue blocks were well rinsed in buffer and post-fixed in OsO4. After dehydration they were embedded in a mixture of Maraglas, D.E.R. 732, and DDSA.Aldehyde fixation preserves the filamentous and tubular structures (300 Å and less) for adequate demonstration and study. The functional significance of filaments and microtubules has been recently discussed by Buckley and Porter; the precise roles of these cytoplasmic components remains problematic. Endothelial cells in canine aortas contained an abundance of both types of structures.

Control of Autogenous Vein Grafts Prior to Reimplantation, By Electron Microscopy

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 106-107
Author(s):  
John H. L. Watson ◽  
John L. Swedo ◽  
M. Vrandecic
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vein Grafts ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Saphenous Veins ◽  
Autogenous Vein ◽  
Control Of Parameters ◽  
Post Implantation

The ambient temperature and the nature of the storage fluids may well have significant effects upon the post-implantation behavior of venus autografts. A first step in the investigation of such effects is reported here. Experimental conditions have been set which approximate actual operating room procedures. Saphenous veins from dogs have been used as models in the experiments. After removal from the dogs the veins were kept for two hours under four different experimental conditions, viz at either 4°C or 23°C in either physiological saline or whole canine arterial blood. At the end of the two hours they were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Since no obvious changes or damage could be seen in the veins by light microscopy, even with the advantage of tissue specific stains, it was essential that the control of parameters for successful grafts be set by electron microscopy.

Ultrastructure of two neoplasms in culture compared with original biopsies

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Harb ◽  
James T. Casper ◽  
Vlcki Piaskowski
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Biopsy Specimen ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Soft Agar ◽  
Human Tumor Cells ◽  
Morphological Distinction ◽  
Tumor Types

The application of tissue culture and the newer methodologies of direct cloning and colony formation of human tumor cells in soft agar hold promise as valuable modalities for a variety of diagnostic studies, which include morphological distinction between tumor types by electron microscopy (EM). We present here two cases in which cells in culture expressed distinct morphological features not apparent in the original biopsy specimen. Evaluation of the original biopsies by light and electron microscopy indicated both neoplasms to be undifferentiated sarcomas. Colonies of cells propagated in soft agar displayed features of rhabdomyoblasts in one case, and cultured cells of the second biopsy expressed features of Ewing's sarcoma.

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