Endothelial microvilli in the vessels of the rat gasserian ganglion and testis

Removal of cellular protrusions

Cell-cell communications are central to a variety of physiological and pathological processes in multicellular organisms. Cells often rely on cellular protrusions to communicate with one another, which enable highly selective and efficient signaling within complex tissues. Owing to significant improvements in imaging techniques, identification of signaling protrusions has increased in recent years. These protrusions are structurally specialized for signaling and facilitate interactions between cells. Therefore, physical regulation of these structures must be key for the appropriate strength and pattern of signaling outcomes. However, the typical approaches for understanding signaling regulation tend to focus solely on changes in signaling molecules, such as gene expression, protein-protein interaction, and degradation. In this short review, we summarize the studies proposing the removal of different types of signaling protrusions-including cilia, neurites, MT (microtubule based)-nanotubes and microvilli-and discuss their mechanisms and significance in signaling regulation.

Oxidative Stress Boosts the Uptake of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles by Changing Brain Endothelium Microvilli Pattern

Vascular oxidative stress is considered a worsening factor in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels promote the accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), one of the main hallmarks of AD. In turn, Aβ is a potent inducer of oxidative stress. In early stages of AD, the concomitant action of oxidative stress and Aβ on brain capillary endothelial cells was observed to compromise the blood-brain barrier functionality. In this context, antioxidant compounds might provide therapeutic benefits. To this aim, we investigated the antioxidant activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNP) in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) exposed to Aβ oligomers. Treatment with CNP (13.9 ± 0.7 nm in diameter) restored basal ROS levels in hCMEC/D3 cells, both after acute or prolonged exposure to Aβ. Moreover, we found that the extent of CNP uptake by hCMEC/D3 was +43% higher in the presence of Aβ. Scanning electron microscopy and western blot analysis suggested that changes in microvilli structures on the cell surface, under pro-oxidant stimuli (Aβ or H₂O₂), might be involved in the enhancement of CNP uptake. This finding opens the possibility to exploit the modulation of endothelial microvilli pattern to improve the uptake of anti-oxidant particles designed to counteract ROS-mediated cerebrovascular dysfunctions.

On the Role of the Blood Vessel Endothelial Microvilli in the Blood Flow in Small Capillaries

Endothelial microvilli that protrude into the capillary lumen, although invisible in the optical microscopy, may play an important role in the blood flow control in the capillaries. Because of the plug effects, the width of the gap between the capillary wall and the blood cell is especially critical for the blood flow dynamics in capillaries, while microvilli located on the capillary wall can easily control the velocity of the blood flow. We report that microvilli in the capillaries of different vertebrate species have similar characteristics and density, suggesting similarities between the respective regulation mechanisms. A simplified physical model of the capillary effective diameter control by the microvilli is presented.

Cluster microvilli in coronary endothelium

Examination of cardiac vascular endothelium with scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy of previously scanned tissue, revealed several regions of the coronary venous system that contained 'cluster' microvilli. These consisted of 2-15 microvillous projections that emanated radially from a common base or were grouped into a fan-like arrangement. Although rare, these clusters, when present, were widely distributed over the endothelial cell surface.

Scanning electron microscopic study of endothelial cells of cerebral arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Endothelial cells of the cerebral arterial system in spontaneously hypertensive rats were investigated by scanning electronmicroscopy and found to show progressive changes such as increased microvilli, numerous plasmalemmal pits, enlargement of the cells and well-developed marginal folds. Regressive changes, such as balloon-like protrusions and crater-like cave-ins, were also observed. Platelet adhesion to the injured endothelial surface of cerebral arteries was frequent. The significance of these changes in the development of hypertensive cerebrovascular lesions is discussed.

Angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis: a light and electron microscopic study

Angiofibromas from two patients with tuberous sclerosis were studied by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy revealed that these tumor-like nodules (which in the past have been called adenoma sebaceum) were made up of dilated capillaries, venules and arterioles embedded in connective tissue. At the ultrastructural level the arterioles embedded in connective tissue. At the ultrastructural level the endothelium of these vessels showed large numbers of microvilli on their luminal surface. The stroma contained many banded structures (so-called fibrous long spacing collagen). Myofibroblasts recently described in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas were not found in these angiofibromas of tuberous sclerosis.

Fenestrated blood capillaries in rat cranio-spinal sensory ganglia

Several fenestrated capillaries were seen in the endoneurium of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia from two young adult albino rats treated with tetraethylthiuram disulfide. The finding is regarded as normal, although the possibility exists that intoxication with tetraethylthiuram disulfide may have enhanced the intensity and/or rate of this cytologic specialization of some isolated endothelial cells.

Electron microscopy of endothelial microvilli of large arteries

Scanning electron microscopic investigations by others have revealed "hair-like" projections from the endothelial surface of the rabbit aorta. We have confirmed by transmission electron microscopy that endothelial microvilli are found, in a limited number of areas in the aortic arch, particularly at the presumed site of fetal origin of the ductus arterious and near the origin of the subclavian artery. The microvilli are almost uniform in diameter (about 0.1 mum) and are as long as 3 mum in length. The outer leaflet of the limiting membrane shows a fuzzy appearance, and thin filaments are recognized in their interiors. A profuse array of endothelial microvilli was also found over the entire surface of the large arteries of human fetuses. The possible hemodynamic significance of these processes is discussed.

Qualitative and quantitative studies of the capillary structure in the rete mirabile of the eel, Anguilla vulgaris L

The capillaries of the counter-current capillary organ, rete mirabile, have been studied by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The vasculature of this rete was found to have a cross-sectional area of about 5.25 mm2, and it consisted of 34,000 efferent (=arterial) and 22,000 afferent (=venous) capillaries. The total surface area was the same for the two types of capillaries. The capillary endothelial cells showed numerous pinocytotic vesicles, scattered giant vacuoles and cytoplasmic extrusions (microvilli) at the luminal surface. The majority of the intercellular junctions appeared to have patent gaps with a width of 110-120 A. The arterial capillaries appeared in many ways to be morphologically similar to skeletal muscle capillaries of mammals, whereas the fenestrated venous capillaries resembled those in the intestinal mucosa of mammals. Measurements of the ionic composition of the rete tissue indicated that the endothelial cells contained much less K+ than other cells, the rete containing approximately equimolar amounts of K+ and Na+. The functional significance of the structural and chemical observations are discussed.

Endothelial projections as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

Scanning electron micrographs of the endothelium of the pulmonary artery reveal that the entire surface is covered by a meshwork of irregular projections which vastly increase the surface area. The size and density of the projections suggest that they may function to direct an eddying flow of plasma along the endothelial surface.