The demonstration of enzymatic activity in pinocytic vesicles of blood capillaries with the electron microscope

A STUDY OF METASTATIC RENAL CALCIFICATION AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL

Experimental metastatic calcification in the proximal convoluted tubules of rat kidney, produced by large doses of vitamin D, has been studied with a variety of techniques. These techniques include the examination of thin sections of Araldite-embedded material under the electron microscope, selected area electron diffraction, and several histochemical methods. Two types of mineral are found in relation to the proximal convoluted tubule. The first form consists of aggregates of elongated crystals within cytoplasmic vacuoles of the proximal tubular cells. The dimensions of these crystals are consistent with those of hydroxyapatite. The other type of mineral deposit is found in and adjacent to the extracellular phase of the basal infoldings of these tubules. The latter deposits are made up of smaller crystals arranged in layers. These crystals could not be definitely identified by means of selected area electron diffraction. The observations are discussed in relation to calcium transport by the proximal convoluted tubule and also in terms of mechanisms of pathological calcification.

NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITIES IN RAT CARDIAC MUSCLE

Localizations of aldehyde-resistant nucleoside phosphatase activities in frozen sections of rat cardiac muscle have been studied by electron microscopy. Activities are higher after fixation with formaldehyde than with glutaraldehyde. After incubation with adenosine triphosphate or inosine diphosphate at pH 7.2, reaction product is found in the "terminal cisternae" or "transverse sacs" of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which, together with the "intermediary vesicles" (T system), constitute the "dyads" or "triads". Reaction product is also present at the membranes of micropinocytotic vacuoles which apparently form from the plasma membrane of capillary endothelial cells and from the sarcolemma. In certain regions of the intercalated discs, reaction product is found within the narrow spaces between sarcolemmas of adjacent cells and within micropinocytotic vacuoles that seem to form from the sarcolemma. With inosine diphosphate, reaction product is also found in other parts of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. After incubation with cytidine monophosphate at pH 5, reaction product is present in the transverse sacs of sarcoplasmic reticulum, in micropinocytotic vacuoles in capillary endothelium, and in lysosomes of muscle fibers and capillaries. The possible significance of the sarcoplasmic reticulum phosphatases is discussed in relation to the role the reticulum probably plays in moving calcium ions and thereby controlling contraction and relaxation of the muscle fiber.

OOCYTE DIFFERENTIATION AND VITELLOGENESIS IN THE ROACH PERIPLANETA AMERICANA

The ovary of the roach Periplaneta americana has been studied by techniques of light and electron microscopy. Each ovariole (panoistic type) contains a linear array of oocytes in varying stages of development. Newly formed oocytes become encased by a layer of follicle cells and begin pinocytosis. All subsequent growth stages of the oocytes are dependent, in part, on this phenomenon. All of the pinocytotic caveolae show an unique surface modification; i.e., on their internal surface they have an amorphous or filamentous substance and their external surface is studded with many fine radially oriented spike-like projections. The pinosomes of early oocytes do not contain a demonstrable internal structure; they are thought to contain nutritive substances for the developing oocytes rather than yolk precursors. When the oocyte enters its last stage of growth, characterized by yolk deposition, the caveolae become filled with a dense material which is thought to be the precursors of yolk. Hence the conclusion is drawn that yolk formation is independent of any cytoplasmic organelle system of the oocyte and that the precursors of this deutoplasmic substance are manufactured outside the ovary and are internalized by the process of pinocytosis. Under the phase-contrast microscope the nucleoli of early oocytes are large irregular masses and show the phenomenon of nucleolar emission (fragmentation). These "emissions" become randomly dispersed in the nucleoplasm and some of them come to be intimately associated with the fenestrated nuclear envelope. After this process ceases, the main nucleolar mass becomes vacuolated. Electron micrographs suggest that the constituent particles of the nucleolar emissions migrate from the nucleus through patent pores of the nuclear envelope.

THE FATE OF DNA-CONTAINING PARTICLES PHAGOCYTIZED BY MAMMALIAN CELLS

Particulate DNA protein coacervates were digested immediately after being phagocytized by L strain fibroblasts in suspension culture. Enlargement of the phagocytotic vacuoles occurred simultaneously with a loss of the electron opacity of the phagocytized particles. Cytochemical reactions positive for non-specific esterase, acid phosphatase, and nucleoside phosphatase in the phagocytotic vacuoles provided additional evidence for the probability of complete hydrolysis of the phagocytized nucleoprotein.

LYTIC ACTIVITIES IN RENAL PROTEIN ABSORPTION DROPLETS. AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPICAL CYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

The digestive cycle following reabsorption of hemoglobin by cells of the proximal convoluted tubules in mouse kidney and the uptake of ferritin by glomerular mesangial cells in the kidney of normal and nephrotic rats were investigated by electron microscopical histochemical procedures. Mouse kidneys, sampled at closely spaced time points between 1 to 48 hours after intraperitoneal injection of hemoglobin, and rat (normal and nephrotic) kidneys, sampled at 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 48 hours after intravenous injection of ferritin, were fixed in glutaraldehyde, cut at 50 µ on a freezing microtome, incubated for acid phosphatase and thiolacetate-esterase, and postfixed in OsO₄. Satisfactory preservation of fine structure permitted the localization of the enzymatic reaction products on cell structures involved in uptake and digestion of exogenous proteins. The latter were identified either by their density (hemoglobin) or their molecular structure (ferritin). It was found that lysosomal enzymic activities and incorporated exogenous proteins occur together in the same membrane-bounded structures. In the cells of the proximal convolution, lytic activities become demonstrable within 1 hour after hemoglobin injection, appear first in apical vacuoles filled with hemoglobin, and persist in fully formed protein absorption droplets. At the end of the lytic cycle (∼48 hours post injection), the cells have an increased population of polymorphic bodies which exhibit lytic activities. In smaller numbers, identical bodies occur in controls. It is concluded that they represent remnants of previous digestive events. The means by which the resorptive vacuoles acquire hydrolytic activities remain unknown. Fusion of newly formed vacuoles with residual bodies was not seen, and hemoglobin incorporation into such bodies was only occasionally encountered. Acid phosphatase activity was found sometimes in the Golgi complex, but enzyme transport from the complex to the resorbing vacuoles could not be established. Autolytic vacuoles containing mitochondria or mitochondrial remnants were frequently found during the early stages of hemoglobin resorption, but no definite conclusions about the mechanism involved in the segregation of endogenous material were obtained. In nephrotic rats ferritin was segregated in membrane-bounded bodies mainly in the mesangial cells and to a lesser extent in epithelial and endothelial cells. Most of these sites were marked by the reaction products of acid phosphatase and organophosphorus-resistant esterase and therefore identified as lysosomes connected with the digestion of incorporated exogenous proteins.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase is expressed by pericytes and fibroblasts in the rat heart

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase is anchored at the outer surface of cell membranes and thus its reaction product adenosine is released into the extracellular space. Extracellular adenosine displays via specific receptors a wide range of physiological effects in heart. There are discrepancies in the literature concerning the distribution of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in heart. Since we suspected that these may be due to technical problems, in the present study on ecto-5'-nucleotidase in rat heart we attempted to circumvent some technical pitfalls. Good preservation of the tissue with open capillary lumina, providing a clear identification of endothelium, was obtained by perfusion fixation. At the light microscopic level, the distribution of ecto-5'-nucleotidase studied by enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal and a polyclonal antibody yielded congruent results. The enzyme was rather homogeneously distributed throughout the myocardium, with a slightly higher incidence of stained cells in the outer thirds than in the inner third of the wall. Consistently high levels of ecto-5'-nucleotidase were seen only in interstitial cells. The walls of large vessels and heart muscle cells were constantly negative for ecto-5'-nucleotidase. The endothelia of capillaries were mostly negative but a few profiles occasionally displayed a weak immunoreaction. The interstitial cells staining positive for ecto-5'-nucleotidase could be identified as pericytes and as fibroblasts according to their shapes and localizations. The immunoreactivity of fibroblasts was confirmed by electron microscopy. These data indicate that adenosine may be formed extracellularly in the interstitium of the myocardium, where it would have direct access to important targets such as myocytes, arterioles and nerve endings.

Characterization of ATP-diphosphohydrolase activities in the intima and media of the bovine aorta: evidence for a regulatory role in platelet activation in vitro

The inner layer of the aorta contains the enzyme ATP diphosphohydrolase (ATPDase: EC 3.6.1.5) which catalyzes the sequential phosphorolysis of ATP----ADP----AMP. Two zones of the inner layer, the intima and media, were separated and both were shown to contain ATPDase activity of similar specific activity (0.08 and 0.10 U/mg protein, respectively). However, the media exhibited about 100-times more enzyme activity than the intima. Both preparations were virtually identical with respect to pH optima (7.5), migration patterns after electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, relative rates of ATP and ADP hydrolysis and potency to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in both human platelet-rich plasma and whole blood. The IC50 values for ADP (2 microM)-induced aggregation were 6.8 and 12.9 mU/ml in platelet-rich plasma and whole blood, respectively. Addition of ATPDase to platelets pre-aggregated with ADP resulted in a dose-dependent disaggregation in platelet-rich plasma (IC50 4.9 mU/ml), but not in whole blood. When both ATPDase (5.6-58.7 mU/ml) and ATP (0.5-10 microM) were added to platelet-rich plasma, there was an immediate dose-dependent aggregation of platelets followed by a slowly developing disaggregation. These data show that ATPDase is present in both the intima and media layers of bovine aorta and suggest a dual role for this enzyme in platelet activation. By converting ATP released from damaged cells into ADP, the enzyme could facilitate platelet aggregation at the site of vascular injury, whereas the subsequent conversion of ADP to AMP could inhibit or reverse platelet aggregation. The consequence of these activities would be to control the growth of a platelet thrombus.

Purification of ATP diphosphohydrolase from bovine aorta microsomes

ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5) hydrolyzes pyrophosphate bonds of nucleoside di- and triphosphates in the presence of divalent cations. We purified the enzyme from the vessel wall of bovine aortas. The procedure gave a homogeneous preparation of ATP diphosphohydrolase for the first time from an animal source. Bovine aorta microsomes were treated with 50 mM bicarbonate buffer (pH 10.0) containing 0.025% Triton X-100. The enzyme was then solubilized from the microsomes with 0.5% Triton X-100 and purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography and 5'AMP-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of the pure enzyme was 110 kDa. The activity recovered was 6% of that of the microsomes. The enzyme was more active with Ca2+ than Mg2+. The sensitivity of ADPase activity to divalent cations was higher than that of ATPase activity. The enzyme had broad substrate specificity to nucleoside di- and triphosphates.

Localisation of calcium-activated adenosine-triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) in intracerebral arterioles in acute hypertension

The plasma membrane calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) is known to regulate intracellular calcium levels. This enzyme was localised in intracerebral cortical vessels of normotensive and acutely hypertensive rats. Of interest was whether the arterioles that develop increased permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in acute hypertension demonstrate any alteration in localisation of Ca2+-ATPase as compared to normotensive controls. Rats were injected with HRP intravenously and acute hypertension was induced by a 2-min infusion of angiotensin amide. Following perfusion of fixative, brains were sliced and reacted for demonstration of HRP reaction product and Ca2+-ATPase. Normotensive rats showed discontinuous distribution of Ca2+-ATPase on the outer plasma membranes of endothelial, smooth muscle and adventitial cells of arterioles. The localisation of Ca2+-ATPase in pinocytotic vesicles present in endothelial and smooth muscle cells was quite striking. Focal cortical areas of hypertensive rats showed increased arteriolar permeability to HRP. Permeable arterioles showed marked reduction of Ca2+-ATPase on the outer plasma membranes of endothelium and smooth muscle cells as compared to nonpermeable arterioles of the same animals and arterioles of normotensive controls. The latter finding suggests that calcium may be involved in increased cerebrovascular permeability mechanisms in acute hypertension.

Endocytosis in the retinal and choroidal microcirculation

The endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by the vascular cells of retinal and choroidal blood vessels was compared in immersion and perfusion fixed eyes from individual rats. The mechanisms of endocytosis of HRP appeared identical in both retinal and choroidal vessels. The bulk of internalised tracer occurred in macropinosomes 300-400 nm in diameter. Tracer was localised to a 20-30 nm layer on the internal aspect of the limiting membrane. This layer was coincident with the glycocalyx of the luminal plasma membrane as revealed by ruthenium redosmium tetroxide staining. Horseradish peroxidase was also internalised by a small scattered population of vesicles (100-130 nm in diameter). The size of these vesicles suggested that they may have arisen from clathrin coated regions of the plasma membrane. It is suggested that the endocytosis of HRP in retinal and choroidal vascular endothelium occurs as a function of plasma membrane recycling. Horseradish peroxidase may also be internalised as a 'contaminant' of the glycocalyx in coated pits involved in receptor mediated endocytosis. The smooth 80 nm plasmalemmal caveolae of the retinal and choroidal vascular endothelial cells did not appear to participate either in absorptive endocytosis or vesicular transport.

Does unidirectional vesicular transport occur in retinal vessels?

This paper challenges the hypothesis that the smooth 80 nm plasmalemmal caveolae found in abundance at the abluminal aspect of the endothelium in retinal blood vessels participate in a unidirectional vesicular transport mechanism. Evidence is presented which indicates that horseradish peroxidase, when introduced to the extracellular space of the retina via the vitreous body, may enter the intravascular compartment through junctional incompetence which occurs at or after enucleation of the eye. It is proposed that the plasmalemmal caveolae at the abluminal plasma membrane of endothelial cells in retinal blood vessels are static structures which facilitate the transport of small solutes and ions across the blood retinal barrier.

Studies on the nature of adenosine diphosphatase activity from rat liver mitochondria

Adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) activity was studied in rat liver with [beta-32P]ADP as a substrate. Mitochondria and outer mitochondrial membrane fractions were isolated and assayed for ADPase and various marker enzymes. ADPase activity was strikingly reduced when the outer membranes were removed from the mitochondria whether by digitonin treatment or osmotic shock. Addition of the inter-membrane space subfraction to the purified outer membranes resulted in enhanced ADPase activity. Addition of the inter-mitochondrial membrane enzyme adenylate kinase to outer membranes also produced a large stimulation of activity. The ADPase activity could also be reconstituted in vitro with adenylate kinase and either mitoplast ATPase or ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. Chloroform-released ATPase, however, was not capable of producing an ADPase activity when combined with adenylate kinase. Gel permeation chromatography of Triton-solubilised outer mitochondrial membranes was unable to resolve ADPase activity from contaminating ATPase. These results suggest that the majority of ADPase activity in rat liver mitochondria consists of the coupled activity of adenylate kinase and ATPase.

Comparison of effects of inhibitors on adenosine triphosphatase and adenosine diphosphatase activities in rat-liver mitochondria

Adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) activity and ATPase activity were assayed in rat liver mitochondria and outer mitochondrial membrane preparations with [beta-32P]ADP and [gamma-32P]ATP as substrates. Inhibition studies were performed with the mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor oligomycin and the adenine nucleotide transport inhibitor, carboxyatractyloside. Kinetic studies were also performed with the nucleotide thiophosphate analogs adenosine 5'-O-thiophosphate, adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) and adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) which can act as inhibitors of phosphohydrolases. It is concluded that part of the apparent ADPase activity of intact mitochondria is mediated via ATPase, presumably in conjunction with adenylate kinase. In addition the outer mitochondrial membrane appears to show a distinct ADPase not attributable to contamination by inner membrane ATPase.

Properties and subcellular localization of adenosine diphosphatase in arterial smooth muscle cells in culture

The properties and subcellular localization of adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) activity in smooth muscle cells cultured from pig aortas have been investigated. The pH optimum of ADPase activity was 7.3 and the apparent Km for ADP was 10.3 microM. ADPase activity was inhibited completely by EDTA and was restored by the addition of divalent cations. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by 2-glycerophosphate, a substrate for non-specific phosphatases, nor by levamisole, a specific inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase. Smooth muscle cells were homogenized and a post-nuclear supernatant was applied to a sucrose density gradient in a Beaufay automatic zonal rotor. The distribution of ADPase activity in the density gradient was similar to that of 5'-nucleotidase activity, a marker enzyme for the plasma membrane, and distinct from the distributions of the marker enzymes for the other organelles. When the cells were homogenized in the presence of digitonin, an agent which binds to cholesterol and increases the equilibrium density of the plasma membrane, the modal equilibrium densities of ADPase activity and of 5'-nucleotidase activity were increased to similar extents, thus confirming the plasma membrane localization of ADPase activity.

Ultrastructural localization of adenosine diphosphatase activity in cultured aortic endothelial cells

Electron microscopy cytochemical studies demonstrate that the plasma membrane of cultured aortic endothelial cells contain significant amounts of adenosine diphosphatase. The activity is due to an ectoenzyme on the upper surface of the cell. Intracellular activity was noted in multilamellar bodies.

Adenosine triphosphatase activity of cutaneous nerve fibers

The histochemical study of Mg++-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Mg++-ATPase) activity was carried out on the peripheral nerves of mouse digital skin by light and electron microscopy. Under the light microscope, the ATPase activity was clearly demonstrated on the nerve fibers as a fine network in the subepidermal regions. Under the electron microscope, the reaction product of enzyme activity was located in the interspace between axolemma and the surrounding Schwann cells of the unmyelinated nerve fibers. No reaction product was observed in the space between the axolemma and the Schwann cells associated with myelinated nerve fibers. Demonstrable activity was absent at the nodes of Ranvier as well as on the para- and internodal regions of these myelinated axons. The part of the axolemma lacking a Schwann cell sheath failed to show a reaction product. The perineural epithelial cells surrounding the nerve fibers displayed reaction product in the caveolae. These results suggest a functional difference in the axon-Schwann interface of myelinated as compared to unmyelinated nerve fibers. The function of the perineural epithelial cell would be expected to be a regulatory one in transferring materials across the epithelium to keep the proper humoral environment around nerve fibers.

Changes in enzyme activity in normal and histologically inflamed oesophageal epithelium

Oesophageal biopsies were obtained from 74 patinets undergoing upper gastrointestinal fibreoptic endoscopy. Thirteen patients with histological evidence of inflammation had a raised alkaline phosphatase activity (2.7 +/- 1.6 nmol/mg protein/min) compared with 49 normal controls (1.2 +/- 0.68 nmol/mg protein/min: P less than 0.001). The acid phosphatase level was lower (8.4+/- 4.0 vs. 5.8 +/- 2.2 nmol/mg protein/min: P less than 0.05) and the glucuronidase activity raised (0.44 +/- 0.17 vs 0.81 +/- 0.32 nmol/mg protein/min: P less than 0.001) and their ratio declined (24.0 +/- 1.9 nmol/mg protein/min: P less than 0.001) in patients with oesophagitis. This may be due to differential secretion of membrane coating granules, a form of lysosome found isophagitis--was assessed by point counting. The volume density rose from 10.9 +/- 4.25% in normal biopsies to 46.4+/-12.5% (P less than 0.001) in oesophagitis. These results show a consistent pattern that possibly indicates an intermediate stage between the clinically, histologically, and biochemically normal oesophagus and one that is inflamed on endoscopy.

Distribution and origin of acetylcholinesterase activity in the capillaries of the brain

Areas containing AChE-positive capillaries were mapped in the brain of the cat and the guinea pig. Regions with AChE-positive capillaries mostly also contain neuronal elements with AChE activity. Electron-microscopical cytochemistry revealed localization of AChE in basement membranes of endothelial cells and pericytes very often in continuity with activity of the extracellular space. Intraendothelial AChE activity was seen only in pinocytic vesicles. The vascular AChE is thought to be of neuronal origin since no cytochemical evidence has been obtained for a synthesis of this enzyme in endothelial or other non-neuronal cells in the CNS.

Vascular events in inflammation

Seven topics of vascular events in inflammation are discussed independently: (1) It is pointed out that too frequently generalizations have been made of vascular phenomena registered in one specific situation, and evidence is given that the existence of a characteristic vascular reaction pattern in the inflammatory processes is doubtful. (2) Considering the results of recent experiments, it is suggested that the role of the nervous system in inflammation should be reassessed. Although its influence seems to be of a minor nature in many "laboratorial" situations, it is of primary importance when nerves are stimulated by electric antidromic excitations and may be relevant in injuries sufficiently severe to damage peripheral nerves. (3) Attention is called to the diversity of vascular leakage types. (4) The dissociation between vascular permeability, oedema and diapedesis is presented and discussed. (5 and 6) The ultrastructural features and the role of endothelial vesicles and junctions are updated and commented upon. (7) The barrier effect of the basement membrane in vascular permeability alterations is discussed and an alternative hypothesis is suggested: the basal lamina does not usually retain particles or blood cells and the temporary halt of elements in the ground substance may be due to the pressure and flux differences in and outside the vessels.

The fine structural localization of testicular phosphatases in man: the control testis

Electron microscopic cytochemistry was used to determine the localization of five phosphatase enzymes-glucose-6-phosphatase, inosine diphosphatase, thiamine pyrophosphatase, acid phosphatase, and adenosine triphosphatase-in control human testes. Glucose-6-phosphatase occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and primitive spermatogonia, but was not observed in more advanced spermatogenic cells. The presence of glucose-6-phosphatase activity paralleled the presence of glycogen in spermatogenic cells, i.e., both occurred in type AL and AD spermatogonia but not in type AP or B spermatogonia or in more advanced spermatogenic cells. Inosine diphosphatase activity was found in the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope, and Golgi complex of Sertoli cells and all spermatogenic cells except late spermatids. Additionally, inosine diphosphatase activity was localized at the junctions between Sertoli cells and late spermatids, but was not associated with any other plasma membrane. Thiamine pyrophosphatase reaction product was found in the Golgi bodies of Sertoli cells and in spermatogenic cells through immature spermatids. Neither inosine diphosphatase nor thiamine pyrophosphatase was observed in the Golgi bodies of spermatids during acrosomal formation. Acid phosphatase activity was found in lysosomes of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, in lysosomes of Leydig cells, and in lysosomes, lipofuscin bodies, and Golgi cisternae of Sertoli cells. It is thought that Sertoli lysosomes play a role in the phagocytosis of degenerating germ cells; however, the role of spermatogenic or Leydig lysosomes is unknown. Adenosine triphosphatase activity occurred at the interfaces between two spermatogonia, and between Sertoli cells and spermatogonia, but was not observed in the spaces between two Sertoli cells, two spermatocytes, two spermatids, or between Sertoli cells and spermatocytes, or between Sertoli cells and spermatids.

Distribution of alkaline phosphatase in the microcirculatory pathways of the coronary system

By histochemistry alkaline-phosphatase-activity in the microcirculatory pathways of the coronary vascular system were investigated. In the capillary network paralleling the myocardial fibers enzyme activity was found positive whereas in the large sinusoidal, endothelial vessels, linking transmurally neighbouring capillaries, there was no alkaline phosphatase activity. In both endothelial cell types, in capillaries and in sinusoids, a transendothelial vesicular thorotrast transport could be shown. It is supposed that the sinusoidal vessels preponderantly have to cope with intercapillary shear stress. Their nutritial function is believed to be of less importance. At least the lack of alkaline phosphatase activity should indicate that there is no selective transendothelial transport in the wall of these sinusoids.

Enzyme histochemistry as a link between biochemistry and morphology

The presented paper describes the role of enzyme histochemistry in cell biological investigations. In the first chapter a general discussion has been given about enzyme histochemistry as a connecting link between biochemistry and morphology. The methods available for determination of enzymes in a particular cell or cell compartment have been reviewed. In this respect the characteristics of enzyme histochemistry have been discussed. Furthermore, attention has been paid to the possibilities and limitations of enzyme histochemistry. In chapter two a comparison has been made between histochemically judged and biochemically determined enzyme activities. Some fundamental differences between the biochemical and the histochemical approach in cell biological investigations are dealt with. To correlate histochemically and biochemically determined enzyme activities, a description has been given of the application of histochemical methods on isolated fractions and sucrose-ficoll gradients of these fractions. Several experimental results are described concerning the question whether a relation exists between histochemically and biochemically determined activities of respectively alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and 3ss-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. From these results the conclusion could be drawn that in general a good correlation exists between histochemically judged activity per volume (area X thickness) and biochemically determined activity per gram tissue. In chapter three the role of enzymes as markers of cellular particles and as parameters of metabolic pathways is described. Histochemical methods are available for most marker enzymes. Only activities of key enzymes can be regarded as parameters of metabolic pathways. The distribution in sucrose-ficoll gradients of enzymes, regarded as markers of mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membranes has been given. The changes occur ing under different experimental conditions for a number of marker enzymes in rat liver are described. Attention has been given to the contibution of enzyme histochemistry in the study of the heterogeneity of mitochondria, the dual localization of some (lysosomal) enzymes, the complexity of the microsomal fraction, the function of the Golgi apparatus and the heterogeneity and function of plasma membranes. Based on these results and on literature findings the possible role of some marker enzymes in cell metabolism has been discussed. In chapter four problems coherent with species and sex differences in enzyme activities are described. The interpretation of histochemical and biochemical results in view of these differences is discussed. Enzymes characteristic for a given cell type -3ss-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in steroid producing cells, ATP-ase in liver plasma membrane surrounding the bile canaliculi - do show less variations between species and sexes than enzymes not directly involved in specialized functions...

Oral giant cell granulomas. An ultrastructural study of the vessels

Eight peripheral and 2 central oral giant cell granulomas have been studied in the electron microscope in order to examine the structure and nature of the vessels. The vascular wall was composed of a continous layer of endothelial cells resting on a basal lamina, which was frequently multilayered. The lamina also surrounded scattered subjacent pericytes. The endothelial cells overlapped slightly so as to form narrow intercellular spaces. Based on these observations the vessels are supposed to be postcapillary venules. Dark cells exhibiting degenerative features were encountered in the endothelial lining of most vessels. Small gaps and larger defects in the vascular lining allowed direct continuity between the lumen and the perivascular tissue. It is suggested that the extreme extravasation of red blood cells frequently observed in oral giant cell granulomas may be mediated through this incomplete lining.

Fenestrated endothelium of the adrenal gland: freeze-fracture studies

Little is known of how adrenal hormones pass from the interstitial to the vascular space. We have begun to examine the adrenal endothelium as a barrier to hormone passage, by the freeze-fracturing technique. The endothelium of both cortex and medulla is fenestrated. Fractures from both regions show endothelial cells to be extremely thin in regions where fenestrations are abundant. En face fractures show fenestrae disposed in tracts; the fenestrae reaching a distribution of 35/mu2. In both cortex and medulla there are areas of continuous endothelium which contain caveolae. Structures believed to represent fenestra diaphragms contain randomly disposed particles and occasional pits. We have not identified in replicas the central ring and pore described in thin-sectioned material (Elfvin, 1965). The main differences between freeze-fractured aspects of cortical and medullary endothelium are the greater abundance of caveolae in the medulla and the size of the fenestrae (fenestra rims in the medulla are 525-780 A in diameter; in the cortex 570-1660 A). These differences may reflect the different embryological origins of the medulla and cortex. While caveolae may participate in hormone transport, there is no evidence for this. In the medulla the caveolae are more numerous and may have a function not necessarily related to transport. Possibly, caveolae play a role in processing hormones and related substances. For example, ATP and specific proteins are released as well as epinephrine during exocytosis from chromaffin cells. Epinephrine enters the vascular space but ATP does not. ATPase enzymes are a common feature of caveolae of other endothelia and may occur as well in adrenal endothelium.

Radiation-Induced Cardiomyopathy: II. An Electron Microscopic Study of Myocardial Microvasculature

Sequential ultrastructural lesions of rabbit myocardial microvasculature after a single dose (1008 or 1300 rads) of local x-irradiation are described. Vascular permeability status was assessed through use of ferritin and colloidal carbon. Endothelial cell swelling and increased vascular permeability were the most conspicuous lesions during the first week following irradiation. Increased vascular permeability, as indicated by the observed ferritin and carbon distribution, appears to be a result of altered pinocytotic transport and widening of endothelial junctional gaps. These lesions, on day 14 and later, were followed by basement membrane thickening, endothelial cell extrusions and bleb formation, platelet sequestration, abnormal endothelial cell phagocytosis and appearance of myelin-like figures within the endothelial cells.

Biochemical characterization and cytochemical localization of a catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in isolated capillary endothelium

Capillaries were isolated from epididymal fat, and a catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase found in these capillaries was characterized. The effect of various hormones on the accumulation of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate in capillary endothelial cells was determined and the cyclase was found to exhibit mixed alpha and beta characteristics. Cyclase was cytochemically localized in these endothelial cells with 5'-adenylyl-imidodiphosphate as a specific cyclase substrate and alloxan as a specific cyclase inhibitor. Lead imidodiphosphate was precipitated at or near the site of cyclase activity upon hydrolysis of 5'-adenylyl-imidodiphosphate by cyclase. This reaction product was observed primarily on the luminal surface of intact capillaries, in micropinocytic invaginations, in free vesicles within the cytoplasm, and in the intracellular junctions.

A cytochemical study of the granular pneumonocytes in hamster lung

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