Studies on developing retinal vessels. X. Formation of the basement membrane and differentiation of intramural pericytes

Development of retinal vasculature in the cat: processes and mechanisms

Two principal processes can be distinguished in the development of the retinal circulation in the cat. One process, which forms most of the inner layer of vasculature, involves three stages. First, beginning prior to E (embryonic day) 26, spindle cells of mesenchymal origin spread over the inner surface of the retina. Second, beginning at approximately E48, a network of coarse capillaries forms, apparently derived from spindle cells. Third, major vessels differentiate from the capillary plexus, and the capillaries become thinner and more widely spaced. All three stages begin at the optic disc and spread towards the margin of the retina. The other process involves budding of capillary sized vessels from existing vasculature. This process forms the inner layer of vasculature at the area centralis, the outer layer of vasculature, and the radial peripapillary capillaries. It begins between P (postnatal day) 7 and P10 at the area centralis and spreads to the margins of the retina. The radial peripapillary capillaries form at a later stage (P20). The different topographies of the two processes suggest that they are controlled by distinct mechanisms. In the first process, the formation of vessels follows a pattern set by the early migration of spindle cells. In the second process, the vessels form in a pattern determined by the metabolic needs of the developing retina.

Human retinal capillary basement membrane leaflets are morphologically distinct: a correlated TEM and SEM analysis

Because retinal capillaries and their associated basement membranes (BMs) are significantly altered in a number of diseases (most notably diabetic retinopathy), the human retinal microvasculature is of interest to both basic scientists and clinicians. Consequently, numerous TEM studies centered primarily on cellular elements of retinal microvessels have been carried out. Ultrastructural studies emphasizing retinal capillary extracellular matrix (ECM) materials including BMs however, are nearly non-existent. Accordingly, the current correlated TEM/SEM investigation was undertaken. The study shows that retinal capillary walls are comprised of a continuous layer of endothelial cells and a discontinuous layer of intramural pericytes which are in frequent contact. These are underlain and/or surrounded by a retinal capillary BM complex which includes pericytic matrix, fibrillar collagen, and subendothelial, pericytic and Müller cell BM leaflets. Following sequential detergent treatment, all retinal cells are solubilized. Vessel ECM components, however, maintain their in vivo histoarchitectural relationships. Moreover, on the basis of substructure, susceptibility to non-specific proteases and anionic site density, BM leaflets are morphologically distinct. In addition, high-resolution SEM studies show that BM surface characteristics are tissue specific. It is concluded that retinal capillary BM complexes are comprised of structurally unique subcomponents the characteristics of which should be considered in future studies of retinal capillary BM structure, composition and function and particularly in investigations in which retinal capillaries are pathologically altered.

Ultrastructural and permeability characteristics of retinal vessels in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The ultrastructure and permeability of retinal arterioles, venules, and capillaries located near the optic disc of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats were studied using electron microscopy and tracer cytochemistry. A variety of structural changes were observed in arterioles of SHRSP. They include (1) narrowing of the lumen due to smooth muscle hyperplasia and/or fragmentation and thickening of the basal lamina, (2) fusiform aneurysms containing degenerated smooth muscle cells and reduplicated basal lamina, and (3) the presence of microfilament bundles under the luminal surface of the endothelium. In addition, the wall of venules was thickened due to accumulation of basal lamina material. Many capillary pericytes were also degenerated. Retinal vessels of age-matched normotensive rats did not show such changes. In SHRSP, after injection of peroxidase, extravasation of tracer was seen occasionally in retinal capillaries and in the central retinal vein at the optic nerve head. No changes in vascular permeability were observed in the normotensive rats.

Collagens of the retinal microvascular basement membrane and of retinal microvascular cells in vitro

We have analysed the collagens present in vascular basement membranes isolated from bovine retinal and cerebral microvessels and bovine renal glomeruli, and from the non-vascular basement membrane of bovine lens capsule. These are compared with the collagens produced by cultured bovine retinal microvascular pericytes and lens epithelial cells, and by canine retinal microvascular endothelial cells, in vitro. Biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses indicate that all of the vascular basement membrane preparations have an identical collagenous composition, consisting of the same polypeptides present in lens capsule (primarily type IV collagen), together with other polypeptides that are identified as type I, and a small amount of type III collagen. Identification of the latter is based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of a reducing agent. Immunocytochemical studies, however, demonstrate type I, type IV and some type V collagen in the basement membranes of the isolated microvessels. The cultured microvascular cells produce predominantly type I collagen molecules, but they also produce other collagen peptides that appear to be type IV, and, at least in some experiments, small amounts of type III collagen. The biochemical identification of collagens type I and IV is confirmed by immunocytochemistry. However, results with anti-type I collagen and procollagen antibodies in cultured pericytes vary with antibodies from different sources. The quantities of the type IV peptides produced by the cultured cells also vary in different experiments.

Hyaloid vascular pattern in the human fetus

The hyaloid vascular system of developing human eyeballs is studied to elucidate the relationship to the retinal vascular patterns. The process of the regression of the hyaloid vascular system in fetuses consisted of gradual shrinkage of the wall of the vessels with lessening of the lumen and eventually, thread-like acellular strands that remained as a consequence. The intercapillary bridge in the retinal vessel appeared to be a remnant of the degenerated vessel as in the hyaloid vascular system. At the ninth month of intra-uterine life, the regression of the hyaloid vascular system was almost complete.

Ultrastructure of cerebellar capillary hemangioblastoma. IV. Pericytes and their relationship to endothelial cells

Electron microscopy and computerized morphometric techniques were employed to examine pericyte ultrastructure and to assess quantitatively their relationship to endothelial cells in five cases of cerebellar capillary hemangioblastoma. A total of 97 cross-sectioned capillary profiles were studied. Pericyte coverage of capillary ranged from 30.2% to 97.3% with a mean value of 68.7%, which is higher as compared with the available data from the cerebral cortex, skeletal and cardiac muscle, and pulmonary capillaries. The higher pericyte coverage of capillary suggests that pericyte is an active component of cerebellar capillary hemangioblastoma and may have a close functional relationship to endothelial cells. Pericytes contained bundles of parallel microfilaments along the adluminal side and in the terminal processes, and exhibited an intimate "peg-and-socket" relationship with endothelial cells, suggesting a contractile function of pericytes and their possible role in regulating capillary lumina and focal blood flow. The finding of abundant micropinocytic vesicles along the abluminal side of the cytoplasmic membrane indicates an active metabolic exchange between pericytes and the interstitium. It is possible that in cerebellar hemangioblastoma pericytes may act as a mechanical and metabolic monitor barrier for endothelial cells.

Ultrastructure of cerebellar hemangioblastoma

Light and ultrastructural features of a cerebellar hemangioblastoma in a 56-year-old man are described in detail. The neoplasm was composed of three major cell types: endothelial cells, pericytes, and stromal cells. The endothelial cells lined the fenestrated vascular channels. The pericytes were ensheathed by their own basal lamina which separated them from the basal lamina covering the endothelium. The stromal cells contained, in addition to the conventional organelles, numerous membrane-bound lipid inclusions, annulate lamellae, and nuclear bodies. There were also present transitional cells which shared the fine structure of all the three major cell types. Histogenetically, the tumor was considered to be of vascular origin. The stromal cells represented the stem cells which, under the neoplastic influence, continued to proliferate and differentiate into "vasoformative" elements (pericytes and endothelium) which formed new blood vessels. The transitional forms between the stromal cells and the "vasoformative" elements suggested that the cellular components of a hemangioblastoma shared a common ancestry, most likely of an angioblastic lineage.

Retinal capillaries: proliferation of mural cells in vitro

Capillaries from bovine, monkey, and human retinas maintained in tissue culture produced a monolayer of cells. Autoradiographic and electron microscopic evidence indicated that the mural cells (intramural pericytes) were the cells that proliferated. Since intramural pericytes are damaged selectively in diabetes mellitus, their availability in culture will be useful in seeking means to control diabetic retinopathy.

Primary haemangiopericytoma of lung

Meade, J. B., Whitwell, F., Bickford, B. J., and Waddington, J. K. B. (1974).Thorax,29, 1-15. Primary haemangiopericytoma of lung. Haemangiopericytoma is a rare neoplasm which may occur at any age and arise in almost any part of the body. At least 247 examples have been reported in the world literature, but only 24 appear to have arisen primarily in the lung. A summary of the features of these cases, collected from the literature, is presented, and four additional cases are described. The tumour may be innocent [ill] malignant, but there are no characteristic clinical or radiological features to distinguish it from other neoplasms of the lung. Because of uncertainty as to diagnosis and prognosis, surgical excision appears to be the treatment of choice. In the whole series of 28 cases, rather more than half (16) were female, and they tended to be older than the male patients. The mortality from recurrence was higher in males than in females (50% compared with 32%). The prognosis in general seems to be best with small, asymptomatic tumours, especially in female patients. A brief account is given of the nature and function of the pericyte. It was originally thought to be a cell of muscular type, but recent research suggests that it is a multipotent cell capable of development into other cell types and having phagocytic properties. It lies in the basement membrane of capillary blood vessels and may have some connection with antibody formation, but its exact function has not yet been elucidated.

Radial peripapillary capillaries. 3. Their development in the cat

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The ultrastructure of tumours derived from spontaneously transformed tissue culture cells

The ultrastructure of 16 tumours derived from spontaneously transformed cell lines established from young and old C57 and C3H mouse organs is described. Three types of tumour were found: myxoid (fibrosarcomatous), consisting of cells with long processes and much interstitial material; leiomyomatous, consisting of a bundle of smooth muscle-like cells with less interstitial material; or epithelial-like consisting of closely packed round cells with little interstitial material. The cell types in the tumours were similar to those found in the tissue culture cell lines from which they were derived.

Limiting membranes of intestinal lamina propria in the opossum

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Pericytes in diabetic retinopathy

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