Passage of ions and dextran molecules across the rete mirabile of the eel. The effects of charge

Sequential morphological and permeability changes in the rete capillaries during hyperglycaemia

With the rete model of the eel swimbladder, we have studied the appearance and development of a microangiopathy during a 2-year period of hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia was induced in the eel by chronic exposure to cold water. At 3-5 months, basement membrane thickness was twice the normal value and increased only slightly thereafter. Diffusion coefficients of permeability were measured in counter-current perfusion experiments for a variety of tracers that are believed to use different pathways of transcapillary transport. The permeability to sucrose was the first to significantly increase, at 6-8 months, followed by that of albumin, insulin, and inulin, at 9-11 months and that of sodium, at 18-24 months. The permeability to water and antipyrine remained stable throughout the study. The results indicate that in the rete model, chronic hyperglycaemia induces a rapid thickening of the capillary basement membrane and selective permeability increments in the various paths of transcapillary transport.

Vascular permeability in a human tumour xenograft: molecular charge dependence

Molecular charge is one of the main determinants of transvascular transport. There are, however, no data available on the effect of molecular charge on microvascular permeability of macromolecules in solid tumours. To this end, we measured tumour microvascular permeability to different proteins having similar size but different charge. Measurements were performed in the human colon adenocarcinoma LS174T transplanted in transparent dorsal skinfold chambers in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and IgG were fluorescently labelled and were either cationized by conjugation with hexamethylenediamine or anionized by succinylation. The molecules were injected i.v. and the fluorescence in tumour tissue was quantified by intravital fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence intensity and pharmacokinetic data were used to calculate the microvascular permeability. We found that tumour vascular permeability of cationized BSA (pI-range: 8.6-9.1) and IgG (pI: 8.6-9.3) was more than two-fold higher (4.25 and 4.65x10(-7) cm s(-1)) than that of the anionized BSA (pI approximately 2.0) and IgG (pI: 3.0-3.9; 1.11 and 1.93x10(-7) cm s(-1), respectively). Our results indicate that positively charged molecules extravasate faster in solid tumours compared to the similar-sized compounds with neutral or negative charges. However, the plasma clearance of cationic molecules was approximately 2x faster than that of anionic ones, indicating that the modification of proteins enhances drug delivery to normal organs as well. Therefore, caution should be exercised when such a strategy is used to improve drug and gene delivery to solid tumours.

The rete mirabile of the eel: a useful model for the study of transcapillary passage of MR contrast agents

Our purpose was to study the capillary leakage of MR contrast media using a pure capillary model, the rete mirabile of the eel. The rete is a countercurrent-exchange organ composed of an arterial and a venous capillary system that can be catheterized and perfused. Substances are introduced at the arterial input by a constant infusion, and their steady-state concentrations are measured at the arterial and venous outputs. The capillary leakage of four MR contrast agents--Gd-DOTA(MW = 561 D), carboxymethyldextran-Gd-DTPA (MW = 38,900 D), albumin-Gd-DTPA (MW = 92,000 D), AMI-227 (400,000 D<MW<900,000 D)--was characterized by reference to radioactive tracers (3HHO, 22Na, 14C-sucrose, 125I-albumin) by two parameters. These parameters were the concentration ratio of the venous output over the arterial input [C(VOUT)(%)] and the permeability coefficient (P). The transcapillary pathway mechanisms for carboxymethyldextran-Gd-DTPA and albumin-Gd-DTPA were studied by electron microscopy. P values for Gd-DOTA (9.4+/-3.6 x 10(-7) cm/s) and albumin-Gd-DTPA (11.8+/-5.5 x 10(-7) cm/s) were close to P values for 14C-sucrose, while P values for carboxymethyldextran-Gd-DTPA (6.4+/-4.9 x 10(-7) cm/sec) were similar to P values for 125I-albumin. The lowest permeability was observed with AMI-227 (2.7+/-2 x 10(-7) cm/sec). Vesicular transport was demonstrated for carboxymethyldextran-Gd-DTPA and albumin-Gd-DTPA. The transcapillary passage of several MR contrast agents can be characterized with the rete mirabile model. Molecular weight is the major factor influencing transport.

Three-dimensional analysis of vacuoles and surface invaginations of capillary endothelia in the eel rete mirabile

One layer of attenuated endothelia of continuous capillaries provides a partially selective diffusion barrier between the blood and the interstitium. Ultrastructures of membrane specialization without the known physiologic functions have been found in blood vessel endothelia. The vacuolar profiles or vacuole-like, membrane-bound structures, which are larger than plasmalemmal vesicles, have been observed routinely in normal endothelial cytoplasm or in blood vessels challenged by insults in electron microscopic studies. Three-dimensional information from serial sections is required to understand the organization and functions of vacuole-like structures in capillary endothelium. The capillaries in eel retia mirabile were perfused with electron-dense tracers, glutaraldehyde in buffer, and were processed for transmission electron microscopy. Ribbons of serial thin sections without counterstaining were examined under a transmission electron microscope. The vacuolar profiles inside endothelial cytoplasm were investigated with the techniques of serial section analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction from serial sections. The vacuole-like structures inside endothelial cytoplasm either were connected to extracellular (luminal, abluminal) compartments or existed as isolated vacuoles from serial section analysis. In the eight series examined in this study, six of ten vacuole-like structures were classified as isolated vacuoles inside endothelia, and their diameters ranged between 186 nm and 266 nm. Two of ten vacuole-like structures were found to extend to the luminal surface of capillaries as luminal, pocket-like invaginations. One of ten vacuole-like structures was found to be connected to the albuminal compartment, and another one existed as an extracellular compartment surrounded by endothelia. Three-dimensional projection of the vacuolar compartments from serial sections showed that endothelial cytoplasm of sheet shape protruded and folded over adjacent endothelium. Three-dimensional information from serial sections reveals the organization of vacuolar profiles and pocket-like invaginations from the cell surfaces in capillary endothelium. The vacuolar profiles in capillary endothelia in two-dimensional electron photomicrographs may represent the extracellular compartments surrounded by the endothelial finger-like extensions. The results indicate that the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the capillary lumen are not smooth or static, and endothelia may change their shape in three dimensions through cytoplasmic protrusions when the tissue environment changes.

Effects of second messengers on the permeability and morphology of eel rete capillaries

The effects of second-messenger concentration changes on capillary diffusion capacity (permeability-surface area product [PS]) to cellular and paracellular tracers and on capillary ultrastructure were studied during countercurrent perfusion of the rete of the eel swim bladder. Cyclic nucleotide effects were investigated with isoproterenol, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP. Isoproterenol (5 x 10(-6) mol/L) did not modify water and solute permeability or capillary structure. Forskolin (10(-4) mol/L) immediately raised the concentrations of cAMP in the rete and produced interstitial edema but did not change permeability. The addition of dibutyryl cAMP (10(-6) mol/L) to the perfusate had rapid effects: it reduced the PS of [3H]water and oxygen and increased the PS of [125I]albumin, [14C]sucrose, and 22Na. No structural changes were observed. Phosphoinositide effects were studied with 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DG) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). DG (10(-5) mol/L) had no effect on the permeability of the rete to water and solutes, while inducing cell membrane vacuolization. PMA (10(-5) mol/L) progressively reduced the PS of [3H]water. In contrast, PS values of [125I]albumin, [14C]sucrose, and 22Na rose gradually. Membrane vacuoles bulging into the lumen and in the cytoplasm were a common feature. The Ca2+ effect was investigated with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. At 5 x 10(-6) mol/L, unsteady permeability changes and extensive cytolysis were observed. At 5 x 10(-7) mol/L, the PS of [125I]albumin, [14C]sucrose, and 22Na rapidly increased. The PS values for water were not modified. No structural changes were identified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of temperature change on the permeability of eel rete capillaries

The changes in the permeability properties of the rete capillaries of the eel in response to temperature shifts were studied during countercurrent perfusion at constant flow and pressure. Tracers and oxygen were added to the arterial perfusate. From the ratio of end concentrations of arterial to venous capillaries divided by surface area, calculated from rete weight, a value for the ratio of permeability to flow, P/F, with dimensions in centimeters-2 was estimated. Because flow and surface area are constant, this provides an index of how permeability varies with time. A group of paracellular (albumin, sucrose, and sodium) and cellular (antipyrine, water, and oxygen) probes were used. When the temperature of the perfusate was raised abruptly from 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C, P/F values rose continuously and irreversibly from 0.042 +/- 0.009 to 0.281 +/- 0.112 cm-2 (mean +/- SEM) for 125I-albumin, from 0.082 +/- 0.006 to 1.74 +/- 0.070 cm-2 for [14C]sucrose, and from 0.32 +/- 0.06 to 2.78 +/- 0.62 cm-2 for 22Na, whereas they were not modified for [14C]antipyrine, [3H]water, and O2. Gradual increase of temperature was accompanied by a smaller rise in sucrose and sodium permeability and no change in albumin permeability; with decrease, the change was reversible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of reduced energy metabolism and reperfusion on the permeability and morphology of the capillaries of an isolated rete mirabile

The effects of reduction in energy metabolism were explored in the eel rete mirabile, an organ composed predominantly of capillaries. In vitro experiments showed that glycolysis is the major pathway of energy production in this capillary tissue, and that iodoacetate, KCN, and low PO2 in combination markedly reduce its ATP generation. When in situ energy generation was inhibited by this combination during countercurrent perfusion of the arterial and venous capillaries of the rete, an approximate doubling of the intercapillary barrier permeability for human [125I]albumin, [14C]sucrose, and 22Na was found. Structural damage was evident, but the intercellular junctions remained intact. The effect of cessation of flow for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion, was then explored. Stasis alone altered the structure, chiefly of the venous capillary endothelium, but not the permeability of the intercapillary barrier. Stasis with a hypoxic medium containing the inhibitors of energy generation, followed by reperfusion with oxygenated control medium, resulted in a progressive breakdown of the intercapillary barrier, with a threefold to fourfold increase in solute (labeled albumin, sucrose, and sodium) permeability, evolving during early reperfusion, but no change for labeled water permeability. Morphologically, the endothelial cells, especially those in venous capillaries, showed substantial damage; they appeared vacuolated, their cytoplasm was extracted, and cytoplasmic and membrane debris were found in the lumen; intercellular junctions remained intact. Local pericyte detachment with interstitial edema also appeared. Thus, stasis and reperfusion amplified the effects of reduction in energy generation and hypoxia on both permeability and morphological change.

Phenotypic diversity in cultured cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

Diversity exists in both the structure and function of the endothelial cells (EC) that comprise the microvasculature of different organs. Studies of EC have been aided by our ability to first isolate and subsequently establish cultures from microvascularized tissue. After the isolation of microvessel endothelial cells (MEC) derived from rat cerebrum, we observed morphologic differences in colonies of cells that grew in primary cultures. The morphologies ranged from a cobblestone phenotype considered typical of EC in culture to elongated and stellate cell appearances. Serially passaged cell lines were established based on two parameters: initially by growth and, seconds, on differences in primary colony morphology using selective weeding techniques. Each culture was examined for the presence of EC-characteristic markers which include Factor-VIII-related antigen, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme activity, collagen type IV synthesis, and PGI2 production. Variable expression of each of these characteristics among the established EC lines was observed. Growth curves established for each of the EC cultures demonstrated differences in both population doubling rates and cell densities at confluence. The endocytic capacity of each EC line was also evaluated. Our ability to isolate and establish a number of morphologically distinct EC cultures indicates that diversity exists within the EC that comprise the cerebral microvasculature. Diversity in the established cell lines suggests either the EC that line the brain microvasculature exist as a mosaic or that morphologically distinct cultures may originate from different microanatomical origins (arteriolar, true capillary, or venular) or may have resulted from cells at different points in their in vitro life spans at the time of isolation.

The uptake of ions and neutral solutes by the artery and by artery wall preparations

Radiotracer methods have been used to measure the distributions of inorganic ions in the aorta. Data on fresh tissue were generally consistent with previous measurements and showed UCa greater than UI greater than UNa. In order to relate these measurements to the macromolecular composition of the arterial wall, the effects of various interventions--cell lysis, autoclaving, and NaOH digestion--were investigated. Elastin was found to be the major determinant of ionic distribution coefficients, to possess a slight positive charge under physiological conditions, and to display a high affinity for Ca++. The distribution coefficients did not conform to the predictions of the Donnan theory of ionic equilibrium and the degree of nonideality, as measured by the fixed charge density and the ion selectivity coefficients, varied with ionic strength. Data are also presented on the distribution of neutral solutes of different molecular weights in the various arterial preparation, in order to provide a basis for comparison of the behaviour of charged solutes.