Ultrastructure of the liver of the fingerling rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Portions of the livers of fingerling rainbow trout were studied by light and electron microscopy. The histology, cytology and ultrastructure of mesothelial cells, serosal fibroblasts, hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial cells, endothelial cells of central veins and blood cells were described. Mesothelial cells and fibroblasts constituted a very thin capsule. Hepatocytes contained extensive areas of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, consisting mainly of parallel cisternae and pools of glycogen. One or two nuclei and numerous mitochondria occurred in the areas of endoplasmic reticulum, but never in the pools of glycogen. Hepatocyte surface possibilities included hepatocyte to hepatocyte, hepatocyte to bile canaliculus, hepatocyte to space of Disse and hepatocyte to serosa. The trout liver was compared compared to channel catfish liver and to rat liver. Functional implications of the structural features were discussed.     

Hepatocyte ultrastructure in mice with chronic T-2 mycotoxicosis

Trichothecene mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) was administered by gastric intubation to CBAXC57BL/6 mice at a dose of 0.33-0.45 mg/kg for 6 months. No symptoms of intoxication were observed, however, electron microscopic studies revealed a severe damage of hepatocyte structure, especially of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Besides the destruction of hepatocytes an increase in the number of primary and secondary lysosomes was observed. Regenerating foci were found in the majority of liver cells. In chronic T-2 mycotoxicosis there is a strong correlation between the damage of hepatocyte ultrastructure and the changes in organella-specific enzymatic activity in the liver, that was described previously.     

An electron microscopic study of the structure of the rat liver under the action of antimembrane antibodies]

Introduction of heteroantibodies (4 mg/100 g) to plasma membranes of hepatocytes into portal vein of the rat liver caused (already within 5 min) changes in the liver ultrastructure with their intensification by the 30th min. Specificity of the action of antimembrane antibodies (Am) was revealed as against the action of antibodies to summary antigens (As) of the liver. It is shown that Am change, mainly, sinusoidal and lateral regions of the hepatocyte membrane, not disturbing essentially structure of its cytoplasma, intracellular organelles and biliary canaliculi, endotheliocytes and stellate reticuloendotheliocytes, that is observed while introducing As to the liver. Membrane tracer--colloidal lanthanum has revealed that Am increases permeability of hepatocyte plasmalemma to a less degree than As of the liver.     

Selective accumulation of rheopolyglucine and latex in liver cells and the response of liver parenchyma to acute CCl4 poisoning

Male BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with lysosomotropic agents: rheopolyglucin, at a dose of 0.5 ml per 100 g body weight, and latex particles (1.1 micron in diameter), at a dose of 0.05 ml per 100 g body weight, 1 hour before inhalation of CCl4. Using electron microscopy rheopolyglucin was detected in hepatocyte vacuolar apparatus, endothelial and Kupffer cells, while latex was found only in Kupffer cells. Both lysosomotropic agents had a weak protective effect. 72 h after the inhalation of CCl4 the size of the necrosis in the liver parenchyma was half smaller in animals preinjected with lysosomotropic agents than in mice receiving no lysosomotropic agents. Both lysosomotropic agents (especially rheopolyglucin) promoted hepatocyte ultrastructure restoration.     

Ultrastructural zonal heterogeneity of hepatocytes and mitochondria within the hepatic acinus during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Partial hepatectomy (70%) induces cell proliferation until the original mass of the liver is restored. In the first 24 h after partial hepatectomy, drastic changes in the metabolism of the remaining liver have been shown to occur. To evaluate changes in hepatocyte ultrastructure within the hepatic acinus during the liver regenerative process, we investigated, by light and electron microscopy observations on specimens taken 0 h, 24 h and 96 h after partial hepatectomy, the hepatocyte structure and ultrastructure in the periportal and pericentral area of the hepatic acinus, with a particular emphasis on mitochondria ultrastructure. Moreover, some biochemical events that could affect the mitochondria ultrastructure and function were investigated. RESULTS: We found that, 24 h after partial hepatectomy, mitochondria with altered ultrastructure were preferentially localized in the periportal area. Periportal hepatocytes showed also an increase in the number of peroxisomes, free ribosomes, lysosomes and autophagosomes. Altered mitochondria showed swelling, an ultrastructural index of increased membrane permeability, a reduction in the number of cristae, and a rarefied, often vacuoled, matrix. Consistently, an increase in the mitochondrial oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio was found as well as calcium release from mitochondria in a manner inhibited by cyclosporin A. Interestingly, light and electron microscopy analysis showed that the hepatocytes in the periportal area were the cells with the major structural attributes to proliferate. At 96 h after partial hepatectomy, the preferential zonation of altered mitochondria was lost and the normal mitochondrial membrane permeability properties were restored. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that 24 h after partial hepatectomy, a preferential zonation of altered mitochondria in the periportal hepatocytes could be involved in the changes of metabolic and functional heterogeneity of the hepatocytes within the hepatic acinus during the regenerative process.     

Hepatocyte polarity and the peroxisomal compartment: a comparative study

In search of factors that regulate the phenotype of the peroxisomal compartment in wild-type liver parenchymal cells, we compared hepatocyte polarity to peroxisome differentiation, using adult liver as the standard. Differentiation parameters were evaluated in a three-dimensional culture model (spheroid), in 'sandwich' and monolayer primary hepatocyte cultures, and in 15.5 and 18.5-day-old foetal rat liver.Peroxisomes, studied by immunohistochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, and catalase specific activity, were better differentiated depending on foetal age (day 18.5 > day 15.5) and culture type (spheroid > sandwich > monolayer). The hepatocyte polarity markers ATP-, ADP-, and AMP-hydrolysing activities were, in all models, mislocalized at the lateral plasma membrane, whereas in contrast the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (mrp2) antigen was always correctly immunolocalized at the apical membrane domain. In cultures, the correct secretion of fluorescein (mrp2-mediated) into bile canaliculi was observed. Bile canaliculi (branching, ultrastructure and immunolocalization of the tight-junction associated protein ZO-1), were better differentiated in 18.5 than in 15.5-day-old foetal liver and in spheroid > sandwich > monolayer cultures.Our results show a parallelism between changes of the peroxisomal compartment and bile canalicular structure together with mrp2-mediated secretory function. Distinct polarization characteristics do not necessarily change simultaneously, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms.     

The ultrastructural localization of antigen B10 of the hepatocyte plasma membrane in mouse hepatomas

The ultrastructure of the murine hepatocyte plasma membrane antigen (Ag B10) was studied by immunoelectron microscopy in 5 spontaneous and 3 chemical-induced hepatomas. Ag B10 was associated with plasmalemma of bile canaliculi and membrane of microvilli as in normal liver. Sometimes it was connected with plasmalemma of lateral domain of tumor cells. The availability of Ag B10 in the matrix of bile canaliculi and within microvilli was shown.     

唐鱼肝脏显微和超微结构观察

应用光镜和透射电镜对繁殖期间唐鱼Tanichthys albonubes肝脏组织的显微和超微结构进行了观察。结果显示,唐鱼肝细胞具单核,中央核仁显著;细胞质内分布着粗面内质网、线粒体、糖原颗粒和脂滴等细胞器和内含物。胆小管由2～3个相邻肝细胞质膜凹陷围成,而肝血窦则由内皮细胞的胞质、成纤维细胞等参与构成。肝细胞与周边细胞通过3种不同方式进行联系:肝细胞之间的紧密连接;与血窦的间接连接;与胆小管的邻接。这些联系方式显示了肝脏具有内分泌腺和外分泌腺功能的特点。研究还发现雌性唐鱼肝脏具有"暗"细胞和"淡"细胞两种类型。本文还讨论了唐鱼肝脏与其他硬骨鱼类肝脏一般组织结构和超微结构的异同点。     

Hepatocyte ploidy in normal young rat

The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between hepatocyte size and ploidy in Sprague-Dawley rat liver. Therefore, subpopulations of hepatocytes of various sizes were separated from the isolated crude hepatocyte population either mechanically or by using centrifugal elutriation. Hepatocyte size was determined on scanning electron microscopy photographs. Ploidy of hepatocytes was assessed by flow cytometry. The crude hepatocyte population was very heterogeneous in sizes, with diameters ranging from 8 to 39 microm. Hepatocyte ultrastructure was well preserved as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. The distribution of hepatocytes within the ploidy classes was the following: 19.6+/-3.6% diploid, 56.2+/-3.2% tetraploid and 3.4+/-0.6% octoploid mononucleated cells. Thus approximately 79% of hepatocytes appeared mononucleated. The binucleated hepatocytes (21%) had two diploid nuclei (18.7+/-2.9%) or two tetraploid nuclei (2.1+/-0.6%). A similar distribution of hepatocytes into ploidy classes was obtained in subpopulations of hepatocytes of various sizes. Our findings suggest that distribution into ploidy classes is not strictly correlated with hepatocyte size. In accordance with previous observations, our results on hepatocyte ploidy from periportal or perivenous origin using digitonin perfusion, is in favour of the existence of ploidy zonation within the rat hepatic lobule.     

Ultrastructural study of liver cells from rooks living in ecologically unfavorable areas

The ultrastructure of liver cells was studied in rooks (Corvus frugilegus) living in radioactive and chemical contamination areas. The ultrastructure of liver cells from rook as well as jackdaw (Corvus monedula) and hooded crow (Corvus cornix) (Corvidae family) from a conventionally clean area was studied as control. Control hepatocytes proved to contain a great number of mitochondria, many of which were swollen and had clear matrix and disorganized cristae. The cristae nearly lacked glycogen and had abundant lipid droplets, which often tightly contacted mitochondria. The cytoplasm of hepatocytes in birds from both ecologically unfavorable areas had numerous mitochondria with the same ultrastructure. In contrast to control, the hepatocyte cytoplasm: (1) contained a lot of glycogen; (2) there were many lipid droplets, which directly contacted glycogen granules; and (3) had more abundant peroxisomes. In addition to normal erythrocytes, the sinusoids contained erythrocytes with mitochondria, vesicles, and lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. Analysis of many micrographs of lipid droplets contacting glycogen granules, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and cisterns of smooth endoplasmic reticulum allowed us to propose that glycogen is synthesized via gluconeogenesis from glycerol and products of fatty acid oxidation in the liver cell cytoplasm of rooks from ecologically unfavorable areas as distinct from control.     

不同生殖期鳜肝脏超微结构变化的观察

应用透射电镜对生殖季节与非生殖季节鳜肝脏超微结构的变化进行了观察。鳜肝细胞含有单个卵圆形的核,核仁清楚;细胞质内含有粗面内质网、线粒体、糖原颗粒和脂滴等细胞器和内含物。胆小管由相邻的数个肝细胞质膜凹陷围成,而肝血窦则由内皮细胞的胞质构成。还发现了贮脂细胞、枯否氏细胞和成纤维细胞。胆小管腔和窦周隙内浸润许多由肝细胞发出的微绒毛结构。鳜肝细胞的超微结构在产卵前后呈现明显变化：产卵前的肝细胞内富含线粒体、糖原颗粒和脂滴,粗面内质网发达;而产卵后的肝细胞内核仁发生迁移,部分细胞核囊泡化,糖原颗粒和脂滴排空,少数肝细胞具双核结构。非生殖期多数肝细胞核含有双核仁结构,胞质内溶酶体数量增多。     

The ultrastructure of the liver parenchyma of the immature fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Summary The ultrastructure of the liver parenchymal cell from immature pullets and from immature and young mature cockerels has been studied. The results demonstrated that the fowl's hepatocyte is structurally very similar to that of other birds and, in spite of certain morphological differences between the livers of birds and mammals, is also very similar in structure to the liver cell of mammals.The author wishes to express his thanks to Mr. R. P. Gould, Department of Anatomy, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, for the use of the electron microscope and to Mrs. I. Liyanage for technical assistance.     

Studies on the liver sequestration of lymphocytes bearing membrane-associated galactose-terminal glycoconjugates: reversal with agents that effectively compete for the asialoglycoprotein receptor

The removal of "effete" glycoproteins from the circulation represents a proposed physiologic role for the hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor. Our experiments support the hypothesis that this receptor may also be directly involved in the removal from the circulation of cells bearing asialoglycoconjugates. We report that the enhanced liver localization of neuraminidase-treated lymphocytes can be competitively inhibited by the coinjection of asialofetuin (ASF). Fetuin itself was without effect. Competitive inhibition of the liver receptor allowed normal localization to lymphoid tissues of the enzyme-treated lymphocytes, a condition which persisted as long as free ASF was present in the circulation. Our studies support the concept that cell surface carbohydrates play an important role in the tissue distribution of circulating lymphocytes. The process of thymocyte maturation, bone marrow transplantation, and the adoptive immunotherapy with continuous T-cell lines represent conditions where recirculation potential may be influenced by the presence of galactose terminal glycoconjugates.     

Ultrastructure of hepatocytes after local cooling of the liver

Electron-microscopic and stereometric study of hepatocyte ultrastructure with local liver cooling to -30 degrees C have been performed using the method of vital fixation by rat liver perfusion. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained testify to the presence of destructive changes in hepatocytes immediately after thawing expressed in hyaloplasm lightening, formation of cavities in cytoplasm and injury of mitochondria membrane and endoplasmic reticulum integrity. Changes in nuclear structure of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells (widening of nuclear pores and channels in condensed chromatine, as well as the presence of ribosomal complexes in the nucleus and edge position of the nucleolus) may be connected with the beginning of the reparation process.     

Hepatocyte function in long-term organ culture of Amphimuma means liver.

Fragments of liver from the adult urodele Amphiuma means, the Congo eel, were maintained in organ culture for up to 70 days. The normal electrophoretic patterns of several enzymes were retained. The activities of ornithine transcarbamylase, arginase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and urea production, glucose uptake and tissue glycogen content remained relatively constant throughout the culture period. Histological organization and hepatocyte ultrastructure were also retained. Liver fragments survived better in media based on MEM or BME than in medium based on Leibovitz L15. Since many aspects of tissue-specific structure and function are retained, long-term amphibian organ culture is well suited to studies on the control of hepatocyte function and on the effects of metabolites, hormones, drugs and toxins.     

Long-Term Selenium-Deficient Diet Induces Liver Damage by Altering Hepatocyte Ultrastructure and MMP1/3 and TIMP1/3 Expression in Growing Rats

The effects of selenium (Se)-deficient diet on the liver were evaluated by using growing rats which were fed with normal and Se-deficient diets, respectively, for 109 days. The results showed that rats fed with Se-deficient diet led to a decrease in Se concentration in the liver, particularly among male rats from the low-Se group. This causes alterations to the ultrastructure of hepatocytes with condensed chromatin and swelling mitochondria observed after low Se intake. Meanwhile, pathological changes and increased fibrosis in hepatic periportal were detected by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining in low-Se group. Furthermore, through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, higher expressions of metalloproteinases (MMP1/3) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP1/3) were observed in the hepatic periportal of rats from the low-Se group. However, higher expressions of MMP1/3 and lower expressions of TIMP1/3 were detected in hepatic central vein and hepatic sinusoid. In addition, upregulated expressions of MMP1/3 and downregulated expressions of TIMP1/3 at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels also appeared to be relevant to low Se intake. In conclusion, Se-deficient diet could cause low Se concentration in the liver, alterations of hepatocyte ultrastructure, differential expressions of MMP1/3 and TIMP1/3 as well as fibrosis in the liver hepatic periportal.     

Influence of water-borne iron on the liver of Poecilia reticulata (Peters 1859)

The influence of water-borne iron (500 μg × 1^-1 and 2 mg × 1^-1) on the liver of Poecilia reticulata is studied by means of electron microscopy. The uptake and effect of iron is affected by a. the chemical speciation of the metal: Iron complexed with tri-polyphosphates is more deleterious than inorganic Fe³⁺; b. the nutritional status of the fish: In food-deprived Poecilia reticulata iron is absorbed and enhances starvation-induced liver damage. In fed animals, there is no uptake at all. Mild alterations of hepatocyte ultrastructure are attributed to an unspecific stress response.     

Exploring the priming mechanism of liver regeneration: proteins and protein complexes

The liver has the ability to restore its functional capacity following injury or resection and the priming of liver regeneration is a complex process that has not been completely elucidated. In the current research, to further reveal the priming mechanism of liver regeneration, hepatocyte total protein and hepatocyte cytosol of the rats at 4 h after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PHx) were studied, respectively, by 2‐DE and 2‐D blue native gel electrophoresis. Seventeen unique differential proteins were identified in hepatocyte total protein samples. Nine differential protein complexes containing 41 protein components were identified in hepatocyte cytosol samples. For the first time, at the priming stage of liver regeneration, the variations of serine protease inhibitor 2c, sulfite oxidase and valosin‐containing protein (VCP) were presented and validated by Western blotting, and the VCP complex was further validated by antibody super‐shift experiments. The current results suggested that at 4 h after PHx, VCP complex was down‐regulated in hepatocyte cytosol, apoptosis pathways were inhibited, nuclear factor‐κB and interleukin 6 pathways worked together and triggered the liver regeneration.