Variations in capillary permeability from apex and crypt in the villus of the ileo-jejunum

Summary The permeability of fenestrated capillaries in an organ is believed to be homogeneous. However, the permeability of fenestrated capillaries in different organs and to various exogenous tracers varies from a complete restriction, as found in the eye (Pino and Essner 1980, 1981; Pino 1985a) to the freely permeable peritubular capillaries of the kidney (Venkatachalam and Karnovsky 1972). In the present report we demonstrate that within any single intestinal villus from the ileo-jejunum of the rat, the permeability of fenestrated capillaries is not uniform. Exogenous hemoglobin (Einstein-Stokes radius [ESR] = 3.2 nm) exits all capillaries at any villar level in less than 5 min. In contrast, all villar capillaries restrict catalase (ESR = 5.2 nm) at 5 min, but by 60 min the tracer is present extravascularly in crypt and lower villar regions. Apical capillaries are slightly permeable to catalase at 2 h, but the bulk of the tracer remains in the lumina. The particulate tracer ferritin (ESR = 6.1 nm) is restricted 3–10 times more by apical capillaries than basal ones and is found in increasing concentration extravascularly at lower villar and crypt levels after 20 min. Following an 18-h circulation, a second dosage of ferritin is restricted by the endothelium at all villar levels. Immunocytochemical localizations of the plasma proteins albumin (ESR = 3.5 nm) and IgG (ESR = 5.5 nm) revealed an apparent lack of restriction at all villar levels. These results demonstrate that apical villar capillaries in the ileojejunum are more restrictive to exogenous molecules with ESR5.2nm. Also, the passage of tracer molecules out of an endothelium alters the subsequent permeability of that vessel.     

Enhanced permeability transition explains the reduced calcium uptake in cardiac mitochondria from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Cardiac dysfunction is associated with diabetes. It was previously shown that heart mitochondria from diabetic rats have a reduced calcium accumulation capacity. The objective of this work was to determine whether the reduction in calcium accumulation by cardiac mitochondria from diabetic rats is related to an enhanced susceptibility to induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used as a model to study the alterations caused by diabetes in the permeability transition, 21 days after streptozotocin administration. Heart mitochondria were isolated to evaluate respiratory parameters and susceptibility to the calcium-dependent permeability transition. Our results show that streptozotocin diabetes facilitates the mitochondrial permeability transition in cardiac mitochondria, resulting in decreased mitochondrial calcium accumulation. We also observed that heart mitochondria from diabetic rats had depressed oxygen consumption during the phosphorylative state. The reduced mitochondrial calcium uptake observed in heart mitochondria from diabetic rats is related to an enhanced susceptibility to the permeability transition rather than to damage to the calcium uptake machinery.     

Transendothelial channels in fenestrated endometrial blood capillaries of rats

Summary Three types of transendothelial channels are described in the endothelium of blood capillaries in the endometrium of the rat. It is postulated that they may function as pores draining interstitial fluid to the venous blood.Supported by a grant from the Nationaal Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek — Fonds voor Geneeskundig Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (Belgium)     

Na(+)-D-glucose cotransporter in muscle capillaries increases glucose permeability

By immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated the localization of the Na(+)-D-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 in capillaries of rat heart and skeletal muscle, but not in capillaries of small intestine and submandibular gland. mRNA of SGLT1 was identified in skeletal muscle and primary cultured coronary endothelial cells. The functional relevance of SGLT1 for glucose transport across capillary walls in muscle was tested by measuring the extraction of D-glucose from the perfusate during non-recirculating perfusion of isolated rat hindlimbs. In this model, D-glucose extraction from the perfusate is increased by insulin which accelerates D-glucose uptake into myocytes by increasing the concentration of glucose transporter GLUT4 in the plasma membrane. The insulin-induced increase of D-glucose extraction from the perfusate was abolished after blocking SGLT1 with the specific inhibitor phlorizin. The data show that SGLT1 in capillaries of skeletal muscle is required for the action of insulin on D-glucose supply of myocytes.     

The structure of tight junctions in the tracheal epithelium may not correlate with permeability

Summary To test the hypothesis that cigarette smoke produces changes in the morphology of tight junctions guinea pigs were exposed to cigarette smoke or air in a previously standardized fashion (Simani et al. 1974). Permeability is greatest one half hour following exposure to cigarette smoke (Hulbert et al. 1981). The animals were sacrificed at that time. The tracheal epithelium was studied using both thin-section and freeze-fracture techniques. A quantitative analysis of the organization and integrity of junctional complexes was performed for each animal. Organization was assessed by measuring and comparing areas delimited by PF fibers and EF furrows. PF fiber integrity was assessed by measuring uninterrupted lengths of fibers and furrows from freeze-fracture replicas. This assessment did not demonstrate a change in tight-junction morphology following exposure to cigarette smoke.     

Structural changes in cardiac gap junctions after hypoxia and reoxygenation: a quantitative freeze-fracture analysis

Summary Isolated rat hearts were subjected to increasing periods of hypoxia with or without subsequent reoxygenation and the gap-junctional particle configuration was followed quantitatively. Irregular contractions were prevented by K⁺-arrest; glucose, counteracting the effects of hypoxia, was omitted. Hyperkalemia alone and a maximum of 20 min of hypoxia do not produce reorganization of the gap-junctional particles normally forming multiple hexagonally packed arrays separated by smooth aisles. After 30 min of hypoxia, the aisles disappear in a proportion of the junctions, thereby increasing the particle density from 9400±800/m² to 10200±900/m². After 40 min of hypoxia, the normal configuration is no longer found and numerous junctions are arranged as uninterrupted hexagonal lattices. The particles are further condensed to 11600±900/m². Following reoxygenation after both 30 and 40 min of hypoxia, the proportion of crystalline gap junctions dramatically augments and the mean particle density has further increased significantly. Corresponding thin sections show irreversible cell damage. When reoxygenation is performed with a control solution containing normal levels of K⁺ and glucose, the particle density does not increase substantially in comparison to the respective 30- and 40-min hypoxic periods. In both groups, the gap junctions display either a normal, a crystalline or an intermediate configuration with crystalline margins and loose centers. The gap-junctional reorganization during hypoxia essentially represents a particle condensation, while the mean center-to-center distances between the particles and pits remain constant. Furthermore, the reappearance of normal gap junctions after reoxygenation appears to depend on glucose availability.     

Intermitochondrial junctions in the heart of the frog,Rana esculenta

Summary In muscle fibers of the frog heart, junctions between outer membranes of adjacent mitochondrial profiles are occasionally found. In thin sections of embedded tissue and of mitochondrial pellets, the intermitochondrial junctional space is 5.4±0.15 nm; the external leaflets of the membranes are joined by periodic structures separated from each other by 16.3±0.29 nm. There are 65.3±2 periodic structures per m of membrane measured on a section perpendicular to the junction. After cryofracture, the outer membrane is cleaved into two parts. Closely packed, parallel rows of large particles and furrows are found either on the P-, or on the E-faces. The rows of particles are 11±0.3 nm thick and are separated from each other by 16.5±0.46 nm, their density being 65±2.28 per m of the membrane. In junctional areas, rows of particles on one membrane correspond with the furrows on the other membrane. Intermitochondrial junctions appear to be real structures and not artifacts due to preparation procedures. The conditions of their occurrence are discussed.     

Endocardial endothelium in the rat: junctional organization and permeability

Selective permeability of endocardial endothelium has been suggested as a mechanism underlying the modulation of the performance of subjacent myocardium. In this study, we characterized the organization and permeability of junctional complexes in ventricular endocardial endothelium in rat heart. The length of intercellular clefts viewed en face per unit endothelial cell surface area was lower, and intercellular clefts were deeper in endocardial endothelium than in myocardial vascular endothelium, whereas tight junctions had a similar structure in both endothelia. On this basis, endocardia endothelium. might be less permeable than capillary endothelium. However, confocal scanning laser microscopy showed that intravenously injected dextran 10000 coupled to Lucifer Yellow penetrated first the endocardial endothelium and later the myocardial capillary endothelium. Penetration of dextran 10000 in myocardium occurred earlier through subepicardial capillary endothelium than through subendocardial capillary endothelium. Penetration of tracer might thus be influenced by hydrostatic pressure. Dextran of MW 40000 did not diffuse through either endocardial endothelium or capilary endothelium. The ultrastructure of endocardial endothelium may constitute an adaptation to limit diffusion driven by high hydrostatic pressure in the heart. Differences in paracellular diffusion of dextran 10000 between endocardial endothelium and myocardial vessels, may result from differing permeability properties of the endocardium and underlying myocardium.     

Ferrocenylboronates: Crystal structures and electrochemical properties

The electrochemical behavior of a series of eight previously reported monoferrocenyl- and diferrocenyl-boronates derived from tridentate ligands has been studied. Even if most mononuclear and all the dinuclear complexes examined showed to undergo slow decomposition in nonaqueous solution (releasing free ferrocenyl boronic acid), their redox activity has been investigated. It has been proved that the oxidation of the two ferrocenyl subunits in the dimeric species proceeds simultaneously, indicating that no mutual electronic interaction exists between them. Additionally, the solid-state molecular structures of two diferrocenyl complexes (2a and 2b) were studied by X-ray diffraction. The analysis confirms the formation of a [5.4.0] heterobicycle with the presence of two different boron atoms, one in a tetrahedral geometry and the other one in a trigonal geometry.     

Two types of endothelial cells in the heart of platyfish (Poeciliidae: Teleostei)

The present study describes two structurally and functionally different endothelial cell types in the heart of platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), which reflect adaptions to two quite unlike environments in this organ. The endothelial layers on the wall and valves of the ventricular apertures come in contact with only a small amount of the blood volume and have not evolved any blood cleaning abilities. These endothelial layers mainly protect the underlying tissue against the strain caused by a high blood flow. In contrast, the endothelium on the muscle trabeculae within the heart wall comes in contact with a large part of the blood volume at a low strain and have evolved structural features which make them highly efficient as blood cleaning tissue in this species.     

Filaments and rod-shaped tubulated bodies in the endothelia of anterior cerebral arteries in young rats

Summary Endothelia of the anterior cerebral arteries in rats aged 1 to 3 days were studied. Thin (about 50–90 Å) and thick (about 100–110 Å) filaments are present in the endothelia. Numerous spherical- or rod-shaped bodies, measuring approximately 0.07 to 0.3 m in diameter and up to 0.6 m in length occur in the endothelial cells. These bodies contain a tubular structure. The diameter of the individual tubules is about 200 Å. The present observations suggest that spherical- or rod-shaped inclusions are first synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and thereafter these materials are transported into the Golgi complex for maturation. A small number of the inclusions, however, may originate directly from the rough endoplasmic reticulum and not pass through the Golgi apparatus.A part of this study was demonstrated at the 70th Versammlung der Anatomischen Gesellschaft in Düsseldorf, April, 1–5, 1975The author thanks Mr. Tatsuro Fukushima for preparation of photographs     

Comparisons of the release of vasodilator substances from left and right cardiac chambers of the isolated perfused rabbit heart: Implications for intraventricular thrombus formation

Prostacyclin (PgI₂) and endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) are produced by the arterial and venous endothelium. In addition to their vasodilator action on vascular smooth muscle, both act together to inhibit platelet aggregation and promote platelet disaggregation. EDNO also inhibits platelet adhesion to the endothelium. EDNO and PgI₂ have been shown to be released from the cultured endocardial cells. In this study, we examined the release of vasoactive substances from the intact endocardium by using isolated rabbit hearts perfused with physiological salt solution (95% O₂/5% CO₂, T = 37 °C). The right and left cardiac chambers were perfused through separate constant-flow perfusion loops (physiological salt solution, 8 ml min⁻¹). Effluent from left and right cardiac, separately, was bioassayed on canine coronary artery smooth muscle, which had been contracted with prostaglandin F_{2α_}(2 × 10⁻⁶ M) and no change in tension was exhibit. However, addition of calcium ionophore A23187 (10⁻⁶ M) to the cardiac chambers’ perfusion line induced vasodilation of the bioassay coronary ring, 61.4 ± 7.4% versus 70.49 ± 6.1% of initial prostaglandin F_2α contraction for the left and right cardiac chambers perfusate, respectively (mean ± SEM, n = 10, p > 0.05). Production of vasodilator was blocked totally in the left heart but, only partially blocked in the right heart by adding indomethacin (10⁻⁵ M) to the perfusate, respectively, 95.2 ± 2.2% versus 41.5 ± 4.8% (mean ± SEM, n = 10, p < 0.05). 6-Keto prostaglandin F_1α, measured in the endocardial superfusion effluent was also higher for the left cardiac chambers than for the right at the time of stimulation with the A23187, respectively, 25385.88 ± 5495 pg/ml (n = 8) versus 13,132.45 ± 1839.82 pg/ml (n = 8), (p < 0.05). These results showed that cyclooxygenase pathway plays major role in generating vasoactive substances for the left cardiac chamber endocardium; while it is not the main pathway for the right ventricular endocardium at which EDNO and PgI₂ could act together and potentiate their antithrombogenic activities in isolated perfused rabbit heart. This may be an explanation for the intraventricular thrombus mostly seen in left ventricle rather than in right ventricle as a complication of myocardial infarction.     

Anti-heat shock protein 70 autoantibody epitope changes and BD091 promotes atherosclerosis in rats

It has been previously reported that the plasma levels of autoantibodies against heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) are elevated in atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether anti-HSP70 antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To determine this, we chose rats as an atherosclerosis model. Titers of plasma anti-HSP70 autoantibody were determined by ELISA. After the intravenous administration of antibody into the tail, the damaged areas of aorta were stained with Evans Blue, atheromatous plaque were stained by Oil Red O, and then they were measured and quantified with AxioVision computer software. The number of macrophages ( $ {{\hbox{M}}_\Phi } $ ), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and T cells were determined by immunocytochemistry. The level of anti-HSP70 IgG1 antibody was apparently increased in the AS group at the tenth week, and one hybridoma of HSP70 antibody (BD091, IgG1, recognizing C-terminal) had the same binding epitope as plasma anti-HSP70 autoantibodies. After intravenous administration, the lesion area of aorta with BD091 was significantly larger than those of IgG^mouse and SPA-810. Moreover, injection of BD091 resulted in significant endothelium damage, followed by a greater accumulation of $ {{\hbox{M}}_\Phi } $ , T cells, and SMCs in lesions than in the control. In conclusion, BD091 reaction with HSP70 expressed on arterial endothelial cells inducing endothelium damage triggers the inflammatory response in the vessel wall that accelerates atherosclerosis in rats. BD091 shares the same binding epitope with HSP70 autoantibodies. These data indicated that a specific epitope of anti-HSP70 autoantibody participated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.     

Processing of ovine cardiac valve allografts: 1. Effects of preservation method on structure and mechanical properties.

It is essential to have some method of preservation of allograft valves during the time between procurement and implantation. Cryopreservation is the most commonly-used storage method today but it has the major disadvantage of high cost, and because its aim is to preserve living cells only relatively gentle antimicrobial treatments are used. This study addresses two interrelated questions: Is it necessary to maintain living donor cells in the tissue graft?Can more effective measures be used to reduce the risk of transmission of diseases, especially viral diseases, via human tissue grafts. In this paper, were port an investigation of four preservation methods that could be combined with more effective disinfection: cryopreservation with dimethyl sulphoxide, storage at ～4 °C in a high concentration of glycerol as used for the preservation of skin, snap-freezing by immersion in liquid nitrogen and vitrification. Snap freezing was mechanically damaging and vitrification proved to be impracticable but two methods, cryopreservation and storage in 85%glycerol, were judged worthy of further study. Cryopreservation was shown to maintain cellular viability and excellent microscopic structure with unchangedmechanical properties. The glycerol-preserved valves did not contain any living cells but the connective tissue matrix and mechanical properties were well preserved. The importance of living cells in allograft valves is uncertain. If living cells are unimportant then either method could be combined with more effective disinfection methods: in that case the simplicity and economy of the glycerol method would be advantageous. These questions are addressed in the two later papers in this series.     

Fine structure of the paracellular junctions of terminal villous capillaries in the perfused human placeta

Summary Selected lobules of human term placentae were extracorporeally perfused for a recovery period of 20 min, fixed by perfusion and mordanted with ferrocyanide prior to processing for transmission electron microscopy. The lateral membranes of the endothelial cells of the terminal villous capillaries were found to be separated by paracellular clefts of mean width 15.6 nm. At tight junctional regions (1–4 sites per cleft) the two membranes approached each other more closely and frequently appeared to fuse. However, tilting of the sections in the electron microscope stage showed that the membranes were separated by a gap of mean width 4.1 nm in at least 94% of tight junctional profiles. When individual tight junctions were studied by a combination of serial sectioning and goniometric tilting, they were seen to widen abruptly within a distance of three to seven consecutive thin sections, indicating they were not continuous throughout the axial length of the capillaries. The wide regions of the clefts usually showed linkers, strands of glycocalyx-like material spanning the gap. Linkers may contribute to cell adhesion and possibly form part of a filter within the tortuous paracellular pathway provided by the discontinuous network of tight junctional strands. Human term placental capillaries appear to resemble closely other continuous non-brain capillaries.     

Structure of occluding junctions in ileal epithelial cells of suckling rats

Summary Two kinds of occluding junctions are found between ileal epithelial cells of suckling rats: apical zonulae occludentes (ZO) and fasciae occludentes (FO) which are associated with the lateral plasma membranes of many epithelial cells. In unfixed preparations, glycerol treatment induces the further proliferation of extensive fasciae occludentes. Both kinds of junction have identical structural elements when visualized in freeze fracture replicas, although the arrangement of these elements differs. Zonulae occludentes consist of networks of branching and anastomosing linear ridges or rows of 10 nm particles with 20–30 nm spaces between the rows which form narrow belt-like structures around the apical region of adjacent cells. Fasciae occludentes, on the other hand, consist of similar linear ridges or rows of particles but the junction strands are often discontinuous, open ended and only occasionally intersect with each other. Several different fracture planes through the plasma membrane in the region of the occluding junctions have been observed and these provide further evidence that two components, one from each membrane, fused at the level of the extracellular space, form the junction sealing element. Furthermore, we present evidence which indicates a staggered rather than an in-register arrangement of these two components.This study was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Program Project No. NS10299 and National Institutes of Health Sciences Advancement Award No. RR06148 (J.D.R.) and by the Cancer Research Campaign (S.K.) and Medical Research Council (A.R.L.)     

Racemic nickel(II) pyridine-2-aldoximate complexes capped by 2,2-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Two Ni(II) pyridine-2-aldoximate complexes, Ni(pao)₂(bpy) (1) and Ni(pao)₂(phen) (2) (pao⁻=pyridine-2-aldoximate, bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline), were synthesized via the deprotonation of NiCl₂(Hpao)₂ in methanol followed by the addition of bidentate ligands of 2,2^′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline. Crystallization in CHCl₃ gave block-type crystals of 1 and 2 in high yields. The mononuclear structure surrounded by three bidentate ligands, i.e., two pao⁻ and one bpy or phen, was revealed by X-ray crystallography: 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell dimensions of a=13.457(3) Å, b=14.493(3) Å, c=19.104(4) Å, β=108.681(3)°, Z=4, and 2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with cell dimensions of a=14.235(5) Å, b=12.018(4) Å, c=20.696(7) Å, β=110.304(4)°, Z=4. 1 and 2 each have two oximate groups (pao⁻), with an NO-trans arrangement around the Ni^II ion. Complexes 1 and 2 are racemic, namely, each molecule has a chiral center of Δ or Λ, thereby forming NO-trans-Δ and -Λ geometries in the solid state. Magnetic measurements revealed a paramagnetic S=1 spin state with a positive zero-field splitting parameter.     

生长休止蛋白7在成年大鼠肾脏、心脏和肝脏中的差异表达

目的研究生长休止蛋白7（Gas7）在成年大鼠肾脏、心脏和肝脏的表达。方法成年SD大鼠16只,分别采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法和免疫组织化学方法检测Gas7基因mRNA和蛋白在成年SD大鼠肾脏、心脏和肝脏的表达,并进行图像分析和统计学处理。结果RT—PCR结果显示,Gas7mRNA在肾脏高表达,在心脏的表达弱于肾脏（P〈0．05）,而在肝脏的表达最弱,基本检测不到。免疫组化结果显示,在肾脏中,Gas7免疫阳性产物在近髓肾单位的近曲小管呈强阳性反应,在集合管表达较弱,在肾小球和其余肾小管未见表达;在心脏中,Gas7免疫阳性产物均匀分布于心肌细胞,呈中等强度反应,弱于肾脏（P〈O．05）;在肝脏中,Gas7蛋白未见明显表达,与其mRNA在肝脏的表达相似。结论Gas7在大鼠肾脏、心脏和肝脏表达的不同,尤其在肾脏组织分布的差异性,提示Gas7在成年大鼠肾脏和心脏结构以及功能的维持中可能起着重要作用。