Biomedical subjects

L Xia

Publications and source records attributed to L Xia.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Use of hexose transport mutants to examine the expression and properties of the rat myoblast GLUT 1 transport process.

Rat L6 myoblasts were recently shown to possess the GLUT 1, 3 and 4 transporters, and not the GLUT 2 isoform [1]. This investigation examined the expression and properties of the GLUT 1 isoform. GLUT 1 transcript level was significantly reduced in cells grown at high densities and during myogenic differentiation. A comparison of the GLUT 1 and 4 transcript levels in myogenesis-competent and impaired cells revealed an inverse relationship between these two isoforms. This relationship was confirmed by studies using two independent spontaneous GLUT 3- GLUT 4- mutants, M1 and M3. These mutants possessed very high level of the GLUT 1 isoform, but negligible amount of the GLUT 3 and 4 isoforms. GLUT 1 expression was also subject to positive regulation. Glucose starvation was found to increase not only the levels of the GLUT 1 transcript and transporter, but also the intrinsic activity of the GLUT 1 transporter. Studies with M1 and M3 mutants revealed that the GLUT 1 transporter was not functional in glucose-grown cells, even though it was present at a very high level in the plasma membrane. This transporter became functional when cells were starved for glucose. The functional GLUT 1 transporter had an apparent Km value of around 0.9 mM, and was sensitive to cytochalasin B, phloretin, phlorizin and pCMBS.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

PubMed1995

CCAAT-box contributions to human thymidine kinase mRNA expression.

In order to examine the role of two inverted CCAAT boxes near the start of transcription of the human thymidine kinase (TK) gene, a series of constructs were prepared in which one or both CCAAT boxes were deleted or mutated. These altered promoters (1.2 kb of 5'-flanking sequence) were used to express a TK minigene containing the first two exons and introns followed by the remainder of the cDNA. RNA blots were prepared from stable cell lines of ts13 cells containing these constructs under three conditions: 1) serum deprived cells, 2) serum stimulated cells, and 3) cells that had been stimulated with serum, but were arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle by the temperature sensitive mutation carried by these cells. TK mRNA expression from each construct was suppressed by the temperature sensitive block to cell cycle progression. Measurement of protein expression from the various altered TK promoters indicated that both CCAAT boxes contribute to promoter strength. These experiments also suggested that the two CCAAT boxes were not equivalent and that the distal CCAAT could substitute for the proximal CCAAT, but the converse was not true.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Protein that binds to the distal, but not to the proximal, CCAAT of the human thymidine kinase gene promoter.

Mobility shift assays were used to examine protein binding to the human TK gene CCAAT boxes. Similar protein binding patterns were observed with probes containing either the proximal or distal CCAAT. However, probes containing both CCAAT boxes in which one of the CCAAT boxes was inactivated by mutation did not demonstrate identical binding patterns. One of the complexes formed with the longer probes was only observed when the distal CCAAT was intact. This species was not formed with probes that only contained an intact proximal CCAAT, and its formation could only be competed by oligonucleotides containing the distal CCAAT motif. This observation reveals the existence of a protein that can bind to the distal, but not to the proximal, CCAAT of the human TK promoter. This protein may account for the previous observation that the two CCAAT motifs are not functionally equivalent. The protein that binds to the distal, but not to the proximal, CCAAT (DTK-CBP) was also present in two human cell lines. Significantly more DTK-CBP was present in nuclear extracts of HepG2 and WI38 cells than in TK-ts13 cells. However, this protein was not observed in three different murine cell lines and one primary culture. Its abundance in some human cell lines suggests it might modulate the expression of human TK mRNA in cells that express this protein.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

Ultrastructural changes in bovine oocytes cryopreserved by vitrification.

Oocytes recovered from abattoir-derived ovaries were exposed to a cryoprotectant solution (DAP213: 2 M DMSO, 1 M acetamide, 3 M propanediol, and 10% fetal calf serum in tissue culture medium 199) for less than 20 s and vitrified either at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage or after maturation in vitro (IVM). Survival was assessed by fertilization and culture in vitro to the blastocyst stage. To identify ultrastructural changes, some of the vitrified oocytes that were morphologically normal after thawing were immediately processed for transmission electron microscopy after DAP213 removal. Cleavage rates for vitrified IVM oocytes were 4.5 and 6.7% using one-step and three-step cryoprotectant dilution procedures, respectively. Four (3%) oocytes developed to the eight-cell stage with the three-step procedure, but none formed blastocysts. None of the GV oocytes cleaved, while 66.7% (78/117) of controls developed to the two-cell stage and 19.2% (15/78) of those became blastocysts. Vitrification induced profound ultrastructural modifications in microvilli, mitochondria, vesicle formation, and the ooplasm of GV oocytes, whereas these structures were generally better preserved in IVM oocytes. The integrity of cell organelles was relatively better maintained following the three-step than after the one-step procedure in both GV and IVM oocytes. Changes in the zona pellucida (ZP) of IVM oocytes due to vitrification were associated with fewer cortical granules in the ooplasm. Since previous work showed that short-term exposure to DAP213 did not cause ZP alterations in IVM oocytes, these findings suggest that ZP damage due to low temperatures may result from the premature release of cortical granules.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1995

Three-dimensional simulation of epicardial potentials using a microcomputer-based heart-torso model.

Previous cardiac simulation studies have focused on simulating the activation isochrones and subsequently the body surface potentials. Epicardial potentials, which are important for clinical applications as well as for electrocardiography inverse problem studies, however, have usually been neglected. This paper presents a procedure of simulating epicardial potentials using a microcomputer-based heart-torso model with real geometry. The heart model developed earlier which was composed of more than 60,000 cell units was used in this study. To simulate the epicardial potentials, an epicardial surface model which enclosed the whole heart was constructed. The heart model, together with the epicardial surface model, are mounted in an inhomogeneous human torso model. Electric dipoles, which are proportional to the spatial gradient of the action potential, are generated in all cell units. These dipoles give rise to a potential distribution on the epicardial surface, which is calculated by means of the boundary element method. The simulated epicardial potential maps during a normal heart beat and in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) are in close agreement with those reported in the literature.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1995

Initial characterization of the membrane-associated form of ICP4 of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The immediate-early gene product, ICP4, of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of the major transcriptional regulatory proteins in the virus replicative process and is localized primarily within the nucleus soon after its synthesis. Earlier studies have shown that detectable amounts of ICP4 are also associated with the plasma membranes of infected cells (F. Yao and R. J. Courtney, J. Virol. 65:1516-1524, 1991). To extend our understanding of the properties of the membrane-associated ICP4, we have used various electrophoretic techniques, including sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing, to compare the membrane- and nuclear-associated forms of ICP4. The data from all of these methods revealed that a single unique form of ICP4 associates with plasma membranes of HSV-1-infected cells. While multiple forms of ICP4 were detected in infected cell nuclei, the membrane-associated form of ICP4 appeared to have a lower apparent molecular weight and a more acidic pI than the various forms of ICP4 found in infected cell nuclei. These results suggest that a novel form of ICP4 may associate with plasma membranes of HSV-1-infected cells. A recombinant adenovirus, AdICP4 (encoding an ICP4 protein), was used to determine the role that other herpesvirus proteins may play in the membrane association of ICP4. The results suggest that the expression of other HSV-1 proteins is not required for the membrane association of ICP4.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Specific inhibition of granzyme B by parainfluenza virus type 3.

T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity is an important means of defense against viral pathogens; however, several viruses possess mechanisms to disrupt cytotoxicity, thereby allowing them to avoid immune clearance. These viruses have been shown to inhibit cytotoxicity by interfering with the capacity of T lymphocytes to specifically recognize infected cells. An alternative mechanism for virally induced cytotoxic dysfunction is identified in this report. We show that parainfluenza virus type 3, a negative-stranded RNA virus, can inhibit cytotoxicity by causing a defect in the cytotoxic effector apparatus. This defect is identified as a selective inhibition of granzyme B mRNA.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in primary gallbladder carcinoma and its significance].

Anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody and ABC staining were used to study the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen/cyclin in patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma (31 cases), adenoma and tumor-like lesions of gallbladder (10 cases), and chronic cholecystitis (7 cases). The PCNA indices were 373.48 +/- 219.83, 94.9 +/- 93, and 56 +/- 28.63, respectively. This index was significantly higher in malignant lesions than in benign diseases (P < 0.01). There was a tendency that the higher the PCNA index, the lower differential degree of the gallbladder carcinoma (P < 0.01). But there were no significant correlations between the PCNA indices and the pathohistological types, the nevin classifications and the TNM classifications of the gallbladder carcinoma (P > 0.05).

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Morphologic observation of neutrophil diapedesis across bovine mammary gland epithelium in vitro.

Neutrophils are present in milk of cows as a means of suppressing invading pathogens during mastitis. However, the manner by which neutrophils traverse the secretory epithelia is still not clear: do they diapedese between epithelial cells or do they kill epithelial cells to gain entry into milk? We investigated the process of bovine neutrophil diapedesis across bovine mammary gland epithelium in vitro. The bovine mammary epithelial cell line MAC-T, grown on collagen-coated filters, formed a confluent monolayer with characteristic tight junctions, basal-apical polarity, and functional barriers to the dye trypan blue. Neutrophils added on the apical surface of the monolayer were stimulated to diapedese across the epithelium by the addition of Staphylococcus aureus (10(7) colony-forming units/ml) to the basal compartment. Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed the series of events for neutrophil transmigration: accumulation of neutrophils on the surface of epithelial monolayer; projection of pseudopods into intercellular junctions and movement of neutrophils between adjacent epithelial cells; and reapproximation of the lateral epithelial cell membranes and reformation of the apical tight junctions after neutrophils crossed the epithelium. Morphologically, epithelial cell damage caused by neutrophil diapedesis was not evident. This in vitro model provides a two-dimensional epithelial sheet by which neutrophil diapedesis can be qualitatively studied under defined conditions. Results of the study suggest a major mode by which bovine neutrophils diapedese across the alveolar epithelia into milk during mastitis.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Localization of a cycloheximide-sensitivity response element in the human thymidine kinase gene promoter.

In order to localize the segment of the human thymidine kinase (TK) gene promoter that mediates sensitivity of TK mRNA expression to the presence of cycloheximide (CX), a series of promoter truncation mutants was prepared between the 460-base pair (bp) promoter that was demonstrated previously to be sensitive to CX and the 83-bp promoter that was demonstrated previously to be insensitive to CX. TK promoters containing 370, 300, 160, or 130 bp of 5'-flanking sequence were all sensitive to inhibition by CX. Further truncation to 100 bp of 5'-flanking sequence eliminated CX sensitivity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using a probe containing most of this region (but omitting the SP1 binding site at the 5'-end of the 130-bp promoter) identified some complexes whose formation was sensitive to the presence of CX. Comparison of the sequences of oligonucleotides that were able to compete for formation of mobility shift complexes identified the sequence GCGGCC as a putative CX-sensitivity response element. Two such sequences are found between 83 and 130 bp 5' of the TK capsite. Mutation of the distal sequence attenuated sensitivity of TK mRNA expression to CX, while mutation of the proximal sequence had minimal effect on CX sensitivity. Thus, these data have localized a CX-sensitivity response element to a segment of TK promoter about 120 bp 5' of the capsite that includes the hexamer GCGGCC.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Inhibitory effect of arginine-vasopressin on LH secretion in the ovariectomized rhesus monkey.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) has been previously shown to act in synergism with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in mediating stress-induced changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We have previously shown that both AVP and CRH play a role in mediating IL-1 alpha-induced changes in gonadotropin secretion. In this study, we investigate the effects of exogenously administered AVP on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the ovariectomized (OVX) rhesus monkey. Adult OVX rhesus monkeys were given an intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of AVP (15 micrograms/h, n = 8; 50 micrograms/h, n = 5). Control animals received an ICV infusion of physiological saline at a rate 30 microliters/h (n = 12). LH concentrations were measured at 15-min intervals during a 3-hour preinfusion morning baseline and 5-hour postinfusion period. Cortisol concentrations were determined at 45-min intervals. Pulsatile LH release remained unchanged after a control saline infusion. After an AVP infusion, however, LH concentrations (ng/ml) significantly decreased (15 micrograms: from 172.9 +/- 6.4 baseline to 129.4 +/- 5.3; 50 micrograms: from 142.8 +/- 8.3 to 106.7 +/- 6.0, mean +/- SE; p < 0.05). By the fifth hour of the AVP infusion, areas under the LH curve were 64.3 +/- 10.5 and 62.9 +/- 11.0% of morning baseline for 15 and 50 micrograms hourly infusion rate, respectively. While cortisol concentrations decreased throughout the experimental period in the animals receiving saline (a.m.: 35.4 +/- 2.4 micrograms/dl vs. p.m.: 27.7 +/- 1.9 micrograms/dl), they increased after AVP infusion (15 micrograms/h: 42.3 +/- 2.4 vs. 54.6 +/- 2.0 micrograms/dl; 50 micrograms/h: 41.9 +/- 6.6 vs. 50.8 +/- 8.5 micrograms/dl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Stimulatory effects of interleukin-induced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis on gonadotropin secretion in ovariectomized monkeys replaced with estradiol.

In a previous report, we have shown that acute activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by the cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in the ovariectomized (OVX) rhesus monkey results in an inhibition of LH secretion. Here, we study whether estradiol (E) replacement therapy, at a level that reproduces E concentrations typical of the late follicular phase, modifies the gonadotropin and cortisol responses to IL-1 alpha administration. For E replacement, two Silastic capsules containing E were implanted sc 5 days before the experiment. The serum E concentration increased from less than 5 in OVX to 103.0 +/- 5.2 pg/ml in OVX and E-replaced monkeys. The experimental protocols were carried out 24 h or more after the LH surge that had been induced by E. In Exp 1, the effects of an intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of physiological saline (group 1) or IL-1 alpha (2.1 or 4.2 micrograms/30 min; group 2) on LH, FSH, and cortisol were compared. IL-1 alpha administration resulted in a progressive release of LH (to 159.0 +/- 8.3% of baseline at 5 h; P < 0.05, 3-5 h vs. saline). Cortisol decreased in group 1 (84.5 +/- 1.3% by 5 h), but increased after IL-1 alpha (147.3 +/- 12.6%; P < 0.05 vs. saline). In Exp 2, we determined whether the stimulatory effects of IL-1 alpha on LH result from the central activation of CRH release (group 3). Infusion of the CRH antagonist, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, CaMe,Leu37-CRF-(12-41) (240 or 360 micrograms/2 h) prevented the increase in LH seen after IL-1 alpha treatment (67.3 +/- 12.5% at 5 h, NS vs. saline). The CRH antagonist also prevented the increase in cortisol and progesterone induced by IL-1 alpha. In Exp 3, we tested whether the stimulatory effect of IL-1 alpha on LH secretion can be simulated by ACTH infusion (group 4). ACTH-(1-24) (10-micrograms bolus plus 50 micrograms/5 h, iv) induced a progressive increase in LH secretion (to 221.5 +/- 27.8% of baseline by 5 h; P < 0.05, 3-5 h vs. saline). ACTH also stimulated cortisol secretion (to 203.3 +/- 30.7% by 5 h). In Exp 4, we investigated the role of adrenal progesterone in the LH response observed in groups 2 and 4. This increase in LH did not occur after pretreatment with RU486, a progesterone antagonist (5 mg Mifepristone; 77 +/- 24.2% by 5 h; P = NS vs. saline), although the increases in cortisol and progesterone were not prevented.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1994

Neutrophil function in vitro: diapedesis and phagocytosis.

The function of neutrophils within the mammary gland was modeled in vitro to include diapedesis and phagocytosis. The bovine mammary cell line, MAC-T3, provided a mammary epithelial monolayer for use as a biologically meaningful barrier to neutrophil diapedesis. Features included characteristic transepithelial resistance, tight junctional complexes, and polarity. Continuous readings of transepithelial resistance indicated a stable resistance over several hours. Staphylococcus aureus, at concentrations of 1 x 10(7) and 2 x 10(9) cfu/ml, did not appear to have any deleterious effects on monolayer integrity over short-term (1 to 2 h) exposure. Neither resting nor challenged neutrophils caused short-term damage to the monolayer. Transepithelial resistance of the monolayers remained unchanged even as neutrophils were actively migrating through the monolayer. Further work using the MAC-T3 cell line and electrical resistance to assess cell monolayer integrity could provide much insight into the mechanisms underlying degeneration of mammary epithelial cells. The ability of neutrophils to phagocytose foreign particles is important for protection of the mammary gland. Neutrophils from proven bulls varied in their rate and capacity of phagocytosis. Correlations between neutrophil function and production traits were negative and small. In vitro analysis of neutrophil function provides another tool for the study of natural mastitis resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Comparison of the sensitivity of retinoic acid sensitive and resistant HL-60 cell lines to several anti-leukemia drugs].

By using MTT and trypan blue exclusion assay, the sensitivity of retinoic acid sensitive HL-60 and resistant HL-60/RA cell to six anti-leukemia drugs such as RA, Ara-c, harringtonine was compared. It was found that all five drugs except RA exhibited an approximately equivalent IC50 to HL-60 and HL-60/RA cells. The results suggest that tumor cells may not develop resistance to differentiation inducer and cytotoxic anti-tumor agent parallel. It also suggests that it is reasonable to use a combination of differentiation and cytotoxic anti-leukemia agents concomitantly or sequentially.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1993

Transcripts for the high and low affinity hexose transporters in rat myoblasts.

The present investigation examined the glucose transporter (GLUT) transcript levels in glucose-grown rat L6 myoblasts, which possessed a high (HAHT) and a low (LAHT) affinity hexose transport system. The most prominent GLUT transcript detected in these cells was a GLUT 3-recognizable 4.1-kilobase transcript. Mutants defective in HAHT contained only residual levels of the GLUT 3 transcript and transporter. Corresponding changes in GLUT 3 transcript levels and HAHT activity were observed in myotubes, confluent cultures, and myogenesis-impaired cells. The other prominent GLUT transcripts detected were the GLUT 4-recognizable 2.8- and 1.4-kilobase transcripts. The close correlation between the GLUT 4 isoform and LAHT activity was indicated by the absence of this isoform in LAHT- mutants, and their corresponding changes in myoblasts grown under different conditions. These findings suggested the HAHT and LAHT transporters might be coded or regulated by the genes responsible for the GLUT 3 and 4 transcripts, respectively. Although relatively high levels of the GLUT 1 transcript and transporter were detected in glucose-grown HAHT-LAHT- mutants, these cells did not exhibit any GLUT 1 transport activity. Since the GLUT 1 transporter was not functional, it was not likely responsible for the HAHT and LAHT activities observed in glucose-grown L6 myoblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Transport of casein submicelles and formation of secretion granules in the Golgi apparatus of epithelial cells of the lactating mammary gland of the rat.

Lactating mammary glands fixed by perfusion with 5% glutaraldehyde subsequently were postfixed with potassium ferrocyanide reduced osmium or were treated with tannic acid. Stained thin sections were examined with the electron microscope and stereopairs were prepared. The distribution of casein submicelles was analyzed in the various components of the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi stacks were composed of five or six elements, all of which contained casein submicelles 20 nm in diameter. The cis-tubular network or cis-element, as well as the underlying three or four midsaccules, showed these casein submicelles either attached to their membrane or free in the lumen. The trans-most element of the stacks formed distended prosecretory granules in which both isolated or clustered casein submicelles were suspended in an electron-lucent fluid. These micellar aggregates increased in size and became progressively more compact to form spherical dense bodies or casein micelles, in which the individual 20 nm particles could easily be resolved. Casein micelles were seen in secretory granules in addition to a wispy material of low density. The numerous small spherical vesicles (80 nm or larger) seen on the cis, lateral, or trans aspects of the stacks did not appear to contain free casein submicelles. This raises questions regarding the role of these vesicles in the transport of casein macromolecules through the Golgi stacks. It was noticeable that in this Golgi apparatus a trans-Golgi network was limited to a few small residual tubules free from casein submicelles. It thus appears that the greater part of the trans-most Golgi element gives rise to the large prosecretory granules. After leaving the Golgi region and prior to exocytosis, the secretory granules often fuse to form larger granules before exocytosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Structure of the Golgi apparatus in stimulated and nonstimulated acinar cells of mammary glands of the rat.

The structural features of the Golgi apparatus of acinar cells of mammary glands were examined with the electron microscope in 3 groups of rats: (1) in lactating female animals at 8 days postpartum, which served as controls; (2) in female rats sacrificed at various intervals from 2 to 30 hours following separation from their 8-day old pups; and (3) in females separated from their 8-day-old pups for a period of 12 hours and returned to their litters for durations of 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours. In animals of group 2, the Golgi stacks remained identical to that of controls between 2 and 8 hours. At 12 hours and later, the Golgi stacks decreased progressively in size, but the number of elements composing the stacks remained similar to that of lactating females and all contained casein submicelles. At 24 and 30 hours, typical secretory granules containing casein micelles disappeared from the trans aspect of the stacks. The earliest and most striking changes observed in the Golgi apparatus of the rats of group 2 took place at 12 hours. At this time, the prosecretory and secretory granules decreased considerably in volume and lost most of their electron-lucent content. This indicated that the delivery of small molecules, i.e., lactose and H2O, to these structures was soon altered following arrest of the sucking stimulus. In animals of group 3, the size of prosecretory and secretory granules and the amount of their electron-lucent content reverted to normal at 4 hours. Thus the influx of lactose and H2O into these structures appears to be rapidly restored after returning the pups to their mothers. The decrease in size of the Golgi stacks noted at 12, 18, and 24 hours following arrest of lactation (group 2), was accompanied by an increase in number of small vesicles that formed clusters next to the Golgi stacks and in "wells." Thus in these regressing Golgi stacks, many of the associated small vesicles appear to arise by vesiculation of the saccules.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Striated anchoring fibrils-anchoring plaque complexes and their relation to hemidesmosomes of myoepithelial and secretory cells in mammary glands of lactating rats.

Striated anchoring fibrils (SAF) are associated with the basement membrane underlying myoepithelial and acinar cells of mammary glands. Their proximal extremities are inserted in electron-dense areas of the lamina densa, the anchoring plaques seen facing the hemidesmosomes of both myoepithelial and acinar cells. In the case of myoepithelial cells, the hemidesmosomes show a thick cytoplasmic plaque applied to the basal plasma membrane in which cytoplasmic filaments are inserted. Facing this plaque but on the extracellular aspect and at a short distance of 5-10 nm, there is a thin layer of electron-dense nodular material called the subcell membrane plate, which is connected to the plasma membrane by short filamentous bridges. Between this subcell membrane plate and the anchoring plaque, there is an abundance of fine anchoring filaments crossing the lamina lucida. Such anchoring filaments are less abundant in the lamina lucida outside the hemidesmosomal areas. In the case of acinar cells, the cytoplasmic plaques of the hemidesmosomes are thin and the associated cytoplasmic filaments less conspicuous. No distinct subcell membrane plate is seen on the extracellular aspect of the plasma membrane facing the cytoplasmic plaque of the hemidesmosomes. However, in this area numerous anchoring filaments cross the lamina lucida between the plasma membrane and the SAF-anchoring plaque complex. The abundance, in these cells, of hemidesmosomes and their association with SAF-anchoring plaque complexes seen in the basement membrane must constitute a strong attachment for both myoepithelial and acinar cells and bind them to the underlying collagen fibrils, thus preventing their detachment from the connective tissue during the contractions of myoepithelial cells during milk ejection.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗