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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Stem cell factor in nasal polyposis and allergic rhinitis: increased expression by structural cells is suppressed by in vivo topical corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are increased in nasal polyp (Np) and allergic rhinitis (AR) tissue and are suppressed by topical corticosteroid treatment. Stem cell factor (SCF), a mast cell growth and survival factor, may explain these phenomena. OBJECTIVE: We investigated structural cell gene expression and production of SCF in nasal tissues in patients who had received and who had not received in vivo intranasal corticosteroid therapy. METHODS: Northern blot analyses for messenger RNA and ELISA for biologically active SCF protein from cultured Np epithelial cells and fibroblasts were performed. Immunostaining for SCF in cultured and tissue nasal structural cells in the presence or absence of steroid treatment was also performed. RESULTS: We detected significant expression of SCF mRNA and protein by cultured Np epithelial cells and Np fibroblasts; Np fibroblast SCF supported the differentiation of mast cells in vitro. There were more immunoreactive SCF-positive Np epithelial cells in patients with AR than in control subjects (97.2 +/- 2.8 vs 45.6 +/- 22.0%; p < 0.0001). SCF that could be immunostained was significantly diminished overall in Np structural cells in the group given in vivo steroid treatment, with a modest (trend to significant) effect on any given cell type analyzed. In vitro treatment with budesonide of SCF-producing fibroblasts demonstrated inhibition of unstimulated, primary Np fibroblasts but not of IL-1-stimulated fibroblasts or transformed cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Human Np and AR tissue structural cells express and produce increased SCF. Our in vitro studies suggest that intranasal steroids blunt SCF expression in Nps, an effect that may be responsible for a decrease in mast cells and symptoms.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1993

Characteristic and differential calcium signals from cell structures of the root cap detected by energy-filtering electron microscopy (EELS/ESI).

Characteristic calcium signals were analyzed in structures of three cell types of the root cap of cress: statocytes, meristematic cells and secretion cells. Twenty-four hour-old roots were fixed with glutaraldehyde (postfixed with osmiate/potassium bichromate) or with potassium permanganate. No visible precipitates were formed, but calcium signals typical for different cell structures could be detected by means of energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EELS/ESI). In statocytes, calcium signals were recorded from the plasma membrane, the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, the amyloplast envelope and the mitochondrial membranes. In contrast to the excitable statocytes, the two other, non-excitable cell types, meristematic and secretion cells, exhibited much lower intensities of the calcium signals recorded from the same membrane systems. The revealed characteristic calcium-related properties of the different membrane systems may be related to the special function of statocytes, namely transduction of the gravity stimulus. In all three cell types, additional calcium signals were recorded from cell structures with well known calcium contents, i.e., mitochondrial granules, starch grains and cell walls. For the first time, clear calcium signals were detected from the lipid bodies which are mobilized during the developmental stage of the examined roots. It is supposed that free fatty acids and lipases are the binding sites for calcium. The reliability of the applied method is especially proven by comparison of the electron microscopic images from lipid bodies according to the two different fixation methods. After glutaraldehyde fixation followed by osmiate/potassium bichromate postfixation, the lipid bodies were well fixed and appeared homogeneously grey with homogeneous calcium signals. However, due to potassium permanganate fixation the lipid bodies were only partly fixed; they had an electron-lucid core, from which the lipids are lost during the dehydration procedure, without calcium signals and an electron-dense border zone, which is a reaction product of potassium permanganate with triacylglycerols, with calcium signals.

Calcium↗
PubMed1989

The role of calmodulin in rat parotid amylase secretion: effects of calmodulin antagonists on secretion and acinar cell structure.

Using dispersed rat parotid cells, the effects of three calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine (TFP), N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalensulfonamide (W-7), and N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-5), on amylase release and acinar cell structure were examined. TFP and W-7 strongly inhibited both isoproterenol (ISO)- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-stimulated amylase release at a concentration of 50 or 100 microM, while W-5, a weak calmodulin antagonist, had only little effect. Cyclic AMP level was markedly elevated by ISO even in the presence of TFP or W-7. These results indicate that the calmodulin antagonists affect amylase release at steps distal to cyclic AMP metabolism. Electron micrographs demonstrated that treatment of parotid cells with either TFP or W-7 caused a loss of luminal microvilli and surface folds. When cells were stimulated by ISO in the presence of TFP or W-7, the enlarged lumina did not recover to their original size and the discharged secretory material was retained in the lumina. Numerous secretory granules remained in the acinar cytoplasm. W-5 affected the acinar cell structure only a little. These observations lead to the assumption that TFP and W-7 interfered with the normal functions of the cytoskeletal system. It is proposed that calmodulin may be involved in the exocytosis of parotid amylase through the regulation of the cytoskeletal system.

Amylases↗
PubMed1975

The fine structure of proliferating cartilage cells: structural changes in an experimental model.

Extensive development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and comparatively less developed Golgi membranes were seen in the cells of chondrocyte clusters which had formed in the vicinity of cartilage defects produced by intra-articular papain and cortisone injections. These cells frequently showed myelin-like membranous figures. These figures were seen either close to the cell membrane, or between cells, or connected to the nuclear envelope or the endoplasmic reticulum. The hypothesis is advanced that the myelin figures are made from redundant material which was not used for membrane formation. Cortisone, which is known to interfere with mitochondrial function and general metabolic processes, could have been responsible for the deficiency in membrane differentiation and transfer. This investigation was supported by grants from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and from the Research Evaluation and Allocation Committee of the School of Medicine, Univeristy of California, San Francisco.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The three-dimensional architecture of the notochordal nucleus pulposus: novel observations on cell structures in the canine intervertebral disc.

Cells from the nucleus pulposus of young (< 2 years) and old (> 5 years) non-chondrodystrophoid dogs were studied using routine histology, confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The architecture of cell structures--from the tissue scale down to subcellular scale--was reported. Clusters of notochordal cells were observed in young nuclei pulposi, ranging from 10 to 426 cells each. These clusters resisted mechanical disruption and showed evidence of cell-cell signalling via gap junctions. Cells (30-40 microm in diameter) within the clusters had a physaliferous appearance, containing numerous large inclusions which ranged from 1 to 20 microm in diameter. The inclusions were surrounded by a dense actin cortex but were not contained by a lipid bilayer. The contents of the inclusions were determined not to be predominantly carbohydrate or neutral lipid as assessed by histochemical staining, but the exact composition of the contents remained uncertain. There were striking differences in the cell architecture of young vs. old nuclei pulposi, with a loss of both cell clusters and physaliferous cells during ageing. These observations demonstrate unique cell structures, which may influence our understanding of the differences between notochordal and chondrocytic cells in the nucleus pulposus. Such differences could have substantial impact upon how we think about development, degeneration and repair of the intervertebral disc.

Aging↗
PubMed1995

Preservation of cell structures in permafrost: a model for exobiology.

The present report is the first contribution toward a comprehensive fine-structural study of microbial cells from permafrost. Prokaryotes with a variety of cell wall types demonstrate high stability of cell structure after long-term cryopreservation in frozen soils and sediments of the Arctic. The surface capsular layers that were a salient feature of the cells both in situ and on nutrient media may be an adaptation to low temperature. To the extent that permafrost regions on Earth approximate Martian conditions, preservation of cell structure there can serve as the basis for predictions about preservation in Martian permafrost sediments.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed2000

Expression of ram-5 in the structural cell is required for sensory ray morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans male tail.

Tissue morphogenesis requires complex cellular interaction and communication. The sensory ray in the Caenorhabditis elegans male tail has a simple cellular make-up and a non-essential function, thus providing an ideal model for studying the mechanisms guiding morphogenesis. We present here the analysis of a novel gene, ram-5, mutations of which are characterized by abnormal lumpy rays in the male tail. Microscopic analysis and behavioral studies revealed that lumpy rays contain operational sensory neurons. However, abnormalities were observed in the hypodermis and structural cells as well as in appositions between these two cell types. Molecular cloning and expression studies revealed that the ram-5 gene encodes a transmembrane protein localized in sensory ray support cells, the structural cells. Expression of ram-5 in these cells is required for normal ray morphogenesis. ram-5-dependent cell-cell communication is implicated in organizing the structural cell and the hypodermis, potentially through adhesion at the structural cell-hypodermal cell border.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Regional specialization in pyramidal cell structure in the visual cortex of the galago: an intracellular injection study of striate and extrastriate areas with comparative notes on new world and old world monkeys.

Recent studies have revealed marked differences in the basal dendritic structure of layer III pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex of adult simian primates. In particular, there is a consistent trend for pyramidal cells of increasing complexity with anterior progression through occipitotemporal cortical visual areas. These differences in pyramidal cell structure, and their systematic nature, are believed to be important for specialized aspects of visual processing within, and between, cortical areas. However, it remains unknown whether this regional specialization in the pyramidal cell phenotype is unique to simians, is unique to primates in general or is widespread amongst mammalian species. In the present study we investigated pyramidal cell structure in the prosimian galago (Otolemur garnetti). We found, as in simians, that the basal dendritic arbors of pyramidal cells differed between cortical areas. More specifically, pyramidal cells became progressively more spinous through the primary (V1), second (V2), dorsolateral (DL) and inferotemporal (IT) visual areas. Moreover, pyramidal neurons in V1 of the galago are remarkably similar to those in other primate species, in spite of large differences in the sizes of this area. In contrast, pyramidal cells in inferotemporal cortex are quite variable among primate species. These data suggest that regional specialization in pyramidal cell phenotype was a likely feature of cortex in a common ancestor of simian and prosimian primates, but the degree of specialization varies between species.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Specialization in pyramidal cell structure in the sensory-motor cortex of the vervet monkey (Cercopethicus pygerythrus).

Recent studies have revealed systematic differences in the pyramidal cell structure between functionally related cortical areas of primates. Trends for a parallel in pyramidal cell structure and functional complexity have been reported in visual, somatosensory, motor, cingulate and prefrontal cortex in the macaque monkey cortex. These specializations in structure have been interpreted as being fundamental in determining cellular and systems function, endowing circuits in these different cortical areas with different computational power. In the present study we extend our initial finding of systematic specialization of pyramidal cell structure in sensory-motor cortex in the macaque monkey [Cereb Cortex 12 (2002) 1071] to the vervet monkey. More specifically, we investigated pyramidal cell structure in somatosensory and motor areas 1/2, 5, 7, 4 and 6. Neurones in fixed, flat-mounted, cortical slices were injected intracellularly with Lucifer Yellow and processed for a light-stable 3,3'-diaminobenzidine reaction product. The size of, number of branches in, and spine density of the basal dendritic arbors varied systematically such that there was a trend for increasing complexity in arbor structure with progression through 1/2, 5 and 7. In addition, cells in area 6 were larger, more branched, and more spinous than those in area 4.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Shear force and its effect on cell structure and function.

Cell culture studies of the influence of a laminar flow and the associated wall shear stress on bovine aortic endothelial cells are reviewed. These experiments, taken together with those of others, demonstrate that in response to a steady state flow the cells elongate in shape, orient their major axis with the direction of flow, and reorganize their F-actin structure, with a concomitant increase in cell stiffness. There also is an influence of flow on cell function, including the ability to replicate, to secrete vasoactive substances, and on such processes as endocytosis. Such effects of flow are dependent on the level of shear stress, the duration of exposure, the surface to which the cells are adherent, and the media employed. Furthermore, the use of a 1 Hz sinusoidal, non-reversing pulsatile flow was found to, in general, enhance the effects observed for a steady state flow. Although these studies were motivated by an interest in investigating the role of flow in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, the results obtained provide evidence that relatively small physical forces can have an important influence. This suggests it is possible that the unloading represented by placing cells in the microgravity environment of space may be an observable influence. More importantly, it also indicates that cell biology experiments on orbit need to be conducted under conditions where the influence of other forces, e.g., those due to a flowing cell culture system, are negligible.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The influence of phthalate esters on Leydig cell structure and function in vitro and in vivo.

Phthalate esters are widely used in the manufacture of plastics and have been shown to cause testicular toxicity, purportedly, by targeting the Sertoli cell alone. Recent evidence, however, indicates that a paracrine control exists between Sertoli and Leydig cells and the breakdown of one component of this relationship is therefore detrimental to normal function. However, no data that explore the influence of testicular toxins on Leydig cell structure and function have been published hitherto. The preliminary studies reported here were initiated to test the hypothesis that phthalate intoxication may adversely alter Leydig cell structural and functional integrity. Four phthalate esters, namely, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPP)., di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were investigated in vivo and their monoesters (MEHP, MPP, MOP, and MEP, respectively) in vitro for indications of Leydig cell toxicity in the rat. Rats were dosed by oral gavage with 2 g phthalate diester/kg/day in corn oil vehicle for 2 days, while Leydig cell primary cultures were incubated with 1,000 microM monoester for 2 hr. Light and electron microscopy were undertaken to determine the type and degree of any changes. Phthalate esters exerted a direct effect on Leydig cell structure and function (as determined by testosterone output) with correlation of the in vitro and in vivo effects of MEHP (DEHP) and MOP (DOP). No effects on Leydig cell structure or function were seen with MPP (DPP), although Sertoli cell cytoplasmic rarefaction and vacuolation were observed in vivo. DEP produced Leydig cell ultrastructural alterations in vivo. We conclude that individual phthalate esters may exert effects on both Sertoli and Leydig cells or one cell type alone.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Production of polyomavirus structural protein VP1 in yeast cells and its interaction with cell structures.

The gene for mouse polyomavirus major structural protein VP1 was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the inducible GAL7 promoter. VP1 pseudocapsids were purified from cell lysates. Their subpopulation contained fragments of host DNA, which, in contrast to those of VP1 pseudocapsids produced in insect cells, did not assemble with cellular histones into pseudonucleocores. VP1 pseudocapsids accumulated in the yeast cell nuclei. A strong interaction of VP1 with tubulin fibres of the mitotic spindle was observed. The fibres of spindles were larger in diameter, apparently due to tight VP1 binding. Substantial growth inhibition of yeast cells producing VP1 was observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Polarization mode control of two-dimensional photonic crystal laser by unit cell structure design.

We demonstrate polarization mode selection in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal laser by controlling the geometry of the unit cell structure. As the band diagram of the square-lattice photonic crystal is influenced by the unit cell structure, calculations reveal that changing the structure from a circular to an elliptical geometry should result in a strong modification of the electromagnetic field distributions at the band edges. Such a structural modification is expected to provide a mechanism for controlling the polarization modes of the emitted light. A square-lattice photonic crystal with the elliptical unit cell structure has been fabricated and integrated with a gain media. The observed coherent 2D lasing action with a single wavelength and controlled polarization is in good agreement with the predicted behavior.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cytomorphological characteristics of normal lymphatic gland cell structure].

Numerical and qualitative characteristics of cell structure of 87 normal human lymphatic gland cytograms of various age groups have been studied. For each age group distinctive cell profiles of cytograms were established and cytological features of their development and involution have been determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Specialization in pyramidal cell structure in the cingulate cortex of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus): an intracellular injection study of the posterior and anterior cingulate gyrus with comparative notes on the macaque and vervet monkeys.

This study forms part of an ongoing investigation of pyramidal cell structure in the cingulate cortex of primates. Recently we have demonstrated that layer III pyramidal cells in the anterior cingulate gyrus are considerably larger, more branched and more spinous than those in the posterior cingulate gyrus (areas 24 and 23, respectively) in the macaque and vervet monkeys. Moreover, the extent of the interareal difference in specialization in pyramidal cell structure differed between the two species. These data suggest that pyramidal cell circuitry may have evolved differently in these closely related species. Presently there are too few data to speculate on what is selecting for this specialization in structure. Here we extend the basis for comparison by studying pyramidal cell structure in cingulate gyrus of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus). Methodology used here is the same as that for our previous studies: intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow in flat-mounted cortical slices. We found that pyramidal cells in anterior cingulate gyrus (area 24) were more branched and more spinous than those in posterior cingulate gyrus (area 23). Moreover, the complexity in pyramidal cell structure in both the anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus of the baboon differed to that in the corresponding regions in either the macaque or vervet monkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The physical chemical basis for preserving cell structure for electron microscopy at the molecular level and available preparatory methods.

A method to prepare tissues for electron microscopy based on the kinetic theory of physical chemistry makes it possible to study the structure of cells at the molecular level because extensive denaturation of proteins is avoided in contrast to using conventional preparatory methods. The highly ordered arrangement of mitochondrial enzymes revealed by applying this method is discussed. Low temperature embedding, freeze-substitution, freeze-drying combined with low temperature embedding and freeze-fracturing are evaluated with respect to conditions for protein denaturation.

Animals↗