Acute dorsal skin responses to UVB-irradiation in Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats

Acute responses of the dorsal skin to UVB-irradiation (10 kJ/m2) were compared between Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats and Wistar rats. In the epidermis of WBN/ILA-Ht rats, intracellular edema of keratinocytes with or without nuclear shrinkage developed at 3 hours after irradiation mainly in the spinous layer. At 12 hours after irradiation, many sunburn cells characterized by eosinophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei were observed chiefly in the basal layer. Sunburn cells were mainly observed in the spinous and granular layers at 24 hours after irradiation, and they almost disappeared at 48 hours after irradiation when epidermal hyperplasia was detected. The nuclei of sunburn cells were strongly stained with TUNEL method, and they showed ultrastructural features characteristic for apoptotic nuclei. Moreover, the change in the percentage of TUNEL-positive keratinocytes corresponded well with that in the number of sunburn cells. In the dermis, inflammatory cell infiltration and edema with vascular dilatation were observed at 12 and 24 hours after irradiation. On the other hand, except for intracellular edema of keratinocytes mainly in the spinous layer, the intensity of skin lesions was greatly milder in Wistar rats. Especially, typical sunburn cells were only slightly observed in the basal layer at 24 hours after irradiation. Thus WBN/ILA-Ht rats were more sensitive to UVB-irradiation than Wistar rats, and WBN/ILA-Ht rats was considered to be a useful experimental animal in the field of photodermatology.     

Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal skin of Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats exposed to subchronic ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiation

Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal skin were examined in Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats exposed to subchronic UVB-irradiation (10 kJ/m2 per rat per day for up to 3 months). Epidermal hyperplasia developed at I month of UVB-irradiation and progressed thereafter, resulting in epidermal thickening and formation of epidermal ingrowths projecting into the dermis. In some portions of the epidermal ingrowths at 2 and 3 months, keratinocytes were somewhat pleomorphic. In addition, some of the keratinocytes showing cytoplasmic projections migrated into the dermis. The basement membrane and hemidesmosomes at the epidermal-dermal junction became to disappear along with the development of edema spreading from the upper dermis to the epidermis. However, Langerhans cells were still detected in the hyperplastic epidermis even at 3 months. In the dermis, in addition to edema, fibroblast proliferation and mast cell infiltration progressed with time, and degranulation of mast cells was obvious at 2 and 3 months. Only a few basophils as well as eosinophils were also found. In the upper dermis, especially beneath the epidermis, decrease in diameter and disintegration of collagen fibrils were observed. Ultrastructural characteristics of the dorsal skin responses to subchronic UVB-irradiation were clarified in the present study.     

Effects of double UVB-irradiations with different intervals on the dorsal skin of wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats.

The effects of double irradiations of UVB (10 kJ/m2) with different intervals (12, 24 and 48 hr) were examined on the dorsal skin of Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats as the first step for long-term repeated irradiation study. The dorsal skin responses to a single UVB-irradiation were similar to those previously reported by our research group (Exp Toxicol Pathol, in press). In the groups which were given the 2nd irradiation at 12 and 24 hr after the 1st one, erythema, epidermal damage and subsequent hyperplasia, intradermal inflammatory cell infiltration and edema developed earlier and were more prominent especially in 12 hr-group compared with a single irradiation. However, the sequence of sunburn cells, the most characteristic epidermal change, was not different from that after a single irradiation. On the other hand, the dorsal skin responses to the 2nd irradiation at 48 hr after the 1st one were almost similar to those observed in the single irradiation-group except for epidermal hyperplasia being more prominent in 48 hr-group. This suggests that the responsibility of the dorsal skin almost recovered at 48 hr after the 1st irradiation.     

Kinetics of apoptosis-related genes mRNA expression in the dorsal skin of hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-ht rats after topical application of T-2 toxin.

The expression of apoptosis-related genes mRNAs was examined in the dorsal skin of hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats topically applied with T-2 toxin (10 microl of 0.5 microg/microl solution). The total mRNA was obtained from skin biopsy samples from each rat at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after T-2 toxin treatment (HAT), and RT-PCR was carried out with pairs of oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the cDNA sequences of rat p53, bcl-2, c-ki-ras, c-fos and c-jun oncogenes. The expression of c-fos mRNA markedly increased at 3 HAT, peaked at 6 HAT, and greatly decreased at 12 HAT. However it maintained a higher level, compared with the control level, even at 24 HAT. Although not prominent, the expression of c-jun mRNA also showed significant elevation from 3 to 12 HAT. On the other hand, there were no changes in the expression of p53, bcl-2 and c-ki-ras mRNAs throughout the observation period. Judging from the present results and our previous report that epidermal cells developed apoptosis at 12 HAT (Histol Histopathol 1999; 14: 337-342), the induction of c-fos and perhaps of c-jun mRNAs may be associated with T-2 toxin-induced epidermal cell apoptosis.     

Kinetics and distribution of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 mRNA in the dorsal skin of hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats following topical application of T-2 toxin.

Depression of basal cell proliferating activity and subsequent induction of basal cell apoptosis in the epidermis and infiltration of inflammatory cells including mast cells in the dermis were observed in the dorsal skin of hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats following the topical application of T-2 toxin in our previous study (ALBARENQUE et al. 1999). In the present study, kinetics of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was investigated using the same experimental system. The level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA of the whole skin tissue measured by competitive RT-PCR method showed a slight elevation from 6 to 12 hours after treatment (HAT) and reached the significantly higher level at 24HAT compared with the control skin. The increase in signals of TGF-beta 1 mRNA detected by in situ hybridization method started at 3HAT in the epidermis and progressed thereafter both in the epidermis and in the dermis. These results suggest that the elevated level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA may have a close relation to the induction of epidermal basal cell apoptosis as well as to the intradermal infiltration of mast cells and fibroblasts following the topical application of T-2 toxin.     

大鼠心肌细胞超微结构的增龄变化

目的：探讨心肌细胞超微结构增龄变化的规律。方法：取健康雄性大鼠，电镜观测左心房和左心室细胞超微结构的形态和定量变化。结果：随年龄增长，心房肌节长度、线粒体数量各年龄段间无差异，心室肌节长度、线粒体数量各年龄段间存在显著差异；闰盘逐渐典型、复杂；心房中心钠素颗粒不断增多。结论：心房肌节长度、线粒体数量一生中基本不变；幼年到青年为心室肌节和线粒体迅速发育期；心室肌原纤维增长既有肌节数目增多，又有肌节长度增加。     

Ultrastructural and autoradiographic investigation of the skin in acantholytic pemphigus

Laboratory of Ultrastructural Bases of Pathology, Department of Pathomorphology and Morphometry, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR Yu. I. Borodin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 105, No. 3, pp. 369–373, March, 1988.     

大鼠坐骨神经超微结构的老年性变化

为了研究老年大鼠坐骨神经超微结构特点,随机取3月龄(成年组)和24月(老年组)龄正常SD大鼠各10只,用电镜观察两组间坐骨神经超微结构的差异。结果显示:老年组大鼠坐骨神经内有髓纤维的百分比、轴突间胶原纤维密度以及Schwann细胞胞质中脂褐质沉积密度均多于成年组(P<0.05);但无髓纤维之百分比少于成年组(P<0.05)。上述结果提示坐骨神经内的有髓纤维与无髓纤维百分比、轴突间胶原纤维密度以及Schwann细胞胞质中脂褐质沉积密度是衡量大鼠坐骨神经老化的形态标志之一。     

Reconstruction of dorsal skin scars in rats

Laboratory of Growth and Development, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Permyakov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 112, No. 8, pp. 217–219, August, 1991.     

Ultrastructural changes in the chick thymus following unilateral vagotomy

The ultrastructure of the thymus in the chick (Gallus domesticus) was studied after unilateral vagotomy at survival times of 3, 7 and 10 days. Ultrastructural changes in the ipsilateral thymus were observed in axon boutons as well as in myoid and cystic cells in the medulla, especially those situated near the corticomedullary junction. Structural changes in axon boutons ranged from granular degeneration of the axonal cytoskeleton to vacuolation of the axoplasm. Myelin figures of different sizes and configurations and clumping of small agranular vesicles were commonly observed in the axon terminals. Degeneration of myoid cells appeared to peak at 7 days post‐vagotomy. Changes ranged from oedematous appearance and intense vacuolation of the peripheral cytoplasm to disorganisation and clumping of myofibrils. In some myoid cells the sarcomeres showed granular degeneration at the I‐bands and in others, the myofibrils were completely degenerated such that amorphous material and partially degenerated organelles filled the entire cell. The majority of cystic cells at 3 days post‐vagotomy showed a uniform increase in electron density. Numerous electron dense bodies, some displaying concentric lamellation, were observed throughout the expanse of the cytoplasm. At 7 days post‐vagotomy, the cytoplasm of some cells gave a “moth‐eaten” appearance. Dying cystic cells were encountered at 10 days after vagotomy. Degeneration in the myoid and cystic cells suggests that these cellular components may be the putative targets of the vagal fibres in the chick thymus. The changes in these cells reflect a disturbance in the cell metabolism presumably brought about by the removal of vagal influence. Anat Rec 255:261–270, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

D-半乳糖衰老大鼠性腺轴系超微结构的变化

目的:观察D-半乳糖衰老大鼠性腺轴系超微结构的变化。方法:D-半乳糖连续腹腔注射制作亚急性衰老的大鼠模型,应用透射电镜观察模型大鼠下丘脑弓状核、垂体及睾丸超微结构的变化。结果:D-半乳糖衰老大鼠弓状核出现线粒体嵴断裂、粗面内质网脱颗粒、高尔基复合体扩张等变化;垂体促性腺激素细胞出现线粒体嵴断裂、粗面内质网扩张、高尔基复合体扩张等变化,并观察到脱粒细胞;睾丸支持细胞内溶酶体增多,内质网增生、扩张,线粒体嵴断裂,精原细胞可见胞质内出现许多空泡,并观察到了凋亡小体。结论:D-半乳糖衰老大鼠性腺轴系的超微结构发生了明显改变,揭示了D-半乳糖衰老过程中下丘脑垂体性腺轴的重要作用。     

Ultrastructural Changes of Mitochondria in the Cultivated Skin Fibroblasts of Patients with Point Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondrial disorders represent a heterogeneous group of multisystem diseases with extreme variability in clinical phenotype. The diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders relies heavily on extensive biochemical and molecular analyses combined with morphological studies including electron microscopy. Although muscle is the tissue of choice for electron microscopic studies, the authors investigated cultivated human skin fibroblasts (HSF) harboring 3 different pathologic mtDNA mutations: 3243A > G, 8344A > G, 8993T > G. They addressed to the possibility of whether mtDNA mutations influence mitochondrial morphology in HSF and if ultrastructural changes of mitochondria may be used for differential diagnostics of mitochondrial disorders caused by mtDNA mutations. Ultrastructural analysis of patients' HSF revealed a heterogeneous mixture of mainly abnormal, partially swelling mitochondria with unusual and sparse cristae. The most characteristic cristal abnormalities were heterogeneity in size and shapes or their absence. Typical filamentous and branched mitochondria with numerous cristae as appeared in control HSF were almost not observed. In all lines of cultured HSF with various mtDNA mutations, similar ultrastructural abnormalities and severely changed mitochondrial interior were found, although no alterations in function and amount of OXPHOS were detected by routinely used biochemical methods in two lines of cultured HSF. This highlights the importance of morphological analysis, even in cultured fibroblasts, in diagnostics of mitochondrial disorders.     

Ultrastructural features of the capillaries,alveolar epithelium,and macrophages of the lungs in germ-free rats

The ultrastructural features of certain components of the lung tissues were studied in germ-free and ordinary rats. The lumen of the capillaries in the lungs of the germ-free rats was smaller than in ordinary animals, and the grossly dilated microvessels found in the lungs of ordinary rats were totally absent. Many mitochondria of the alveolar epithelial cells in the lungs of the germ-free animals differed from mitochondria of ordinary rats in their larger size, and the arrangement of the thickened cristae. A study of the alveolar macrophages in the germ-free rats showed that primary lysosomes were more numerous than secondary. The ultrastructural, features distinguishing the lung tissue of germ-free animals thus revealed were associated with components involved at the subcellular level in the response of the host to microbial action.Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Research Laboratory of Experimental Biological Models, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow Region. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 78, No. 11, pp. 114–117, November, 1974     

Endothelial cell changes in acute hepatitis. A light and electron microscopic study

Hepatic endothelial cells were studied by light and electron microscopy in 48 patients with acute hepatitis due to virus infection or drug idiosyncrasy. Light microscopy revealed cell swelling and appearance of dense refractile intracytoplasmic granules staining with the amylase PAS reaction and for iron by Perls' method. They were orcein-negative. These cells, regarded as 'activated' endothelial cells, were found throughout the parenchyma, especially in the classical form of acute hepatitis. In acute hepatitis with bridging, panacinar or periportal necrosis, activated endothelial cells were prominent in the necrotic areas. They were constantly seen lining newly formed capillaries in these sites. By electron microscopy, the intracytoplasmic granules had the characteristics of primary or secondary siderosomes. In areas of capillarization, basement membrane material was seen on the aspect of the activated cells facing the space of Disse. Activated endothelial cells may play a part in protecting hepatocytes from injury.