Unusual association of 'chloride cells' with another cell type in the skin of the glass catfish, Kryptopterus bicirrhis.
A previously undescribed association of typical 'chloride cells' and a second distinct cell type are observed in the skin of the freshwater glass catfish, Kryptopterus bicirrhis. The second cell type is similar to the chloride cell in that it contains abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. However, its small size and greater electron density suggest it is a 'resting' or non-functional chloride cell. Together these two cells form a crypt which leads to the skin surface. They may constitute a specialized structure involved in the passage of ions across the skin of these fish.
D000818:Animals; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*