title: Myofibroblasts and myoepithelial cells in the chicken harderian gland.
abstract: An electron microscopic study of the myoepithelial cells in the chicken Harderian gland provides evidence that these cells can be transformed into myofibroblasts. After the application of a Brucella ovis suspension in sterile saline onto the eyeball, every 5 minutes for half an hour, myoepithelial cells gradually develop over a 90-minute period the characteristic features of myofibroblasts: bundles of intracytoplasmic microfilament; abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum; prominent Golgi complex; and surface membrane differentiations, that provide attachment to neighbouring epithelial cells. No typical desmosomes are observed. Besides, the intercellular space between epithelial cells and myofibroblasts increases and the basement membrane adjacent to myofibroblasts disappears. Hypoxia is hypothesized to be involved in the transformation of myoepithelial cells into myofibroblasts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: del Cacho
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Felices
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bascuas
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013997:Time Factors