Microfibrils are a major component of the mesangial matrix in the glomerulus of the rat kidney.
The mesangial matrix of the rat glomerulus was studied by transmission electron microscopy in specimens preserved by a modified technique, which avoids osmium tetroxide but uses tannic acid as a contrasting agent. It can be demonstrated that microfibrils are a major component of the normal glomerular mesangial matrix. They are non-branching tubular structures with a hollow centre, an undefined length and a thickness of approximately 15 nm. Microfibrils make up a dense fibrillar network interconnecting mesangial cells and glomerular basement membrane.
Mundel
P
P
Anatomisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Elger
M
M
Sakai
T
T
Kriz
W
W
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000166:cytology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins