Freeze-fracture analysis of endothelial cell membranes in rabbit carotid arteries subjected to short-term atherogenic stimuli.
Endothelial cell membranes of rabbit carotid arteries were examined by the freeze-fracture technique. In the normal endothelium the mean densities of membrane-bound vesicles were 75 vesicles/microns 2 on the luminal cell membrane and 102 vesicles/microns 2 on the abluminal membrane. Whilst the vesical openings on the luminal membrane were randomly distributed those on the abluminal membrane were typically ordered in a macular pattern with lines free of vesicles. Tight and gap junctions between endothelial cells were numerous. After stimulating the carotid arteries with weak electrical impulses, a technique used to induce enhanced endothelial permeability and the formation of atheromatous plaques after repeated stimulations (Betz et al. 1985), vesicle openings were reduced to 78 vesicles/microns 2 on abluminal membranes. Membranes on the luminal side and intercellular tight and gap junctions remained unchanged.
Mühleisen
H
H
Institute of Pathology, University of Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Wolburg
H
H
Betz
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000032:analysis*; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010873:Pinocytosis; D011817:Rabbits