["Ghost" bodies and calcification in experimental coronary artery atherosclerosis in pigeons].
Nineteen young pigeons (columba livia domestica) fed on cholesterol (0.5 g per day per bird) for 31 weeks were studied by electron microscopy focusing on calcification in coronary artery atherosclerosis. After 24-31 weeks of cholesterol feeding, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the media layer showed an obvious proliferation. Many of these cells had bulbous cytoplasmic pseudopod-like processes connecting with the cell body by narrow stalks. Many of the cytoplasmic pseudopodia as well as the detached cell fragments, i.e. "ghost" bodies measuring 606-2235 nm in diameter were membrane-bounded, but without basement membrane, often with a fibrillo-granular content and occasionally seen as residue of organelles of the SMCs. Additionally, in the interstitial spaces, much vesicle-like deeply osmiophilic material was obtained, suggesting degradation products of SMCs. Furthermore, in the matrix, there were many calcium spherules measuring 551-3006 nm in diameter, consisted of 1-3 layers of radiating crystalline spicules. The mechanism of formation of "ghost" bodies and calcification is discussed.
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D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010856:Columbidae; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000648:ultrastructure