Studies on fine structure and location of lipids in quick-freeze replicas of atherosclerotic aorta of WHHL rabbits.
The fine structure of intracellular and extracellular lipids in the atherosclerotic aorta of Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits was demonstrated by a quick-freeze etching technique. Many lipid droplets, with and without a membrane, were observed in the foam cells. Membrane-free droplets were observed as onion-like structure with a concentric lamellar structure surrounded by 10 nm filaments. Droplets surrounded by a limited membrane probably correspond to lipid-laden lysosomes. In the extracellular connective tissue space, marked accumulation of lipids with a vesicular structure was seen among collagen fibers. The appearance of these lipids was similar to that of lipids in lysosomes of foam cells.
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000032:analysis; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000032:analysis; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005613:Freeze Etching; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits
D008055:Lipids