Three-dimensional architecture of the keratin filaments in epithelial cells surrounding taste buds in the rat circumvallate papilla.
The three-dimensional architectures of the perigemmal cells and their keratin bundles in the rat circumvallate papillae were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The perigemmal cells were classified into three layers: basal, middle and upper. The basal layer consisted of polygonal cells located close to the basal lamina, the middle layer comprised longitudinally elongated cells fitting the lateral convexity of the taste bud, and the upper layer was imbricating flat cells along the upper portion of the taste bud. When fresh specimens were jointly treated with Triton X-100 and sonication, the taste buds were often detached and the cytoplasmic matrices of the perigemmal cells were effectively removed. Consequently, we were able to demonstrate an extensive network of the subplasmalemmal keratin bundles of the perigemmal cells. The framework appeared either as a thin lacework, a thick fence-like structure, or a lattice work in the basal, middle, and upper layers, respectively. The thin lacework in the basal layer was considered to be a developing process of the framework. The thick fence-like structure in the middle layer probably plays a primary role in supporting the taste bud. The latticework in the upper layer is believed to reflect a remodeling in reducing the keratin framework.
Sakai
H
H
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.
Kaidoh
T
T
Morino
S
S
Inoué
T
T
D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D007633:Keratins / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D007633:Keratins