title: Electron microscopy of umbilical cord endothelial cells in preeclampsia.
abstract: We have studied by means of transmission electron microscopy the umbilical cord endothelial cells in 11 preeclamptic women. Endothelial cells exhibited oval, round, elongated, flattened, triangular or polygonal shapes. The nuclei displayed shallow and deep invaginations of nuclear envelope. The endoplasmic reticulum appeared highly dilated and vacuolated. The swollen mitochondria showed cristae fragmentation. Areas of focal necrosis were appreciated throughout the cytoplasm. A marked enlargement of subendothelial space and the presence of an electron dense granular material were also found. The findings reveal activation and injury of endothelial cells and disruption of endothelial cell layer.
authors.affiliation: Regional Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases Dr. Tulio A. Sulbarán, Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela. cectas@cantv.net.ve
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sulbarán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chacín
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergel
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Urbina
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Castejón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology