| Popis: |
The morphology of endothelial cells from the pig aorta was examined using silver nitrate-stained Hautchen preparations. Areas of enhanced uptake of the protein-binding azo dye Evans Blue (blue areas) and areas of no dye uptake (white areas) were compared. From representative light photomicrographs the appearance of silver granules, stigmata, stomata and gaps in the silver-stained cell boundaries was examined. The numbers of these structures per cell were counted in both blue and white areas, and cell length and polarity in the two areas were also quantitated. Silver-stained cell boundaries in blue areas appeared consistently thicker and more irregular than in white areas, and cells from the latter were often longer and more tapered. Quantitatively, a significantly greater number of gaps or breaks in the boundary lines was found in blue areas. Over 85% of cells from both areas were aligned within 30° of the long axis of the vessel, and stigmata and stomata occurred with the same frequency in both areas. These and other findings are discussed in terms of the known permeability differences between areas of Evans Blue uptake and areas of no dye uptake. |
