Original articles:
Fine
Structural and Morphometric Studies on Gastric Parietal Cells of Peptic Ulcer Patients
after Long-Term Treatment with Omeprazole (Hiroko K.)
Immunohistochemical
Study of 3p-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase /A5-A4 Isomerase in the Rat Cardiovascular
System(Seon Hee OH)
The
melanogenic system of Xenopus laevis(Zuasti, A.)
Ouabain-like
immunoreactivity in the medulla oblongata of rats(Yamazato, M.)
The
innervation of taste buds in the soft palate and circumvallate papilla of the rat as
revealed by the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide technique(Muller, T.)
Fine
structure of hydrous chromosomes observed by low vacuum scanning(Tanaka, K.)
Immunohistochemical
localizations of class 11 antigens and nerve fibers in
human carious teeth: HLA-DR immunoreactivity in Schwann cells(Yoshiba, N.)
Distribution
of F4/80-positive cells in developing ovaries in the mouse(Li, X-Q.)
Organization
of nitric oxide-producing nerves in the rat pyloric sphincter(Kudo, T.)
Gamma
aminobutyric acid immunoreactivity in the mouse adrenal gland during
postnatal development(Iwaka, K.)
Summary
Title
Fine
Structural and Morphometric Studies on Gastric Parietal Cells of Peptic Ulcer Patients
after Long-Term Treatment with Omeprazole
Author
Hiroko KOBAYASHI, Tsuyoshi WATANABE, Akira NAKAHARA, Hiroshi MUTOH, Naomi TANAKA and Yasuo
UCHIYAMA
Address
Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of
Tsukuba, Tsukuba; and Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy I, Osaka University Medical
School, Osaka, Japan
Summary
Omeprazole, a substituted benzimidazole, is known to inhibit acid secretion from parietal
cells in gastric glands, and is widely utilized as a drug for peptic ulcer. To clarify the
ultrastructural changes in parietal cells from long-term treatment with a therapeutic dose
of omeprazole, biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa obtained from peptic ulcer patients
were morphometrically analyzed before and after omeprazole treatment. Before treatment
with omeprazole, parietal cells in both the stimulated and resting stages were observed;
the stimulated cells possessed smaller amounts of tubulovesicles in the cytoplasm and
numerous profiles of microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi, whereas the cells in the
resting phase showed numerous profiles of tubulovesicles and poorly developed microvilli
in the canaliculi. Eight weeks after the onset of omeprazole treatment, the amounts of
both tubulovesicles in the cytoplasm and microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi
drastically decreased. These decreases in the profiles of the membrane structures with a
proton pump occurred concomitantly with a significant increase in autophagic
vacuole/autolysosome-like structures. These results suggest that the membrane structures
with proton pump are not recycled between tubulovesicles and microvilli of intracellular
canaliculi in parietal cells after omeprazole treatment, but may be sequestrated into
autophagosomes and degraded by lysosomal enzymes.
Contact
Prof. Yasuo UCHIYAMA
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy I
Osaka University Medical School
Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita-shi, Osaka
565-0871 Japan
Tel.: +81 6 879 3120
Fax: +81 6 879 3129
E-mail: uchiyama@anat1.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Title
Immunohistochemical
Study of 3beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase /delta5-delta4 Isomerase in the Rat
Cardiovascular System
Seon Hee OH, Jae Min Oh, Jeong Joong KIM, Min Kyu CHOI, Seung Taeck PARK, Ock Kyu PARK,
and Yeun Tai CHUNG
Address
Department of Anatomy and Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University School of
Medicine, lksan, Korea
Summary
The enzyme complex 3betai-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) is involved in the
biosynthesis of all classes of active steroids. It is known that the enzymatic activity of
3beta-HSD is present not only in classical steroidogenic tissues, but also in many
peripheral tissues including cardiac tissue. To determine whether 3beta-HSD is present in
rat non-steroidogenic tissues, we examined cardiovascular tissues including the ventricle,
atrium, aortic arch, abdominal aorta, and inferior vena cava by immunohistochemistry and
Western blotting using polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide of human
placental 3beta-HSD. By Western blotting, protein bands immunoreactive for anti-3beta-HSD
were detected at molecular weights of 42 and 37 kDa in both the ventricle and atrium,
whereas only a 37 kDa band was recognized in both the aortic arch and abdominal aorta. By
immunohistochemistry, immunoreactivity for 3beta-HSD was detected in both the ventricular
and atrial cardiocytes, while immunostaining was also found, though faintly, in the smooth
muscles of the aortic arch, abdominal aorta, and inferior vena cava. These results suggest
that cardiocytes may synthesize the steroidogenic 3beta-HSD enzyme.
Contact
Prof. Yeun Tai CHUNG
Department of Anatomy
School of Medicine
Wonkwang University,
344-2 Shinyong-Dong, Iksan City
Chollabuk-Do, Korea
Tel.: +82 653 850 6785
Fax: +82 653 852 9115
Title
The Melanogenic System of Xenopus
laevis
Author
A. ZUASTI, C. JIMENEZ-CERVANTES, J. C. GARCIA-BORRON and C. FERRERl
Address
Department of Cell Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ,
University of Murcia School of Medicine, Murcia, Spain
Summary
Melanin pigments in lower vertebrates are often found in locations other than the skin,
thus forming an extracutaneous pigmentary system of unknown function. The cellular and
biochemical structure of this system is still poorly characterized. This paper deals with
the ultrastructural and biochemical features of the melanogenic system of Xenopus laevis.
Melanin containing cells were identified in the dorsal and ventral skin, and in the lung,
spleen, Iiver and connective tissue surrounding blood vessels. The pigment cells in the
skin and the lungs appeared to be typical melanocytes. The spleen contained isolated
melanocyte-like cells, but most of the pigment cells present in this organ were associated
with melanomacrophage centers. Conversely, the liver appeared devoid of melanocytes and
only displayed melanomacrophage centers. Tyrosinase activity was found in all
pigment-containing organs except the liver. All organs containing tyrosinase activity also
displayed melanin formation potential from L-tyrosine. Therefore, tyrosine hydroxylase and
melanin formation activities could be detected only in those organs containing typical
melanocytes but not in locations such as the liver, where only melanomacrophages centers
were found.
Contact
Prof. A. ZUASTI
Department of Cell Biology
School of Medicine
University of Murcia
30100 Murcia, Spain
Tel.: +34 968 363946
Fax: +34 968 364150
E-mail: adelinaz@fcu.um.es
Title
Ouabain-Like
Immunoreactivity in the Medulla Oblongata of Rats
Author
Masanobu YAMAZATO, Chosei ZUKERAN, Hiroshi TERUYAl, Atsushi SAKIMA, Rijiko MATAYOSHI-ISA,
Hiromi MURATANl, Yoshitake TERANO and Koshiro FUKIYAMA
Address
Third Department of Internal Medicinel and First Department of Anatomy, University of the
Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa; and Second Department of Physiology, Osaka City
University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
Summary
An isomer of ouabain, the ouabain-like compound (OLO, may participate in the regulation of
body fluid volume and vascular tone. Forebrain regions, especially the hypothalamus, are
reported to be sites of OLC action in the central nervous system. The medulla oblongata is
another critical area involved in central cardiovascular regulation. We reported that the
microinjection of either monoclonal antibody to ouabain T8B11 or Fab fragment of
digoxin-specific antibody into the rostral ventrolateral medulla significantly decreased
mean arterial pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity in anesthetized normotensive
rats (TERUYA et al.: J. Clin. Invest. 99: 2791-2798, 1997). Using T8B11, we examined the
ouabain-like immunoreactivity in the medulla oblongata of normotensive rats. In
periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde fixed tissues, ouabain-like immunoreactive neurons were
detected in the nuclei and regions in the medulla oblongata including the ventrolateral
medulla, ventromedial medulla, nucleus ambiguus, caudal raphe nuclei, nucleus of solitary
tract, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. When an Fab fragment of digoxin-specific
antibody was used as a first antibody, the digoxin-like immunoreactive neurons were
distributed in almost the same pattern as those observed with the use of T8B11. In the
brain fixed with the "three-step" procedure developed by YAMADA et al. (1987),
which was used in a previous ouabain imununohistochemical study of the hypothalamus,
ouabain-like immunoreactivity in the medulla oblongata was much weaker in intensity and
less restricted in distribution than that in the hypothalamus. These findings suggest that
ouabain-like immunoreactivities are present in the medulla oblongata with a manner of
distribution different from that seen in the hypothalamus. Some ouabain-immunopositive
nuclei and regions in the medulla oblongata, especially the rostral ventrolateral medulla,
may be other OLC action sites.
Contact
Dr. Masanobu YAMAZATO
Third Department of Internal Medicinel
University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine
207 Uehara, Nishihara-cho, Okonawa
903-0215 Japan
Tel.: +81 98 895 3331
Fax: +81 98 895 2702
E-mail: sannai@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Title
The
Innervation of Taste Buds in the Soft Palate and Circumvallate Papilla of the Rat as
Revealed by the Zinc lodide - Osmium Tetroxide Technique
Author
Thomas MULLER and Holger JASTROW
Address
Department of Anatomy, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Summary
The taste buds in the soft palate and the circumvallate papillae of the rat were
investigated by the zinc iodide-osluium tetroxide technique. In addition, electron
micrographs of taste buds stained with this method were presented for the first time.
Differences in taste bud structures were found between the examined regions. The taste
buds of the soft palate showed a complicated plexus of intragemmal nerve fibers. Some
fibers exhibited terminal polymorphic swellings. Single branches could be traced close to
the space of the taste pore. In the soft palate, the taste bud cells remained unstained,
whereas in the circumvallate papillae of the tongue, a subpopulation of taste bud cells
could be selectively stained and the intragemmal nerve fibers were characterized by large
varicosities. The morphological dissimilarities between the taste buds of the investigated
regions might be explained by their functional characteristics, or possibly their varying
affinities to the taste qualities. Electron microscopic investigation of the stained
circumvallate papillae revealed that the electron-dense reaction product had primarily
accumulated in a subpopulation of light cells. Dark cells exhibited only a slight
labelling. In detail, the precipitate was found loosely distributed in the cytoplasm as
well as the nuclei of the cells, and particularly concentrated at the Inembranes of light
vacuoles, this probably being profiles of dilated endoplasmic reticulum. A few roundish
accumulations of precipitate were seen in the cytoplasm of taste bud cells, which showed
no intensive light microscopic staining. Labelled material was also found within the taste
pores outside the apical processes of the cells. The present findings indicate that the
zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide technique is applicable to neuroanatomical studies of taste
buds.
Contact
PD Dr. Thomas MULLER
Department of Anatomy
University of Mainz
Saarstr. 19-21
D-55099 Mainz
Germany
Tel.: +49 61 31 39 34 94
Fax: +49 61 31 39 54 01
Title
Fine
Structure of Hydrous Chromosomes Observed by Low Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy
Author
Keiichi TANAKA, Sumire INAGA, Akihiro IlNO, Tatsuo USHIKI and Syobu SAITO
Address
Prof. Emer. of Tottori University; Department of Anatomy, Tottori University Faculty of
Medicine, Yonago; Department of Anatomy, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata;
and Hitachi Science Systems Ltd., Hitachinaka, Japan
Summary
Chinese hamster metaphase chromosomes were stained with platinum (Pt) blue and observed in
the hydrous state with low vacuum scanning electron microscopes (LVSEM). The coiled
structure of the chromatin fibers in the chromosomes was well recognized through the
surrounding perichromosomal substances in the backscattered electron (BSE) mode at
accelerating voltages of over 20 kV. Findings indicated that chromatin fibers in native
chromosomes have a structure similar to the hierarchic coiled model. The present study
also demonstrated that not only surface structures but also subsurface structures can be
studied in the BSE mode of LVSEM, when the subsurface structures have been stained with
heavy metal salts such as Pt blue.
Contact
Dr. Keiichi TANAKA
IRAGO Institute
337 Ehima-Shinden
Atsumi-cho, Atsumi-gun, Aichi
441-3605 Japan
Tel: +81 5313 7 1680
Fax: +81 5313 4 3111
E-mail: k-tanaka@amitaj.or.jp
Title
Immunohistochemical
Localizations of Class II Antigens and Nerve Fibers in Human Carious Teeth : HLA-DR
Immunoreactivity in Schwann Cells
Author
Nagako YOSHIBA, Kunihiko YOSHIBA, Masaaki IWAKU and Hidehiro OZAWA
Address
Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics ; and Department of Oral Anatomy I,
Niigata University School of Dentistry, Niigata, Japan
Summary
Nerve fibers and class 11 major histocompatibility complex (MHO antigen-expressing
dendritic cells have been known to gather in the dental pulp beneath carious lesions.
Significant functional interactions presumably occur between the neural and immune
elements. The present study analyzed the morphological relationship between class
II-expressing cells and nerve fibers in fuman carious teeth, visualized by a HLA-DR
monoclonal antibody and a protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) polyclonal antibody; a
confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and an electron microscope were used. In pulps
affected by early caries, HLA-DRpositive dendritic cells aggregated mainly in the cellfree
zone associated with bundles of PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibers. In pulps affected by
advanced caries, the accumulated HLA-DR-positive cells and PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve
fibers showed close association with each other especially beneath the odontoblast layer:
the cells even embraced the nerve fibers. Intriguingly, class 11 molecules were recognized
not only in dendritic cells but also in the Schwann cells of non-myelinated nerves in the
pulp. Using immunoelectron microscopy, class 11 molecules were localized on the surface of
the non-myelinating Schwann cells and also within some vesicles, whereas myelinating
Schwann cells lacked this immunoreactivity. PGP 9.5immunoreactive nerve fibers were also
observed densely in the odontoblast layer, and CLSM revealed an intimate association of
the nerve fibers and dendritic cells. The immunoreactivity for HLA-DR in Schwann cells
depended upon the severity of the carious lesion. Class II-expressing Schwann cells are
suggested to function as antigen-presenting cells in addition to dendritic cells.
Contact
Dr. Nagako YOSHIBA
Department of Operative Dentistry
and Endodontics
Niigata University School of Dentistry
Gakkocho-dori-2, Niigata
951-8514 Japan
Tel: +81 25 227 2865
Fax: +81 25 222 2290
E-mail: yoshida@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp
Title
Distribution
of F4/80-Positive Cells in Developing Ovaries in the Mouse
Author
Xiu-Qin LI, Masahiro ITOH, Akiko YANO, Qiang XIE, Kensaku MIYAMOTO and Yoshiki TAKEUCHI
Address
Department of Anatomy, Kagawa Medical University, Kagawa, Japan
Summary
The mature ovary contains a large number of macrophages. In the present study, the
distribution of macrophages in murine ovaries at various developmental stages was
immunohistochemically studied using a monoclonal antibody against F4/80, a highly specific
antigen of murine macrophages. The results showed that definite F4/80-positive stains were
hardly detectable in ovaries on day O after birth. On day 7, a few F4/ 80-positive cells
could be identified between the developing follicles. The positive stains were irregular
in shape and showed little physical contact with the primordial or primary follicles. By
days 14 and 21, when the theca cell layers of growing follicles were developing, the
positive cells had extended or elongated to surround the cell layer. On day 28, besides
the presence of elongating positive cells surrounding the growing follicles, irregularly
shaped F4/80-positive cells became apparent in the interstitium between the growing
follicles and also in the capsular tissues. Thereafter, positive cells with stellate
appearance were detected in the corpora lutea, which first developed around 6 weeks of
age. Although the positive cells were homogenously distributed in the corpora lutea in
virgin adults, only a few sporadic positive cells were found there in pregnant mice.
However, the positive cells infiltrated into the corpora lutea again in the postpartum
period. These results show that ovarian macrophages exhibit dramatical changes in their
distribution from neonatal to postpartum periods.
Contact
Dr. Masahiro ITOH
Department of Anatomy
Kagawa Medical University
Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa
761-0793 Japan
Tel: +81 878 91 2087
Fax: +81 878 91 2088
E-mail: seiyu@kms.ac.jp
Title
Organization
of Nitric Oxide-Producing Nerves in the Rat Pyloric Sphincter
Author
Tetsuji KUDO, Hiroshi SHIMODA, Takeshi USUl and Yuzo UCHIDA
Address
Departments of Anatomy and Surgery, Oita Medical University, Oita, Japan
Summary
The architecture of nitric oxide (NO)producing nerves in the rat pylorus was studied in
relation to the muscular structure. The musculature of the rat pylorus was observed to be
composed of two discrete muscle loops (proximal and distal sphincters). Connective tissue
septa containing neural elements divided the thick musculature of the distal sphincter
into many bundles. The myenteric nerve plexus of the stomach with a subpopulation of
NO-producing nerves was continuous with that of the duodenum. Nitrinergic nerve fibers
which originated from the antral myenteric plexus ran through the connective tissue septa
in the pyloric musculature and were densely distributed on the submucosal surface of the
distal sphincter. The innermost portion of the distal sphincter consisted of smooth muscle
cells showing many cytoplasmic processes and abundant nitrinergic nerve terminals. This
particular architecture of the nitrinergic nerves in the sphincter would seem to account
for the coordinate motor function of the rat pyloric sphincter.
Contact
Dr. Hiroshi SHIMODA
Departments of Anatomy
Oita Medical University
1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi
Oita-gun, Oita
879-5593 Japan
Tel/Fax: +81 97 586 5623
Title
Gamma
Aminobutyric Acid Immunoreactivity in the Mouse Adrenal Gland During Postnatal Development
Author
Kenji IWASA, Yukio OOMORI and Hiroshi TANAKA
Address
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen
University, Ebetsu: Department of Anatomy, and Animal Laboratory for Medical Research,
Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
Summary
To understand the developing processes of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing
chromaffin cells and nerve fibers in the mouse adrenal gland, we examined the tissues in
various postnatal stages by immunohistochemistry using a GABA antibody. From birth until
postnatal week 1, GABA-immunoreactivity was seen in very few nerve fibers, and in none of
the chromaffin cells. At postnatal week 2, GABA-immunoreactivity appeared weakly in
clusters of chromaffin cells and strongly in relatively numerous varicose nerve fibers.
The immunoreactive nerve fibers were densely distributed in the small immunonegative
chromaffin cells and large ganglion cells, but only sparsely so in the weak immunoreactive
chromaffin cells. At postnatal week 3, the number of the immunoreactive chromaffin cells
and nerve fibers further increased compared to that at postnatal week 2. The staining
pattern of GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the medullas was similar to that at
postnatal week 2. From postnatal week 4 until postnatal week 8, the distribution and
frequency of the immunoreactive chromaffin cells and nerve fibers were also similar to
those at postnatal week 3. These results suggest that the expression of GABA in the
chromaffin cells and in the nerve fibers of the mouse adrenal gland may be completed by
postnatal week 3.
Contact
Dr. Kenji IWASA
Department of Veterinary Anatomy
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Rakuno Gakuen University
Ebetsu, Hokkaido
069-8501 Japan
