Ultrastructural Pathology最新文献

The kidney is rich in mitochondria, and any alterations or damage to tubular cell mitochondria play an important role in renal metabolic activities and the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases. Quantitative analysis of mitochondrial concentration, size, and shape is essential for understanding mitochondrial biology in renal disorders. This study assessed mitochondrial morphometric parameters of the proximal convoluted tubular cell adjacent to the glomerulus in different renal disorders and investigated how they correlated with serum creatinine. A total of 65 kidney biopsy cases received by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) laboratory for diagnosis were included in the study. TEM images of glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixed epoxy-resin embedded 70 nm thick sections were used for the evaluation of (i) minor axis(MinX) (ii) major axis(MajX) (iii) Area, (iv)Perimeter, (v) Aspect ratio and (vi) Roundness of mitochondria in renal tubular cells using QuPath software. Mitochondrial density (MDensity), % of mitochondrial space (MSpace), and mitochondrial surface density (MSDensity) in the cytoplasm of tubular space were estimated for each sample. Serum creatinine showed good negative correlations with MSpace and MSDensity, and elongation of mitochondria was more in renal disorder in comparison to normal histology, which indicated the variation of mitochondrial concentration and shape in proximal tubular cells could be important features in the renal function disorder.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is the deadliest form of leishmaniasis due to its high mortality rate, caused by Leishmania donovani (Ld), a protozoan parasite of the trypanosomatidae family. Malnutrition is considered one of the major risk factors for VL, favoring parasite survival and infection establishment. Retinoic acid (RA) is an essential nutritional component to maintain our normal physiological functions and immunity. Our earlier findings showed direct leishmanicidal activity of RA by inhibiting the ergosterol pathway in the parasite. Thus, the study aims to investigate the effects of RA treatment on the morphology and ultrastructure of the parasite. Promastigotes of Ld parasites were treated with three different concentrations (1, 5, and 10 µg/ml) of RA to analyze RA-induced morphological changes and ultrastructural alterations in the parasite organelles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. SEM analysis demonstrated significant morphological changes in the shape and size of the parasite, possibly inhibiting Ld microvesicles release following RA treatment, which are crucial for the pathogenesis of the parasite. TEM analysis revealed several intracellular structural alterations, particularly in the appearance of mitochondria, nucleus, and kinetoplast, along with the presence of autophagic vacuoles after RA treatment. These findings highlight the direct anti-parasite properties of RA, potentially offering new avenues for advancement in the VL treatment, along with strengthening the host immune response.

Atherosclerosis represents the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease, with the potential to ultimately result in clinically significant complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The objective of our study was to gain a deeper understanding of the independent role of hyperlipidemia in the development of endothelial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage to the arteries, which is a key factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Following a 12-week dietary intervention comprising either a high-energy diet (HED) or a normal diet (ND), fasting plasma glucose and lipid parameters were assessed. The aortas were subjected to histological analysis and Western blotting, while the carotid arteries underwent ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy. HED resulted in a statistically significant elevation in lipid parameters, even in normoglycemic P. obesus. eNOS, phospho-eNOS (Thr 495), and NF-κB p65 protein expression were increased in the aorta of HED-fed P. obesus. Histological examination and ultrastructural analysis of HED-fed P. obesus demonstrated notable vascular remodeling, manifested by segmental arterial wall thickening and the presence of large vacuoles and lipid droplets in endothelial cells. This study provides evidence that hyperlipidemia is a significant contributing factor to endothelial dysfunction and ultrastructural alterations in blood vessels, even in the absence of severe hyperglycemia.

The hepatocytes from 40 Nothobranchius furzeri, a promising model in biogerontology, were subjected to ultrastructural examination to provide a visual guide to the repertoire of hepatocyte alterations recognized in this species. The observed hepatocyte alterations were mostly regressive in nature varying in the level of reversibility. In addition to the frequent occurrence of cytoplasmic deposits of lipids and glycogen, this study highlights the first findings of giant mitochondria with paracrystalline structures in hepatocytes and monocytic cells of the spleen in N. furzeri, which are currently of great interest to human hepatologists. The results presented here show striking similarities to those described in traditional vertebrate models and humans, underlying the usefulness of N. furzeri as a vertebrate model organism.

Telocytes (TCs) are a distinctive cell entity of the stromal microenvironment of multiple tumors; to date, their existence in infantile hemangioma (IH) remains almost unexplored. This study was therefore undertaken to characterize the immunophenotype, location, morphology, and ultrastructure of telocytes in the IH by means of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Telocytes were initially identified by CD34, PDGFR-α, Vimentin, and AQP-1 immunostaining. Analyzing the spatial relationship among telocytes, stem cells, endothelial cells, pericytes in the IH with AQP-1/CD31, AQP-1/Glut-1, AQP-1/α-SMA, AQP-1/CD146 and AQP-1/CD133 double immunofluorescence. TCs were immunonegative for CD31, Glut-1, CD146, α-SMA, CD133, and C-kit in the IH. The ultrastructural examination confirmed the presence of TCs, namely stromal cells with characteristic cytoplasmic processes (i.e. telopodes) forming labyrinthine networks around microvessels and releasing extracellular vesicles. Our study provides evidence that telocytes are present and PDGFR-α and AQP-1 are specific antigenic markers in the IH.

Amiodarone hydrochloride is an antiarrhythmic agent that is widely prescribed. However, it has serious side effects that approximately affect the whole body organs. In our study, we aimed to assess the possible effects of chronic administration of two different doses of amiodarone hydrochloride on the oxidative and inflammatory parameters as well as the histological morphology and ultrastructure of the seminiferous tubules of adult male albino rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups; Control group 1: each rat did not receive any drugs at all. Control group 2: each rat received 3 ml of 0.16% methylcellulose, orally and daily for 4 weeks. Low dose amiodarone group: each rat received 3 ml of 0.16% methylcellulose contained 3.6 mg amiodarone, orally and daily for 4 weeks. High dose amiodarone group: each rat received 3 ml of 0.16% methylcellulose contained 7.2 mg amiodarone, orally and daily for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected for measuring serum levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Testes specimens were examined to assess the morphological changes and the level of expression of caspase-3 apoptotic marker. The results indicated that; amiodarone hydrochloride could induce a dose-dependent toxicity, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular degeneration, deposition of collagen and enhanced apoptosis in the seminiferous tubules.

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a commonly used compound for the induction of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in animal models, but its effects on non-pancreatic tissues like the lungs are not well understood. This study aimed to examine the histopathological impact of STZ on the lungs using male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into two groups: a control group on a normal diet and an STZ-treated group receiving a high-fat diet and 10% sucrose water for 8 weeks, followed by an STZ injection (30 mg/kg body weight). All rats were terminated 9 days after STZ administration, and lung samples were collected for light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Light microscopy revealed thickening of alveolar septa, narrowing of alveoli, and inflammatory infiltrates in the STZ group. TEM showed mitochondrial damage in type 2 pneumocytes, including membrane fragmentation, cristae loss, and formation of mitochondrial-derived vesicles. Confocal microscopy revealed significantly higher expression of myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, and citrullinated histone 3 in the STZ group compared to controls. These findings suggest that STZ induces considerable lung damage, emphasizing the need to consider lung toxicity in studies involving STZ.

This study was performed to: detect the histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical alterations that may occur in the testes of adult rats in induced hypothyroidism. And to investigate which one, ozone or MSCs-MVs have better therapeutic effect on testicular changes after hypothyroidism. Eighty-four male adult rats were separated into: control group, hypothyroidism group: rats will be given carbimazole for 30 days, ozone group: rats treated as hypothyroidism group then will be injected with ozone intraperitoneal for 7 days. MSC-MVs group: rats treated as hypothyroidism group then will be injected with a single intravenous dose MSC-MVs. Specimens of testes were handled for light, electron microscope, and immunohistochemical of vimentin and S100. Biochemical analysis for; MDA and TNFα; serum testosterone, TSH, T3, and T4 was done, also, sperm count and morphology assay. Morphometric and statistical analysis were performed. Hypothyroidism group showed disorganized seminiferous tubules. A noticeable gap was between the basement membrane and the germinal epithelium. Wide interstitium had congested vessels and acidophilic homogenous material. Vacuolated germinal epithelium and few germ cells had dark nuclei with noticeable separation of between the basement membrane and the germinal epithelium. Ozone and MSCs-MVs induced improvement in all the previous parameters and restoration of spermatogenesis. In Conclusion MSCs-MVs has better ameliorative effect than ozone on hypothyroidism-exposed testes.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation that is becoming of increasing incidence worldwide and has insufficient treatment. Therefore, finding effective therapies remains a priority. A dextran sodium sulfate colitis model was established to elucidate colonic layers alterations and compare adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MSC-MVs) versus infliximab (IFX) efficacy through biochemical, light, and electron microscope studies. Fifty-four rats were allocated to 4 groups: Control (Con), UC, UC+IFX, and UC+MSC-MVs groups. End body weights (BW) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were recorded. Colitis severity was estimated by disease activity index (DAI). Colonic specimens were processed to evaluate the histological structure, collagen content, surface mucous and goblet cells, CD44, TNF-α, and GFAP immune expression. Morphometric and statistical analyses were performed. The UC group revealed congested, stenosed colons, a significant decline in end BW, and a significant increase in serum MDA and DAI. Furthermore, disturbed histoarchitecture, inflammatory infiltration, depletion of surface mucous and goblet cells, increased collagen, and TNF-α expression and decreased GFAP expression were observed. Alterations were partially attenuated by IFX therapy, whereas MSC-MVs significantly improved all parameters. In conclusion, MSC-MVs were a superior therapeutic option, via attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory infiltration, in addition to restoring intestinal epithelial integrity and mucosal barrier.

Electron microscopy (EM) is an important complementary tool in biopsy diagnosis of kidney disease. However, EM is a costly technique and not universally available. In order to understand nephrologists' perspectives on EM, a survey among Flemish nephrologists was conducted. The survey explores nephrologists' knowledge and satisfaction with EM, the barriers in its use, and its role in decision-making.A questionnaire was sent out to Dutch-speaking nephrologists in Belgium (Flanders) via the professional organization NBVN (Nederlandstalige Belgische Vereniging voor Nefrologie).The average satisfaction of EM accessibility in nephrologists, was 4.0 on a scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). The main barrier in ordering EM appeared to be the long turnaround time, indicated by 32.5% of nephrologists. The reports were found mostly understandable by 61.0% of the nephrologists. The impact of EM on diagnosis of kidney disease was estimated higher than its impact on the treatment: 24.4% of respondents estimated diagnosis changes in less than 5% of cases, versus 68.3% estimated treatment changes in less than 5% of cases.This study provides key insights into nephrologists' perception on EM services, revealing high overall satisfaction. However, there is potential for improvement, especially regarding turnaround times.