Ultrastructural Studies and Transendothelial Resistance of Phosgene- Exposed Endothelial Cells
Abstract
Sheep pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were grown on Millicell CM(TM) inserts pretreated with type IV collagen. Using these inserts we successfully produced contiguous sheets of cells that mimic in vivo organization of endothelial tissues. Ultrastructural details, obtained by transmission electron microscopy showed that the plasmalemma of adjacent cells were partially joined by tight junctions and overlapping end processes. They were also joined by compressed basal lamina which lined the dorsoventral surfaces of apposing cells. In control populations, the basal lamina were uniform in dimension (0.1 to 0.35 um) along their entire length and were filled with compressed extracellular matrix materials. Transendothelial resistance of these contiguous endothelial populations was low and averaged only 6.77 + / - 0. 14 ohms per CM2. Exposure to phosgene (137 ppm x 20 min) tore the basal lamina apart and produced large paracellular leakage paths. Doses as high as 561 ppm x 20 min. had no obvious effects on other ultrastructural details and did not decrease cell viability but did produce a 23% decrease in transendothelial resistance. We conclude that phosgene's effects on the basal lamina of PAEC may be linked by f-actin lesions to increased permeability and to cytoskeletal-membrane interactions that control normal barrier function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADP008874
Entities
People
- J. S. Madren-whalley
- R. J. Werrlein
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense