Excessive proliferation of epithelium of the rabbit cornea

Zusammenfassung Die Schädigung der Basalmembran durch eine Stichverletzung hat eine Proliferation und Einwanderung von Corneaepithelien zur Folge. Eigenartigerweise sind bei diesem Prozess keine Mitosen nachweisbar, was darauf hinzuweisen scheint, dass Amitosen experimentell verfolgt werden können.

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This research was supported in part by grants from the National Research Council (Canada) and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.     

Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by the three cell types of the rabbit cornea in culture

Summary Rabbit corneal cells were cultivated for 21 days and then exposed to Na₂ ³⁵SO₄, a precursor of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG). All 3 cell types of the cornea, the fibroblasts, the epithelial as well as the endothelial cells, synthesize GAG. The fractionation-patterns of the epithelial and endothelial GAG are almost identical and differ clearly from the one of fibrolastic GAG.Supported by SNSF, grant No. 3.534.71.     

Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by the three cell types of the rabbit cornea in culture.

Rabbit corneal cells were cultivated for 21 days and then exposed to Na235SO4, a precursor of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG). All 3 cell types of the cornea, the fibroblasts, the epithelial as well as the endothelial cells, synthesize GAG. The fractionation-patterns of the epithelial and endotherlial GAG are almost identical and differ clearly from the one of fibroblastic GAG.     

Carbonic anhydrase type II in regenerating retinal pigment epithelium. A histochemical study in the rabbit

Type II carbonic anhydrase (CAII) in the cytoplasm of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may contribute to the transport of water and solutes across the RPE. The activity of this enzyme in RPE during its response to damage, e.g., during regeneration, is therefore of interest in understanding retinal disease. Immuno-histochemistry was used to compare CAII activity of normal RPE and RPE experimentally induced to regenerate. In normal rabbits, the RPE stained intensely with a peroxidase-linked antibody specific for human CAII. Regenerating RPE stained less intensely. Within the regenerating epithelium, staining appeared more intense in mature cells than in immature ones, suggesting that CAII activity gradually returns during RPE regeneration.     

Retention of topical liposomal formulations on the cornea

Summary The ability of liposomes composed of different kinds of phospholipid materials to adhere to the surface of the cornea was studied in the rabbit. The liposomes were labelled with tracer amounts of an I¹²⁵-labelled phosphatidylethanolamine derivative and were instilled in 10 l drops onto the cornea. The retention of radioactivity was monitored. The results show that liposomes containing positively charged phospholipids are better retained than an albumin control. Thus, it may be possible to develop a drug delivery, liposome system which would permit long-term sustained release of ophthalmic drugs onto the cornea.     

Retention of topical liposomal formulations on the cornea

The ability of liposomes composed of different kinds of phospholipid materials to adhere to the surface of the cornea was studied in the rabbit. The liposomes were labelled with tracer amounts of an I125-labelled phosphatidylethanolamine derivative and were instilled in 10 microliters drops onto the cornea. The retention of radioactivity was monitored. The results show that liposomes containing positively charged phospholipids are better retained than an albumin control. Thus, it may be possible to develop a drug delivery liposome system which would permit long-term sustained release of ophthalmic drugs onto the cornea.     

Endothelial nerve fibres in the cornea of the frogRana ridibunda

Summary The ultrastructural study of the frog cornea revealed the existence of intraendothelial nerve fibres. These nerve fibres are unmyelinated elements but surrounded by cytoplasmic lamellae of Schwann cells.Supported by D.C.I.N.P. Grant 78-77.     

Structural and biochemical aspects of keratan sulphate in the cornea

Keratan sulphate (KS) is the predominant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the cornea of the eye, where it exists in proteoglycan (PG) form. KS-PGs have long been thought to play a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of the array of regularly-spaced and uniformly-thin collagen fibrils which make up the corneal stroma. This characteristic arrangement of fibrils allows light to pass through the cornea. Indeed, perturbations to the synthesis of KS-PG core proteins in genetically altered mice lead to structural matrix alterations and corneal opacification. Similarly, mutations in enzymes responsible for the sulphation of KS-GAG chains are causative for the inherited human disease, macular corneal dystrophy, which is manifested clinically by progressive corneal cloudiness starting in young adulthood.     

Development and differentiation of the intestinal epithelium

The gastrointestinal tract develops from a simple tube to a complex organ with patterns of differentiation along four axes of asymmetry. The organ is composed of all three germ layers signaling to each other during development to form the adult structure. The gut epithelium is a constitutively developing tissue, constantly differentiating from a stem cell in a progenitor pool throughout the life of the organism. Signals from the adjacent mesoderm and between epithelial cells are required for normal orderly development/differentiation, homeostasis, and apoptosis. Embryonically important patterning factors are used during adult stages for these processes. Such critical pathways as the hedgehog, bone morphogenetic protein, Notch, Sox, and Wnt systems are used both in embryologic and adult times of gut development. We focus on and review the roles of these factors in gut epithelial cell development and differentiation.Received 18 October 2002; received after revision 18 December 2002; accepted 18 December 2002     

Ovulation and the role of the ovarian surface epithelium

Zusammenfassung Nach der Paarung oder i.v. Injektion von menschlichem Choriongonadotropin nehmen die Lysosomen deutlich an Zahl und an Volumen im Keimepithel über präovulatorischen Follikeln zu. Vor dem Follikelsprung verschwinden die Lysosomen fast vollständig. Gleichzeitig wird das Bindegewebe im apikalen Teil des Follikels aufgesplittert. Die granulosazellen werden dissoziiert und im Kapillarnetz rund um den Follikel wird erhöhte Permeabilität beobachtet. Die Einwirkung von Prostaglandinen und Geschlechtshormonen, inklusive Androgenen, und die Rolle des Keimepithels für die Ovulation werden diskutiert.

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This investigation was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Concil.     

Fine structure of the gut epithelium ofSchistosoma mansoni

Résumé L'épithélium de l'intestin deSchistosoma mansoni est un syncyte de structure pareille dans les 2 sexes. Des lamelles hérissent la surface et de nombreuses invaginations basales en fentes rayent l'épithélium de la paroi basale plasmique. On constate l'existence d'une digestion extracellulaire, ainsi que l'évidence morphologique d'une utilisation des gouttes lipides entières et des micropinosyncytes. Des procès cytoplasmiques du parenchyme s'attachent par des complexions jonctionnelles («junctional complexes») à la base de l'épithélium de l'intestin et mettent en connection les 2 systèmes. La localisation de l'activité de la phosphatase acide dans les lamelles de la paroi intestinale est précisée.