Possible roles of extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton in leech body wall muscles

Round circomyarian fibres of leeches are peculiar helical muscles. The fibres are characterized by a lack of junctions, being separated by a thick extracellular matrix, and by scarce end-plates. Even so, the fibres grouped in units show the same degree of contraction. Biochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed in order: (a) to demonstrate the presence in the extracellular matrix of fibronectin, collagen type IV and laminin and in the cytoskeleton of desmin and α-actinin; (b) to show the possible link of extracellular matrix with the scaffold of intermediate filaments; (c) to evaluate how the extracellular matrix can play a role in the transduction of a signal during contraction–relaxation–superelongation phases.     

Application of freeze-etch replication for the observation of the cell-extracellular matrix interface of cultured cells

In order to investigate the ultrastructural three-dimensional relationship between extracellular matrices (ECM) and the plasma membranes of cultured cells, a freeze-etch replica method was devised. Bovine corneal endothelial cells were cultured on a Collodion film which covered a hole punched in a plastic coverslip, and were quickly frozen with a slammer with their basal surface facing a liquid nitrogen-cooled copper block. The cells were placed upside-down in a Balzers freeze-fracture machine and freeze-etched, and then platinum-carbon replicas were obtained. The structure of the ECM-plasma membrane interface was observed successfully and so this technique provides a new approach for investigating the ECM-plasma membrane (matrix-receptor) relationship.     

Ultrastructure and composition of the cell surfaces of infection structures formed by the fungal plant pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

A variety of microscopical techniques and molecular probes have been used to study the ultrastructure and composition of the cell surfaces of the conidia (i.e. spores) and infection structures produced by the hemibiotrophic fungal plant pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. The fungal conidium germinates to produce a germ-tube, the tip of which swells to produce a domed, melanized appressorium which adheres firmly to the plant surface. Penetration of the cuticle and cell wall is followed by the development of a biotrophic intracellular hypha, which is surrounded by an invagination of the host plasma membrane. Freeze-substitution of C. lindemuthianum germlings showed that conidia are coated with a dense layer of fibrillar material. This 'spore coat' contains irregularly shaped pores, giving it a reticular appearance. Negative staining of germlings revealed the presence of numerous long, flexuous fibres or fimbriae, protruding from the surfaces of germ-tubes and appressoria. Colloidal gold was used to visualize fungal extracellular proteins. The colloidal gold stained a fibrillar sheath around germ-tubes, whereas appressoria were surrounded by a halo, comprising an inner unstained region and a stained perimeter. The carbohydrate composition of the cell surfaces of the conidia and infection structures was studied by labelling cells with rhodamine- and fluorescein-conjugated lectins. The results showed that the extracellular matrices of germ-tubes and appressoria are very similar in composition, but differ from those of conidia and intracellular hyphae. Monoclonal antibodies have been prepared to germlings and infection structures of C. lindemuthianum and their use has provided further evidence that the extracellular matrices around germ-tubes and appressoria have several glycoproteins in common. The results also show that the cell surface of C. lindemuthianum becomes specialized during biotrophic development inside host cells.     

Alteration of cartilage matrix morphology with histological processing

An interlacunar network in the extracellular matrix of femoral head articular cartilage of neontal rats was seen by light microscopy to: (1) consist of elements, 0·5 μm thick, which occurred as individual elements, as bundles of elements, and as fused elements, (2) stain intensely with toluidine blue, methylene blue, and safranin O, and (3) connect chondrocytes by inserting on the chondrocyte capsules which were composed of morphologically and cytochemically similar material. By electron microscopy, the single elements were seen to be composed of thicker, denser staining areas of the honeycomb appearing matrix and the fused elements appeared as non-membrane bound channels containing granular material. Articular cartilage was processed using combinations of fixatives, dehydrating agents, and embedding media. Regardless of fixation, demineralization, or embedding, the network was not seen after dehydration of the cartilage with methanol, ethanol, acetone or tert-butanol but was seen after dehydration with aqueous solutions of glycol methacrylate, propylene oxide, 2-propanol or 2,2-dimethoxypropane. Network visualization following a variety of methods demonstrated that no single fixative, dehydrating agent, or embedding medium caused its formation. The presence of the network in different cartilage zones, its consistent morphology by light and electron microscopy, the uniformity of the elements in their connection with the chondrocytes, and presence in fresh-frozen sections suggest the network may be real, but rigorous evidence for its existence in vivo is still required. Since cartilage morphology was altered by histological methods, especially dehydration, common methods used in studying connective tissue matrix should be evaluated to determine their effect on matrix morphology.