Disclosure in 3D of slit-membrane as well as -strands, and en-face basal lamina in situ of renal glomerulus of normal rats in embedment-free section transmission electron microscopy

With higher contrast and transparency due to the absence of epon and stereo-viewing effect due to thicker sections than conventional electron microscopy as methodological advantages, the renal glomerular slits were re-examined in embedment-free section electron microscopy. In addition to clear demonstration of strands bridging the slits in forms of ladders with highly irregular intervals and various extension-directions and length, this study disclosed clearly for the first time in the "section" TEM thin sheets which partially spanned the slit together with the strand-ladders. No strands were found to align in forms of typical zippers in normal kidney. Furthermore, en-face ultrastructure of the basal lamina in situ was clearly demonstrated in superimposed sites of the endothelial fenestrae with the slits.