ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Alcian blue
;
Basement membrane
;
Lamina densa
;
Meshwork
;
Submandibular gland
;
Ultrastructure
;
Rat (Wistar-Imamichi)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The ultrastructure of the epithelial basement membrane and membrane precursor was studied in rat submandibular rudiment and a model system of the reconstructed basement membrane, by transmission electron microscopy following alcian blue staining. Directly beneath the epithelial plasma membrane, a meshwork layer was found to consist of anastomosing thin fibers arranged as a three-dimensional meshwork (100–400 nm in thickness). Straight strands (5–10 nm in diameter) could sometimes be seen to pass through the meshwork. Adjacent to this layer, a coarse network composed of threads (20–40 nm in diameter) connected the meshwork layer with collagen fibers of the underlying connective tissue. The earliest precursors recognized in the reconstruction-model system were part of the fine-meshwork structure, and showed this structure to be a fundamental component of the basement membrane.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00318791
