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Immuno-histochemistry and three-dimensional architecture of the intermediate filaments in Purkinje cells in mammalian hearts

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Abstract

In mammalian hearts, Purkinje cells varied greatly in morphological appearance in different species, and were divided into three groups. Bovine Purkinje cells corresponding to group I were a large size, and had a few myofibrils and abundant intermediate filaments throughout the cytoplasm. The aim of the present study was to clarify the more detailed distribution and three-dimensional architecture of intermediate filaments in Purkinje cells. The hearts in various mammals including humans were investigated by both immuno-histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Immuno-histochemical studies demonstrated that sheep Purkinje cells in group I had a great number of intermediate filaments of 10 nm positive for desmin antibody. Purkinje cells in group II (humans, monkeys and dogs) and group III (mice) were somewhat larger or smaller in size than myocardial cells, but also showed a strong positive reaction for desmin antibody. The saponin or NaOH treatment of cardiac tissues in sheep and humans enabled us to view intermediate filaments by SEM three-dimensionally. Intermediate filaments in sheep Purkinje cells formed a considerably delicate network, and were distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In contrast, those in human Purkinje cells were lower in density, and were present around the nucleus and between myofibrils. It was concluded that a delicate network of intermediate filaments in Purkinje cells of mammalian hearts acted as the cytoskeleton to maintain intercellular stability.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are deeply grateful to Dr. Noriaki Ono (Yufu High School) for experimental support. We also wish to thank Miss Aiko Yasuda and Miss Mami Kimoto for experimental assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Oita University, 1-1, Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5591, Japan

    Akira Yoshimura & Naohiko Takahashi

  2. Department of Anatomy and Neuroembryology, Kanazawa University, 13-1, Tnkara-machi, Kanazawa, Kanazawa, 920-0934, Japan

    Takeshi Yamaguchi

  3. Research Promotion Project, Oita University, 1-1, Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5591, Japan

    Hiroaki Kawazato

  4. School of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan

    Tatsuo Shimada

  5. Oita College of Judo Therapy and Acupuncture-Moxibustion, 1-1 Chiyo-machi, Oita, Oita, 870-8658, Japan

    Tatsuo Shimada

Authors
  1. Akira Yoshimura
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  2. Takeshi Yamaguchi
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  3. Hiroaki Kawazato
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  4. Naohiko Takahashi
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  5. Tatsuo Shimada
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Correspondence to Tatsuo Shimada.

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Yoshimura, A., Yamaguchi, T., Kawazato, H. et al. Immuno-histochemistry and three-dimensional architecture of the intermediate filaments in Purkinje cells in mammalian hearts. Med Mol Morphol 47, 233–239 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-014-0069-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-014-0069-9

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