Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat

IV. Interendothelial junctions of cerebral blood vessels from selected areas of the brain

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Interendothelial membrane contacts in different segments of brain blood vessels were investigated by the freeze-etching technique. The study demonstrated that the endothelial cells of the pre-and postcapillary segments were coupled by elaborate zonulae occludentes. These tight junction formations encompassed gap junctions of different sizes and distribution. The globules of the pre-and postcapillary tight junctions revealed a great fragility which led to an atypical distribution of the sealing elements. In the “typical” brain capillaries the endothelial cells were connected by continuous tight junctions. In contrast to the structural continuity of these formations the fenestrated segments of capillaries in the choroid plexus and area postrema demonstrated discontinuous fasciae occludentes. They were composed of rows of individual particles which should be regarded primarily as focal in nature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bennett, H.S., Luft, J.H., Hampton, J.C.: Morphological classifications of vertebrate blood capillaries. Amer. J. Physiol. 196, 381–390 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Breemen, V.L. van, Clemente, C.D.: Silver deposition in the central nervous system and the hematoencephalic barrier studied with the electron microscope. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 161–166 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brightman, M.W.: The distribution within the brain of ferritin injected into cerebrospinal fluid compartments. II. Parenchymal distribution. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 193–219 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brightman, M.W.: The intracerebral movement of proteins injected into blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Progr. Brain Res. 29, 19–40 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brightman, M.W., Reese, T.S.: Junctions between intimately apposed cell membranes in the vertebrate brain. J. Cell Biol. 40, 648–477 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Claude, P., Goodenough, D.A.: Fracture faces of zonulae occludentes from “tight” and “leaky” epithelia. J. Cell Biol. 58, 390–400 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clementi, F., Palade, G.E.: Intestinal capillaries. I. Permeability to peroxidase and ferritin. J. Cell Biol. 41, 33–58 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, C.J., Mercer, K.L.: Freeze-fracture appearance of the capillary endothelium in the cerebral cortex of mouse brain. Amer. J. Anat. 140, 595–598 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crone, C., Thompson, A.M.: Permeability of brain capillaries. In: Capillary permeability (eds. Crone, C., Lassen, N.A.), p. 447–453. Copenhagen: Munksgaard 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Davson, H.: The blood-brain barrier. In: The structure and function of nervous tissue (ed. Bourne, G.H.), vol. 4, p. 321–446. New York-London: Academic Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey, E.W., Wislocki, G.B.: An electron microscopic study of the blood-brain barrier in the rat, employing silver nitrate as a vital stain. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 245–256 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dermietzel, R.: Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat. I. Membrane fusion in central myelin. Cell Tiss. Res. 148, 565–576 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dermietzel, R.: Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat. II. A contribution to the tertiary structure of axonal-glial junctions in the paranodal region of the node of Ranvier. Cell Tiss. Res. 148, 577–586 (1974b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dermietzel, R.: Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat. III. Gap junctions and membrane-associated orthogonal particle complexes (MOPC) in astrocytic membranes. Cell Tiss. Res. 149, 121–135 (1974c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dermietzel, R., Venjakob, K.: Das Gefrierätzbild des Epithels des Ductus deferens unter besonderer Berücksichtigung epithelialer Zellkontakte. Verh. Anat. Ges. (Lausanne) 68, 219–229 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobbing, J.: The blood-brain barrier. Physiol. Rev. 41, 130–188 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dohrmann, G.J.: The choroid plexus: a historical review. Brain Res. 18, 197–218 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Donahue, S.: A relationship between fine structure and function of blood vessels in the central nervous system of rabbit fetuses. Amer. J. Anat. 115, 17–26 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Donahue, S., Pappas, D.G.: The fine structure of capillaries in the central cortex of the rat at various stages of development. Amer. J. Anat. 108, 331–347 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dretzki, J.: Licht-und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zum Problem der Blut-Hirn-Schranke zirkumventrikulärer Organe der Ratte nach Behandlung mit Myofer. Z. Anat. Entwickl.Gesch. 134, 278–297 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, M.G., Hartmann, J.F.: Electron microscopy of cerebral capillaries. Anat. Rec. 124, 288–289 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feder, N.: Microperoxidase; an ultrastructure tracer of low molecular weight. J. Cell Biol. 51, 339–343 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenstermacher, J.D., Johnson, J.A.: Filtration and reflection coefficients of the rabbit blood-brain barrier. Amer. J. Physiol. 211, 341–346 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Florey, L., Sheppard, B.L.: The permeability of arterial endothelium to horseradish peroxidase. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 174, 435–443 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friend, D.S., Gilula, N.B.: Variations in tight and gap junctions in mammalian tissues. J. Cell Biol. 53, 758–776 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grotte, G.: Passage of dextran molecules across the blood-lymph barrier. Acta chir. scand. 211 (Suppl.) 1–84 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, H.: Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde zur Feinstruktur der Hirngefäße und der perivaskulären Räume im Säugetiergehirn. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis des morphologischen Substrats der sogenannten Blut-Hirn-Schranke. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 1, 9–33 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, J.F.: Electron microscopy of the neurohypophysis in normal and histamin-treated rats. Z. Zellforsch. 48, 291–308 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüttner, I, Boutet, M., More, R.H.: Gap junctions in arterial endothelium. J. Cell Biol. 57, 247–252 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüttner, I, Boutet, M., More, R.H.: Studies on protein passage through arterial endothelium. I. Structural correlates of permeability in rat arterial endothelium. Lab. Invest. 28, 672–677 (1973b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüttner, I, Boutet, M., More, R.H.: Studies on protein passage through arterial endothelium. II. Regional differences in permeability to fine structural protein tracers in arterial endothelium of normotensive rat. Lab. Invest. 28, 678–685 (1973c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky, M.J.: The ultrastructural basis of capillary permeability studied with peroxidase as a tracer. J. Cell Biol. 35, 213–236 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Landis, E.M., Pappenheimer, J.R.: Exchange of substances through the capillary walls. In: Handbook of Physiology. Circulation, vol. II, (eds. Hamilton W.F., Dow, P.), p. 961–1098. Washington D.C.: American Physiology Society 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo, A.V., Shirahige, I., Liang, M., Barlow, C.F.: Temporary alteration of cerebrovascular permeability to plasma protein during drug induced seizures. Amer. J. Physiol. 223, 268–277 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J.H.: Capillary permeability. In: The inflammatory process. 2nd ed., vol. II (eds. Zweifach, B.W., Grant, L., McCluskey, R.T.), p. 47–93. New York: Academic Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Majno, G., Shea, S.M., Leventhal, M.J.: Endothelial contraction induced by histamine-type mediators. J. Cell Biol. 42, 647–672 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayerson, H.S., Wolfram, C.G., Shirley, H.H., Wasserman, K.: Regional differences in capillary permeability. Amer. J. Physiol. 198, 155–160 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maynard, E.A., Schultz, R.L., Pease, D.C.: Electron microscopy of the vascular bed of rat cerebral cortex. Amer. J. Anat. 100, 409–434 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • McNutt, N.S., Weinstein, R.S.: The ultrastructure of the nexus. A correlated thin-section and freezecleaved study. J. Cell Biol. 47, 666–688 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • McNutt, N.S., Weinstein, R.S.: Membrane ultrastructure at mammalian intercellular junctions. Progr. biophys. molec. Biol. 26, 45–101 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Milloning, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Physics 32, 1637 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moor, H.: Recent progress in the freeze-etching technique. Phil. Trans. B 261, 121–131 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moor, H., Mühlethaler, K.: Fine structure in frozen-etched yeast cells. J. Cell Biol. 17, 609–628 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Muir, A.R., Peters, A.: Quintuple-layered membrane junctions at terminal bars between endothelial cells. J. Cell Biol. 12, 443–448 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Palade, G.E., Bruns, R.R.: Structural modulations of plasmalemmal vesicles. J. Cell Biol. 37, 633–649 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A.: Plasma membrane contacts in the central nervous system. J. Anat. (Lond.) 96, 237–248 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Quadbeck, G., Helmchen, H.: Die Blut-Hirn-Schranke. Dtsch. med. Wschr. 82, 1377–1382 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, S.I., Hori, M., Klatzko, I.: Testing a hypothesis for osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier. Amer. J. Physiol. 223, 323–331 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reese, T.S., Karnovsky, M.J.: Fine structural localisation of a blood-brain barrier to exogenous peroxidase. J. Cell Biol. 34, 210–217 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Revel, J.P., Karnovsky, M.J.: Hexagonal array of subunits in intercellular junctions of the mouse heart and liver. J. Cell Biol. 33, C 7 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodin, J.A.G.: Ultrastructure of mammalian arteriols and precapillary sphincters. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 18, 181–223 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Röhlich, P., Olah, I.J.: Cross striated fibrils in the endothelium of the rat myometrial arterioles. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 18, 667–676 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneeberger, E.E., Karnovsky, M.J.: The ultrastructural basis of alveolar capillary membrane permeability to peroxidase used as a tracer. J. Cell Biol. 37, 781–793 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, S.M., Benditt, E.P.: Studies on aortic intima. I. Structure and permeability of rat thoracic aortic intima. Amer. J. Path. 66, 241–265 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Simionescu, N., Simionescu, M., Palade, G.E.: Permeability of intestinal capillaries. Pathway followed by dextrans and glycogens. J. Cell Biol 53, 365–392 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Simionescu, N., Simionescu, M., Palade, G.E.: Permeability of muscle capillaries to exogenous myoglobin. J. Cell Biol. 57, 424–452 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Simionescu, N., Simionescu, M., Palade, G.E.: Permeability of muscle capillaries to small hemepeptides. Evidence for the existence of patent transendothelial channels. J. Cell Biol. 64, 586–607 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R.E., Farquhar, M.G.: Preparation of thick sections for cytochemistry and electron microscopy by a non-freezing technique. Nature (Lond.) 200, 691 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spurr, A.R.: A low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 26, 31–43 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Staehelin, L.A.: Further observations on the fine structure of freeze-cleaved tight junctions. J. Cell Sci. 13, 763–786 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Staehelin, L.A.: Structure and function of intercellular junctions. Int. Rev. Cytol. 39, 191–283 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Staehelin, L.A., Mukherjee, T.M., Williams, A.W.: Freeze-etch appearance of the tight junctions in the epithelium of small and large intestine of mice. Protoplasma (Wien) 67, 165–184 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, O., Stein, Y.: An electron microscopic study of the transport of peroxidase in the endothelium of mouse aorta. Z. Zellforsch. 133, 211–222 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigh, B.: Das Paraventrikularorgan und das zirkumventrikuläre System des Gehirns. Stud. biol. hung. Acad. Sci. 10, 1–149 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade, J.B., Karnovsky, M.J.: The structure of the zonula occludens. A single fibril model based on freeze-fracture. J. Cell Biol. 60, 168–180 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wartenberg, H., Hadźiselimović, F., Seguchi, H.: Experimentelle Untersuchungen über die Passage der Blut-Gewebs-Schranke in den zirkumventrikulären Organen des Meerschweinchens. Anat. Anz. Suppl. 130, 345–355 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weindl, A., Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Der Feinbau des Gefäßorgans der Lamina terminalis beim Kaninchen. I. Die Gefäße. Z. Zellforsch. 79, 1–48 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wislocki, G.B., Leduc, E.H.: Vital staining of the hematoencephalic barrier by nitrate and trypan blue, and cytological comparisons of the neurohypophysis, pineal body, area postrema, intercolumnar tubercle, and supraoptic crest. J. comp. Neurol. 96, 371–414 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittkowski, W.: Kapillaren und perikapilläre Räume im Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-System und ihre Beziehungen zum Nervengewebe. Z. Zellforsch. 81, 344–360 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, J.: Beiträge zur Ultrastruktur der Kapillaren in der normalen Großhirnrinde. Z. Zellforsch. 60, 409–431 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yohro, T., Burnstock, G.: Filament bundles and contractility of endothelial cells in coronary arteries. Z. Zellforsch. 138, 85–95 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Topographical Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, Germany

    Rolf Dermietzel

Authors
  1. Rolf Dermietzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This investigation was supported by the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” SFB 114 (Bionach).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dermietzel, R. Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat. Cell Tissue Res. 164, 45–62 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221694

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221694

Key words

Search

Navigation