Summary
The stroma of duodenal villi of rats was studied by light- and electron microscopy. Fibroblasts are rather evenly distributed within the villus. Their branched processes embrace all blood vessels, the lacteal and the bundles of smooth muscle cells. They are connected to each other and to smooth muscle cells by “close contacts”. Unmyelinated axons are found close to the fibroblasts where they may show synapse-like formations.
The fibroblasts within intestinal villi contain many dilated cisterns of rER similar to normal fibroblasts. In contrast to the latter, there are many aggregated, contractile filaments, being situated mainly below the plasma membrane and within the processes. It is suggested that fibroblasts representing a 3-dimensional contractile network may be activated by smooth muscle cells and/or by innervation. So, they seem to be involved in the diminution of the vascular and stromal spaces within the villus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Becker, C. G.: Demonstration of actomyosin in mesangial cells of the renal glomerulus. Amer. J. Path. 66, 97–110 (1972).
Bernfield, M. R., Wessels, N. K.: Intra- and extracellular control of epithelial morphogenesis. Develop. Biol., Suppl. 4, 195–249 (1970).
Bülbring, E., Burnstock, G., Holman, M. E.: Excitation and conduction in the smooth muscle of the isolated taenia coli of the Guinea pig. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 142, 420–437 (1958).
Chrocker, D. J., Murad, T. M., Geer, J. C.: Role of the pericyte in wound healing (an ultrastructural study). Exp. molec. Path. 13, 51–65 (1970).
Cliff, W. J.: Observations on healing tissue. A combined light and electron microscopic investigation. Phil. Trans. B 246, 305–325 (1963).
Deane, H. W.: Some electron microscopic observations on the lamina propria of the gut, with comments on the close association of macrophages, plasma cells, and eosinophiles. Anat. Rec. 149, 453–474 (1964).
Dewey, M. M., Barr, L.: Intercellular connections between smooth muscle cells: The nexus. Science 137, 6 (1962).
Gabbiani, G., Majno, G.: Dupuytren's contracture: fibroblast contraction? An ultrastructural study. Amer. J. Path. 66, 131–146 (1972).
Güldner, F.-H., Wolff, J. R.: Distribution of contractile elements and porous segments of capillaries within duodenal villi (rat). 6th Europ. Conf. Microcirculation, Aalborg 1970, 420–424 (1971). Karger (Basel).
Hirschel, B. J., Gabbiani, G., Ryan, G. B., Majno, G.: Fibroblasts of granulation tissue: Immunofluorescent staining with anti smooth muscle serum. Exper. Biol. Med. 138, 466–530 (1971).
Kanno, Y., Loewenstein, W. R.: Low resistance coupling between gland cells. Some observations on intercellular contact membranes and intercellular space. Nature (Lond.) 20, 194–197 (1964).
Karrer, H. E.: Electron microscopy study of developing chick embryo aorta. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 4, 420–454 (1966).
Keyserlingk, D. Graf: Kontraktilität und Ultrastruktur glycerinextrahierter Fibroblasten aus der Gewebekultur. Protoplasma (Wien) 67, 391–406 (1969).
Keyserlingk, D. Graf: Über die Bedeutung des intracellulären, kontraktilen Systems für die Lokomotion der Fibroblasten. Cytobiologie 3, 259–272 (1970).
Keyserlingk, D. Graf: Ultrastruktur glycerinextrahierter Dünndarmmuskelzellen der Ratte vor und nach Kontraktion. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 559–571 (1970).
Lane, B. P., Rhodin, A. G.: Cellular interrelationships and electrical activity in two types of smooth muscle. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 470–488 (1964).
Majno, G., Gabbiani, G., Hirschel, B. J., Ryan, G. B., Statkov, P. R.: Contraction of granulation tissue in vitro: Similarity with smooth muscle. Science 173, 548–549 (1971).
Martinez-Palomo, A.: The surface coats of animal cells. Int. Rev. Cytol. 29, 29–75 (1970).
McNutt, N. S., Weinstein, R. S.: The ultrastructure of the nexus. A correlated thin-section and freeze-cleave study. J. Cell Biol. 47, 666–688 (1970).
Palay, S. L., Karlin, L. J.: An electron microscopic study of the intestinal villus. I. The fasting animal. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 5, 363–371 (1959).
Peters, A.: Plasma membrane contacts in the central nervous system. J. Anat. (Lond.) 96, 237–248 (1962).
Pitha, J.: The fine structure of clear fibroblast-like cells in the lamina propria of the small intestine. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 22, 231–239 (1968).
Stensaas, L. J., Stensaas, S. S.: Light and electron microscopy of motoneurons and neuropile in the amphibian spinal cord. Brain Res. 31, 67–84 (1971).
Zamboni, L., Martino, C. de: A re-evaluation of the “mesangial” cells. Z. Zellforsch. 86, 364–383 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Güldner, FH., Wolff, J.R. & Keyserlingk, D.G. Fibroblasts as a part of the contractile system in duodenal villi of rat. Z.Zellforsch 135, 349–360 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307181
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307181