Summary
The main purpose of this paper was to investigate with the electron microscope the structural relationship between the fat cell and the surrounding connective tissue under various functional conditions and thereby to solve questions not decided in the past which concern the “membrane” of the fat-cell. Outside the well defined plasma membrane two layers were observed, one of lesser electron density next to the plasma membrane and another denser line which separates the former from the connective tissue ground substance. Fundamentally this three-layered “surface membrane complex” (Robertson) is the same as described by numerous authors in other cells bordering on connective tissue. However, the changes occurring in the surface membrane complex during depletion of fat cells are of special interest. The numerous long processes formed by the cell during the loss of fat in starvation are retracted in extreme depletion. At this time a pericellular space opens between the outer lamella and the plasma membrane. While the less dense material apparently becomes liquified the outer lamella of the surface membrane complex remains in contact with the connective tissue ground substance. These observations made it possible to interpret the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell as consisting, beside the plasma membrane, of a material derived from the ground substance, which is analogous to Robertson's “gap substance” at the surface of the Schwann cell, and of a “limiting membrane” toward the ground substance. The nature and possible derivation of the extracellular layers are discussed and the general functional significance of the surface membrane complex is emphasized. These considerations support the repeatedly raised objection against the use of the histological term basement membrane for the submicroscopic structures. During the depletion of the fat cell intensive micropinocytosis occurs regularly in the plasma membrane. It is suggested that the pinching off of numerous pockets may effect the elimination of membrane material in conjunction with the decrease in the surface area which has been found to take place in extreme depletion of the fat cell.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnett, C., and E. G. Ball: Morphological and metabolic changes produced in rat adipose tissue by insulin. Science 129, 1282 (1959).
Bennett, Stanley H.: The concept of membrane flow and membrane vesiculation for active transport of ion pumping. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, Suppl., 99–103 (1956).
Bergstrand, A., and H. C. Bucht: Anatomy of the glomerulus as observed in biopsy material. from young and healthy human subjects. Z. Zellforsch. 48, 51–73 (1958).
Chase, W. H.: Fine structure of rat adipose tissue. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 2, 283–287 (1959a).
Chase, W. H.: Structure of basement membrane of fat cells. A.M.A. Arch. Path. 67, 550–557 (1959b).
Ciquoine, Duncan A.: The identification and electron microscopy of myoepithelial cells in the Harderian gland. Anat. Rec. 132, 569–583 (1958).
Cremer, E.: Veränderungen im Fett-, Wasser- und Trockensubstanzgehalt im Fettgewebe von Ratten unter verschiedenen Ernährungsbedingungen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 192, 573–585 (1939).
Ekholm, R., and F. S. Sjöstrand: The ultrastructural organization of the mouse thyroid gland. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 1, 178–199 (1957).
Elfoin, L. G.: The ultrastructure of the unmyelinated fibers in the splenic nerve of the cat. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 1, 428–454 (1958).
Gersh, Isidore, and B. Hubert: The organization of ground substance and basement membrane and its significance in tissue injury, disease and growth. Amer. J. Anat. 85, 457–522 (1949).
Gropp, A., and H. R. Hellweg: Cytologische und enzymchemische Untersuchungen über die Zelloberfläche an in vitro gezüchteten Zellen. Z. Zellforsch. 50, 315–331 (1959).
Karrer, H. S.: The fine structure of connective tissue in the tunica propria of bronchioles. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 2, 98–121 (1959).
Laubinger, W.: Über den systemartigen Zusammenhang der Gitterfasern in den Fettorganen und seine funktionelle Bedeutung. Morph. Jb. 81, 230–244 (1938).
Lever, Jefey D.: The fine structure of brown adipose tissue in the rat with observations on the cytological changes following starvation and adrenalectomy. Anat. Rec. 128, 361–372 (1957).
Levi, G., and G. C. Dogliotti: La struttura delle cellule adipose. R. C. Acad. Naz. Lincei, IX. ser., 6a fasc. 11, 946–949 (1929).
Meessen, H.: Die submikroskopische Morphologie des Herzmuskels. In: Struktur und Stoffwechsel des Herzmuskels, S. 1–21. I. Symposium an der Med. Universitäs-Klinik Münster (Westf.). Stuttgart: Georg Thieme 1959.
Miller, Jeanne E., and L. Herbert Eastlick: Studies on the transplanted embryonic limbs of the chick. IV. The cytology of the “adipose tissue”. Trans. Amer. Microscopical Soc. 71, 1–19 (1952).
Moore, D. H., and H. Ruska: Electron microscope study of mammalian cardiac muscle cells. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 261–268 (1957).
Niessing, Klaus, u. Heinz Rollhaeuser: Über den submicroscopischen Bau des Grundhäutchens der Hirnkapillaren. Z. Zellforsch. 39, 431–446 (1954).
Ödland, Georg F.: The fine structure of the interrelationships of cells in the human epidermis. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 529–538 (1958).
Odor, Louise D.: Uptake and transfer of particulate matter from the peritoneal cavity of the rat. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, Suppl., 105–108 (1956).
Ottoson, D., F. Sjöstrand, S. Steström and G. Svaetichin: Microelectrode studies on the E.M.T. of the frog skin related to electron microscopy of the dermo-epithelial junction. Acta physiol. scand. 29, Suppl. 106, 611–624 (1953).
Palade, George E.: The endoplasmic reticulum. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, Suppl., 85–98 (1956).
Pease, Daniel C.: Electron microscopy of the vascular bed of the kidney cortex. Anat. Rec. 121, 701–721 (1955).
Robertson, David J.: Some features of ultrastructure of reptilian skeletal muscle. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, 369–380 (1956).
Robertson, David J.: Structural alterations in nerve fibers produces by hypotonic and hypertonic solutions. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 349–364 (1958).
Rollhaeuser, H., and W. Vogell: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen über die aktive Stoffausscheidung in der Niere. Z. Zellforsch. 47, 53–76 (1957).
Roth, L. E.: Electron microscopy of pinocytosis and food vacuoles in Pelomyxa. J. Protozoology 7, 176–185 (1960).
Selby, Cecily C.: An electron microscopic study of the epidermis of mammalian skin in thin sections. I. Dermo-epidermal junction and basal cell layer. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 429–444 (1955).
Wassermann, F.: Die Fettorgane des Menschen. Entwicklung, Bau und systematische Stellung des sogenannten Fettgewebes. Z. Zellforsch. 3, 235–328 (1926).
Wassermann, F.: Über Speicherung, Entspeicherung und Wiederspeicherung der Fettorgane. Anat. Anz. 67, Erg.-Heft, 181–194 (1929).
Wassermann, F.: Die histologischen Grundlagen der Fettspeicherung. Z. Kreisl.-Forsch. 23, 625–687 (1931).
Wassermann, F.: Experimenteller Nachweis der Membran der Fettzelle und der Bedeutung der Fettorgane als Wasserspeicher. Z. Zellforsch. 26, 115–145 (1937).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wassermann, F., McDonald, T.F. Electron microscopic investigation of the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell and of their changes during depletion of the cell. Z. Zellforsch. 52, 778–800 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336627
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336627