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Localisations ultrastructurales dans le labyrinthe du placenta de chatte de la phosphatase acide de la thiamine pyrophosphatase et de la coloration par l'acide phosphotungstique à bas pH

Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activities and of phosphotungstic staining at low pH in the placental labyrinth of the cat

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Summary

The localizations of acid phosphatase (ACPase) and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activities were studied in the placental labyrinth of the cat during the last days of gestation. ACPase activities were observed essentially in the syncytiotrophoblast and in the “interstitial inert substance” (S.I.I.) that separates maternal from foetal tissues. Reaction product was localized in lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, and in the network of smoothmembraned tubules which open on the cell surface of the syncytiotrophoblast facing the S.I.I. The S.I.I. exhibit a strong activity, probably of syncytiotrophoblastic origin.

TPPase activities were found in the syncytiotrophoblast, rarely in the Golgi apparatus but always in the lumen of the network of smooth-membrande tubules. The S.I.I. shows a moderate activity. These TPPase positive tubules being frequently observed very close to the Golgi cisternae, it is proposed that they arise from the Golgi complex and convey phosphatases to the S.I.I.

After phosphotungstic acid staining at low pH, luminal surface coat of maternal endothelium is always strongly and continuously visualized, while the plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast facing the S.I.I. is never stained. Staining is intense in the lumen of tubules, and continuous with the stain of the S.I.I.

ACPase activity of the S.I.I. could be implicated in enzymatic degradation of maternal molecules during their transfer from maternal to foetal blood. The S.I.I. may correspond to the immunological buffer zone at the interface between maternal and foetal tissues.

Résumé

Les localisations de la phosphatase acide (ACPase) et de la thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) ont été recherchées dans le labyrinthe du placenta de chatte, durant les derniers jours de la gestation. L'ACPase est essentielement localisée au niveau du syncytiotrophoblaste, et dans la ≪substance inerte interstitielle≫ (S.I.I.) qui sépare les tissus foetaux des tissus maternels. La présence du produit de réaction, dans la lumière du système tubulaire lisse du syncytiotrophoblaste communicant avec la S.I.I., semble indiquer une origine syncytiotrophoblastique de l'activité ACPase de la S.I.I.

L'activité TPPase se manifeste dans le syncytiotrophoblaste, rarement dans la Golgi mais toujours dans la lumière du système tubulaire. La présence de ces tubules TPPase positifs à la proximité de l'appareil de Golgi, semble indiquer une origine golgienne de ces structures qui pourraient véhiculer les phosphatases vers la S.I.I.

Après action de l'acide phosphotungstique à bas pH, le ≪cell coat≫ de la face hémale de l'endothélium maternel est toujours bien visualisé, par contre la surface du syncytiotrophoblaste baignée par la S.I.I. n'est jamais marquée. Le dépôt intense de la lumière des tubules est en continuité avec celui de la S.I.I.

L'activité ACPase de la S.I.I. doit permettre la dégradation de molécules maternelles durant leur transfert vers le sang foetal. La S.I.I. semble correspondre physiologiquement à la zone tampon immunitaire de l'interface des tissus maternels et foetaux.

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  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Université de Poitiers, 40 Avenue du Recteur Pineau, F-86022, Poitiers, France

    André Malassiné

  2. Service Géneral de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie, Université de Poitiers, France

    André Malassiné

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Malassiné, A. Localisations ultrastructurales dans le labyrinthe du placenta de chatte de la phosphatase acide de la thiamine pyrophosphatase et de la coloration par l'acide phosphotungstique à bas pH. Histochemistry 47, 191–205 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00489962

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