Abstract
Basal surfaces of the rat corneal epithelium were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The epithelium was dissociated from the underlying stroma by dissolving the basal lamina with NaOH, and its basal surface was observed by SEM. Depressions, produced by the indentations of the plasma membrane, were present on the basal cell surfaces in rats which were 15 and 18 months old. TEM observations clarified that electron-dense deposits, presumably containing calcium, were located in the depressions. These depressions also accompanied the thickened basal lamina.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Cursino, J.W. andFine, B.S.: A histologic study of calcific and non-calcific band keratopathies.Am. J. Ophthalmol. 82, 395–404 (1976).
O'Connor, G.R.: Calcific band keratopathy.Trans. Am. Ophthalmol. Soc. 70, 58–81 (1972).
Friend, J., Ishii, Y. andThoft, R.A.: Corneal epithelial changes in diabetic rats.Opthalmic Res.,14, 269–278 (1982).
Mittl, R., Galin, M.A., Opperman, W., Camerini-Davalos, R.A. andSpiro, D.: Corneal calcification in spontaneously diabetic mice.Invest. Ophthalmol. 9, 137–145 (1970).
Taylor, H.R. andKimsey, R.A.: Corneal epithelial basement membrane changes in diabetes.Invest. Ophthalmol. & Visual Sci. 20, 548–553 (1981).
Alvarado, J., Murphy, C. andJuster, R.: Age-related changes in the basement membrane of the human corneal epithelium.Invest. Ophthalmol. & Visual Sci. 24, 1015–1028 (1983).
Nakayasu, K.: Spontaneously developing subepithelial deposits in SD rat cornea.Acta Soc. Ophthalmol. Jpn. 92, 1021–1028 (1988).
Blumcke, S. andMorgenroth, K., Jr.: The stereo ultrastructure of the external and internal surface of the cornea.J. Ultrastruct. Res. 18, 502–518 (1967).
Hoffmann, F.: The surface of epithelial cells of the cornea under the scanning electron microscope.Ophthalmic Res. 3, 207–214 (1972).
Pfister, R.R.: The normal surface of corneal epithelium: a scanning electron microscopic study.Invest. Ophthalmol. 12, 654–668 (1973).
Inoué, T. andGabella, G.: A vascular network closely linked to the epithelium of the urinary bladder of the rat.Cell Tissue Res. 263, 137–143 (1991).
Takahashi-Iwanaga, H. andFujita, T.: Application of an NaOH maceration method to a scanning electron microscopic observation of Ito cells in the rat liver.Arch. Histol. Jpn. 49, 349–357 (1986).
Inoué, T. andOsatake, H.: A new drying method of biological specimens for scanning electron microscopy: thet-butyl alcohol freeze-drying method.Arch. Histol. Cytol. 51, 53–59 (1988).
Evan, A.P., Dail, W.G., Dammorose, D. andPalmer, C.: Scanning electron microscopy of cell surfaces following removal of extracellular material.Anat. Rec. 185, 433–446 (1976).
Chan-Ling, T.: Sensitivity and neural organization of the cat cornea.Invest. Ophthalmol. & Visual Sci. 30, 1075–1082 (1989).
Uusitalo, H., Krootila, K. andPalkama, A.: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive sensory nerves in the human and guinea pig uvea and cornea.Exp. Eye Res. 48, 467–475 (1989).
Norioka, M.: Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerves and their coexistence with acetylcholinesterase positive nerves in the guinea pig cornea (in Japanese with English abstract).J. Yonago Med. Assoc. 42, 128–139 (1991).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Takagi, S., Nagata, M. & Inoué, T. Ultrastructure of the basal surface of the rat corneal epithelium. Med Electron Microsc 27, 159–164 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348181
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348181