TY - JOUR
T1 - The ultrastructure of fiber cells in primate lenses
T2 - A model for studying membrane senescence
AU - Kuszak, J. R.
AU - Ennesser, C. A.
AU - Umlas, J.
AU - Macsai-Kaplan, M. S.
AU - Weinstein, R. S.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the expert technical as&-tance of Ms. Kathleen Chapman. The primate lenses used in this study were obtained from the Xegional Primate Center in Seattle, Washington. This work supported by NIH Grant EY 06642 to J.R.K. and the Otho Sprague Memorial Institute.
PY - 1988/7
Y1 - 1988/7
N2 - We have compared the surface morphology of the youngest (cortical) fiber cells with that of the most senescent (nuclear) fiber cells in monkey and baboon crystalline lenses by stereo scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thick-section stereo transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both the broad and the narrow faces of the most senescent fiber cells featured distinctive, polygonal areas (domains) of furrowed cell membrane. The domains ranged n size from 2.42 to 8.78 μm2. Stereopair SEM and TEM micrographs demonstrated precisely oriented microvilli measuring approximately 0.14 μm in diameter and ranging in length from 1.27 to 4.65 μm overlying each ridge in the domains. Formation of microvilli on senescent cells has been noted in other types of aging cells but they are precisely arranged and their function is unknown. Since every fiber cell remains in a fixed location (relative to other fiber cells) throughout life, the lens provides a unique model to study structure-function relationships of senescent microvilli in situ. The discovery of an age-related elaboration of numerous microvilli on senescent fiber cells of noncataractous lenses invalidates the currently accepted theory that close, parallel apposition of the broad faces of lens fiber cells is necessary for the lens to be transparent.
AB - We have compared the surface morphology of the youngest (cortical) fiber cells with that of the most senescent (nuclear) fiber cells in monkey and baboon crystalline lenses by stereo scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thick-section stereo transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both the broad and the narrow faces of the most senescent fiber cells featured distinctive, polygonal areas (domains) of furrowed cell membrane. The domains ranged n size from 2.42 to 8.78 μm2. Stereopair SEM and TEM micrographs demonstrated precisely oriented microvilli measuring approximately 0.14 μm in diameter and ranging in length from 1.27 to 4.65 μm overlying each ridge in the domains. Formation of microvilli on senescent cells has been noted in other types of aging cells but they are precisely arranged and their function is unknown. Since every fiber cell remains in a fixed location (relative to other fiber cells) throughout life, the lens provides a unique model to study structure-function relationships of senescent microvilli in situ. The discovery of an age-related elaboration of numerous microvilli on senescent fiber cells of noncataractous lenses invalidates the currently accepted theory that close, parallel apposition of the broad faces of lens fiber cells is necessary for the lens to be transparent.
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U2 - 10.1016/0889-1605(88)90059-6
DO - 10.1016/0889-1605(88)90059-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 3209860
AN - SCOPUS:0023816415
SN - 0889-1605
VL - 100
SP - 60
EP - 74
JO - Journal of Ultrastructure Research and Molecular Structure Research
JF - Journal of Ultrastructure Research and Molecular Structure Research
IS - 1
ER -