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Endothelial cilia in rat mesenteric arteries and intramyocardial capillaries
1Department of Pathology, Takeda General Hospital, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan.
Insights
Researchers discovered endothelial cilia in rat blood vessels for the first time. These solitary "9 + 0" cilia were found in hypertensive mesenteric arteries and aged heart capillaries, though their function remains unknown.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cellular Ultrastructure
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels.
- Cilia are microtubule-based cellular appendages involved in various functions.
- The presence and role of cilia in adult vasculature are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of endothelial cilia in specific rat vascular beds.
- To characterize the ultrastructure of newly identified endothelial cilia.
- To explore potential associations with physiological conditions like hypertension and aging.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine blood vessel ultrastructure.
- Samples were obtained from mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats and intramyocardial capillaries of aged rats.
- Cilia morphology, including axonemal structure, was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cilia were observed for the first time in rat blood vessels.
- These cilia were solitary and exhibited a "9 + 0" axonemal structure.
- Basal bodies, basal feet, and transitional fibers were associated with the cilia in hypertensive and aged rat vasculature.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first evidence of endothelial cilia in rat mesenteric arteries and intramyocardial capillaries.
- The observed solitary cilia possess a canonical "9 + 0" axonemal structure.
- The functional significance of these endothelial cilia in the context of hypertension and aging requires further investigation.
Abstract:
We report for the first time the presence of endothelial cilia in rat blood vessels. They are seen in the mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats and the intramyocardial capillaries of aged rats. The cilia are solitary and have the shape of the "9 + 0" axonemal structure. The processes of the basal foot and the transitional fiber are accompanied by basal bodies. The function of the solitary cilia is obscure.