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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
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Rat Mesentery Exteriorization: A Model for Investigating the Cellular Dynamics Involved in Angiogenesis
Published on: May 20, 2012
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Structural analysis of endothelial projections from mesenteric arteries
Nadia Maarouf1, Maria Sancho1,2, Tobias Fürstenhaupt1
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994)
|November 4, 2016
Summary
Endothelial projections, thin cell extensions, primarily ensure electrical contact between endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Their bases are rich in organelles, suggesting a role in signal regulation and contractile control in arteries.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Cellular communication
- Microcirculation
Background:
- Arterial diameter regulation relies on communication between endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
- Endothelial projections are key structures facilitating this communication by crossing the internal elastic lamina (IEL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the precise structural composition of endothelial projections in mesenteric arteries.
- To elucidate the functional implications of their unique structure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electron microscopy on hamster mesenteric arteries.
- Employed electron tomographic approaches to create 3-D compositional models of endothelial projections.
Main Results:
- Endothelial projections were mostly devoid of organelles, except for sparse structures near the tip.
- The base of projections was unexpectedly rich in organelles like endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, vesicles, caveolae, and mitochondria.
Conclusions:
- The base of endothelial projections appears to be a dynamic site for signal regulation and contractile control.
- The organelle-poor nature of projections suggests their main role is to ensure electrical contact between endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
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