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Microvasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma: An ultrastructural study
Iuliia Taskaeva1, Nataliya Bgatova2
1Laboratory of Ultrastructural research, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology, Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia; Laboratory of Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy, Department of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) microvessels exhibit unique ultrastructural changes, including increased vesicular transport in endothelial cells. These alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma vascular morphology may explain its high permeability.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor.
- HCC is characterized by immature, heterogeneous vessels with increased permeability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the morphology and vascular permeability structures in endothelial cells of HCC microvessels.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of small (Type I) and large (Type II) peritumoral microvessels in HCC-bearing mice.
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure endothelial cell cytoplasm area, transport vesicles, vesiculo-vacuolar organelles, and clathrin-coated vesicles.
Main Results:
- HCC microvessels showed sinusoidal capillarization, luminal microprocesses, abnormal channels, and junctional dilatations.
- Type I endothelial cells exhibited increased vesicular trafficking structures.
- Detachment of basement membranes and widened extracellular space were observed.
Conclusions:
- Ultrastructural features of Type I microvessels are associated with newly formed HCC vessels.
- Observed morphological changes in HCC microvessels likely contribute to increased endothelial cell permeability (transcellular and paracellular).
