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R Taugner

Publications and source records attributed to R Taugner.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Vascular and tubular renin in the kidneys of mice.

Monospecific antisera and the immunocytochemical PAP-method have been used to localize renin in the kidneys of mice. With this procedure, reaction product was not only observed in the epitheloid cells of kidney vessels but also in kidney tubules: in the apical portion of proximal tubule cells and in some cells of the connecting and the cortical collecting tubule. To answer the question, whether the occurrence of renin in kidney tubule cells is the consequence of tubular synthesis or that of glomerular filtration of plasma renin followed by its uptake from the tubular lumen, tracer experiments with radioiodinated renin and with horseradish peroxidase were undertaken. The results of these studies as well as other arguments suggest reabsorptive pinocytosis of the filtered hormone as the source of tubular renin.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Converting-enzyme in the choroid plexus, brain, and kidney: immunocytochemical and biochemical studies in rats.

In rats, immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the brush border of the choroid plexus, in the wall of blood vessels in the brain, and in the brush border of the proximal tubules of the kidney, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique (PAP) and an anti-pulmonary converting-enzyme antibody. These findings correlate with biochemical data of converting-enzyme activity in the choroid plexus and in other tissues. Possible functions of the enzyme in relation to its localization are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Freeze-fracture studies on the thin limbs of Henle's loop in Psammomys obesus.

The thin limbs of short and long loops of Henle of the desert rodent Psammomys obesus were studied by freeze-fracture techniques. Intercellular junctions and internal membrane characteristics of thin-limb epithelia are of interest with regard to the high urine-concentrating capacity of this animal. The epithelium of the descending thin limbs of short loops is remarkably undifferentiated and equipped with multistrand tight junctions. In the descending thin limb of long loops, two segments are to be distinguished. The upper parts are characterized by an extensive cellular interdigitation and single-strand tight junctions. Thus, the paracellular pathways are prominent from two aspects: the junctional belt is elongated by interdigitation, and its apico-basal depth is shallow. The transition from the upper to the lower part appears to be abrupt, as indicated by the change in intramembrane particle density. The lower parts are characterized by a noninterdigitating epithelium with junctions consisting of few, but always more than two, strands. In addition, this thin-limb segment is characterized by regularly distributed infoldings of the basal cell membrane. The ascending thin limbs are established by an interdigitation epithelium, with junctions generally consisting of one strand. Once again, the elongated junctional belt is shallow. This study presents further evidence that remarkable species difference occur among thin-limb epithelia, especially concerning the descending thin limbs of long loops. Those differences may well explain discrepant functional findings concerning the transport properties of this segment in various species.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Gap junctions between pinealocytes. A freeze-fracture study of the pineal gland in rats.

The intercellular junctions between the pinealocytes of male rats were investigated by freeze-fracture and conventional electron microscopy. Our findings reveal that the intercellular contacts between pineal cells, formerly described as zonulae adhaerentes or zonulae occludentes, are in fact gap junctions which are difficult to characterize in thin sections due to their peculiar geometrical arrangement, which is in the form of "fenestrated" communicating zonules. The arrangement of these communicating zonules around rudimentary lumina of pineal clusters and rare transitions between tight and gap junctions may point to phylogenetic transformations of occluding into communicating zonules, corresponding with the change of the pineal gland from a sensory to a secretory organ. Alternatively, these tight-to-gap junctional transitions may reflect the periodic (circadian or seasonal) activity of the pineal gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Renin immunocytochemistry of the differentiating juxtaglomerular apparatus.

The differentiation of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in fetuses and newborn mice was investigated by renin immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Three to four days before delivery and prior to other organs renin was found in the fetal kidney. At this early time immunoreactivity was preferentially located in cells of the media of interlobular arteries. In newborn mice the formation of new nephrons and maturation of their glomeruli was accompanied by a shift in renin localization from the interlobular arteries to the afferent arterioles. At the same time, kidney renin content and concentration increased rapidly. Synchronously with renin immunoreactivity, during the capillary loop stage of glomerular development, granulated epitheloid cells became visible in the afferent arteriole.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The development of cell junction during nephrogenesis.

The differentiation and distribution of intercellular junctions especially during the early development stages of the rabbit nephron was studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Metanephrogenic cells were found to be connected by sporadic focal tight junctions. During the formation of the renal vesicle similar tight junctions occurred on the periphery as well as near the developing lumen. These focal tight junction increased in size and coalesced to broad zonulae occludentes lining the vesicular lumen at a later stage. Broad occluding junctions were also observed in the different nephron segments of the S-shaped stage. Ultrastructurally, these early maculae and zonulae occludentes consisted of beaded rows of particles. As development progressed, continuous tight junctions formed, whereas the number of strands decreased with the exception of the distal tubule. In contrast to the parietal glomerular epithelium, the initial occluding zonules of the visceral glomerular cells were gradually reduced to maculae occludentes, and finally disappeared. These results suggest that zonulae occludentes appear synchronously with the establishing lumen; the ultrastructural differentiation of tight junction strands seems to be completed with the onset of glomerular filtration.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The distribution of renin in the different segments of the renal arterial tree: immunocytochemical investigation in the mouse kidney.

The intrarenal distribution of renin in the mouse kidney was evaluated in a semiquantitative immunocytochemical study using an antiserum against pure mouse renin and the PAP technique. The bulk of renin positive cells was found in the media of the afferent arteriole. When examining the geometry of renin distribution about 35% of the afferent vessels were seen to be renin positive only over a distance of 20 micrometer, about 60% over a distance of 30 micrometer. In the remaining afferent arterioles, renin was also found upstream over distances up to 100 or even 200 micrometers. These results are discussed with regard to the stimuli for renin secretion, especially the macula densa signal. - At the vascular pole of the glomerulus, virtually 100% of the afferent, and 20%-40% of the afferent arterioles were found to be renin positive at an antiserum dilution of 1:1,000. As some efferent vessels - especially those of the juxtamedullar region - show scattered activity occasionally over a distance of more than 100 micrometer, it is suggested that the figure of 20%-40% should be taken as a minimal count for renin positive efferent arterioles. - To compare the renin content of superficial and juxtamedullary, afferent and efferent arterioles in normal salt and salt depleted mice, the fraction of positive renin reactions close to the vascular pole was determined at antiserum concentrations of 10(-3), 10(-4), 2 X 10(-4) and 10(-5). By this semiquantitative immunocytochemical method the afferent arterioles of superficial glomeruli could be shown to contain significantly higher renin concentrations than those of juxtamedullar glomeruli. This result was in agreement with biochemical renin estimations in mouse kidney slices taken from cortical and juxtamedullar sites. Sodium deprivation was followed by only a slight elevation of the fraction of positive superficial afferent arterioles (confirmed by the biochemical data). In contrast, sodium deprivation induced a highly significant increase of the number of positive superficial efferent vessels. This result is discussed with regard to (controversial) reports on a preferential efferent vasoconstrictor tone sustained by angiotensin II especially under the condition of sodium depletion. Juxtamedullar vasa afferentia and efferentia did not respond significantly to sodium restriction. - The Goomaghtigh cell field was found to be renin negative in superficial as well as in juxtamedullar glomeruli both in normal salt and salt deprived mice. Inspecting nearly 5,000 glomeruli, only 5 clearly renin positive mesangial cells were seen close to the glomerular stalk. In contrast, renin positive media cells could not seldom be seen in interlobular arteries and at the point of their branching into afferent arterioles.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Angiotensin II in epitheloid (renin containing) cells of rat kidney.

The PAP-method was used for immunocytochemical investigations with antisera against angiotensin (ang) I, ang II and renin in kidneys of rats and mice. In 14 rats, ang II was found in the media of the afferent arteriole - both in the region of the JGA and upstream until the interlobular artery. Serial sections alternately reacted for ang II and renin revealed that the octapeptide is contained in the well known renin positive epitheloid cells of the afferent arteriole and, beyond that, together with renin probably in the same "specific" granules. Fixation conditions were critical for the visualization of immunoreactivity With ang I antisera, comparable in terms of titer and affinity to the ang II antisera, specific immunoreactivity could not be found in the kidneys of rats. With horse radish peroxidase and ferritin as tracers it could be shown that the epitheloid cells of the JGA have the ability to pinocytize and incorporate macromolecules into their granules. It is suggested that ang II is taken up by these cells through the same route, Intracellular generation of ang II appears unlikely as an explanation. Functionally the selective uptake of ang II by epitheloid cells might be a specific process, possibly connected with the negative feedback of the octapeptide on renin secretion. Negative results in mice may be explained by a small uptake or more rapid degradation of ang II by the epitheloid cells.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1981

Neuropeptides in the pineal gland? A critical immunocytochemical study.

In an attempt to localize components of the renin angiotensin-system in the pineal gland of rats, immunocytochemical studies using the PAP-technique were performed with antisera against angiotensin I, angiotensin II and angiotensinogen. The staining pattern thus obtained was not only the same for the three antisera, but was also identical to that shown for many other peptide-antisera in the literature. In those studies, the immunocytochemical staining had been ascribed to a distinct pineal cell population or to cell processes. However, by examining adjacent semithin and ultrathin sections by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, respectively, we could identify the extracellular perivascular compartment and its flocculent material as the site of staining. This unexpected localization and the observation of "immunoreactivity" of some preimmunesera in the same compartment as well as several additional findings and arguments are taken to suggest that likelihood of "pseudopositive" immunostaining, typical for the pineal gland.

Angiotensin I↗
PubMed1980

Freeze-fracturing and deep-etching with the volatile cryoprotectant ethanol reveals true membrane surfaces of kidney structures.

With the conventional freeze-fracture technique applied to biological specimens, cell membranes split along an interior plane and two membrane faces are produced. True membrane surfaces remain hidden and can only be uncovered by deep-etching. To date, deep-etching could not be satisfactorily performed in the presence of cryoprotective agents since conventional cryoprotectants do not sublime due to their low vapour pressure. This lack of suitable volatile cryoprotectants has limited deep-etching so far to very small objects which can be cryofixed without cryoprotectants. As a consequence, our freeze-fracture knowledge of cell surfaces is still poor. The present study shows that ethanol is a suitable volatile cryoprotectant for the freeze-fracture technique, and provides a novel approach to the routine deep-etching of freeze-fracture specimens without the need for special equipment. With ethanol deep-etching, true outer cell-surfaces are demonstrated within the kidneys of rat and Psammomys.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Gap junctions on myoepithelial cells.

In the submandibular gland of the male mouse, myoepithelial cells are found not only located to the endpieces and intercalated ducts, but also around the striated (or granulated) ducts. Irrespective of their location in the gland, the myoepithelial cells and their processes were found to be connected by gap junctions. It is suggested that these gap junctions play a key role in the synchronization of the contractile function of the myoepithelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Morphology and distribution of the synapses to the spinal motoneuron of the frog.

The quantitative distribution of the different structural elements on the surface of the motoneurons (MN) in the spinal cord of the frog was studied in thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas. In particular, the different synaptic types and their distribution on the MN soma and dendrites are described. In thin sections three types of synapses were discerned: the S-type with spherical vesicles, the F-type with flattened vesicles, and finally the C-type synapse with spherical vesicles and a subsynaptic cistern. The synaptic covering at the MN surface as determined by thin sections is about 36%. In freeze-fracture replicas were observed boutons with and without gap junctions, and C-type boutons. When using the latter technique the synaptic covering was found to be 43%. With both techniques special attention was paied to the morphology of the C-type bouton and both the subsynaptic and extrasynaptic cisterns. The soma membrane over the sub- and extrasynaptic cisterns reveals characteristic and very similar morphological features with respect to both the distribution and size of the membrane particles. the possible functions of the two cisternal types are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Studies on the juxtaglomerular apparatus. VI. Sympathetic innervation, catecholamines and the renin-angiotensin-system in rats and tree-shrews (Tupaia belangeri).

It has previously been reported that the primitive primate Tupaia belangeri develops a renal failure when exposed to psychosocial stress. In order to learn if this high susceptibility to stress of the Tupaia kidney can be correlated with morphological and functional parameters of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) and the renin-angiotension system, comparative experiments were performed on Tupaia and rat. Our results reveal an outstandingly high potency of the JGA and the renin-angiotensin system in Tupaia as evident from the following findings: The Tupaia JGA contains a great number of epithelioid cells abounding in renin granules (electron microscopy). The renin content of the Tupaia kidney is considerably higher than in the rat (radio-immunoassay). The sympathetic innervation of the kidney and especially of the JGA is abundant in Tupaia (fluorescence and electron microscopy). Catecholamine contents of the kidney and other organs are significantly higher in Tupaia than in rats (spectrophotofluorometry). Our results support the previously developed concept of a potent intrarenal neuroendocrine interaction at the JGA level favouring, under certain conditions of social stress, the development of acute renal failure in Tupaia belangeri.

Angiotensins↗
PubMed1980

The tight junctions of renal tubules in the cortex and outer medulla. A quantitative study of the kidneys of six species.

Quantitative aspects of tight junction morphology were systematically studied in the cortical and outer medullary segments of the distal urinary tubules of rat, hamster, rabbit, cat, dog and the primitive primate Tupaia belangeri. Only minor differences in junctional architecture were found between straight and convoluted portions of the distal tubule. In contrast, the collecting duct in cortex and outer medulla, in all species, exhibits the most elaborate tight junctions observed along the uriniferous tubule. The present and previous findings from this laboratory indicate that increasing "tightness" of the junctional complexes is apparent along the course of the nephron in all species studied. The proposed relationship between quantitative aspects of the zonula occludens and presently available values for transepithelial electrical resistance was re-examined for the renal tubules. It was found that for the mammalian kidney a satisfactory correlation exists between the tight junction morphology and presently known functional parameters. This relationship is the more evident the more additional dimensional characteristics of the intercellular clefts are taken into consideration. It may therefore be concluded that, at least for the mammalian kidney, the assumption of differences in the molecular organization of the tight junctions is not needed to explain so far unresolved discrepancies between tubular morphology and function.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Renin in the uterus of pregnant mice. Immunocytochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical studies.

The distribution and content of renin in the uterus of pregnant mice (12--14 days of gestation) was studied by immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay. The uterine renin concentration at this stage of pregnancy was four-fold higher than that of the nonpregnant uterus but still less than 0.1% of the kidney renin concentration. Renin was localized almost exclusively in the decidual and entodermal epithelial linings of the yolk sac (uterine) cavity near the marginal sections of the placenta. By electron microscopy granular and vesicular structures were observed in the renin containing epithelial cells. Chorioallantoic placenta, myometrium, decidua basalis and the antimesometral parts of the epithelial leafs of the uterine cavity did not contain renin. The specific localization of renin suggests a role in parturition or delivery of the placenta.

Animals↗