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Biomedical subjects

W Kummer

Publications and source records attributed to W Kummer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence of patent foramen ovale in migraine patients with and without aura compared with stroke patients. A transcranial Doppler study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a consecutive unselected cohort of migraine patients (with and without aura) and compare it with a group of ischaemic young and elderly stroke patients. One hundred and forty-one migraine patients were compared with 330 stroke patients (130 young patients; 200 elderly patients) selected from our hospital stroke data bank. PFO was assessed with transcranial Doppler sonography with i.v. injection of agitated saline. The prevalence of PFO was 51.7% in migraine with aura (MA) patients, 33.7% in migraine without aura (MoA) patients, 33.8% in young stroke patients and 20.5% in elderly stroke patients (P < 0.001). The prevalence of PFO in cryptogenic stroke in young and elderly stroke patients was, respectively, 41.1% and 25% (P = 0.04). The difference between MA and MoA patients was significant (odds ratio = 2.1). The prevalence of PFO in MA patients is higher than in MoA patients and in young cryptogenic stroke patients.

Adolescent↗

Tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues: a new mediator of cardiac function via nitric oxide production in the rat heart.

Tuberoinfundibular peptide (TIP39) was initially identified as a neurotransmitter and agonist of the PTH2 receptor, which is expressed in the cardiovascular system. This study documents for the first time the cardiac expression and function of TIP39. Expression was analyzed via RT-PCR. Function was characterized on Langendorff-perfused rat hearts as left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and on isolated cells via a cell edge detection system. cGMP levels were detected with RIA. Tuberoinfundibular peptide (TIP39) mRNA was found to be constitutively expressed in coronary endothelium cells, isolated cardiomyocytes, ventricles, atria, and aorta. At first we investigated the vasodilatory properties of TIP39 (100 nM) in the presence of L-nitro-arginine (L-NA, 100 microM). Surprisingly, TIP39 had no vasodilatory effect but decreased LVDP by 35 +/- 7%. In the absence of L-NA, addition of TIP39 decreased LVDP by 8 +/- 2%. The PTH2 receptor antagonist Trp23-Tyr36-PTHrP (1-36, 100 nM) abolished this TIP39 effect in the presence of L-NA. The experiments with isolated cardiomyocytes provided similar results. TIP39 (10 nM) lowered the contraction amplitude by 6 +/- 3%. In the presence of L-NA (100 micromol/liter), TIP39 lowered the amplitude by 34 +/- 6%. cGMP concentration in cardiomyocytes was stimulated by TIP39 (10 nM) in the same range as by the nitric oxide (NO) donor SNAP (100 microM). In the presence of L-NA, this increase was abolished. These results suggest that an inhibition of endogenous NO production unmasks a profound negative inotropic effect of TIP39 that is mediated by an activation of the PTH2 receptor. The results obtained with isolated cardiomyocytes suggest that myocyte-derived NO, rather than vascular NO, is responsible for this effect. cGMP seems to be the downstream signal of produced NO.

Animals↗

Cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes involves intra-axonal accumulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide and altered expression of its receptor in rats.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a vasorelaxant and positive inotropic and chronotropic peptide that binds to the calcitonin receptor-like receptor. In the heart, upon stimulation CGRP is released from sensory nerve terminals and improves cardiac perfusion and function. In the present study, we investigated alterations in the components of the CGRP signaling system during development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Rats received a single injection of streptozotocin. Four, 8, and 16 weeks thereafter cardiac CGRP content (radioimmunoassay), calcitonin receptor-like receptor expression (by real-time RT-PCR), and CGRP and calcitonin receptor-like receptor tissue distribution (immunohistochemistry) were assessed. CGRP content of atria and ventricles progressively increased during the 4 months following streptozotocin-treatment, while the distribution of CGRP-immunoreactive fibers was not visibly altered. Conversely, cardiac expression of calcitonin receptor-like receptor initially (4 weeks after treatment) increased but then gradually declined to 47% of control levels in both atria after 16 weeks. These quantitative changes were not associated with altered cellular distribution patterns (primarily in venous and capillary endothelium). Since sensory neurons have been reported to decrease expression of the CGRP precursor in the course of diabetes, the intra-axonal accumulation of CGRP observed here reflects impaired release, which, coupled with the down-regulation of its cognate receptor, calcitonin receptor-like receptor, may contribute to the well-documented impairment of cardioprotective functions in diabetes.

Analysis of Variance↗

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat and human placenta.

Smoking during pregnancy causes low birth weight, premature delivery, neonatal morbidity, and mortality. Nicotine is a main pathogenic compound of cigarette smoke, and depresses active amino-acid uptake by human placental villi. It binds to the acetylcholine binding site of the alpha-subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Eight different neuronal nAChR alpha-subunits have been identified in mammals. Here, we investigated their localisation and distribution in the human and rat placenta by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The mRNAs of all alpha-subunits are expressed in the human and rat placenta. Immunohistochemically, subunits alpha2-5, alpha7, alpha9 and alpha10 are localised in different combinations in rat cytotrophoblast, human and rat syncytiotrophoblast, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, Hofbauer cells, human amnion epithelium and rat visceral yolk sac epithelium. Thus, all human and rat placental cell types exhibit receptor subunits with binding sites for the endogenous ligand ACh and nicotine. ACh is suggested to be an important placental signalling molecule that, through stimulation of nAChR, controls the uptake of nutrients, blood flow and fluid volume in placental vessels, and the vascularisation during placental development. Chronic stimulation of nAChR by nicotine might result in unbalanced receptor activation or functional desensitisation followed by the known pathological effects of smoking.

Animals↗

Nicotinic receptor mediated stimulation of NO-generation in neurons of rat thoracic dorsal root ganglia.

The contribution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to stimulation of NO-production was investigated in isolated rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons utilizing an NO-sensitive fluorescent indicator 4,5-diaminofluorescein-diacetate (DAF-2DA) and appropriate channel blockers. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis of NOS isoforms in cultured neurons revealed the expression of eNOS in the vast majority of neurons, nNOS in about 5-10%, and iNOS only exceptionally. Application of nicotine resulted in an abrupt increase in DAF-2T fluorescence in 65% of neuronal cell bodies that was fully sensitive to the general nAChR antagonist mecamylamine. Methyllycaconitine reduced the number of nicotine-sensitive neurons and the extent of NO-generation. Thus, alpha7- and/or alpha9/10-nAChRs are required for nicotine-induced NO-production in a subpopulation of DRG neurons, and appear to be partially involved in the remaining, larger subpopulation.

Animals↗

Hypoxic increase in nitric oxide generation of rat sensory neurons requires activation of mitochondrial complex II and voltage-gated calcium channels.

Recently, we have demonstrated that sensory neurons of rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) respond to hypoxia with an activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) resulting in enhanced NO production associated with mitochondria which contributes to resistance against hypoxia. Extracellular calcium is essential to this effect. In the present study on rat DRG slices, we set out to determine what types of calcium channels operate under hypoxia, and which upstream events contribute to their activation, thereby focusing upon mitochondrial complex II. Both the metallic ions Cd2+ and Ni2+, known to inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels and T-type channels, respectively, and verapamil and nifedipine, typical blocker of L-type calcium channels completely prevented the hypoxic neuronal NO generation. Inhibition of complex II by thenoyltrifluoroacetone at the ubiquinon binding site or by 3-nitropropionic acid at the substrate binding site largely diminished hypoxic-induced NO production while having an opposite effect under normoxia. An additional blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels entirely abolished the hypoxic response. The complex II inhibitor malonate inhibited both normoxic and hypoxic NO generation. These data show that complex II activity is required for increased hypoxic NO production. Since succinate dehydrogenase activity of complex II decreased at hypoxia, as measured by histochemistry and densitometry, we propose a hypoxia-induced functional switch of complex II from succinate dehydrogenase to fumarate reductase, which subsequently leads to activation of voltage-gated calcium channels resulting in increased NO production by eNOS.

Animals↗

Coexpression of alpha 9 and alpha 10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Previous binding studies have suggested the presence of a so far unknown nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit in dorsal root ganglia (Pugh et al., 1995). Here, we investigated whether the most recently identified subunit, alpha10, and its potential interaction partner, alpha9 (Elgoyhen et al., 2001), are expressed in these ganglia. All neurons of rat dorsal root ganglia, but no glial cells, expressed both alpha9 and alpha10 mRNA in in situ hybridization, and exhibited alpha10 immunoreactivity using a newly raised antibody. These findings were confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting. The data show that dorsal root ganglion neurons coexpress alpha9 and alpha10 nicotinic receptor subunits, thereby providing the first example of neuronal expression of this receptor subunit pair.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of cloned Kir2 channels with native inward rectifier K+ channels from guinea-pig cardiomyocytes.

The aim of the study was to compare the properties of cloned Kir2 channels with the properties of native rectifier channels in guinea-pig (gp) cardiac muscle. The cDNAs of gpKir2.1, gpKir2.2, gpKir2.3 and gpKir2.4 were obtained by screening a cDNA library from guinea-pig cardiac ventricle. A partial genomic structure of all gpKir2 genes was deduced by comparison of the cDNAs with the nucleotide sequences derived from a guinea-pig genomic library. The cell-specific expression of Kir2 channel subunits was studied in isolated cardiomyocytes using a multi-cell RT-PCR approach. It was found that gpKir2.1, gpKir2.2 and gpKir2.3, but not gpKir2.4, are expressed in cardiomyocytes. Immunocytochemical analysis with polyclonal antibodies showed that expression of Kir2.4 is restricted to neuronal cells in the heart. After transfection in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) the mean single-channel conductance with symmetrical K+ was found to be 30.6 pS for gpKir2.1, 40.0 pS for gpKir2.2 and 14.2 pS for Kir2.3. Cell-attached measurements in isolated guinea-pig cardiomyocytes (n = 351) revealed three populations of inwardly rectifying K+ channels with mean conductances of 34.0, 23.8 and 10.7 pS. Expression of the gpKir2 subunits in Xenopus oocytes showed inwardly rectifying currents. The Ba2+ concentrations required for half-maximum block at -100 mV were 3.24 M for gpKir2.1, 0.51 M for gpKir2.2, 10.26 M for gpKir2.3 and 235 M for gpKir2.4. Ba2+ block of inward rectifier channels of cardiomyocytes was studied in cell-attached recordings. The concentration and voltage dependence of Ba2+ block of the large-conductance inward rectifier channels was virtually identical to that of gpKir2.2 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Our results suggest that the large-conductance inward rectifier channels found in guinea-pig cardiomyocytes (34.0 pS) correspond to gpKir2.2. The intermediate-conductance (23.8 pS) and low-conductance (10.7 pS) channels described here may correspond to gpKir2.1 and gpKir2.3, respectively.

Animals↗

Alteration of neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptide Y in congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

PROBLEM: We investigated whether deranged nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression is detectable in the stenotic segments of patients with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction. METHODS: Using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we quantified mRNA amounts of NPY, neuronal (n), endothelial (e) and inducible (i) NOS in the stenotic segments of 20 patients with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (aged 5.1+/-7.0 years) and of 21 unaffected controls (aged 23.5+/-24.2 years). Additionally, mRNAs of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), smooth muscle alpha-actin (Smactin), endothelial cell marker (CD31), and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was made for NPY, nNOS, eNOS, iNOS, PGP 9.5, and CD 31. RESULTS: The mRNA of nNOS was significantly reduced in the obstructed junctions when related to the mRNAs of Smactin (P < 0.001) or GAPDH (P < 0.05), respectively. A significant reduction was also obtained for eNOS mRNA when standardized to CD31 (P < 0.05), GAPDH or Smactin mRNA (P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively). NPY, PGP 9.5 and iNOS mRNAs were found in comparable quantities in both groups. In the stenotic segments, Smactin mRNA level was about twofold higher than in our control specimens, as shown by the lower CT values for the patients in real-time PCR (16.9+/-2.0 vs 17.9+/-2.6, P < 0.05). Furthermore, Smactin, nNOS, iNOS, eNOS, and NPY mRNA levels in specimens of unaffected ureteropelvic junctions were independent of age. Major differences between control and stenotic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry: There was a dramatic reduction of innervation density as evidenced by nNOS and NPY labeling. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we found alterations in NOS gene expression and NPY innervation in tissue specimens of patients with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Adolescent↗

Transient expression of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 in rat cardiomyocytes during development.

Vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) is a non-selective cation channel detected on sensory neurons that is sensitive to capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient of hot chili pepper. Capsaicin application to neonatal animals causes cardiorespiratory distress, and this susceptibility to capsaicin changes during early postnatal life. This prompted us to hypothesise that in addition to its known neuronal localisation, VR1 is also expressed by non-neuronal cells of the heart during development. This issue was addressed in the rat heart during pre- and postnatal development by means of RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. VR1-mRNA was transiently expressed from E14 to P30 but absent from adult hearts. Translation into protein was verified by western blotting. Immunohistochemistry proved that VR1 protein was localised in cardiomyocytes during those developmental stages at which mRNA was detected. In conclusion, VR1 is not neuron-specific but is transiently expressed on cardiomyocytes during ontogeny thereby pointing to a developmental role of this cation channel.

Animals↗

Cellular localization of the potassium channel Kir7.1 in guinea pig and human kidney.

BACKGROUND: K(+) channels have important functions in the kidney, such as maintenance of the membrane potential, volume regulation, recirculation, and secretion of potassium ions. The aim of this study was to obtain more information on the localization and possible functional role of the inwardly rectifying K(+) channel, Kir7.1. METHODS: Kir7.1 cDNA (1114 bp) was isolated from guinea pig kidney (gpKir7.1), and its tissue distribution was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, a genomic DNA fragment (6153 bp) was isolated from a genomic library. cRNA was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes for functional studies. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to localize Kir7.1 in guinea pig and human kidney. RESULTS: The expression of gpKir7.1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed inwardly rectifying K(+) currents. The reversal potential was strongly dependent on the extracellular K(+) concentration, shifting from -14 mV at 96 mmol/L K(+) to -90 mV at 1 mmol/L K(+). gpKir7.1 showed a low affinity for Ba(2+). Significant expression of gpKir7.1 was found in brain, kidney, and lung, but not in heart, skeletal muscle, liver, or spleen. Immunocytochemical detection in guinea pig identified the gpKir7.1 protein in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells of the proximal tubule. RT-PCR analysis identified strong gpKir7.1 expression in the proximal tubule and weak expression in glomeruli and thick ascending limb. In isolated human tubule fragments, RT-PCR showed expression in proximal tubule and thick ascending limb. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Kir7.1 may contribute to basolateral K(+) recycling in the proximal tubule and in the thick ascending limb.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunohistochemical detection of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR)-1 in the endothelium of human coronary artery and bronchial blood vessels.

The potent vasodilatory peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is present in the innervation of vascular tissue. The actions of CGRP occur via a receptor, CGRP receptor(R)-1, which is also a target for the cardioprotective peptide adrenomedullin. The human version of the pharmacologically-defined CGRPR-1 has been cloned but its distribution and cellular location is unknown. A rabbit antibody was generated to a synthetic peptide that corresponds to the C-terminus of human CGRPR-1 Immunochemical analysis of the human cell-line, SK-N-MC, which exhibits functional expression of the CGRPR-1 confirmed the antibody's specificity. The antiserum revealed specific staining in the endothelium of human coronary arteries. The vascular smooth muscle and ventricular myocardium were not immunoreactive. In bronchial blood vessels CGRPR-1-immunoreactivity was detected in the endothelium of the venules and not in the arterioles, which is particularly relevant for elucidating the putative role of CGRP in inflammation in this tissue.

Antibody Specificity↗

NOSIP, a novel modulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity.

Production of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells is regulated by direct interactions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with effector proteins such as Ca2+-calmodulin, by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation via protein kinase B, and by translocation of the enzyme from the plasma membrane caveolae to intracellular compartments. Reversible acylation of eNOS is thought to contribute to the intracellular trafficking of the enzyme; however, protein factor(s) that govern the translocation of the enzyme are still unknown. Here we have used the yeast two-hybrid system and identified a novel 34 kDa protein, termed NOSIP (eNOS interacting protein), which avidly binds to the carboxyl-terminal region of the eNOS oxygenase domain. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated the specific interaction of eNOS and NOSIP in vitro and in vivo, and complex formation was inhibited by a synthetic peptide of the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain. NO production was significantly reduced in eNOS-expressing CHO cells (CHO-eNOS) that transiently overexpressed NOSIP. Stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 induced the reversible translocation of eNOS from the detergent-insoluble to the detergent-soluble fractions of CHO-eNOS, and this translocation was completely prevented by transient coexpression of NOSIP in CHO-eNOS. Immunofluorescence studies revealed a prominent plasma membrane staining for eNOS in CHO-eNOS that was abolished in the presence of NOSIP. Subcellular fractionation studies identified eNOS in the caveolin-rich membrane fractions of CHO-eNOS, and coexpression of NOSIP caused a shift of eNOS to intracellular compartments. We conclude that NOSIP is a novel type of modulator that promotes translocation of eNOS from the plasma membrane to intracellular sites, thereby uncoupling eNOS from plasma membrane caveolae and inhibiting NO synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Macrophages: a major source of cytochrome b558 in the rat carotid body.

The carotid body monitors arterial oxygen tension. Spectrophotometric recording of the intact organ has revealed a cytochrome aa3 and a cytochrome b558 as potential oxygen sensor candidates. The latter is known as part of the NADPH oxidase system generating superoxide anions in the "respiratory burst" defense mechanism, and glomus cells have been found to exhibit immunoreactivity against this phagocyte cytochrome b558. Using a monoclonal antibody against the large cytochrome b558 subunit, gp91phox, and other antibodies serving as neural (PGP 9.5) and monocyte/macrophage markers (ED1, ED2), we here demonstrate at light and electron microscopical level that monocytes/macrophages are abundantly present in the rat carotid body and represent the major source of cytochrome b558 in this organ. Their presence has profound implications on the interpretation of spectrophotometric recordings aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of oxygen sensing since their high cytochrome b558 content will obscure possible contributions of cell types involved in the oxygen sensor process.

Animals↗

Expression of the cholinergic gene locus in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells.

In the pulmonary vasculature of man, pig and guinea-pig, acetylcholine (ACh) exerts a relaxant effect by interacting with muscarinic receptors located on endothelial cells. The present experiments were designed to detect the endogenous source of ACh in the pulmonary vasculature. For this purpose, we investigated whether pulmonary artery endothelial cells contain elements of the "cholinergic gene locus", the ACh synthesising enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT). ChAT mRNA was detected by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in endothelial cells of porcine pulmonary arteries freshly isolated and after 7 days in culture. ChAT protein was demonstrated in endothelial cells in vitro and in situ. ChAT immunoreactivity was present in endothelial cells freshly isolated and after 2, 4, 7, and 9 days in culture. Tissue sections from extra- and intraparenchymal pulmonary arteries of man, pig and guinea-pig expressed a mosaic pattern of ChAT-positive and -negative endothelial cells. VAChT mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in rat pulmonary artery and in endothelial cells isolated from human and porcine pulmonary trunk. The detection of VAChT and ChAT mRNA and the demonstration of ChAT protein in vitro and in situ suggest that the endothelium is an endogenous source of ACh in the pulmonary vasculature.

Acetylcholine↗

NADPH oxidase subunits and superoxide production in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

An NADPH oxidase complex composed of a membrane-bound flavocytochrome b558 consisting of two subunits (p22phox and gp91phox) and cytosolic activating factors (p47phox and p67phox) generates superoxide anions from oxygen in the respiratory burst of phagocytic cells. Inconsistent results have been previously obtained concerning its additional occurrence in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC), and this issue was addressed in the present study. PAEC isolated from porcine pulmonary trunk contained mRNA for p22phox and gp91phox as demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated cytochrome subunits, p22phox, gp91phox, p47phox, and p67phox, both in vitro in isolated PAEC and in situ in endothelial cells in tissue sections of the pulmonary trunk. Isolated PAEC generated reactive oxygen species (ROS; measured by lucigenin-induced chemiluminescence and conversion of dihydrorhodamine 123 into rhodamine 123) in response to stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. This stimulated ROS production was sensitive to the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene-iodonium, and reduced when the superoxide scavenger superoxide dismutase was added. Chemiluminescence measurements of superoxide generation by stimulated PAEC accounted for approximately 1% of that generated by stimulated peritoneal macrophages. The data demonstrate a low-output NADPH oxidase system in porcine PAEC sharing several components with that identified in phagocytic cells.

Animals↗

Immunostaining for cell picking and real-time mRNA quantitation.

Microdissection techniques allow a cell-type or even cell-specific mRNA analysis within complex tissues. Furthermore, valid mRNA quantitation can be performed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction from a few isolated cells obtained from cryosections. For a more precise access to many cell types, this technique has to be complemented by a cell-type-specific immunostaining. To evaluate its effect on mRNA quantitation, we analyzed alveolar macrophages (AMs) from control rat lungs and those undergoing stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma nebulization. Whereas AMs from the left lung were directly harvested for mRNA extraction by bronchoalveolar lavage, tissue sections of the right lung were stained with an optimized immunofluorescence protocol detecting AMs. Fifteen AM profiles per sample were picked by laser-assisted sampling technique. Normalizing to a standard gene, nitric oxide synthase II (NOSII) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA were quantified by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In stimulated lungs, the percentage of picked samples positive for NOSII or TNF-alpha mRNA increased significantly. Moreover, a marked increase in the ratio of target gene mRNA to standard gene mRNA was noted for both NOSII and TNF-alpha in picked AMs from stimulated lungs, which matched very well the increase detected in the lavaged AMs undergoing direct RNA extraction. Thus, when using an optimized protocol for immunofluorescence, this approach may be reliably combined with laser-assisted cell picking and real-time mRNA quantitation in a few immunohistochemically characterized cell profiles within complex tissues.

Animals↗