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[The effect of stress and corticosteroids on the rate of blood flow in the microvessels of the gastric muscular coat of rats].

In order to evaluate the influence of stress and corticosteroids on blood flow velocity in microvessels of muscular coat of the stomach we applied intravital microfilming by means of a dark-field contact epiobjective. The plasma filled "gap" in the continuous erythrocyte flow were used as the markers to measure linear flow velocity. In unstressed rats the velocity was equal to 1.76 +/- 0.07 mm/sec (182 microvessels, 3.7-8.7 mu in diameter). Stress (water immersion and restraint) led to a decrease of blood flow velocity in microvessels to more than double. A stress-induced decrease of blood flow velocity was greater in rats with insufficient corticosteroid production. The velocity of blood flow in these rats was lowered to 0.62 +/- 0.04 mm/sec. Replacement corticosterone therapy increased the blood flow velocity. It was concluded that stress decreases blood flow in microvessels of muscular coat of the stomach as well as in microvessels of mucosa. The results revealed that glycocorticoids take part in normalisation of blood flow of gastric microvessels during stress.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Astroglia-microvessel relationship in the developing human telencephalon.

The telencephalon of 12 and 18 week-old human foetuses was examined for evidence of astroglia-microvessel relationship. Immature astroglia cells (radial glia and astroblasts) and astrocytes were immunostained using antibodies to the cytoskeletal proteins vimentin (VIM) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The microvessels were detected using an antibody to the blood-brain barrier (BBB)-specific glucose transporter GLUT1. Two extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins, laminin (LM), an endothelial-derived molecule, and tenascin-C (TN-C), a glia-derived molecule, were also analyzed. In the two stages examined, VIM- and GFAP-positive fibers of the radial glia establish close relationships with the radial and periventricular microvessels, which are GLUT1-positive and lined by an LM-positive basal lamina-like matrix. At the 18th week, also radial glia transitional forms and immature astrocytes exhibit extensive contacts with the microvasculature. A TN-C-rich ECM is revealed around the vascular plexus of ventricular zones at the 12th week, and around the newly growing radial microvessels and the microvessel branching sites at the 18th week. The observations taken as a whole, suggest that during the telencephalon morphogenesis the immature astroglia cells play a role in the early establishment of the distribution pattern of the neural microvessels and in their growth and maturation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Relationship of changes in basement membrane of microvessels after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and plasminogen activator system in aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of changes in basement membrane of cerebral micro-vessels and plasminogen activator system after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in aged rats. METHODS: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was produced by the introduction of a thread. Rats were divided randomly into sham-operation group with young rats (cerebral ischemia 3 hours and I/R 6, 12, 24, 72, 144 hours groups), sham-operation group and I/R groups in aged rats (cerebral ischemia 3 hours and I/R 6, 12, 24, 72, 144 hours groups). Immunohistochemical technique, zymogram analysis, and reverse zymogram analysis were used to study changes in basement membrane structure of cerebral-cortex microvessel, type IV collagen (Col IV) and laminin (LN) contents, and plasminogen activator system in every group. RESULTS: With the increase of age, Col IV and LN contents of the microvessel basement membrane increased. With prolongation of I/R, the contents of Col IV and LN decreased in both young and aged rats, while the contents of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase plasminogen (u-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) expression increased at the beginning and decreased subsequently. Compared with young groups, Col IV (ischemia 3 hours-I/R 12 hours), LN (ischemia 3 hours-I/R 24 hours), t-PA (I/R 6-24 hours) and u-PA (I/R 12-144 hours) expression levels were higher in aged rats, but PAI-1 (I/R 12 and 24 hours) expression was lower. In addition, changes in PAI-1 contents as determined with reverse zymogram analysis method coincided with its immunoexpression. CONCLUSION: With the increase of age, alterations in constituents of cerebro-microvessel basement membrane (Col IV and LN) increased. Injury to cerebro-microvessel basement membrane resulted in more serious changes in aged rats compared with the young rats. Changes in cerebro-microvessel basement membrane after I/R injury in the aged SD rats is related to change in plasminogen activator system.

Age Factors↗

Microvessel count predicts metastasis and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In order to evaluate the clinical relevance of angiogenesis in patients with gastric cancer, we investigated the microvessel count in gastric cancer tissues and compared the results with several clinicopathologic factors and prognosis. METHODS: A total of 55 patients with gastric cancer were included in this study. Microvessel count was determined by immunohistochemical staining using antifactor VIII-related antigen antibody. Histologically recognizable blood vessels within tissue sections served as internal control for immunostaining. Normal mouse IgG diluted to an equivalent protein concentration was used as a negative control in place of the primary antibody in each experiment. RESULT: The microvessel count ranged from 4.4 to 39.8 and the median count was 15.6. Microvessel count was significantly higher in patients with hepatic metastasis, lymph node metastasis, adjacent organ invasion, and lymphatic invasion. In patients who had undergone a curative operation, survival time in the hypervascular group was significantly shorter than that in the hypovascular group. CONCLUSIONS: Microvessel count correlated well with tumor progression and may serve as a useful prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult↗

Microvessel quantification and its possible relation with liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have proven the usefulness of microvessel quantification as a prognostic factor for patients with various malignant tumors. The aim of this paper was to clarify the relationship between microvessel density (MVD) as a parameter of tumor angiogenesis and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 175 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were evaluated (58 with concurrent liver metastases). Microvessel quantification was performed immunohistochemically, using monoclonal antibodies against endothelial protein Factor VIII-related antigen (F8RA) and against endothelial surface marker CD34. Finally, the relationship between MVD and liver metastasis was analyzed. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between MVD for F8RA and MVD for CD34 (n = 175, r = 0.9560, P = 0.0001). MVD in the tumors stained for F8RA ranged from 15.2 to 78.6 microvessels per x 200 field (mean 32.8 +/- 11.7), while the tumors with liver metastatic disease compared with the tumors without liver metastasis (F8RA; mean 36.1 +/- 11.3 vs. 31.2 +/- 11.5, P = 0.0090; CD34; mean 64.4 +/- 20.4 vs. 52.0 +/- 19.4, P = 0.0010). CONCLUSIONS: Microvessel quantification within a colorectal tumor using immunohistochemical staining methods has shown a significant correlation between MVD and liver metastasis. Tumors with a greater MVD may thus have a greater hematogenous metastatic propensity.

Aged↗

Garlic prevents ultrastructural alterations caused by dehydration in mouse cerebral microvessels.

Dehydration is known to significantly reduce both the time required for the first platelet aggregate and the time to full occlusion in photochemically-induced thrombosis, in vivo. Ultrastructural changes that contribute to such events remain unknown. Therefore, the effect of water deprivation for 24 hr, (as a model for dehydration) on the ultrastructure of mouse pial microvessels was investigated. The possible beneficial effect of garlic in preventing such ultrastructural changes was also investigated. Four groups of TO strain: control, control-garlic treated, dehydrated, and dehydrated-garlic treated male mice, 10/group, were used. Dehydration was induced by water deprivation for 24 hr. Garlic solution was i.p. injected at 0.1 ml/10g body weight. In urethane-anesthetized (2 mg/g, i.p.) mice, topical and transvessel bimodal fixation of pial microvessels was done with a phosphate buffered mixture of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde, followed by a conventional electron microscopy procedure. Examination of control cerebral pial microvessels showed no evidence of cellular damage. Membranes of endothelial cells were intact. Within pial microvessels there was no evidence of platelet aggregation. Garlic treatments did not cause any ultrastructure abnormalities in control mice. Compared with control, dehydration caused the appearance of thrombi that consisted of platelet aggregates. Discoid platelets containing granules, spheroid degranulated platelets, and those with large pseudopodia were present in 80% of dehydrated mice. The venular endothelial surface of dehydrated mice revealed dilated profiles of endoplasmic reticulum and variously shaped vacuoles. Swelling of nuclear envelopes and mitochondrial distension were also present in dehydrated mice. Concomitant garlic treatment prevented most of these ultrastructural changes. These findings demonstrated the extent of damage to the pial microvessels in response to water deprivation and demonstrated the beneficial effect of garlic as a possible mean of protection against oncoming vascular pathology.

Animals↗

Fibronectin promotes the elongation of microvessels during angiogenesis in vitro.

Fibronectin is a component of the extracellular matrix of developing microvessels whose role in angiogenesis is poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of plasma fibronectin on angiogenesis in serum-free collagen gel culture of rat aorta. Aortic explants embedded in collagen gels generated microvascular outgrowths. Fibronectin incorporated in the collagen gel promoted a selective dose-dependent elongation of the newly formed microvessels without stimulating vascular proliferation. The fibronectin-treated microvessels were longer due to a proportional increase in the number of microvascular cells. However, fibronectin had no effect on microvascular DNA synthesis and mitotic activity. Fibronectin stimulated microvascular length also in cultures in which mitotic activity was suppressed and angiogenesis was markedly reduced by pretreating the aortic explants with mitomycin C. The synthetic peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS), which competes for the binding of fibronectin to its cell receptors and inhibits the adhesion of endothelial cells to substrates, arrested the elongation of developing microvessels causing regression and inhibition of angiogenesis. Conversely, Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser (GRGES), which lacks the RGD sequence, had no inhibitory effect. These data support the hypothesis that fibronectin promotes angiogenesis and suggest that developing microvessels elongate in response to fibronectin as a result of an adhesion-dependent migratory recruitment of endothelial cells that does not require increased cell proliferation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ovarian cancer p53 mutation is associated with tumor microvessel density.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between microvessel density, as measured by CD31 staining, and histopathologic factors as well as p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Ovarian cancers (n = 77) were analyzed for p53 gene mutations and CD31 immunohistochemical expression. Histopathologic and mutational data were related to CD31 staining utilizing the Mantel correlation statistic. The microvessel density was scored by averaging counts from three high-power (200x) fields. Survival was based upon maximizing the hazard ratio. RESULTS: The mean microvessel density counts based on CD31 staining (vessels/HPF) for each FIGO stage and mutation type are as follows: Stage I (10.2), Stage II (10.7), Stage III (13.8), Stage IV (22.0), wild-type p53 (9.3), missense p53 mutation (14.4), and null p53 mutation (23.1). There was a significant correlation between microvessel density count and FIGO stage (P = 0.026), grade (P = 0.04), and p53 mutation type (P = 0.02). Median survival was more than doubled (6.4 vs 2.9 years; P = 0.009) for tumors with microvessel density counts less than or equal to 14 vessels/HPF. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ovarian cancer p53 mutation functions to directly influence angiogenesis, which in turn compromises disease-specific survival. It also suggests validity to targeting p53 alterations with gene replacement as well as the use of antiangiogenesis agents as novel molecular-based therapeutics for ovarian cancer.

Female↗

Measurement of membrane potential of endothelial cells in single perfused microvessels.

The membrane potential is an important modulator of calcium ion flux into endothelial cells of venular microvessels. We developed a method to measure the membrane potential of endothelial cells forming the walls of individually perfused microvessels under the same experimental conditions as those used to measure cytoplasmic calcium concentration and microvessel permeability. The membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent dye, bis-oxonol (1 microM), was added to the perfusate and the changes in bis-oxonol fluorescence intensity (FI) were calibrated in terms of changes in membrane potential using the cationic ionophore, gramicidin. FI changes an average of 0.625% per millivolt. The resting membrane potential of endothelial cells measured in single perfused microvessels, each calibrated individually, was 51.6 +/- 4.9 mV (n = 9). In the presence of high potassium Ringer's solutions (57.9 and 100 mM, [K+]o), the membrane depolarized 25 +/- 3 and 40 +/- 5 mV, respectively. Conversely, low potassium solutions (0.1 mM [K+]o) hyperpolarized the membrane by 23 +/- 4 mV. The endothelial membrane was also depolarized when the Na-K-ATPase was inhibited with ouabain. This method provides new data to test current hypotheses describing the role of the endothelial cell membrane potential as a modulator of microvessel permeability.

Animals↗

Developmental study of ultrastructural and biochemical changes in isolated chick brain microvessels.

The morphology of the endothelial junctions, the expression of the alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activities, and the transport systems for neutral amino acids (NAA) and for d-glucose were studied in parallel in isolated microvessels from the brains of 9-, 12-, and 21-day chick embryos and 30-day chickens using freeze-fracturing and biochemical techniques. In the 9-day embryos, the endothelium junctional plasma membranes show alignments of discrete intramembrane particles (Imps) on the replica P-faces. In the 12-day embryos, the junctional membranes show short fibrils of loosely interconnected fused Imps. In the 21-day embryos, the junction is characterized by simple networks, and in the 30-day chickens, by very dense meshworks of continuous, fibrillary strands. In early embryonic life, the ALKP activity is expressed at high levels, more markedly in the microvessels than in the whole brain. ALKP progressively declines in later embryos and even more in adulthood, when the activity is fivefold higher in the microvessels than in the whole brain. No GGT activity is expressed in either embryonic or adult microvessels. The transport systems for NAA and for d-glucose are most active in 12-day embryonic microvessels, and progressively less expressed by the 21st day and in the adult. The results taken as a whole suggest a close relationship between the morphological and the metabolic maturation of the endothelial barrier of cerebral vessels.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Effects of aminoguanidine on structural alterations of microvessels in peripheral nerve of streptozotocin diabetic rats.

This study was designed to explore the effect of aminoguanidine (AG) on the structural abnormalities of microvessels in the sural nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were treated with AG (25 mg/ kg, sc) for 16 weeks, a dose high enough to prevent glycation but also inhibit inducible nitric oxide synthase. Non-treated diabetic rats and normal Wistar rats were used for comparison. Morphometric analysis disclosed an expansion of vascular and luminal areas of endoneurial microvessels in diabetic rats, particularly of large size, compared to control rats. These changes were partially but significantly corrected by AG treatment. There was no closure of microvessels in diabetic rats. The mean ratio of basement membrane area to vascular area was significantly smaller in diabetic rats than that in normal control rats and basement membrane was not thickened in diabetic rats. The mean ratio of endothelial cell area to vascular area was smaller in diabetic rats than that in nondiabetic control rats, and it was not influenced by AG treatment. Numbers of microvessels per unit endoneurial area in diabetic rats were not different from those of control rats. These findings in conjunction with previous reports suggest that alterations of nerve blood flow detected in diabetic peripheral nerve may be relevant to structural alterations of endoneurial microvessels, which may be an early sign of endoneurial microangiopathy. We also consider that AG treatment is beneficial for experimental diabetic neuropathy, partially through the correction of endoneurial microcirculation.

Animals↗

Human cerebral endothelium: isolation and characterization of cells derived from microvessels of non-neoplastic and malignant glial tissue.

Human microvessels were isolated and cultured from non-neoplastic cerebral tissue specimens resected for the treatment of seizure disorders and from malignant glial tumors. After 1-2 weeks, cobblestone patterned plaques of cells were isolated and cultured from these microvessels. Cell lines positive for Factor VIII antigen and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein were designated as endothelium. Endothelium from both tissue sources produced gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in response to glial cell conditioned media. Tumor derived microvessel endothelium had decreased longevity in culture when compared to normal microvessel endothelium. Tumor derived endothelium also formed less extensive intercellular junctional complexes in vitro. The isolation and characterization of human cerebral microvessel endothelium derived from non-neoplastic tissue and glial tumors may lead to a further understanding of the role of endothelium in tumor growth and vascular permeability alterations.

Adolescent↗

Diabetes-related changes in the protein composition of rat cerebral microvessels.

To determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on cerebral microvessel protein composition, post translational modification of proteins with glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined and the abundant protein species found in cerebral microvessels isolated from control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were studied. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis and computer assisted densitometry revealed that only one out of 25 quantitated proteins was significantly altered in diabetic rats after 5 weeks of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The level of glycosylation of cerebral microvessel protein mixture was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to control rats (168.8 +/- 25 vs 109.5 +/- 4.8 nmol/mg) (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis of cerebral microvessel proteins from diabetic rats using a specific antibody against MDA-modified proteins revealed three protein spots with molecular weights of approximately 60,000 Kd. These were shown not to be contaminants from cerebral tissue or plasma proteins modified with MDA. It is concluded that short duration of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats is associated with some qualitative changes in protein composition of cerebral microvessels. These changes may contribute to the diabetes-related alterations in the blood-brain barrier.

Animals↗

The effect of age on protein composition of rat cerebral microvessels.

The effect of age on protein composition of cerebral microvessels was investigated by examining the content of glycosylation endproducts in cerebral microvessels isolated from young (3-6 month old), intermediate age (18 month) and aged (24-26 month old) Fischer 344 male rats and by quantitating various protein spots identified with two dimensional (2D) electrophoresis. The results indicate that aging in rats is not associated with significant increase in glycosylation of microvessel proteins. Of the 26 proteins in cerebral microvessels identified on the 2-D gel, ten showed significant age-related changes (p less than 0.0004) and in two of these the changes were significant as early as 18-months of age. A large acidic protein with a molecular weight of 144,000 and isoelectric point (pI) of 5.4 (Spot #1) was found only in aged rats. The results indicate that aging is associated with significant quantitative changes in protein composition of cerebral microvessels. It is possible that Spot #1 may be a novel biochemical marker of aging blood-brain barrier.

Aging↗

Adrenergic, serotoninergic, histaminergic, and imipramine binding sites in post-mortal human cerebral microvessel preparations.

Cerebral microvessels were prepared from fresh and frozen human brain samples obtained from autopsy cases. Structural integrity and purity of the microvessels were confirmed by light and electron microscopy, and by measurement of the enzymatic marker gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Similar morphological and enzymatic characteristics were found for the microvessels prepared from fresh and frozen brain samples. Radioligand binding experiments indicated the presence both in the "fresh" and "frozen" microvessel preparations of specific alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-adrenergic, histamine H1, serotonin S1 and imipramine binding sites, although the density of beta-adrenergic and histamine H1 specific binding sites were lower in the frozen samples than in the fresh samples. Low levels of specific binding to muscarinic, GABAergic and serotonin S2 sites (with respect to the specific binding densities in the crude homogenates) were found in the microvessel preparations.

Adult↗

Angiogenic potential of microvessel fragments established in three-dimensional collagen gels.

During angiogenesis, the microvasculature displays both vessel remodeling and expansion under the control of both cellular and extracellular influences. We have evaluated the role of angiogenic and angiostatic molecules on angiogenesis in an in vitro model that more appropriately duplicates the cellular and extracellular components of this process. Freshly isolated microvessel fragments from rat adipose tissue (RFMF) were cultured within three-dimensional collagen I gels. These fragments were characterized at the time of isolation and were composed of vessel segments observed in the microvasculature of fat in situ (i.e., arterioles, venules, and capillaries). Fragments also exhibited characteristic ablumenally associated cells including smooth muscle cells and pericytes. Finally, fragments were encased in an extracellular matrix composed of collagen type IV and collagen type I/III. The elongation of microvascular elements was subsequently evaluated using morphologic and immunocytochemical techniques. The proliferation, migration, and elongation of cellular elements in microvessel fragments from rat adipose tissue was dependent on initial fragment density, matrix density, and required serum. Inclusion of endothelial cell growth factors to microvessel fragments from rat adipose tissue 3-D cultures resulted in the accelerated elongation of tube structures and the expression of von Willebrand factor in cells constituting these tubes. Molecules with reported angiostatic capacity (e.g., transforming growth factor and hydrocortisone) inhibited vessel tube elongation. In vitro methods have been developed to evaluate numerous mechanisms associated with angiogenesis, including endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and phenotypic modulation. Microvascular endothelial cell fragments described in this study represent an in vitro population of cells that accurately duplicate the in vivo microcirculatory elements of fat. The proliferation of cells and elongation of microvascular elements subsequently observed in three-dimensional cultures provides an in vitro model of angiogenesis. Microvascular formation in this system results from pre-existing microvessel fragments unlike tube formation observed when cultured endothelial cells are placed in three-dimensional gels. This form of tube formation from cultured endothelium is more characteristic of vasculogenesis. Thus, the formation of microvascular elements from microvessel fragments provides the opportunity to examine the mechanisms regulating angiogenesis in an in vitro system amenable to precise experimental manipulation.

Actins↗

Methyl-[11C]- l-methionine uptake as measured by positron emission tomography correlates to microvessel density in patients with glioma.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using methyl-[(11)C]- l-methionine ([(11)C]MET) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of brain tumours. The main mechanism of [(11)C]MET uptake is probably increased transport via the L-transporter system located in the endothelial cell membrane. We used [(11)C]MET-PET and microvessel count in glioma specimens to investigate whether the increased amino acid uptake is related to angiogenesis. Twenty-one patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed glioma were investigated with [(11)C]MET-PET before open surgery. [(11)C]MET uptake was determined within an 8-mm region of interest in the area of the tumour showing the highest uptake, and the ratio to uptake in the corresponding contralateral region was calculated. To measure angiogenesis, immunostaining with factor VIII antibody was applied to sections from tumour tissue, and highlighted microvessels were counted in the area of highest vascularisation. In the entire patient group, a positive correlation was found between microvessel count and [(11)C]MET uptake (Spearman: r=0.89, P<0.001). This correlation was also significant in subgroups of patients [patients with grade II and III astrocytomas (Spearman: r=0.77, P<0.01) and patients with glioblastoma (Spearman: r=0.64, P<0.05)]. Angiogenesis, as assessed by microvessel count, and increased amino acid uptake, as assessed by [(11)C]MET-PET, are closely related events in gliomas. [(11)C]MET-PET offers a direct measure of amino acid transport and an indirect measure of microvessel density. [(11)C]MET-PET might be a useful tool to select potential responders to anti-angiogenic therapy and to monitor patients during such therapy.

Adult↗

Cerebral and pial microvessels: differential expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase.

Pial microvessels have several important blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics in common with cerebral microvessels, despite lacking their astrocytic ensheathment. We have therefore determined whether they have the same distribution of two enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) and alkaline phosphatase, both of which are known to be astrocyte-dependent. GGTP was absent from all rat pial microvessels but strongly present in brain cortical capillaries. Alkaline phosphatase was heterogeneously expressed in pial microvessels, including capillaries, but strongly positive in brain cortical capillaries. Diffusible, inductive factors produced by astrocytes could account for these differences in enzyme distribution between the two vessel types. Furthermore, differences in expression between the two markers may reflect their differing sensitivities to the astrocytic factors. Caution is urged in the common usage of the pial microvessel as a model system in BBB studies.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗