Electron Microscopic Studies on Cellular Characteristics and Transport Systems in Tight Epithelia

Tight epithelia의 세포특성과 수송체계에 관한 전자현미경적 연구

This study analysed the transport properties of bladder mucosa known as the typical system of 'tight epithelia' by using TEM observation with both rapid freeze-fracture electron microscopy and thin-section method and mainly analysed the cellular characteristics of turtle bladder epithelial cells. The bladder epithelium, like other tight epithelia, consists of a heterogenous population of cells. The majority of the mucosal cells are the granular cells and may function primarily in the process of active $Na^+$ reabsorption in turtle bladder. The remaining two types of cells are rich in mitochondria and is believed to be res-ponsible for a single major transport system, namely, $H^+$ transport by A-type of cell and urinary $HCO_{3}^-$ secretion by B-type of cell. As viewed in freeze-fracture electron micrograph, the tight junctions form a continuous tight seal around the epithelial cells, thus restricting diffusion in tight epithelia. In addition, the apical surface membranes have a population of rod-shaped intramembranous particles (IMPs). It is believed that these IMPs probably represent the components of the proton pump. However, it is likely that these characteristics of the apical transporter remain to be clarified in tight epithelial cells.