Three-dimensional organization of fenestrae labyrinths in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.

F. Braet*, J. Riches, W. Geerts, K.A. Jahn, E. Eddie Wisse, P. Frederik

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Background/Aims: Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) fenestrae are membrane-bound pores that are grouped in sieve plates and act as a bidirectional guardian in regulating transendothelial liver transport. The high permeability of the endothelial lining is explained by the presence of fenestrae and by various membrane-bound transport vesicles. The question as to whether fenestrae relate to other transport compartments remains unclear and has been debated since their discovery almost 40 years ago. Methods: In this study, novel insights concerning the three-dimensional (3D) organization of the fenestrated cytoplasm were built on transmission electron tomographical observations on isolated and cultured whole-mount LSECs. Classical transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy imaging was performed to accumulate cross-correlative structural evidence. Results and Conclusions: The data presented here indicate that different arrangements of fenestrae have to be considered: i.e. open fenestrae that lack any structural obstruction mainly located in the thin peripheral cytoplasm and complexes of multifolded fenestrae organized as labyrinth-like structures that are found in the proximity of the perinuclear area. Fenestrae in labyrinths constitute about one-third of the total LSEC porosity. The 3D reconstructions also revealed that coated pits and small membrane-bound vesicles are exclusively interspersed in the non-fenestrated cytoplasmic arms.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)603-613
    JournalLiver International
    Volume29
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Three-dimensional organization of fenestrae labyrinths in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this