Electron microscopy approach for the visualization of the epithelial and endothelial glycocalyx

Morphologie : Bulletin De L'Association Des Anatomistes
L ChevalierV Richard

Abstract

This study presents a methodological approach for the visualization of the glycocalyx by electron microscopy. The glycocalyx is a three dimensional network mainly composed of glycolipids, glycoproteins and proteoglycans associated with the plasma membrane. Since less than a decade, the epithelial and endothelial glycocalyx proved to play an important role in physiology and pathology, increasing its research interest especially in vascular functions. Therefore, visualization of the glycocalyx requires reliable techniques and its preservation remains challenging due to its fragile and dynamic organization, which is highly sensitive to the different process steps for electron microscopy sampling. In this study, chemical fixation was performed by perfusion as a good alternative to conventional fixation. Additional lanthanum nitrate in the fixative enhances staining of the glycocalyx in transmission electron microscopy bright field and improves its visualization by detecting the elastic scattered electrons, thus providing a chemical contrast.

Citations

Aug 25, 2019·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Masahito TachiHiroyuki Tomita
May 12, 2018·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Daniel R MachinAnthony J Donato
Dec 5, 2020·European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery·Jean SelimJean-Marc Baste
Jun 3, 2021·Biology·Shailey Gale TwamleyAgnieszka Münster-Wandowski
Aug 29, 2021·Polymers·Yifan ZhengSteven J Mentzer

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