Immuno Electron Microscopic Studies on Cells Synthesizing Elastin

Abstract

Embryonic chick and hamster aortas were examined in the electron microscope using ferritin-conjugated, elastin-specific antibodies after etching of the plastic, thin sections with a dilute solution of benzene, methanol and ethanol. Specific staining of intracellular vesicles was observed in both smooth muscle and endothelial cells in addition to extracellular elastin fibers. In the chick cells, these ferritin-stained vesicles had a lipid-laden appearance. In both species the vesicles appeared to fuse with the plasma membrane and discharge their contents into the extracellular space suggesting elastin is secreted via vesicular structures.

Immuno-Electron-Microscopic Application of Antiserum against Elastin

“…Moreover. Damiano et al [1981] noted intracellular vesicles in the smooth muscle cells which showed a positive reaction to the antielastin antibody. They suggested that elastin is secreted via vesicular structures.…”

“…however, is associated with the nonspecific binding of antiserum. The use of a protein such as BSA [Damiano et al, 1981] for pretreatment eliminated nonspecific binding of the primary antiserum to the embedding medium or other tissue components. However, in all cases there were small amounts of nonspecific binding to the embedding medium itself.…”

Immunological Changes in Elastin Degradation Indices in Prehypertensive Patients

“…Some authors (10) consider that antibodies increase compared to glicated proteins is a marker for speeded age process of vessel wall. It is known that glicated proteins have common epitops (14) and antibodies which react cross-like to different glicated proteins.…”

Preparation of a Specific Antiserum against Elastin of the Human Aorta

“…Sykes and Chidlow [1974] obtained a good antibody response in sheep to insoluble chicken aorta elastin. Damiano et al [1979Damiano et al [ . 1981 immunized sheep with lung elastin according to the proto col described by Sykes and Chidlow [ 1974] and obtained an antiserum against insoluble elastin.…”

“…Sykes and Chidlow [1974] and Damiano et al [1979Damiano et al [ . 1981 used elastin for immunization which was isolated by hot alkaline according to the method of Lansing et al [1952].…”