Phagocytosis of cytoplasmic blebs derived from smooth muscle cells by fibroblast-like cells and macrophages in the post-partum rat uterus

Structural Transformations of Myocytes during Gestation and Early Postpartum Involution of the Uterus

“…The formation of vacuoles in SMC and protrusion of the cytoplasm sites (clasmatosis) in uterine myocytes were described previously [7]. Presumably, cytoplasm protrusions with subsequent separation are a reaction of hypertrophic myocytes to possible hypoxia because of uterine vessels stenosis after labor.…”

“…The weight of the uterine myometrium increases at the expense of the size and number of smooth-muscle cells (SMC) [4], the contribution of each of these processes being about the same. Postpartum involution of the myometrium is presumably realized through the following intracellular mechanisms: myocyte clasmatosis leading to cell shrinkage [7], autophagocytosis (occurring mainly in the fibroblasts) [6], and apoptosis surely eventuating in cell elimination [8]. Autophagocytosis usually manifests in fibroblasts; procollagen molecules, synthesized, but not yet assembled in a mature chain, are thus destroyed.…”

Dynamics of Myocytes of Different Types in Rat Myometrium during Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Involution

“…Hence, the tissues were inevitably exposed to ischemia and malnutrition, which was seen from intensive vacuolation of myocytes. Cytoplasmic protrusion of cells as a reaction to deficient oxygen supply to tissues has been described for the intestinal epitheliocytes [7] and uterine myocytes after labor [6]. Rejection of the cytoplasm fragments leads to reduction of cell volume, but helps to retain cell viability.…”

“…Sometimes myocytes irrespective of the nuclear status contained numerous clear vacuole-like structures in the cytoplasm (type 3). The presence of these vacuoles indicated the development of hydropic degeneration in the myocytes, which could be caused by hypoxia, disorders of water metabolism in the cell, or malnutrition [6]. Type 4 cells were characterized by small size, sickle-shaped hyperchromatic nuclei shifted to the periphery, and clear cytoplasm resembling a solitary intracellular vacuole.…”

Ultrastructure of fluoride‐induced cysts in the rat molar enamel organ

“…It has also been described following intoxication of ameloblasts with vinblastine (20)(21)(22). Furthermore, the same type of change has been found in the kidney (23) and the small intestinal mucosa (24) following ischemic conditions, and in smooth muscle cells post partum (25,26). PFEIFER & ATERMAN (27) proposed that cytopiasmic shedding is a mechanism of improving the potential of a cell to adapt to a changing environment.…”