Three-dimensional analysis of interstitial cells in the lamina propria of the murine vas deferens by confocal laser scanning microscopy and FIB/SEM.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to explore the three-dimensional (3D) ultrastructure of interstitial cells (ICs) within the lamina propria of the murine vas deferens and the spatial relationships between epithelial cells and surrounding cells. Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were performed. ICs within the lamina propria had a flat, sheet-like structure of cytoplasm with multiple cellular processes. In addition, two types of 3D structures that comprised cell processes of flat, sheet-like ICs were observed: one was an accordion fold-like structure and the other was a rod-shaped structure. ICs were located parallel to the epithelium and were connected to each other via gap junctions or adherens junctions. Moreover, multiple sphere-shaped extracellu

SUBMITTER: Hiroshige T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9177838 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature