Coronary C-reactive protein distribution: its relation to development of atherosclerosis.

Two hundred and ninety-nine paraffin-embedded human coronary artery sections from 68 autopsies, both male and female and with various causes of death, were examined for distribution of C-reactive protein (CRP) using the indirect immunofluorescence technique and high-resolution confocal microscopy. The results demonstrate, for the first time, the existence of CRP in human coronary arteries, with evidence of CRP deposits being associated with lipids within in the artery walls. Grades of CRP immunoreactivity positively correlate with relative intimal thickness and negatively correlate with relative lumen size.

Plasma protein insudation as an index of early coronary atherogenesis.

Two hundred ninety-nine paraffin-embedded coronary artery blocks from 68 autopsy cases were serially sectioned. The blocks were selected to provide a range from normal through various stages of atherosclerosis, and sections were examined with the indirect immunofluorescence technique for intramural distribution of plasma albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin gamma (IgG). Cryostat-sections of 44 blocks from 22 of the same cases were examined with the same technique for distribution of apolipoprotein B.

Immunohistochemical study of intimal microvessels in coronary atherosclerosis.

Two hundred ninety-nine human coronary artery paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were examined for intimal microvessel invasion by probing for factor VIII-associated antigen with indirect immunofluorescence and high resolution confocal microscopy. The results obtained confirm that intimal microvessels originate in the adventitia and show that the richness of intimal microvessels is strongly positively correlated with intimal thickness and negatively correlated with relative lumen size. A number of plasma constituents were examined in serial sections.

A method for embedding thin membranes in historesin.

A method is described for flat-embedding thin membranous tissues in Historesin. It allows easy orientation for sectioning large areas parallel to the surface. Selected fields can be monitored from the unfixed specimen, throughout preparation, to mounting on the microscope slide.

Microvasculature of normal and involuted mouse thymus. Light- and electron-microscopic study.

The spatial arrangement of blood vessels in the thymus of normal and hydrocortisone-injected mice was studied by light and electron microscopy. The thymus is supplied by one thymic artery which branches into arterioles as it enters the parenchyma. These, in turn, feed capillary networks in the cortex and in the medulla.

The vasculature of the guinea-pig thymus: topographic studies by light and electron microscopy.

The three-dimensional vascular distribution and the vascular-parenchymal relationship in normal guinea pig thymus were studied by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Interlobular arteries arising from one thymic artery entered the thymic parenchyma where they branched into arterioles and then formed capillary networks in the cortex and in the medulla. Most cortical capillaries drained to the surface via perpendicular venules which merged into the subcapsular veins.

The popliteal lymph node of the mouse: internal architecture, vascular distribution and lymphatic supply.

The architecture of the mouse popliteal lymph nodes differs from that shown in conventional diagrams. The cortical lymphoid tissue, rather than forming a continuous outer layer, is organised into one or two hemispherical aggregates which project towards the hilus. These aggregates are surrounded by medullary tissue which thus extends to large areas of the surface of the node.

Topographical studies of lymphocyte localization using an intracellular fluorochrome.

A procedure for analysing the topographical localization in tissue sections or whole-organ mounts of lymphocytes labelled with an intracellular DNA-binding fluorochrome, Hoechst dye No. 33342, is described. The localization of intravenously injected lymphocytes in spleen, popliteal lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches was followed up to 7 days.

Blood vessels of the Peyer's patch in the mouse: I. Topographic studies.

The topographic distribution of blood vessels in Peyer's patches of mice was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy with whole mounts of flattened gut segments and vascular corrosion casts. Peyer's patches are imbedded in the intestinal wall and share its blood supply. Two to four mural trunks may contribute to the area of the patch.

Blood vessels of the Peyer's patch in the mouse: III. High-endothelium venules.

High-endothelium venules of mouse Peyer's patches were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and a quantitative assessment was made of the location of lymphocytes in relation to endothelial cells. Untreated mice and mice with markedly depressed levels of circulating lymphocytes were used. Lymphocytes were divided into adhering and migrating cells and as to association either with the body of the endothelial cell or with its cell border.

Blood vessels of the Peyer's patch in the mouse: II. In vivo observations.

A technique was developed that allowed the in vivo observation of Peyer's patches in the mouse for several hours. Untreated animals and animals depleted of lymphocytes were used. In this species, blood vessels associated with the lymphoid nodules are readily visible through the thin serosal muscle coat.

Pathological vascularization of the coronary intima.

Secondary vascularization was found in the walls of diseased coronary arteries from 36 individuals who died after sudden cardiac arrest. In the series presented here, coronary arteries of hospital patients dying from all causes also showed a 100% incidence of pathological neovascularization. A process linking neovascularization and chronic inflammation to an ultimate infectious aetiology is suggested.

Hereditary thrombocytopathy: a familial bleeding disorder due to impaired platelet coagulant activity.

A family with a bleeding disorder due to congenital thrombocytopenic thrombocytopathy is described, with ten affected members in three generations. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is characterized by thrombocytopenia, morphologically abnormal platelets, prolonged bleeding time, platelet coagulant activity deficiency and abnormal platelets, prolonged bleeding time, platelet coagulant activity deficiency and abnormal platelet aggregation. Patients' platelets adhered to collagen, but aggregation was reversible and the release of platelet constituents was minimal.

Anti-horseradish peroxidase associated with tubular structures in the endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells in stimulated lymph nodes of mice.

Tubular structures are described in dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum in plasma cells of lymph nodes stimulated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A positive reaction for anti-HRP antibody suggests that they are formed of immunoglobulins or are at least closely associated with them.

Anti-horseradish peroxidase associated with Golgi complex of antibody-forming cells.

Observations are reported on the localization of anti-horseradish peroxidase in antibody-forming cells in popliteal lymph nodes following a single injection of antigen. Reaction product, marking the site of antibody, was observed not only in the ergastoplasm and cisternae of the Golgi complex, but also in globules associated with the Golgi complex.

The migration of lymphocytes across the vascular endothelium in lymphoid tissue. A reexamination.

An electron microscope study was made of the mode of lymphocyte migration across the endothelial layer of venules in the Peyer's patches of mice and rats. Single and serial sections were examined. Of a total of about 800 lymphocytes observed in single sections, 91% were located between endothelial cells and 9% were surrounded by endothelial cytoplasm in the particular plane of section.