QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF ARTERIAL ENDOTHELIUM IN THE ADULT SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RAT

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (4) , 252-263
Abstract
Ultrastructural features of aortic and carotid artery endothelium were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture methodologies. Morphometric analysis was conducted to quantitate the pinocytotic vesicle population within endothelial cells. A significantly greater volume fraction of vesiclesd and vesicles/.mu.m3 was found in the carotid artery. The membrane-bound vesicles in the endothelium of the aorta and carotid artery exhibited a greater fractional area than was reported for capillary endothelium. A specialized function of the vesicles in large arteries for increasing the total plasma membrane surface area in response to high transmural pressures is indicated.