Capillary pericytes express α-smooth muscle actin, which requires prevention of filamentous-actin depolymerization for detection.
Elife
; 72018 03 21.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29561727
ABSTRACT
Recent evidence suggests that capillary pericytes are contractile and play a crucial role in the regulation of microcirculation. However, failure to detect components of the contractile apparatus in capillary pericytes, most notably α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), has questioned these findings. Using strategies that allow rapid filamentous-actin (F-actin) fixation (i.e. snap freeze fixation with methanol at -20°C) or prevent F-actin depolymerization (i.e. with F-actin stabilizing agents), we demonstrate that pericytes on mouse retinal capillaries, including those in intermediate and deeper plexus, express α-SMA. Junctional pericytes were more frequently α-SMA-positive relative to pericytes on linear capillary segments. Intravitreal administration of short interfering RNA (α-SMA-siRNA) suppressed α-SMA expression preferentially in high order branch capillary pericytes, confirming the existence of a smaller pool of α-SMA in distal capillary pericytes that is quickly lost by depolymerization. We conclude that capillary pericytes do express α-SMA, which rapidly depolymerizes during tissue fixation thus evading detection by immunolabeling.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Vasos Retinianos
/
Capilares
/
Actinas
/
Pericitos
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Elife
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Turquía