A method for generating morphometric data using SEM and an automated television image analysis system for the investigation of cell borders

Abstract

The traditional silver nitrate impregnation method used for visualization of cell borders does not allow the study of intercellular relationships and fails to demonstrate features of cell microrelief. It is shown that osmium tetroxide impregnation of vascular tissue, emphasizing cell border lines, and a special image analysis program for the semiautomatic system IBAS 2 can be used together for the effective analysis of the fine structure and of the cell layer. Our investigations of the aortic endothelium using this complex method have confirmed the heterogeneity of aortic endothelial cells in health and demonstrated that the endothelium of different aortic regions displays differential responses to blood pressure elevation and, further, that a major factor underlying the alterations observed in endothelial cells in disease and hypertension is the differential degree of overlap of the neighboring endothelial cells. Copyright © 1991 Foundation for Advances in Medicine and Science, Inc.