Ultrastructure of the capillary pericytes and the expression of smooth muscle α‐actin and desmin in the snake infrared sensory organs

摘要: The infrared sensory membranes of pit organs vipers have an extremely rich capillary vasculature that forms many vascular loops, each serving a small number nerve terminals. We clarified the ultrastructure pericytes in by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, examined immunoreactivity their cytoplasm to two contractile proteins: smooth muscle alpha-actin (SM alpha-actin) desmin. had major cytoplasmic processes: thickened primary processes radiate embrace endothelial tube flattened secondary are distributed widely on endothelium. Coexpression SM desmin was observed entire segments, characterized prominent filament bundles directed mainly at right angles long axis. This expression pattern different from scales, where expressed diffusely cytoplasm. In series microscopic sections, we often pericyte depressing wall. also close relationship with inter-endothelial cell junctions, connected cells via gap junctions. From these findings, surmised membrane functional endothelium, through relaxing activity regulate bloodflow stabilize production impulses.