The role of cellular parenchyma and extracellular matrix in the histogenesis of the paruterine organ of Mesocestoides lineatus (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda)

The cellular parenchyma of adult Mesocestoides lineatus consists primarily of muscle cells divided into myofibrils, myocytons with numerous greatly dilated cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum, and glycogen‐rich myocytons with lipid droplets and membranous whorl inclusions. The latter are connected to each other by numerous gap junctions. Other mesenchymally arranged cells in the parenchyma are calcareous corpuscle cells. The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of an electron‐lucent ground substance and numerous filaments. During histogenesis of the paruterine organ wall, the myocytons surrounding the posterior end of the uterus undergo extensive flattening, followed by cellular deterioration. There is a concomitant reduction in ECM/cell ratio. The paruterine organ lumen dilates and then its uterine epithelium breaks down as the wall thickens, so that the late gravid paruterine organ consists of a thick wall of membranous sheets enclosing the egg mass. Parenchymal cells in other regions of the proglottid do not undergo change. These data provide evidence for epithelial‐mesenchymal‐ECM interactions in the development of an epithelio‐mesenchymal organ in the Platyhelminthes.