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High melanosome engulfing activity of cutaneous fibroblasts in macular amyloidosis: an electron microscopic study
Author(s) -
Ishii M.,
Terao Y.,
Asai Y.,
Hamada T.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1984.tb00406.x
Subject(s) - melanosome , endoplasmic reticulum , pinocytosis , amyloidosis , fibroblast , pathology , electron microscope , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , phagocytosis , amyloid (mycology) , chemistry , ultrastructure , secretion , endocytosis , cell , biology , medicine , biochemistry , melanin , in vitro , physics , optics
Six patients with macular amyloidosis were investigated by electron microscopy and various morphological changes in fibroblasts were identified. Many cells, which seemed to be macrophages by light microscopy, proved to be fibroblasts. The digesting action of fibroblasts was well developed and many melanosomes were taken into the cells making the cells resemble melanophages. The fibroblasts extended long, thin and branched cytoplasmic processes to surround the amyloid mass, and the cells selectively extended these into the narrow spaces between collagen and amyloid. The fibroblast showed highly developed endocytotic activity and probable ingcstion of amyloid by pinocytosis or phagocytosis. The developed rough cndoplasmic reticulum contained much protein and was active in secretion.