Ouabain-Induced Cytoplasmic Vesicles and Their Role in Cell Volume Maintenance

Figure 6

Liver slice incubated as indicated before in the presence of ouabain and cytochalasin D [7]. (a) Numerous vesicles of differing sizes are widely scattered throughout the cells and not particularly oriented to the canalicular region. The large vesicles tend to be more irregular in shape than the small ones probably due to their formation by fusion, and both have rather clear contents. The bile canaliculi appear partially disorganized showing a thin submembranous layer of cortical actin and a loss of microvilli. The perimeter of the canaliculi is round with a smooth surface. (b) Detail of large vesicles. Two cells form an irregular bile canaliculus (BC). Large cytoplasmic vesicles appear to fuse with each other and with the canaliculus. (c) Detail of a bile canaliculus almost devoid of microvilli. The layer of cortical actin is almost unrecognizable because of its thinness. BC = bile canaliculus; V = vesicles; S = sinusoid.