Effects of pressure on vesicle size, density, and distribution in the canine carotid arterial endothelium

The purpose of the present experiment was to study the effects of internal hydrostatic pressure on vesicle size, density, and distribution in the canine carotid arterial endothelium by transmission electron microscopy. The pressures applied in this study were 0 (control), 40, 60, 80, 100, and 150 mm Hg. The results of transmission electron microscopy and computer analysis on the plasmalemmal vesicles of aortic endothelium showed that luminal, abluminal, and junctional vesicles all increased their diameter as the pressure was raised from 0 mm Hg, reaching a maximum at 80 mm Hg, and then decreased in size with further increases in pressure to 150 mm Hg. There was a significant difference in diameter among vesicles in different regions of the endothelium, with the diameter of luminal vesicles larger than those of abluminal and junctional vesicles. The densities of vesicles showed very little change from 0 to 80 mm Hg; but they increased markedly as the pressure was further raised from 80 to 150 mm Hg. These results indicate that pressure is an important mechanical factor governing the size and density of plasmalemmal vesicles in aortic endothelium.