Ultrastructual Study of the Liver in Experimental Murine Amyloidosis by Freeze Fracture Method

Ultrastructural relationship between amyloid fibrils and Kupffer cells was observed by the methods of freeze fracture replica as well as usual ultrastructural observation. The following results were obtained in this experiment. Amyloid nodules in the Disse's space were composed of numerous amyloid fibrils and fine granular substance, which might be serum components. Amyloid fibrils arranged in all directions, some of which consisted of two subunits twisted to each other. Amyloid bundles projected from the deeply concave surface of the cytoplasmic membrane of Kupffer cells showed the appearance of stone-column-like structure. Specific distribution of membrane particles for endocytosis and/or exocytosis could not be demonstrated in the fracture face of cytoplasmic membrane of Kupffer cells. There was no intimate relationship between amyloid fibrils and globular structures in the Kupffer cells.