Ultrastructural Reorganization of Endotheliocytes of Pulmonary Blood Capillaries in COVID-19.

Abstract

The ultrastructural organization endotheliocytes of pulmonary blood capillaries in COVID-19 was studied on autopsy material using electron microscopy. Swelling of the cytoplasm and mitochondria with destruction of the cristae, dilation of the Golgi complex cisternae, a decrease in the volume density of the luminal and basal caveolae and free transport vesicles, an increase of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, as well as the presence of elements of coronavirus replication (reticulovesicular structures, zippered endoplasmic reticulum, electron-dense particles in the Golgi cisternae, and vacuoles with viral particles) were revealed. Further studies of the intracellular mechanisms used by the virus to replicate could help to develop antiviral drugs for the treatment of the new coronavirus infection.

• Authors: N P Bgatova, S V Savchenko, A N Lamanov, M Zh Ergazina, M T Adilova, A Yu Letyagin
• Journal: Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine (Bull Exp Biol Med) Vol. 175 Issue 5 Pg. 667-672 (Sep 2023) ISSN: 1573-8221 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 37861904 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Topics

• Humans
• Capillaries
• COVID-19
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ultrastructure)
• Golgi Apparatus (ultrastructure)
• Microscopy, Electron