FIG. 2.

Ultrastructural changes induced by mechanical stretch through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Typical TEM image of control neurons (a) and cortical neurons 1h (b) and 12 h (c) after mechanical stretch. Representative TEM images are presented. Red (a, b) and yellow (b, c) arrows indicate normal and damaged mitochondria, respectively. (d) A representative section of control primary cortical neurons with dispersed chromatin and a clearly defined nucleolus. (e–g) A representative section of mechanically stretched primary cortical neurons showing apoptosis with intact plasma membrane, fragmented nuclei, chromatin clumping, and cytoplasmic vacuoles in 6 h (e), 12 h (f) and 24 h (g). Enlargement of the rectangular selected areas show the normal (d) or abnormal (f, g) mitochondria after mechanical stretch. Red arrow (e) indicates apoptotic bodies. Black arrows (g) indicate necrotic neurons with loss of membrane integrity and cell swelling. Color image is available online at www.liebertonline.com/neu