Figure 4.

Electron microscopy images of morphine-induced glomerular alterations in BERK-sickle mice. Electron micrographs of kidneys from BERK mice treated with PBS or morphine for 3 weeks. (A and B) Electron micrographs of kidneys from PBS-treated BERK mice. (A) Normal podocyte foot processes (green arrow) and (B), normal mesangial region (mesangial cell, yellow arrow and mesangial matrix, turquoise arrow) in male BERK mice treated with PBS. (C–E) Electron micrographs of BERK mice treated with morphine for 3 weeks. (C) Foot process effacement (green arrow) and marked microvillus (mv) transformation in the kidney of female BERK mice treated with morphine. (D) Marked expansion of mesangial matrix (turquoise arrow), podocyte (green arrow), and increased mesangial cells (yellow arrow), but no immune complexes in the kidneys of male BERK mice treated with morphine. (E) Foot process effacement (green arrow) in the kidney of male BERK mice.

Notes: Scale bar, 500 nm (A, C and E), and 2 μm (B and D). Electron micrographs represent 4 each BERK mice (2 males and 2 females) treated with PBS or morphine.

Abbreviations: mc, mesangial cell; mm, mesangial matrix; mv, microvillus; pcfp, podocyte foot processes; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.