Figure 3.

Dermal ultrastructure of (a,c,e,g,i) non-glycated and (b,d,f,h,k) glycated RHS. (a) Homogenous and (b) aggregated collagen in the stratum papillare. (c–f) Ultrastructure of the stratum papillare. Fibroblasts (NHDF), cell fragments, and vesicles, as well as filaments and fibrils of various sizes bordering the keratinocytes (NHK) of the stratum basale. (c,e) Lower concentration of the structural elements in non-glycated dermal compartment filaments with ((e) magnification of (c)) fibrils of various sizes (arrows). (d,f) Local accumulations of thin, densely organized structures in glycated RHS, nearby the stratum basale (arrow) ((f) magnification of (d)), finest cross-linked filaments with a wave-like pattern constitute densely organized structures (arrows). (g–k) Ultrastructure of stratum reticulare. (g,i) Collagen fibers (arrows) show a disorientated pattern in all directions ((i) magnification of (g)). Collagen fibers with different sizes in non-glycated RHS (arrows). (h,k) Collagen fibrils axially orientated to the stratum basale ((k) magnification of (h)) the thinner the fibrils, the more densely they are packed. Densely packed fine fibrils and loosely packed thicker fibrils (arrows). (a,b) Reflectance confocal microscopy, bar = 100 µm; (c,d,g,h) transmission electron microscopy (TEM), bar = 2.5 µm; (e,f,i,k) TEM, bar = 1.0 µm.