Figure 9.

Examples of endothelial activation with leukocyte, platelet and erythrocyte adhesion. This multi-panel image demonstrates the activated ECs and adhesion of leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets in brain cortical tissues of a 20-week-old mouse (db/db) with obesity, insulin resistance and T2DM. Panel (a) depicts an activated EC (red) with loss of organelles and electron lucency with swelling. Note the thickened BM with vacuolization (V). Insert shows lower magnification of this same activated EC as in Figure 1B. Panels b, c, d and e are cropped images from the brain cortex of a 20-week-old db/db mouse. Panel (b) shows a monocyte adhering to the endothelium that will eventually differentiate into a monocyte-derived macrophage in the tissues. Panel (c) illustrates lymphocyte adhering to the activated endothelium. Panel (d) reveals a platelet adhering to the endothelium (outlined by a yellow dashed line). Panel (e) depicts an erythrocyte adhering to the endothelium.

Cl, capillary lumen; MP, microparticle.