Ultrastructural localization of acidic glycoconjugates with the low iron diamine method

The present study has applied the low iron diamine (LID) method at the ultrastructural level to demonstrate acid glycoconjugates. We have examined rat epiphyseal cartilage, human bone marrow, rat tracheal glands, and mouse sublingual glands stained with LID prior to embedment. The LID staining appeared to require postosmication for adequate visualization at the electron microscope level. Thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (TCH-SP) staining of thin sections variably enhanced LID reactive sites. LID-TCH-SP stained carboxyl and sulfate groups of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular cartilage matrix, secretory granules, and expanded Golgi saccules of chondrocytes. In human bone marrow, LID-TCH-SP variably stained the cytoplasmic granules, known to contain sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and the external surface of the plasma membrane of leukocytes. Moderately strong LID staining was observed in secretory granules in mucous tubules of rat tracheal glands, known to contain sulfated glycoproteins, and in acinar cells of mouse sublingual glands, known to contain a sialoglycoprotein. The lack of sulfated glycoconjugates in acinar cells of the mouse sublingual gland was confirmed by their failure to stain with the high iron diamine method. Thus these studies indicate that the LID and LID-TCH-SP methods are useful for the ultrastructural localization of carboxylated and sulfated glycoconjugates in extracellular and intracellular sites.     

Histochemical properties of sulfated glycoconjugates in developing enameloid matrix of the fish Polypterus senegalus

I investigated the ultrastructural localization and histochemical properties of sulfated glycoconjugates in developing enameloid matrix of the fish Polypterus senegalus, by use of the high iron diamine thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) staining and enzymatic digestion methods. HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were localized in the dental basal lamina and in the whole thickness of developing enameloid matrix, particularly closely associated with enameloid collagen fibrils. Most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the enameloid were susceptible to testicular hyaluronidase but some stain deposits survived. HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the basal lamina resisted the enzymatic digestion, and were regularly localized to the internal and external sites of lamina densa at an early stage of development, subsequently tending to be randomly arranged with the increase in thickness of enameloid matrix layer. Furthermore, enzymatic digestion with heparitinase preferentially removed HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the region of the basal lamina. Thus, it was confirmed that most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in developing enameloid matrix are chondroitin 4-sulfate and/or 6-sulfate and that the stain deposits in the basal lamina represent heparan sulfate. The chondroitin sulfates tended to disappear with the advancement of enameloid mineralization.     

Histochemical properties of sulfated glycoconjugates in developing enameloid matrix of the fish Polypterus senegalus

Summary I investigated the ultrastructural localization and histochemical properties of sulfated glycoconjugates in developing enameloid matrix of the fish Polypterus senegalus, by use of the high iron diamine thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) staining and enzymatic digestion methods. HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were localized in the dental basal lamina and in the whole thickness of developing enameloid matrix, particularly closely associated with enameloid collagen fibrils. Most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the enameloid were susceptible to testicular hyaluronidase but some stain deposits survived. HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the basal lamina resisted the enzymatic digestion, and were regularly localized to the internal and external sites of lamina densa at an early stage of development, subsequently tending to be randomly arranged with the increase in thickness of enameloid matrix layer. Furthermore, enzymatic digestion with heparitinase preferentially removed HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in the region of the basal lamina. Thus, it was confirmed that most HID-TCH-SP stain deposits in developing enameloid matrix are chondroitin 4-sulfate and/or 6-sulfate and that the stain deposits in the basal lamina represent heparan sulfate. The chondroitin sulfates tended to disappear with the advancement of enameloid mineralization.     

Ultrastructural visualization of carbohydrates in oxytalan fibers in monkey periodontal ligaments

Fullmer's oxytalan fibers appear to be special connective tissue fibers belonging to elastic system fibers. We have ultrastructurally examined carbohydrates in oxytalan fibers in monkey periodontal ligaments after glutaraldehyde fixation and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) decalcification using: Thiéry's periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method for thin-section staining of vicinal glycol-containing complex carbohydrates, and the concanavalin A-ferritin (Con A-ferritin) and Con A-horseradish peroxidase (Con-A-HRP) en bloc staining methods specific for alpha-D-mannosyl and alpha-D-glucosyl groups. PA-TCH-SP stained collagen fibrils weakly to moderately and stained oxytalan fibers moderately. Con A-ferritin and Con A-HRP stained collagen fibrils weakly or moderately and stained oxytalan fibers intensely within the superficial region of specimen blocks. The penetration of staining reagents was improved by prior saponin treatment and/or chondroitinase ABC digestion. Thus, these studies demonstrate that PA-TCH-SP and Con A staining of carbohydrates is very useful in identifying oxytalan fibers at the ultrastructural level and that more carbohydrate components are present in oxytalan fibers than in collagen fibrils.     

True enamel matrix of the newt,Triturus pyrrhogaster,contains no sulfated glycoconjugates

Summary The ultrastructural distibution and histochemical properties of sulfated glycoconjugates were investigated in the developing enamel of the adult newt, Triturus pyrrhogaster, by use of the high-iron diamine thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) staining and enzymatic digestion methods. Development and ultrastructure of the enamel were also studied. After deposition of the mantle dentin matrix to a certain thickness, the first enamel matrix, globular in shape, appeared in juxtaposition to the dental basement membrane and tended to be intermixed with the previously deposited dentin matrix. Subsequently, enamel matrix was deposited outside (ameloblastic side) of the dental basal lamina and formed a true enamel layer. Thus, developing enamel of the newt consists of two layers: (1) an inner layer made up of a dentin-enamel mixed matrix and (2) an outer layer composed of only true enamel matrix. HID-TCH-SP precipitates resulting from the abovementioned studies were found in the mixed matrix and were identified as chondroitin sulfates; in contrast, the true enamel matrix contained no sulfated glycoconjugates.     

Unmasking and redistribution of lysosomal sulfated glycoconjugates in phagocytic polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Rabbit heterophil and human neutrophil primary granules contain sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and acid phosphatase, which can be readily stained in immature but not mature lysosomes. To determine whether this loss of staining represents masking of reactive components or removal of these components, we examined rabbit heterophils to see if high-iron diamine (HID)-reactive sulfate and acid phosphatase staining reappears in phagocytic vacuoles. Rabbit heterophils, obtained by peritoneal lavage, were incubated in vitro with latex beads or Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 15-60 min. Pre-embedment HID staining was enhanced in thin sections of unosmicated specimens with thiocarbohydrazide and silver proteinate (TCH-SP). Phagocytosis of latex beads or bacteria was progressively more prominent with time. Primary granules that were degranulated or in the process of degranulating into phagocytic vacuoles demonstrated intense sulfate staining with large (13 +/- 7 nm) HID-TCH-SP stain deposits. Smaller (6 +/- 1 nm) HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were present in tertiary granules, which were less frequently observed degranulating into phagosomes. Acid phosphatase staining was most intense during early phagolysosome formation. HID-TCH-SP staining was also observed in extracellular degranulated lysosomal matrices and on the surface of many peritoneal heterophils. These results indicate that loss of sulfate staining in mature heterophil granules is the result of masking by intragranular substances rather than of removal, and that these components may be unmasked during phagocytosis and/or redistributed to the cell surface after exocytosis.     

Ultrastructural distribution of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in epithelial-mesenchymal interface of developing rat tooth germs

We investigated the ultrastructural distribution of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of tooth germs by use of the high-iron diamine thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) staining and enzymatic digestion method. At an early stage in odontoblast differentiation, HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were sparsely distributed in the basement membrane and in the intercellular spaces. Subsequently, as formation of the initial predentin matrix began, HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were densely distributed in the interfibrillar spaces and the basement membrane. Testicular hyaluronidase digested most of those in the progenitor pre-dentin, whereas those in the region of basal lamina resisted enzymatic digestion. Testicular hyaluronidase-resistant HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were susceptible to heparitinase, indicating that the sulfated glycosaminoglycan in the basal lamina is heparan sulfate. Furthermore, the heparan sulfate tended to be regularly arranged at the sites of internal and external lamina densa. However, as progenitor pre-dentin matrix formation proceeded, the numbers of stain deposits temporarily increased and their distribution pattern became irregular, finally tending to disappear with the disruption of basal lamina.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of proteoglycans associated with epiphyseal cartilage calcification

Proteoglycans (PGs) are closely associated with cartilage calcification. We have examined the hypertrophic zone of rat epiphyseal cartilage, in which calcification is occurring, using the high-iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) method for sulfated glycosaminoglycans, an immunoferritin method specific for chondroitin sulfate A, and the tannic acid-ferric chloride (TA-Fe) method to stain cartilage matrix granules (MGs) presumed to be PG monomers. HID-TCH-SP produced stain deposits with a diameter of 11.2 +/- 3.2 nm (mean +/- SD; n = 200) in the MGs. However, HID-TCH-SP staining was not discernible in membrane-limited matrix vesicles (MVs). In areas of advanced calcification, partially disrupted MVs and globular bodies (GBs), derived in part from disrupted and/or degenerated MVs, contained a few too many small HID-TCH-SP stain deposits. Further down the epiphyseal cartilage, intact MVs markedly decreased and the GBs, containing many small HID-TCH-SP stain deposits, significantly increased in number. These GBs were found exclusively in the longitudinal septa rather than in the transverse septa. After enzyme digestion with testicular hyaluronidase, small (7.2 +/- 1.2 nm in diameter) stain deposits remained in the MGs and GBs, presumably localized to keratan sulfate. Immunoferritin localizing chondroitin sulfate strongly stained MGs, whereas MVs and GBs lacked staining. TA-Fe staining of glycoconjugates in the GBs demonstrated a striking decrease in the diameter of MGs associated with calcification in the GBs as compared with those in the noncalcifying area around the GBs. These results indicate that the GBs containing needle-like apatite crystals in morphologic preparations represent sites of chondroitin sulfate degradation. Testicular hyaluronidase-resistant sulfated glycosaminoglycans presumed to be keratan sulfate and partially degraded PGs selectively remain within the GBs as a probable requisite for expansion of the initial calcification in MVs.     

Glycoconjugate localization with lectin and PA-TCH-SP cytochemistry in rat hypophysis

Glycoconjugates were localized by light microscopy with lectin-peroxidase conjugates and by electron microscopy with the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) sequence in immunocytochemically or morphologically identified cell types in rat pituitary. Lectin histochemistry demonstrated sialic acid and glycoconjugates with N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides in gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, and corticotrophs. Galactose penultimate to sialic acid was observed mostly in gonadotrophs. The terminal galactose-N-acetylgalactosamine disaccharide was detected in a few gonadotrophs and in a moderate number of mammotrophs. Fucose was localized in only corticotrophs with two fucose-binding lectins and in thyrotrophs with another. Several different monosaccharides were seen in glycoconjugates in melanotrophs and in Herring bodies. Melanotrophs displayed heterogeneous staining with fucose-binding lectins. A small number of nonsecretory cells were also visualized in the pars distalis by virtue of their glycogen content. PA-TCH-SP staining revealed complex carbohydrates in secretory granules and some Golgi cisternae in all types of hormone-producing cells in the pars distalis except for the somatotrophs. Melanotrophs of pars intermedia exhibited stained secretory granules and irregular dense bodies containing a stained meshwork. Corticotrophs of the pars distalis lacked the latter bodies, although they form the same glycoprotein precursor hormone as melanotrophs. Lectin conjugates and the PA-TCH-SP sequence stained some groups of secretion granules in Herring bodies, possibly representing vasopressin-containing granules as well as other cell types in the pars nervosa.     

SYNTHESIS, MIGRATION, AND RELEASE OF PRECURSOR COLLAGEN BY ODONTOBLASTS AS VISUALIZED BY RADIOAUTOGRAPHY AFTER [3H]PROLINE ADMINISTRATION

The elaboration of dentin collagen precursors by the odontoblasts in the incisor teeth of 30–40-g rats was investigated by electron microscopy, histochemistry, and radioautography after intravenous injection of tritium-labeled proline. At 2 min after injection, when the labeling of blood proline was high, radioactivity was restricted to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that it is the site of synthesis of the polypeptide precursors of collagen, the pro-alpha chains. At 10 min, when the labeling of blood proline had already declined, radioactivity was observed in spherical portions of Golgi saccules containing entangled threads, and, at 20 min, radioactivity appeared in cylindrical portions containing aggregates of parallel threads. The parallel threads measured 280–350 nm in length and stained with the low pH-phosphotungstic acid technique for carbohydrate and with the silver methenamine technique for aldehydes (as did extracellular collagen fibrils). The passage of label from spherical to cylindrical Golgi portions is associated with the reorganization of entangled into parallel threads, which is interpreted as the packing of procollagen molecules. Between 20 and 30 min, prosecretory and secretory granules respectively became labeled. These results indicate that the cylindrical portions of Golgi saccules transform into prosecretory and subsequently into secretory granules. Within these granules, the parallel threads, believed to be procollagen molecules, are transported to the odontoblast process. At 90 min and 4 h after injection, label was present in predentin, indicating that the labeled content of secretory granules had been released into predentin. This occurred by exocytosis as evidenced by the presence of secretory granules in fusion with the plasmalemma of the odontoblast process. It is proposed that pro-alpha chains give rise to procollagen molecules which assemble into parallel aggregates in the Golgi apparatus. Procollagen molecules are then transported within secretory granules to the odontoblast process and released by exocytosis. In predentin procollagen molecules would give rise to tropocollagen molecules, which would then polymerize into collagen fibrils.     

Phosphoprotein synthesis and secretion by odontoblasts in rat incisors as revealed by electron microscopic radioautography

The secretory pathway of dentin phosphoproteins in rat incisors was studied by electron microscopic radioautography after the injection of 3H-serine, and the results were compared with those using 3H-proline as a tracer. Five min after injection of 3H-serine, radioactivity was found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At 10 min, silver grains were observed over the spherical portions of the cisface of the Golgi apparatus. At 20 min after injection, silver grains were seen over the cylindrical portions of the transface of the Golgi apparatus. The secretory granules showed the strongest reaction from 20 min to 1 hr. At 45 min, a significant labeled band appeared at the mineralization front. At 1 hr, the labeling at the mineralization front began to appear in the mineralized dentin, and after 12 hr this labeled band was located within the mineralized dentin. The pathway of 3H-proline was essentially the same as that of 3H-serine, but 3H-proline moved more slowly than 3H-serine, especially in transit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Secretory granules were heavily labeled from 30 min to 1 hr after injection of 3H-proline; no labeling was found at the mineralization front at 45 min. The labeling seen initially over the predentin was over the mineralized dentin no earlier than 6 hr after injection. The labeling pattern with 3H-serine is closely related to the localization of phosphoproteins, whereas the pattern with 3H-proline reflects the production of collagen rather than of phosphoproteins. The present radioautographic results indicate that dentin phosphoproteins are related to secretory granules and are secreted by odontoblasts at the mineralization front and also that phosphoproteins are involved in the process of mineralization of the circumpulpal dentin.     

The carbohydrates of secretory granules and the glycocalyx in developing mucoid cells

Summary Complex carbohydrates in secretory granules and at the apical cell surface of mouse gastric mucoid cells were studied during embryogenesis and in the early postnatal period by various cytochemical methods; the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) and tannic acid-uranyl acetate (TA-UA) procedures made neutral mucosubstances (NMS) visible, whereas the hexose residues of glycoconjugates were identified using WGA-, RCA II- and ConA-ferritin. The glycocalyx was stained with ruthenium red (RR). During differentiation of the embryonic mucoid cells the number of secretory granules increased in parallel to the increase in their carbohydrate component. NMS-stainable parts in secretory granules also had binding sites for the conjugates RCA II- and WGA-ferritin, but the binding of ConA could not be identified. The increasing quantity of NMS in secretory granules was correlated with the increased amount of PA-TCH-SP and TA-UA positive substances in the apical glycocalyx only in 14- and 18-day-old embryos. The observed uniform affinity for RR and lectin conjugates in all analysed developmental stages remains to be explained.     

Ultrastructure and complex carbohydrate ultracytochemistry of the cat parotid gland

The structure and glycoconjugate content of the cat parotid gland were analyzed at electron microscopic level by applying morphological techniques and three ultrastructural histochemical methods - HID-TCH-SP, LID-TCH-SP and PA-TCH-SP. This gland appeared as a typical salivary gland composed of acinar secretory cells, intercalated ducts, striated ducts and excretory ducts. The most common configuration of secretory granules consisted of a dense core surrounded by a variable electron-lucent halo. All ductal segments were characterized by the presence of different cell populations and small apical granules greatly different from those localized in the acinar cells. By using HID-TCH-SP we were able to demonstrate that in a few acinar cells there are sulphated sites, whereas PA-TCH-SP staining revealed the presence of vic-glycol radicals in all acinar cells preferentially located on the halo of secretory granules.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of glycoconjugates in basophils from humans and animals

The distribution of glycoconjugates in the basophil granules of humans, guinea pigs, and rabbits was compared. The observation of acid mucopolysaccharides using the dialyzed iron method and of sulfated glycoconjugates using the high iron diamine method revealed three types of reactions in the basophil granules of all three species: granules showing a strong overall reaction, granules showing reaction only at their periphery, and granules showing no reaction. With regard to the relationship between maturation and the types of basophil granules, it appeared that, in general, there were many type-1 granules among immature basophils, but that these granules decreased in mature basophils as type-3 granules increased. The reaction patterns of periodate-reactive neutral glycoconjugates, as shown by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method, were different from those of acid mucopolysaccharides: the reaction of basophil granules was diffusely positive, and localization at the periphery was rarely observed. Therefore, unlike the acid mucopolysaccharides, it was difficult to classify the glycoconjugates into three types. However, as with acid mucopolysaccharides, there was a tendency for periodate-reactive glycoconjugates to decrease as maturation progressed. In terms of different species of animals, the reaction of periodate-reactive glycoconjugates with PA-TCH-SP was stronger in humans and rabbits than in guinea pigs.     

Collagen formation — observations on its intracellular packaging and transport

Summary Odontoblasts, osteoblasts and fibroblasts of young rats were examined in the electron microscope after staining thin sections either with lead citrate alone or with uranyl acetate prior to lead citrate.With lead citrate alone, collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix stand out as lucent structures against a moderately electron dense background. Within the cells, lucency is restricted to certain dilated portions of the Golgi saccules as well as to the secretory granules located nearby and in the secretory pole of the cells. The lucency present in these compartments may be attributed to fibrils that are similar to the lucent collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix. Other cellular compartments, e.g. the rough ER, do not display lucency.When preparations are stained with uranyl acetate prior to lead citrate, lucency is observed neither in the matrix nor in the cells. In the matrix, collagen fibrils are easily identifiable by their cross banded pattern. In the odontoblasts, dilated portions of Golgi saccules between the outer and inner face contain filaments aligned in parallel that are approximately 3 000 Å in length. In saccules on the inner face filament aggregates are present, some of them exhibiting a cross banding pattern. In secretory granules, however, the contents appear rather homogeneous.It is suggested that filament aggregates of collagen can assemble in the Golgi apparatus from filamentous units. These are transported through the cell by way of secretion granules and are discharged to the extracellular matrix by exocytosis.This investigation was supported by grants of the Medical Research Council of Canada. The author wishes to express appreciation to Dr. C. P. Leblond for his guidance in the course of this work.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of glycoconjugates in basophils from humans and animals

Summary The distribution of glycoconjugates in the basophil granules of humans, guinea pigs, and rabbits was compared. The observation of acid mucopolysaccharides using the dialyzed iron method and of sulfated glycoconjugates using the high iron diamine method revealed three types of reactions in the basophil granules of all three species: (1) granules showing a strong overall reaction, (2) granules showing reaction only at their periphery, and (3) granules showing no reaction. With regard to the relationship between maturation and the types of basophil granules, it appeared that, in general, there were many type-1 granules among immature basophils, but that these granules decreased in mature basophils as type-3 granules increased. The reaction patterns of periodate-reactive neutral glycoconjugates, as shown by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method, were different from those of acid mucopolysaccharides: the reaction of basophil granules was diffusely positive, and localization at the periphery was rarely observed. Therefore, unlike the acid mucopolysaccharides, it was difficult to classify the glycoconjugates into three types. However, as with acid mucopolysaccharides, there was a tendency for periodate-reactive glycoconjugates to decrease as maturation progressed. In terms of different species of animals, the reaction of periodate-reactive glycoconjugates with PA-TCH-SP was stronger in humans and rabbits than in guinea pigs.     

Cytochemical characterization of basement membranes in the enamel organ of the rat incisor

Ameloblasts are unique epithelial cells, in that once they have deposited the entire thickness of enamel and the process of maturation begins, they reform a basal lamina-like structure at their apical surface. In order to characterize further this basal lamina, its composition was analysed using (1) lectin-gold cytochemistry for glycoconjugates, (2) high-iron diamine (HID) staining for sulfated glycoconjugates and (3) immunogold labeling for collagen type IV and laminin. The labeling patterns were compared to that of other more typical basement membranes found in the enamel organ. Sections of rat incisor enamel organs embedded in Lowicryl K4M were stained with Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), Ricinus communis I agglutinin (RCA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Ulex europaeus I agglutinin (UEA). Samples from the late maturation stage were also reacted en bloc with lectins and embedded in Epon for transmission electron microscopic examination or prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Such samples were also stained with HID and conventionally processed for Epon embedding. Tissue sections were then reacted with thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (TCH-SP). Analysis of the lectin labeling suggested that the region of extracellular matrix immediately adjacent to ameloblasts, where the basal lamina is situated, was intensely reactive with HPA and RCA, moderately reactive with WGA, and weakly reactive with UEA. In general, other basement membranes were mildly reactive with all lectins used. No HID-TCH-SP staining was observed directly over the basal lamina while numerous stain deposits were present over other basement membranes of the enamel organ. Immunolocalization of collagen type IV and laminin yielded a weak and variable labeling over the basal lamina. These results are consistent with the concept of basement membrane heterogeneity and, although the precise nature and composition of the basal lamina associated with maturation stage ameloblasts remain to be determined, they suggest that it may possibly function as a specialized basement membrane with particular compositional characteristics.     

Application of rapid freezing followed by freeze-substitution acrolein fixation for cytochemical studies of the rat stomach

Summary A method involving rapid freezing followed by substitution fixation was developed, using acrolein as a fixative. This was then applied to several cytochemical stainings, and showed well preserved and clear cell structures. Membranes were apparently negatively stained and the ultrastructure of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus was clearly discernible. The mitochondrial and cytoplasmic matrices were stained rather densely compared with routine chemically fixed preparations, implying a good preservation of matrix substrances. Periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate staining was applied to the present method. The mucous granules of surface covering epithelial cells indicated fine staining of bipartite structure and the Golgi apparatus of mucous cells showed clear staining differences based on polarity. Postembedding lectin-ferritin and immunocytochemical stainings were applicable to the present preparations and stable stainings of secretory granules were obtained. A low temperature embedding material, Lowicryl K4M, was also examined. The cell preservation of these samples was not as good as those embedded in Epon, but the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus of chief cells were stained with anti-pepsinogen antibody as were the secretory granules. The present method was also applicable to light microscopy.     

Ultrastructural visualization of complex carbohydrates in epiphyseal cartilage with the tannic acid-metal salt methods

The present study has ultrastructurally applied the tannic acid-ferric chloride (TA-Fe) and the TA-uranyl acetate (TA-UA) methods to thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, unosmicated embedded epiphyseal cartilage from rat tibiae to demonstrate complex carbohydrates. The strongest TA-Fe and TA-UA staining was observed after fixation of the specimens in glutaraldehyde containing TA. TA-Fe (pH 1.5) strongly stained matrix granules presumed to be proteoglycan monomers and chondrocyte secretory granules at various maturational stages but did not stain collagen fibrils and glycogen. TA-UA (pH 4.2) strongly stained matrix granules, intracellular glycogen, and chondrocyte secretory granules, and moderately stained collagen fibrils in the cartilage matrix. Ribosomes and nuclei were not stained above background staining with UA alone. In alpha-amylase-digested specimens, all TA-UA-reactive cytoplasmic glycogen was selectively removed. Testicular hyaluronidase digestion of specimens selectively removed TA-UA staining in matrix granules and all TA-Fe staining. When the pH of the UA solution was reduced to 1.5, TA-UA staining of glycogen and collagen was markedly decreased or absent, whereas staining of anionic sites was unaltered and significantly greater than with UA staining alone. Thus the TA-metal salt methods are pH dependent and allow differential intracellular and extracellular localization of complex carbohydrates in cartilage tissues at the electron microscope level.     

Histochemical Detection of Carbohydrates of Blastocystis hominis

The carbohydrates of Blastocystis hominis were detected by histochemical techniques using light and electron microscopy. B. hominis, fixed with various fixatives, followed by treatment with detergents, were stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) or alcian blue (AB). Intense PAS reactions were observed in cells fixed with glutaraldehyde or 1/2 Karnovsky fixative. The cells fixed with other fixatives showed weak or no reactions with PAS staining. Similar results were seen in the case of AB stain. These results indicated that, depending on the fixative used, B. hominis contained PAS- or AB-reactive carbohydrates. At the electron microscopic level, ultrathin sections of B. hominis were stained with periodic acid methenamine silver (PA-MS) or periodic acid thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) staining techniques. Intense, positive reactions with PA-MS or PA-TCH-SP were observed on the central vacuole, Golgi apparatus, and cytoplasmic vesicles. The filamentous layer showed moderate reactions with PA-MS, whereas in PA-TCH-SP stain, it was stained more densely. The staining intensity of the central vacuole varied from cell to cell. The presence of membrane fusions of the cytoplasmic vesicles with the central vacuole indicated the accumulation of carbohydrates in the central vacuole.