Comparison of the growth patterns and morphological characteristics of mechanically and enzymatically isolated fallopian tube epithelial cells

This study set out to compare the growth patterns and morphological characteristics of human fallopian tube epithelial cells isolated: (1) mechanically; and (2) enzymatically. Cells were cultured in medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum and antibiotics and their epithelial nature was established by immunocytochemistry for cytokeratins. Primary cultures were polygonal in shape with centrally located nuclei, irrespective of the isolation method. Cells isolated enzymatically exhibited a higher growth rate, but the survival rate was poor after more than 2-3 passages. Mechanical isolation gave a lower yield of cells, but had a higher survival rate when sub-cultured, even beyond 8 passages. Thus, mechanically isolated cells might be useful for longer term cultures, whereas enzymatically isolated cells are best only for short-term work.     

Ultrastructural organization of the surface of the cingulate cortex of the cerebrum in rats

In the cingulate cortex of rats the marginal glia is predominantly presented as fibrillar astrocytes, their bodies are situated immediately at the surface. Numerous axons, dendrites, synapses and myelinated fibers are often arranged near the very surface and are separated from it with only 1-2 thin processes of glial cells. Along the whole cortical surface one can see a limiting membrane--a layer of non-cellular substance, situating at the distance of 60-100 mcm from plasmalemmas of the marginal astrocytes. Using ruthenium red, it is possible to reveal the glycocalix layer on the surface of the limiting membrane, as well as cords of the electron opaque substance, that connect it with plasmolemma of the superficial astrocytes. Three types of the cingulate cortex surface are described in rats: superficial areas to which cells of the pia mater membrane adjoin; areas where cells of the pia mater membrane are situated at various distance from the cortical surface and areas of close adjoining of the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum. Sometimes the cleft between the hemispheres is completely reduced, and narrow lamellar-like cells of the pia mater membrane are tightly inserted between the limiting membranes of both hemispheres or adjoin the blood vessel, situating between the hemispheres. At the surface numerous gap and desmosome-like junctions are observed. This is especially important at the border where the media are separated. At injection of neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine certain ultrastructural rearrangements are noted in cytoplasm of the marginal astrocytes, changes in the number and extension of intercellular junctions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparative anatomy and histology of the cervix uteri in non-human primates

The uterine cervix of rhesus macaque, crab-eating macaque, stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, marmoset, baboon, patas, and squirrel monkeys was studied macroscopically and microscopically. Distribution of spermatozoa and leukocytes in the lumen and within the crypts and clefts was studied in rhesus and marmoset uterine cervix. The cervical canal of baboon, patas, marmoset, and stump-tailed monkeys is straight or slightly bent. The presence of variably developed ventral and dorsal colliculi in rhesus, crab-eating, and pig-tailed macaques causes the dorsoventral sinuosity of the cervical canal. The cervix of all investigated specimens is fundamentally fibrous tissue and the amount of muscle fibers increases toward the uterine corpus. The cervical mucosa of baboon, marmoset, and patas monkeys contains a large amount of clefts and tubular tunnels of variable structure, length, width, direction, and degree of branching. The cervical mucosa of macaques contains a large number of crypts of complex structure, length, width and degree of branching. The cervical crypts in macaques are usually longer in the ectocervix; whereas, in the midcervix, mucosa contains small crypts, clefts and long tunnels. Squamo-columnar junction is located near the external os in baboon, patas, marmoset, rhesus, crab-eating, and pig-tailed monkeys. In squirrel monkey, squamous epithelium is continuous through the external os, covers the vestibule and external surface of the cervical colliculi. In stump-tailed macaque, squamo columnar junction is located in the vagina, 1–3 cm from the external os of the cervix. The vaginal wall between the squamo-columnar junction and the external os of the cervix is covered with heavily branched mucosa lined with columnar epithelium. Ciliated cells of cervical epithelium occur in 9 to 19%. A large number of spermatozoa and a relatively low number of leucocytes have been found within crypts and clefts of cervical mucosa. The results are discussed in relation to the function of the cervix in different stages of the cycle, during pregnancy and parturition.This investigation was supported in part by Ford Foundation Grant No. 710-0287.     

Ultrastructural organization of the surface epithelium of gastric mucosa in vitamin A deficiency

Under conditions of experimental A-avitaminosis in cells of superficial epithelium of the chicken stomach mucous membrane certain ultrastructural changes of cytoplasmic membranes takes place. Amount of transport vesicles decreases, regeneration of membranes in the Golgi complex cisterns, secretory vesicles and apical part of the external cellular membrane with development of apical erosions is disturbed. The problem on influence of the changes mentioned to the process of mucus formation, in particular to protein glycosylation in the Golgi complex is discussed. Insufficient vitamin A amount, getting into the organism results in a decreased resistivity of the stomach mucous membrane as a consequence of disturbances in processes of mucus formation and in safety of the apical part of the external cellular membrane of the superficial epithelium.     

Observations on the cervix uteri of the squirrel monkey

The squirrel monkey uterine cervix was studied macroscopically and microscopically in intact and ovariectomized monkeys. The effect in ovariectomized monkeys of estradiol dipropionate or progesterone of both given after estrogen priming was studied by PAS staining. The lower portion of the cervix was dilated to form a vestibule into which projected fibromuscular colliculi which arose from the isthmic end of the cervix. The stratified squamous epithelium of the vagina was continuous through the external os with a similar epithelium lining the vestibule and covering the external surfaces of the colliculi. The transitional zone between the stratified epithelium and columnar cells was variable. The colliculi were covered internally with mucosal folds of columnar epithelium continuous with those of the endocervical canal. Glycogen concentration in the smooth muscle did not fluctuate markedly, irrespective of the hormones used. Glycogen granules were more numerous in the stratified squamous epithelium. Malt-diastase-resistant material appeared to be more abundant in the columnar epithelium and glandular lumina when the monkeys received both hormones than when they received solely estrogen or progesterone.     

Polymorphism of nuclear inclusions in carcinoma of the cervix uteri

Frequency, polymorphism and ultrastructural characteristics of the nuclear inclusion bodies encountered in cancers of the uterine cervix are reported and briefly discussed. The nuclear inclusions are grouped in three distinct types: a) nuclear bodies (comprising type I and II inclusions according to Bouteille et al.'s classification), b) inclusion of cytoplasmic origin, and c) particles of chromatic material. The ultrastructural aspects of the chromatic particles suggest an early structuration of viral chromatin into core material. There appears to be a direct relation between the frequency of chromatic particles and raised antiherpetic antibodies in the patient's sera.     

The cytoskeletal organization of epithelial cells in culture

Cytoskeleton organization of cultured normal epithelial cells (epithelium of newborn mouse kidney, mouse and rat hepatocytes) was studied using electron microscopy of platinum replicas. These cells in culture were firmly connected with each other and formed multicellular islands. Pseudopodial activity was observed only at the free edges of marginal cells of the islands. Cytoskeleton in the vicinity of such active edges included several structurally different zones. The most peripheral zone contained dense actin meshwork. More inner "sparse" zone contained loose actin filament network. Next zone in the same direction was the lamella proper. It contained individual microfilaments and their bundles or meshwork patches. Microtubules and intermediate filaments were also present in the lamella proper. The characteristic feature of the central (endoplasmic) region of the marginal cells of the islands was the presence of the submembranous microfilament sheath. Microfilaments in the sheath were densely packed. Individual fibers were visible along a significant distance. The inner cells in the epithelial islands had no zonal organization of the cytoskeleton. The endoplasmic microfilament sheath occupied the whole dorsal cell surface in these cells. Different epithelia studied here had some variations in the relative width of cytoskeletal zones. The organization of cytoskeleton in the epithelial cells has many features in common with that in fibroblasts. Possible mechanisms of establishment of the zonal cytoskeletal organization in both the cell types are discussed.     

Precancerous lesions of the cervix uteri in infertile women.

A study of 318 patients with tubal infertility and a control group of 200 unselected infertile women yielded 14 (4.4%) and 1 (0.5%), respectively, with precancerous lesions of the cervix uteri. The one patient in the control group with severe dysplasia was later shown to have tubal infertility. The overall incidence of premalignant lesions of the cervix uteri as reported to the National Cancer Registry of Norway was 0.1% for the age group and period studied. Women with tubal infertility represent a small but comparatively high risk group for the development of precancerous lesions of the cervix uteri.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of the parenchymatous cells in breast cancer

Electron microscopy was used to examine ultrastructure of parenchymatous cells of lobular mammary carcinoma and preservation of an ability of these cells to organ specificity. Ultrastructural characteristics of the cells of intact mammary gland lobules and parenchymatous cells of infiltrative carcinoma were studied and compared. It was shown that lobular mammary carcinoma has dissimilar cellular composition. It is represented by the cells with ultrastructural features characteristic for the three cell types occurring in the intact mammary gland (secretory epithelium, myoepithelium and cambial cells). As regards ultrastructure, parenchymatous cells of lobular mammary carcinoma, like the cells of the normal lobule, are at varying levels of differentiation and in diverse phases of the functional status.