Ultrastructural studies of normal skin and epidermal papillomas of the flathead sole,Hippoglossoides elassodon

Summary Epidermal cells of normal fin web and of the epidermal papilloma of the flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon, were compared by light and electron microscopy. The predominant cells of normal epidermis are squamous and are characterized by complex microvillous interdigitations between adjacent cells, numerous desmosome-like structures, terminal bars, prominent cytoplasmic filaments, and blunt, broad-based microvilli on the outer (free) surfaces of the superficial cells. The less numerous mucous cells of normal epidermis possess abundant ergastoplasm and mucus-filled vacuoles, but lack desmosome-like structures and cytoplasmic filaments.In contrast, in the epidermal papilloma, mucous cells are absent; and the tumor cells are without microvilli, desmosome-like structures, cytoplasmic filaments, and conspicuous ergastoplasm. The papilloma cells are in addition characterized by certain features not seen in normal epidermis, including prominent nuclear pores, very large nucleoli, nuclear dense bodies, vesicular mitochondria with few cristae and dense internal granules, and three types of distinctive cytoplasmic particles of possible viral nature.This investigation was supported by Public Health Service research grant CA 08158 from the National Cancer Institute, and American Cancer Society Institutional Grant No. IN-53 E.We are indebted to Miss Mary Bens for her indispensable technical assistance.