scholarly journals Immunocytochemical evidence for vasopressin receptors.

1978 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 581-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Castel

An electron microscopic study was made of mouse pituitaries immunocytochemically stained with anti-lysine vasopressin (LVP) as the primary antiserum in the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-anti-peroxidase procedure. Vasopressin (VP) was identified in the neurosecretory granules of the neural lobe which stained with peroxidase anti-peroxidase molecules. Electron density was induced in secretory granules of the pars intermedia (PI), both in the melanocyte stimulated hormone and ACTH cell types, probably indicating VP molecules attached to binding (receptor) sites. Omission of anti-LVP abolished staining both in the neural lobe and the PL Anti-LVP absorbed with antigen, by admixing with LVP, abolished staining in the neural lobe but not in the PI; according to optical density measurements the PI showed a +/- 22% staining increase over controls. Staining intensity in the PI probably reflects occupancy of binding (receptor) sites for VP. Exposure of PI granules to LVP before the usual staining sequence resulted in +/- 48% increased staining. In water-deprived mice with high endogenous VP titers, staining was +/- 33% and +/- 40% more intense than in normal mice. Solid phase absorbed and eluted antibodies to LVP provided additional proof that staining in both neural lobe and PI could be attributed to anti-LVP. Results indicate that binding or receptor sites for VP are located on secretory granules in the PL Possible physiological significance is discussed.

1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 590-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. MORIARTY ◽  
N. S. HALMI

The technique involving use of unlabeled antibody and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was used to identify the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-secreting cell in the anterior pituitary lobe of the rat and to localize ACTH in it electron microscopically in ultrathin sections. The ACTH cell is star-shaped, with processes extending around other cells, and contains secretory granules of a maximal diameter of 300 mµ arranged peripherally along the plasma membrane. Stain was observed on secretory granules, around them, in the Golgi complex and in rough endoplasmic reticulum. One day after adrenalectomy, the ACTH cell is degranulated and the staining intensity of its remaining granules and cytoplasm is decreased, suggesting release of ACTH stores. If cortisol is given 6 hr after adrenalectomy, 18 hr later the ACTH cells are well granulated and the granules stain more intensely than normal. In addition, staining around the granules and throughout the cytoplasm is more intense, suggesting that an early effect of cortisol is to block release of ACTH. Twenty-one days after adrenalectomy, the ACTH cells are greatly increased in numbers and have complex, tortuous processes filled with intensely stained secretory granules.


1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 1157-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
W B VanWinkle

As with secretory granules in other cell types, many of the protein components that make up the cytoplasmic granules of human leukocytes are glycoproteins. It is not unexpected, therefore, that lectins specific for various carbohydrate moieties can be localized in these granules following appropriate protocols for specimen preparation and thin-section labeling. In this study, isolated human eosinophils and neutrophils were prepared for lectin-gold electron microscopic localization by procedures that involve no exposure to aqueous fixatives, buffers, or solvents (rapid cryofixation and molecular distillation drying), thus removing the potential problem of constituent extraction or translocation during so-called "wet chemical" processing. In contrast to other reports, data presented illustrate the specific binding of soybean agglutinin (SBA) to eosinophil granule matrices (not the crystalline cores), as well as to a population of granules in neutrophils. A similar labeling pattern for wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was also seen, confirming the presence of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in eosinophil and neutrophil granule matrices. These studies emphasize the need for carefully designed specimen preparation as well as subsequent thin-section labeling procedures in lectinocytochemical studies.


1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. L. Chang ◽  
Sergio A. Bencosme

A reevaluation of the silver methenamine reaction as an electron stain has ensued from recent use of glutaraldehyde fixation alone. By this technique, three cell types of rat adrenal medulla were found: (i) the norepinephrine-containing cells showed selectively stained, irregular, black granules; (ii) the epinephrine-containing cells showed round, light-grey granules; and (iii) the third cell type showed round granules like those of epinephrine-containing cells, but black in color, similar to those of the norepinephrine-containing cells.


Author(s):  
Ernst Heinen

We have previously reported that cis-dichloro-diammine platinum (II) (cis-Pt), an antimitotic agent discovered by Rosenberg and coworkers, can be used to contrast ultrathin sections. It was interesting to tend to increase the contrast given by this cis-Pt staining and to establish to which radicals cis-Pt binds in the cell.We have analysed various cell types (fibroblasts and Ehrlich tumour cells cultivated in vitro or various tissues : liver, pancreas, heart muscle, epididyme, intestine, etc.) fixed in glutaraldehyde, embedded in Epon and stained by immersion in a cis-Pt solution (1 mg/ml, 37°C, 2 or 3 days, in darkness).In all cases chromatin, especially heterochromatin, presents a very high contrast after cis-Pt staining and can easily be distinguished from the nucleolus (fig.). In the cytoplasm only ribosomes are well contrasted. The other organites are generally poorly stained, in some mitochondria, dense granules or filaments are apparent. Secretory granules containing proteins or mucopolysaccharides (basigranular or goblet cells of the intestine, mastocytes, pancreatic cells, etc.) are faintly stained by cis-Pt. In the heart muscle actin and myosin are only poorly contrasted. Cis-Pt suits thus for contrasting nucleic acids especially for differentiating DNA from RNA containing structures.


1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Gelberg ◽  
G. L. Cockerell ◽  
R. R. Minor

The outer medullary (juxtacortical) zone of a normal equine adrenal gland had columnar chromaffin-positive cells arranged with their long axes perpendicular to fine vascular channels. The deeper medullary regions were composed of smaller irregularly round to polygonal chromaffin positive cells in small packets. Both cell types contained two types of membrane-bound cytoplasmic secretory granules. Osmiophilic granules with a homogeneous core, crenated membrane and narrow submembranous halo predominated in the columnar juxtacortical cells. The rounder, central medullary cells contained predominantly electron dense granules with a wide irregular electron lucent space between an eccentric core and the granule membrane. In contrast, irrespective of cell type or zone, cells from a pheochromocytoma contained only one type of granule similar to that described for the juxtacortical region of the normal equine adrenal medulla. The tumor cells could be classified into three subtypes based on density of granule packing but the granules were morphologically similar in all tumor cells.


1963 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susumu Ito ◽  
Robert J. Winchester

A description of the cytology of the gastric mucosa is presented based upon an electron microscopic investigation of the bat stomach. The fine structure of the various cell types in this species is fundamentally similar to that of the corresponding cell types of other mammals, but the relative cell numbers and distribution are somewhat different. (a). The surface mucous cells are identified by their superficial location and by the character of their dense secretory granules. (b). The mucous neck cells are distinguished by a characteristically different appearance and distribution of their mucous granules, and by their varied shape and their location between parietal cells. (c). The parietal cells are very large and have unusually prominent secretory canaliculi and an extraordinary number of large mitochondria. (d). The chief cells are found at the base of the gastric glands and are similar in their fine structure to other zymogenic cells. They contain many large zymogen granules and have an extensively developed granular endoplasmic reticulum. The latter is sometimes aggregated in unusual, hexagonally packed straight tubules, each with twelve longitudinal rows of ribosomes uniformly spaced around its circumference and with the rows of ribosomes in precise register with those of adjoining tubules. (e). Argentaffin cells lodged between other cell types vary sufficiently in the structure of their mitochondria and the character of their specific granules to suggest that they are of more than one kind. The majority are at the base of the epithelium but some extend to the lumen and bear microvilli on their free surface.


1982 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Tsumuraya ◽  
Toru Kameya

Abstract. Ultrastructural characterization of human corticotrophs (ACTH cells) was performed by 'superimposition technique', which enabled detailed ultrastructural observation of immunoreactive ACTH cells in adjacent semi-thin light microscopic immunoperoxidase and routine electron microscopic sections. The human corticotrophs were large and round or polygonal and were not stellate. They had scanty rough endoplasmic membranes and were packed with numerous large secretory granules measuring from 250 to 500 nm in diameter. The sizes of secretory granules in 6 human pituitaries were 448 ± 128, 344 ± 86, 448 ± 117, 244 ± 65, 316 ± 76, and 340 ± 93 nm, respectively. The granules were not seen in a single row along the plasma membrane as is the case in the rat. They possessed somewhat irregular outlines with a rarely discernible halo. Different densities of granule matrices were occasionally found. The cells often contained a few large heterogeneous vacuoles. From these findings, the human ACTH cells were recognized to be remarkably different in cell shape and size, properties of secretory granules and cytoplamic inclusions from those of the rat pituitary gland. In respect to secretory granule properties, the human ACTH cells are similar to those of some other mammals (fox, young pig, and lerot). More data is required to elucidate the relationship between human ACTH cell morphology and functional state.


1973 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Dahl ◽  
Kjell J. Tveter ◽  
Åsmund Kjaerheim

ABSTRACT The present paper describes the fine structure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat as seen after stimulation with testosterone administered to castrated adults as well as infantile rats. Electron microscopic examination of the testosterone-treated castrated animals revealed an almost complete regeneration of the epithelial cells in all the organs, with a well developed Golgi area, a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and an increased number of secretory granules. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the biochemical data, and it is concluded that the various cell types of the accessory genital complex react in a fundamentally similar manner to the administration of testosterone.


Author(s):  
William J. Dougherty

The regulation of secretion in exocrine and endocrine cells has long been of interest. Electron microscopic and other studies have demonstrated that secretory proteins synthesized on ribosomes are transported by the rough ER to the Golgi complex where they are concentrated into secretory granules. During active secretion, secretory granules fuse with the cell membrane, liberating and discharging their contents into the perivascular spaces. When secretory activity is suppressed in anterior pituitary cells, undischarged secretory granules may be degraded by lysosomes. In the parathyroid gland, evidence indicates that the level of blood Ca ions regulates both the production and release of parathormone. Thus, when serum Ca is low, synthesis and release of parathormone are both stimulated; when serum Ca is elevated, these processes are inhibited.


Author(s):  
G. Rowden ◽  
M. G. Lewis ◽  
T. M. Phillips

Langerhans cells of mammalian stratified squamous epithelial have proven to be an enigma since their discovery in 1868. These dendritic suprabasal cells have been considered as related to melanocytes either as effete cells, or as post divisional products. Although grafting experiments seemed to demonstrate the independence of the cell types, much confusion still exists. The presence in the epidermis of a cell type with morphological features seemingly shared by melanocytes and Langerhans cells has been especially troublesome. This so called "indeterminate", or " -dendritic cell" lacks both Langerhans cells granules and melanosomes, yet it is clearly not a keratinocyte. Suggestions have been made that it is related to either Langerhans cells or melanocyte. Recent studies have unequivocally demonstrated that Langerhans cells are independent cells with immune function. They display Fc and C3 receptors on their surface as well as la (immune region associated) antigens.


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