ORGAN CULTURE OF HUMAN SOMATOTROPHIC PITUITARY ADENOMAS: ULTRASTRUCTURE AND GROWTH HORMONE PRODUCTION

1975 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Peillon ◽  
M. Gourmelen ◽  
M. Donnadieu ◽  
A. Brandi ◽  
D. Sevaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organ Culture ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Histological Differentiation ◽  
Hormone Production ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Elution Pattern ◽  
Very High

ABSTRACT Ten somatotrophic adenomas removed from acromegalic patients and fragments of the non-tumoural surrounding pituitary were submitted to organ culture for periods of up to one month. Electron microscopic observation shows that these tumours retain their histological differentiation throughout the culture period. The cell morphology of the cultured tumours remains essentially unchanged and in particular the secretory granules keep their initial size (150 and 130 nm). However the granules disappear gradually so that most of the cells look chromophobic by the 4th week of culture, and numerous lysosomes as well as autophagic figures appear at the same time. The hGH concentration in the culture medium has been measured of 4 adenomas. It is very high (10-fold greater than that from non-tumoural pituitary medium) during the first week (range 200–300 μg/ml).It still remains very high in the same experiments until the second week of culture in one experiment (200 μg/ml). After incubation of cultures with 3H-leucine, 3H-hGH is obtained in the medium giving evidence of hormone synthesis by adenoma cells in culture. 3H-hGH represents 40 % of 3H-proteins in the culture medium and gives the same elution pattern as standard hGH on Sephadex G 100 chromatography. A certain degree of correlation is observed between morphological and biological results: the greatest hGH production is obtained from explants which maintain the best histological appearance.

Transmembrane phospholipid distribution revealed by freeze-fracture replica labeling

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (10) ◽  
pp. 2453-2460 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Fujimoto ◽  
M. Umeda ◽  
T. Fujimoto
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
General Scheme ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Erythrocyte Membranes ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Intracellular Membranes

We propose the use of membrane splitting by freeze-fracture for differential phospholipid analysis of protoplasmic and exoplasmic membrane leaflets (halves). Unfixed cells or tissues are quick-frozen, freeze-fractured, and platinum-carbon (Pt/C) shadowed. The Pt/C replicas are then treated with 2.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to solubilize unfractured membranes and to release cytoplasm or contents. While the detergent dissolves unfractured membranes, it would not extract lipids from split membranes, as their apolar domains are stabilized by their Pt/C replicas. After washing, the Pt/C replicas, along with attached protoplasmic and exoplasmic membrane halves, are processed for immunocytochemical labeling of phospholipids with antibody, followed by electron microscopic observation. Here, we present the application of the SDS-digested freeze-fracture replica labeling (SDS-FRL) technique to the transmembrane distribution of a major membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), in various cell and intracellular membranes. Immunogold labeling revealed that PC is exclusively localized on the exoplasmic membrane halves of the plasma membranes, and the intracellular membranes of various organelles, e.g. nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, secretory granules, and disc membranes of photoreceptor cells. One exception to this general scheme was the plasma membrane forming the myelin sheath of neurons and the Ca(2+)-treated erythrocyte membranes. In these cell membranes, roughly equal amounts of immunogold particles for PC were seen on each outer and inner membrane half, implying a symmetrical transmembrane distribution of PC. Initial screening suggests that the SDS-FRL technique allows in situ analysis of the transmembrane distribution of membrane lipids, and at the same time opens up the possibility of labeling membranes such as intracellular membranes not normally accessible to cytochemical labels without the distortion potentially associated with membrane isolation procedures.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL MORPHOMETRY OF SPARSELY GRANULATED PROLACTIN CELL ADENOMAS OF THE HUMAN PITUITARY

1978 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McComb ◽  
K. Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Volume Density ◽  
Microscopic Level ◽  
Electron Microscopic Level ◽  
Prolactin Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Highly Active

ABSTRACT Fifteen sparsely granulated prolactin-producing adenomas and 10 non-tumourous adenohypophyses, removed by surgical hypophysectomy, have been studied using morphometry at the electron microscopic level. Compared to non-tumourous prolactin cells, sparsely granulated adenomatous prolactin cells showed a significant decrease in diameter and volume density of secretory granules and an increased volume density of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The volume density of mitochondria remained unchanged. These results indicate that the cells of the adenoma are in a highly active functional state. It appears that the equilibrium between hormone synthesis, storage and release is altered in adenomatous prolactin cells.

Cis-dichloro-diammine platinum (II): a stain for electron microscopic preparations

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-123
Author(s):  
Ernst Heinen
Keyword(s):  
Heart Muscle ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Antimitotic Agent ◽  
Dense Granules ◽  
Pancreatic Cells ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Very High

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.

Effect of growth hormone on osteoblasts and demonstration of somatomedin-C/IGF I in bone organ culture

1984 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stracke ◽  
A. Schulz ◽  
D. Moeller ◽  
S. Rossol ◽  
H. Schatz
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Organ Culture ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Bone Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Somatomedin C ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Bone Organ Culture

Abstract. Bone organ culture makes it possible to observe the direct influence of hormones on bone cells. We studied the effect of growth hormone in vitro on embryonal rat tibiae during culture for 7 days, functionally by measuring the levels of alkaline phosphatase in the culture medium, and morphologically by means of semithin sections and electron microscopic examination. Since growth hormone (GH) is supposed to exert an indirect effect on bone cells, somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor I (SM-C/IGF I) as a possible mediator was also measured radioimmunologically in the culture medium. In the controls alkaline phosphatase levels showed a continuous increase up to the 7th day which was significantly higher in the presence of GH. There was also a significantly enhanced increase of SM-C/IGF I in the presence of GH during culture in comparison to the controls. Evidently IGF I is produced locally in bone and mediates the effect of GH on bone formation.

Ultrastructural Aspects of Golgi Complex Function in Parathyroid Cells of Winter Frogs

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 680-681
Author(s):  
William J. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Complex Function ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Perivascular Spaces ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Ca Ions ◽  
Regulation Of Secretion

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.

Electron Microscopic Observation of the Longitudinal Organization of Poly (p-Phenylene Terephthalamide) Fibers

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 680-681
Author(s):  
Li Li-Sheng ◽  
L.F. Allard ◽  
W.C. Bigelow
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Microscopic Observation ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Aromatic Polyamides ◽  
Radial Arrangement ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Better Than

The aromatic polyamides form a class of fibers having mechanical properties which are much better than those of aliphatic polyamides. Currently, the accepted morphology of these fibers as proposed by M.G. Dobb, et al. is a radial arrangement of pleated sheets, with the plane of the pleats parallel to the axis of the fiber. We have recently obtained evidence which supports a different morphology of this type of fiber, using ultramicrotomy and ion-thinning techniques to prepare specimens for transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Observation of Concanavalin-A receptors on hydrated planar erythrocyte membrane film by in situ electron microscopy

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 608-609
Author(s):  
Neng-Bo He ◽  
S.W. Hui
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Surface Film ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Black Lipid Membranes ◽  
Fine Mesh ◽  
Planar Films

Monolayers and planar "black" lipid membranes have been widely used as models for studying the structure and properties of biological membranes. Because of the lack of a suitable method to prepare these membranes for electron microscopic observation, their ultrastructure is so far not well understood. A method of forming molecular bilayers over the holes of fine mesh grids was developed by Hui et al. to study hydrated and unsupported lipid bilayers by electron diffraction, and to image phase separated domains by diffraction contrast. We now adapted the method of Pattus et al. of spreading biological membranes vesicles on the air-water interfaces to reconstitute biological membranes into unsupported planar films for electron microscopic study. hemoglobin-free human erythrocyte membrane stroma was prepared by hemolysis. The membranes were spreaded at 20°C on balanced salt solution in a Langmuir trough until a surface pressure of 20 dyne/cm was reached. The surface film was repeatedly washed by passing to adjacent troughs over shallow partitions (fig. 1).

The Scanning Electron Microscopic Observation of the Vestibular Sensory Epithelia

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 40-41
Author(s):  
D.J. Lim ◽  
W.C. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Gravitational Acceleration ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Sensory Epithelia ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic ◽  
Vestibular Sensory Epithelia ◽  
And Function ◽  
Sand Piles ◽  
Active Investigation

The morphology and function of the vestibular sensory organs has been extensively studied during the last decade with the advent of electron microscopy and electrophysiology. The opening of the space age also accelerated active investigation in this area, since this organ is responsible for the sensation of balance and of linear, angular and gravitational acceleration.The vestibular sense organs are formed by the saccule, utricle and three ampullae of the semicircular canals. The maculae (sacculi and utriculi) have otolithic membranes on the top of the sensory epithelia. The otolithic membrane is formed by a layer of thick gelatin and sand-piles of calcium carbonate crystals (Fig.l).

Plastic deformation of θ ' in Al-4%Cu alloy

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 576-577
Author(s):  
Shrikant P. Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Deformation Behavior ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Bulk Alloy ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cu Alloy ◽  
Cu Alloys ◽  
Orowan Mechanism ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Cyclic Straining

deformation behavior of Al-Cu alloys aged to contain θ ' has been the subject of many investigations (e.g., Ref. 1-5). Since θ ' is strong and hard, dislocations bypass θ ' plates (Orowan mechanism) at low strains. However, at high strains the partially coherent θ ' plates are probably sheared, although the mechanism is complex, depending on the form of deformation. Particularly, the cyclic straining of the bulk alloy is known to produce gross bends and twists of θ '. However, no detailed investigation of the deformation of θ ' has yet been reported; moreover, Calabrese and Laird interpreted the deformation of θ ' as largely being elastic.During an investigation of high temperature cyclic deformation, the detailed electron-microscopic observation revealed that, under reversed straining conditions, θ ' particles are severely distorted--bent and twisted depending on the local matrix constraint. A typical electronmicrograph, showing the twist is shown in Fig. 1. In order to establish whether the deformation is elastic or plastic, a sample from a specimen cycled at room temperature was heated inside the microscope and the results are presented in a series of micrographs (Fig. 2a-e).

Electron Microscopic Observation of Biological Specimens in Their Native State by Employing Cryogenic Techniques

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 410-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tokio Nei ◽  
Haruo Yotsumoto ◽  
Yoichi Hasegawa ◽  
Yuji Nagasawa
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Surface Structures ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Native State ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Biological Specimen ◽  
Specimen Holder ◽  
Cold Stage ◽  
Preparation Techniques ◽  
Scanning Electron

In order to observe biological specimens in their native state, that is, still containing their water content, various methods of specimen preparation have been used, the principal two of which are the chamber method and the freeze method.Using its recently developed cold stage for installation in the pre-evacuation chamber of a scanning electron microscope, we have succeeded in directly observing a biological specimen in its frozen state without the need for such conventional specimen preparation techniques as drying and metallic vacuum evaporation. (Echlin, too, has reported on the observation of surface structures using the same freeze method.)In the experiment referred to herein, a small sliced specimen was place in the specimen holder. After it was rapidly frozen by freon cooled with liquid nitrogen, it was inserted into the cold stage of the specimen chamber.

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