Qualitative and quantitative analysis of erythrocyte surface membrane sialyl residues using affinity cytochemistry with special reference to diabetic patients

Erythrocyte surface membrane sialyl residues were investigated by means of affinity cytochemistry using the avidin-biotin complex technique. Mild oxidation with the periodate (MO)-biotin hydrazide (BHZ)-ferritin avidin conjugate (FAv) sequence revealed numerous ferritin particles on erythrocytes from healthy donors. The ferritin particles attached on the perpendicularly sectioned membrane were seen at an average distance of 10 to 12 nm from the outer dense leaflet of the cell membrane. Pretreatment with neuraminidase followed by the MO-BHZ-FAv sequence almost eliminated erythrocyte ferritin labeling. Erythrocytes from diabetic patients showed less dense ferritin labeling compared with those from healthy donors. Quantiative analysis of sialyl residues demonstrated a marked reduction in ferritin labeling of erythrocytes from diabetic patients which was significantly less (p less than 0.01) than that of erythrocytes from healthy donors. This observation supports previous biochemical data demonstrating lower levels of surface membrane negative charge and sialyl residues on erythrocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus.

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

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 substances. 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.

Glycoconjugate cytochemistry of the rat fundic gland using lectin/colloidal-gold conjugates and Lowicryl K4M. Helix pomatia lectin is a specific marker for mucous neck cells in fundic glands of the rat gastric mucosa

The fundic gland of the rat stomach was studied using the low-temperature embedding resin Lowicryl K4M and postembedding staining with lectin/colloidal-gold (CG) conjugates. Intense labeling with Ricinus communis agglutinin I was observed not only in mucous-producing cells but also in parietal cells. In contrast, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) only labeled mucous neck cells and intermediate cells between mucous neck cells and chief cells. The other epithelial cells present in the rat fundic gland showed virtually no reaction with this lectin. Our results indicate that HPA might be a marker lectin of mucous neck cells and their derivatives. The combination of embedding in the hydrophilic resin Lowicryl K4M and postembedding staining with lectin-CG conjugates provided satisfactory staining results, and made it possible to visualize the precise distribution of terminal glycoconjugates in intracellular components as well as on the plasma membrane.

Lectin-peroxidase reactivity in rat gastric mucosa

The localization of lectin-binding sites in the rat gastric mucosa was investigated using horseradish peroxidase-labeled lectin conjugates (Con A, DBA, PNA, RCA-1, SBA, UEA-1, WGA). The glandular epithelium of the cardiac gland was clearly stained with DBA, PNA and SBA. Surface epithelium of the fundic glands was intensely labeled with SBA and UEA-1, but weakly with RCA-1, and WGA. Staining for foveolar cells was intense with SBA and moderate with PNA, while Con A and RCA-1 showed negligible reactivity. Mucous neck cells were intensely stained with SBA, moderately with PNA, weakly with Con A, RCA-1 and WGA, and only, faintly with DBA. Chief cells reacted positively only with WGA. Surface epithelium of the pyloric gland was moderately labeled with DBA, SBA and WGA, and faintly with the other lectins. Glandular epithelial cells, which revealed a similar pattern to that of the surface epithelium, were stained more intensely. The present study provides additional information for elucidating the cellular and regional differences in lectin binding to the rat gastric mucosa.

Adult fucosidosis: histochemical and ultrastructural studies of rectal mucosa biopsy

Three sisters with adult fucosidosis showed prominent psychomotor retardation, gargoyle features, and angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, meeting the criteria for type II fucosidosis. By histochemical and ultrastructural studies, biopsy of rectal mucosa revealed many abnormal macrophages that were filled with fucose-rich granules, and electronmicroscopic examination showed several types of characteristic inclusions in the endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and Schwann's cells.

Cells intermediate between mucous neck cells and chief cells in rat stomach

Morphological and histochemical methods revealed cells intermediate between mucous neck cells and chief cells in rat stomach. The secretory granules of mucous neck cells and chief cells were homogeneous. However, some cells resembling mucous neck cells in shape and size yet contained heterogeneous granules. One type of cell contained mucous granules showing a bipartite structure. The inner cores of these granules resembled the granules of mucous neck cells morphologically and after staining by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) procedure and lectin-ferritin methods. The outer layer of these granules, however, resembled the granules of chief cells and failed to stain by these methods. Another type of cell also contained bipartite granules, but these showed a dense cap and lucent matrix. The cap of the granules did not stain with the PA-TCH-SP and lectin methods, but the remaining matrix was reactive. These presumed transitional cells were located in a layer between the mucous neck cells and the chief cells. Immature chief cells with sparse granular reticulum were found near these intermediate cells in some cases. Many similar intermediate type cells were also found in early developmental stages of the gastric mucosa in rat. These results suggest a close relationship between chief cells and mucous neck cells; chief cells may develop from undifferentiated stem cells via mucous neck cells in adult rat stomach.

Differential expression of lectin receptors in germ layers of the mouse egg cylinder and teratocarcinomas

Receptors for three lectins with restricted specificities, namely fucose-binding protein of Lotus tetragonolobus (FBP), peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), were distinctively located in 6- and 7-day mouse embryos and in embryoid bodies of teratocarcinoma OTT6050 grown in vivo. Thus, FBP reacted mainly with the inner cells (embryonic ectoderm and teratocarcinoma stem cells), DBA reacted with the outer cells (endoderm) and PNA reacted with all the germ layers including mesoderm. Upon in vitro culture of the embryoid bodies, the exposed stem cells express DBA receptors. Since the receptors for the three lectins in teratocarcinomas are known to be carried by the large carbohydrate chains characteristic of early embryonic cells, the present result suggests that terminal structure of the large carbohydrates is altered according to the direction of the differentiation or to the position of the cells in embryos and in teratocarcinomas.

Distribution of glycoconjugates in the kidney studied by use of labeled lectins

Distribution of glycoconjugates in different areas of the rat kidney was studied by light and electron microscopy using six different horseradish peroxidase-labeled lectins. Glomeruli and brush borders of the proximal tubules reacted differently to these lectins, which indicated differences in the carbohydrate compositions of those regions. The ascending limb of Henle's loop (ALH) had strong binding sites for peanut agglutinin (PNA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA). Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) did not stain the cells of ALH but did stain those of distal convoluted tubules (DCT). DBA is a good marker for distinguishing ALH from DCT. DBA, PNA, and SBA were also good markers of the collecting duct. Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA-1) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) diffusely stained the various components of different parts of the kidney.

Immunocytochemical localization of pepsinogen in rat stomach

The localization of pepsinogen in rat stomachs was investigated by a postembedding immunoferritin method. When the preparations embedded in Epon were used, the secretory granules of chief cells were stained heavily and the granules of mucous neck cells were stained moderately. The secretory granules of cells intermediate between mucous neck cells and chief cells showed a bizonal staining; the electron dense parts were stained heavily and the electron lucent parts were stained moderately. The secretory granules of pyloric gland cells, on the other hand, were labeled faintly. However, the secretory granules of surface mucous cells, foveolar mucous cells, endocrine cells, cardiac mucous cells and cardiac serous cells were not stained by the method. The protein A-gold method showed a similar staining pattern of pepsinogen to that of the immunoferritin method. When the samples embedded in Lowicryl K4M were used to enhance the stainability of pepsinogen, essentially the same staining pattern as that of the samples embedded in Epon was obtained. In addition, the Golgi apparatus and the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were more easily stained.

Nucleic acid synthesis in proliferating peroxisomes of rat liver as revealed by electron microscopical radioautography

Thirty albino rats were fed with a diet containing 1, 2 or 4% di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), a peroxisome-proliferating agent. Others were fed with normal diet as controls. Both groups were sacrificed at varying intervals from 3 days to 4 weeks. The livers were either removed and fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide or fixed in glutaraldehyde, incubated in a diaminobenzidine (DAB) medium, postfixed, embedded in Epon, and sectioned. Other tissues were incubated in Eagle's MEM containing either [P3H-thymidine or [3H]uridine, fixed, embedded in Epon, sectioned, and radioautographed. Specimens were observed in a Hitachi H-700 electron microscope. The number of peroxisomes showing DAB reactivity increased in DEHP-fed animals as compared with normal controls. In radioautograms of normal rats labelled with [3H]thymidine, no silver grains were observed, whereas grains were observed overt some nuclei, mitochondria and peroxisomes of DEHP-fed animals. In contrast, radioautograms of tissue labelled with [3H]uridine revealed a few grains in nuclei and mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum of normal rats, although grains appeared in nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes of DEHP-fed animals more frequently. From these results, it is concluded that [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine were incorporated in the proliferating peroxisomes, suggesting that nucleic acid synthesis had taken place.

Post-embedding staining of rat gastric mucous cells with lectins

The mucous cells of the rat stomach were stained with lectins by two post-embedding staining methods for electron microscopy. The mucous granules of surface mucous cells and foveolar mucous cells were stained weakly by Ricinus communis agglutinin-ferritin and wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin. The mucous granules of mucous neck cells were stained by concanavalin A-ferritin, Ricinus communis agglutinin-ferritin and wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin. The mucous granules of pyloric gland cells showed an affinity for wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin and concanavalin A-ferritin, while Ricinus-communis agglutinin-ferritin only slightly stained the granules. The granules of mucous neck cells and pyloric gland cells were also stained by the concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase-colloidal gold method, but the granules of surface and foveolar mucous cells were not stained by this method. Periodic acid oxidation of the sections before the standard concanavalin A-ferritin procedure enhanced the staining of the granules of mucous neck cells and pyloric gland cells slightly. Reduction of the sections after the periodic acid oxidation weakened the staining. Similar results were obtained using the concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase-colloidal gold method. Though the staining with Ricinus communis agglutinin-ferritin was inhibited by periodic acid oxidation of the sections before staining, the staining with wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin was not inhibited by the oxidation. It is suggested that the paradoxical staining is closely related to the position of the concanavalin A-binding sugar residues in the carbohydrate chains.

Ultrastructure and immunohistochemical staining of a transplanted endodermal sinus tumor

An endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor was successfully transplanted into athymic nude mice. Histologic and ultrastructural investigations revealed that the transplanted tumor had a characteristic appearance with numerous Shiller-Duval bodies, endodermal sinus structures and ultrastructural profiles as previously described in human material. The endodermal sinus tumor and normal human yolk sac have been found to synthesize not only alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), but also other serum proteins, namely, albumin, prealbumin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and transferrin. Serological study by radioimmunoassay demonstrated AFP, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the sera of the tumor-bearing nude mice and in cyst fluid from the transplanted tumor. Immunohistochemical investigation using the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method showed using the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method showed that the tumor cells produced CEA, alpha 1-antitrypsin, transferrin, HCG as well as AFP. These immunohistochemical staining properties were correlated with the findings on radioimmunoassay.

Postembedding staining of Brunner's gland with lectin-ferritin conjugates

Postembedding staining of intracellular carbohydrates of rat Brunner's gland cells embedded in Epon and acrylamide was carried out with Ricinus communis agglutinin-ferritin, concanavalin A-ferritin, and wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin conjugates. Th Golgi vacuoles and mucous granules were stained with these conjugates. In each staining, the tissues embedded in acrylamide were stained more strongly than those embedded in Epon. The staining intensity of wheat germ agglutinin-ferritin was the strongest among the three conjugates and the staining intensity of Ricinus communis agglutinin-ferritin was stronger than that of concanavalin A-ferritin in both embedding methods. Free ferritin showed almost no binding to these structures and staining with the conjugates was inhibited by the addition of appropriate competitive sugars to the staining solutions. Osmium-postfixed tissues were not stained well with the conjugates. Washing of the sections with bovine serum albumin solution after staining was an essential step in the present method to reduce the nonspecific adsorption of the conjugates. The present method was very simple and had good reproducibility.

Comparative histochemical study of alimentary tracts with special reference to the mucous neck cells of the stomach

Combinations of recently developed paradoxical concanavalin-A staining (PCS) and other routine histochemical procedures have made it possible to classify mucosubstances more precisely. By taking advantage of these sequences, the present study was undertaken both to characterize the mucinous contents of alimentary tracts of several animal species, and to compare the variability of epithelial mucosubstances with special reference to the mucous neck cells of the stomach. The alimentary tracts obtained from 7 species of fish, 5 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 4 birds, and 6 mammals were used. Acidity of epithelial mucosubstances was highly variable even among the corresponding mucous cells. On the contrary, concanavalin-A reactivity seemed to be consistent with each cell and species. The mucous neck cells, which were observed in amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, consistently exhibited a characteristic mucosubstance with stable class-III reactivity by PCS. Inversely, stable class-III reactivity was found only in species possessing mucous neck cells, and was widely distributed in the esophageal glands of the frog, snake, and man; in esophageal mucous cells of the frog and skink; in pyloric glands of amphibia, reptiles, and mammals; and in Brunner's glands of mammals. These mucous cells seem to form an unique group with morphological and histochemical similarities. It is likely that the stable class-III reactivity by PCS is a hallmark of the mucous neck cells and related glands and that, in addition, concanavalin-A reactivity of mucosubstances is evolutionarily more fundamental characteristic.

Immunoradioautographic study of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatoma cells

Trypsin treatment, which is frequently used in the field of immunocytochemistry to faciliate conjugated antibody penetration through the cell membrane, was applied for the immunoradiographic demonstration of alpha-fetoprotein in ascites hepatoma cells using 125I-labeled anti rat alpha-fetoprotein antibody. No significant number of silver grains were detectable in the group without trypsin treatment, while numerous silver grains were recognizable in the ascites hepatoma cells after trypsin treatment. This indicates that trypsin treatment is effective for the immunoradiographic demonstration of alpha-fetoprotein and contributes to the quantitative immunoradioautographic investigation.

Mucosubstances of rabbit granulocytes studied by means of electron-microscopic radioautography and X-ray microanalysis

Rabbit bone marrow cells have been studied by means of light- and electron-microscopic radioautography and X-ray microanalysis. Carrier free sulfuric acid was used as the radioactive precursor in this experiment. Immature granulocytes showed more active incorporation than mature ones. Silver grains were observed in the Golgi apparatus and granules in three kinds of granulocytes. Electron-microscopically, immature granules showed the incorporation of inorganic sulfate, while mature ones did not. Sulfur was detected in all kinds of granules of the three granulocyte types by X-ray microanalysis. It is concluded that incorporated inorganic sulfur may be utilized for the synthesis of acid glycosaminoglycans and the sulfur detected by X-ray microanalysis may be that contained in the acid glycosaminoglycan. The sulfur detected in the specific granules of the heterophil probably derives from proteins or polypeptides incorporating sulfur containing amino acids.

Ultrastructural localization of glycogen in the granulocytes of normal rabbit bone marrow

The glycogen of rabbit granulocytes has been studied in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixed bone marrow by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate procedure (PA-TCH-SP). The PA-TCH-SP procedure involved the staining of intracytoplasmic glycogen more densely than the routine lead citrate staining. The PA-TCH-SP procedure demonstrated the intracytoplasmic glycogen in all three kinds of granulocytes. Though a sequence of intensity was observed in each stage of cell maturation, intracytoplasmic glycogen increased generally in accordance with cell maturation in the granulocytes. Functional significance of the glycogen in the granulocytes was discussed in relation to its staining. A very weak reaction in the granules of the granulocytes was described in relation to their contents.

A modified wire-loop method for quantitative electron microscopic radioautography

A simplified method of emulsion coating and development for quantitative electron microscopic radioautography without any special instrument in introduced. Seven grids carrying ultrathin sections are attached to a glass block with double-coated Scotch tape. They are coated with a wire-loop, 2.5 cm in diameter. Ten glass blocks are then stuck on a slide, exposed, developed, fixed and stained simultaneously. Employing this method, the emulsion coating and the following procedures are easily accomplished under an identical condition.

Histochemical studies of mucosubstances in metaplastic epithelium of the stomach, with special reference to the development of intestinal metaplasia

Processes in the development of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach were investigated from the morphological and histochemical approaches using light and electron microscopic techniques. The specimens taken from 38 gastric carcinomas and 15 gastric and/or duodenal ulcers were subjected to this study. Morphological appearances of the intestinal metaplasia observed in routine examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining was able to divided into complete and incomplete metaplasia by the light and electron microscope histochemical stainings of the mucosubstances. The columnar cells at the area of the incomplete metaplasia had both the properties of the intestinal epithelia and the gastric foveolar epithelia. The incomplete as well as the complete metaplasia arose from the generative cells at the isthmus of the gland. The generative cells, however, sometimes gradually transformed to produce the complete metaplastic cells. The two processes of the development of the intestinal metaplasia were proposed and discussed.

Electron microscopic observation of scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach

Electron microscopic findings obtained from seven scirrhous carcinomas of the stomach were analyzed dividing each carcinoma into superficial, deep, and peripheral parts. Proliferation of collagen fibrils, disappearance of plasma membranes, and extracellular release of cell organellae of cancer cells were considered to be peculiar findings to this type of cancer. These phenomena were observed frequently at the deep part of the cancer, but rarely at the peripheral and superficial parts. Replacement of damaged cells by the proliferated collagen fibrils at the central area of the cancer and disconnection of cancer cells from scirrhous lesion at the peripheral part were considered to contribute to the biological behaviour of this carcinoma.

Fine structural and ultracytochemical studies on the lymphocytes in three types of genetic mucopolysaccharidoses

Lymphocytes from 6 patients with 3 types of genetic mucopolysaccharidoses (Hurler's syndrome, Hunter's syndrome and Morquio's syndrome) contained numberous vacuoles in their cytoplasm. The size of the vacuoles ranged from approximately 300 nm to 750 nm. The percentage of the lymphocytes with vacuoles varied from 10% to 38%. The vacuoles showed acid phosphatase activity, which indicated their lysosommal nature. Staining with dialyzed iron solution usually localized acid mucosubstance in the peripheral region of these vacuoles after glutaraldehyde fixation. Ferritin and horseradish peroxidase were observed in the vacuoles after incubation of the patient's lymphocytes with these tracers. This finding indicates the participation of endocytosis in the formation of these vacuoles.

Electron microscopic dry-mounting radioautography for diffusible compounds by means of ultracryotomy

Cultured HeLa cells or mouse liver and pancreas tissues were labeled with 3H-thymidine, -uridine or -glycine for varying periods in vitro, frozen in liquid nitrogen and cut on an LKB ultrotome equipped with LKB Cryokit. Dry ultrathin sections were mounted on grid meshes and were either air-dried, freeze-substituted or freeze-dried, and were covered with dry films of radioautographic emulsions, exposed, developed, stained and were observed in electron microscopes. After a number of trials, it was possible to obtain fairly good preservation of both cell structure and radioisotopes by means of freeze-dried and dry-mounted ultrathin frozen sections. However, the results are not completely satisfactory at the present time.

Demonstration of intracytoplasmic glycogen of megakaryocytes and blood platelets by means of the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate method

The glycogen of megakaryocytes and blood platelets has been investigated in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixed tissues by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrozide-silver proteinate method (PA-TCH-SP). The PA-TCH-SP method involves the staining of intracytoplasmic glycogens more densely than the routine lead citrate method. Glycogen having a mean particle diameter of 21.1 nm has been shown localizing in the matrix of mature megakaryocytes, while that of glycogen in the platelets was 26.2 nm. The staining pattern of the glycogen in blood platelets was classified into three groups according to staining intensity. It is found that the PA-TCH-SP method is a very suitable one for the demonstration of intracytoplasmic glycogen from the viewpoints of reaction specificity, reproducibility, fineness of reaction products, sufficiency of electron density, and experimental cost. This method is also a very useful one for differentiating intracytoplasmic glycogens and ribosomes.

Fine structural localization of arylsulfatase B activity in the rabbit blood platelets

Fine structural localization of arylsulfatase in the rabbit blood platelets has been investigated in this study. Among many cell organellae, reaction products were exclusively observed in the alpha granules of the platelets. Within the alpha granules, arylsulfatase activity appeared to localize in variable patterns, i.e. reaction products confined mainly at the peripheral region in many granules, while they deposited heavily throughout the granule matrices in some others. In a blood platelets, each alpha granule showed the different staining pattern which indicated more variable functional heterogeneity in the granules.