Immunohistochemical study of neurochemical markers in gingiva obtained from periodontitis-affected sites

Immunohistochemical methods have been used to study the occurrence of neuronal markers in human gingiva from periodontitis-affected sites. In periodontitis-affected buccal gingiva densely distributed neurofilament (NF)-immunoreactive (IR) fiber bundles were observed in the deeper parts of the propria, while NF-IR single fibers occurred in the superficial propria and occasionally in the buccal epithelium. Periodontitis-affected gingiva obtained from interproximal sites showed only sparsely distributed NF-IR fibers. Single nerve fibers immuno-reactive to the peptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide occurred close to or within the epithelium in both buccal and interproximal gingiva. Around blood vessels neuropeptide Y-, peptide histidine-isoleucine amide- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-IR fibers were occasionally observed, while clusters of gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-IR cells were found in the propria, in addition to gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone IR nerve fibers. Somatostatin-IR dendritic cells were seen in epithelium and propria of buccal and interproximal gingiva, although a high variability in the number of SOM-IR cells was observed. All neuronal markers studied showed a similar distribution in material obtained from young patients with clinically healthy gingivae, although the number of NF-IR fibers in the propria in these subjects was lower. The results demonstrate that in gingiva obtained from periodontitis-affected sites several different biologically active peptides occur in both nerve fibers and cells. At least some of these substances could possible play a role in the inflammatory process. However, since clinically normal gingiva was shown to contain nerve fibers and cells expressing immunoreactivity to the substances studied, no unique periodontitis-induced expression of the neuronal markers studied was found. Thus, any alteration of these substances during the periodontitis process remains to be elucidated.

Characterization of a novel 66 kd subunit of mammalian neurofilaments

A 66 kd protein, pl 5.4, was purified from the Triton-insoluble fraction of rat spinal cord. This protein formed 10 nm filaments in vitro. The 66 kd protein was unique, although it shared homology with the 70 kd neurofilament protein (NF-L) and vimentin. An antiserum (anti-66) specific to the 66 kd protein did not cross-react with any of the neurofilament triplet proteins. In the spinal cord, anti-66 intensely stained the axons of the anterior and lateral columns. However, afferents from dorsal root ganglia and the efferents from the motoneurons were negative. In the cerebellum, anti-66 intensely stained most axons. The 66 kd protein was readily detectable in homogenates of forebrain, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord, but was found only in trace amounts in adult sciatic nerves and was not found in extraneural tissues. The 66 kd protein constituted 0.5% of total protein in the spinal cord, whereas NF-L constituted about 1.5%.

A 48 kilodalton intermediate filament associated protein (IFAP) in reactive-like astrocytes induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in culture and in reactive astrocytes in situ

In this paper we demonstrate that the 48 kilodalton (kDa) intermediate filament associated protein (IFAP), previously reported to be present in normal astrocytes, is also present in reactive astrocytes in situ and in reactive-like astrocytes induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in vitro. This IFAP is detectable by antibodies in normal rabbit serum (F2N) and is closely associated with glial fibrillary acidic protein-containing intermediate filaments (IF). The expression of 48 kDa IFAP is related to the acquisition of stellate shape by normal and reactive-like astrocytes in vitro. It is proposed that 48 kDa IFAP may be responsible for cross-linking IF into bundles and is thereby associated with cell process formation.

Patterns of expression of intermediate filaments in ameloblastoma and human fetal tooth germ

Monoclonal antibodies (Mab) were used to study the expression of cytokeratins and vimentin in various histological types of ameloblastoma and in human fetal tooth germ. The ameloblastoma and the tooth germ epithelia showed characteristics of both simple glandular and stratified squamous epithelial cells. Cytokeratin No. 18 was detected focally in most ameloblastomas studied but not in fetal odontogenic epithelia. Cytokeratins Nos. 8 and 19 were expressed in all epithelial elements of ameloblastomas and tooth germs. Only two tumors showed focally characteristics of keratinizing epithelia also seen in dental lamina but not in the enamel organ. All tumors except the granular cell ameloblastoma showed a variable coexpression of vimentin and cytokeratins in their neoplastic epithelia. A similar coexpression was detected in the stellate reticulum cells of the developing tooth. Ameloblastoma and human tooth germ epithelia share complex pattern of cytokeratin polypeptides together with coexpression of vimentin. The results strongly support the theory that ameloblastomas are of odontogenic origin and not direct derivatives of basal cells of oral epithelium or epidermis.

Cytoskeletal abnormalities in motor neuron disease. An immunocytochemical study

Immunocytochemistry with antibodies against cytoskeletal proteins has been used to search for molecular differences in the spinal cord from patients with motor neuron disease (MND) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type and normal spinal cord. Monoclonal antibodies which recognize phosphorylated neurofilament epitopes diffusely labelled a proportion of normal and MND anterior horn cells, but did not permit differentiation between normal and MND tissue. However, in some MND and control anterior horn cells, dense 'floccular' accumulations were labelled by antibodies recognizing phosphorylated neurofilament epitopes. These accumulations of phosphorylated neurofilaments suggest abnormalities of cytoskeletal regulation, but were neither a common nor a specific feature of MND. Axonal spheroids, which were as common in normal as in MND tissue, were labelled by all antineurofilament antibodies. Normal-appearing axons, but not spheroids, in MND and control tissue were identified by an antiactin antibody, indicating that actin may be absent from the cytoplasmic domain which gives rise to spheroids. In summary, we have not found specific posttranslational changes of cytoskeletal proteins in MND and, in particular, phosphorylated neurofilament epitopes are common to both MND and control anterior horn cells.

Immunocytochemical analysis of cytocentrifuged fine needle aspirates. A study based on lung tumors aspirated in vitro

The value of Cytospin preparations of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy material for immunocytochemical analysis was investigated using aspirates obtained from 23 resected human lung tumors. The results were compared with those on cryostat sections from the same tumors. The Cytospin preparations of the FNA biopsies gave the best immunostaining reactions and enabled a comprehensive range of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to be utilized. The quality of the Cytospin immunostaining compared favorably with that on cryostat sections of the same tumors and generally yielded a similar immunophenotype. However, the Cytospin preparations were not suitable for staining with MAb Ki67, which detects an antigen associated with cellular proliferation. With Ki67, conventionally prepared smears were much superior and enabled an assessment of tumor growth fraction that concurred with the growth fraction calculated from cryostat sections in most cases.

Isolation of phenotypically distinct trophoblast cell lines from normal rat chorioallantoic placentas

Growth characteristics and the expression of trophoblast-associated markers by six cell lines generated from midgestation chorioallantoic placentas of outbred (Holtzman) and inbred (Lewis, PVG.RT Ir8) rats were evaluated. The cells comprising all cell lines were epithelioid (contained cytokeratin-type intermediate filaments), had normal (2n, 4n) DNA content, and synthesized the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin. Variability was observed among the lines in all other characteristics: median cell size, rate of growth, serum dependency, responses to transferrin and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate, synthesis of some major proteins, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the expression of immunoreactive placental lactogen-II. In general, cell lines with smaller mean cell sizes grew rapidly and required little serum for maintenance in vitro; cell lines with larger mean sizes grew more slowly and preferred higher concentrations of serum. Some associations between mean cell size/rate of growth and other characteristics were observed. No major differences were apparent between cell lines generated from outbred and inbred rat placentas. Trophoblast cell lines expressing distinct phenotypes provide a valuable new approach for studying a wide range of trophoblast cell activities.

The immunohistochemical demonstration of subsequences of the precursor of the amyloid A4 protein in senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease

The actual presence of the predicted precursor of Alzheimer's disease amyloid A4 protein, reported by Kang et al. (1987) in the Alzheimer brain, has yet to be verified. To identify the various regions of this precursor, antibodies were raised against three synthetic polypeptides, R35 (residues 274-286), R36 (residues 527-540), and R37 (residues 681-695), subsequences of the precursor protein; the specificity of these antibodies was ascertained by ELISA. Upon immunohistochemical examination, the antibody to R35 failed to react, but the antibody to R36 (the extracellular part) stained the amyloid of senile plaques and the staining pattern was identical to that of anti-A4 antibody. The antibody to R37 (the C-terminal intracellular part) stained what may be degenerating neurites in senile plaques whereas the amyloid remained unstained. An anti-neurofilament (NF) antibody reacted with some of the R37-positive grains, but R37-negative grains also were seen. Further, some R37-positive grains were not stained by the anti-NF antibody. The anti-GFAP antibody and the anti-macrophage antibody did not stain the R37-positive grains. These findings indicate that the amyloid protein in senile plaques actually contains a larger polypeptide than the A4 protein, and suggest that the intracellular C-terminal part of the precursor may exist in the degenerated neurites seen in senile plaques.

Multicellular aggregates from human tumor cell lines for radiation studies

Aggregates of human tumor cells are widely used in experimental studies on tumor responses to treatment. Only a limited number of human tumor cell lines are capable of forming spheroids. In this study cellular characteristics of 7 lung cancer and 4 bladder cancer cell lines are described with respect to their spheroid forming capacity. Comparisons were made with four reference lines known for their propensity to form growing aggregates. In the absence of vimentin expression no spherical aggregates were formed. Spherical aggregates were formed by one bladder and one lung cancer cell line, of which only the latter exhibited growth. Cellular factors influencing the ability of spheroids to increase in volume after spherical aggregation are not yet defined. Viability and clonogenicity of cells in aggregates are not the determinant of growth capacity. The growth rate of cell lines that exhibited growth is determined by tissue culture conditions and additives. Type of medium, percentage of foetal bovine serum and glucose concentration influenced the growth rate of spheroids. Since the response to radiation may be influenced by the growth rate of the tumors, manipulation of tissue culture medium composition offers the possibility of testing the influence of growth rate on the radiation response of one type of spheroids.

Modulation of keratin expression in type II pneumocytes by the extracellular matrix

The expression of specific keratin intermediate filaments during differentiation of rat type II pneumocytes in primary culture on various matrices was investigated. Changes in keratin expression were assessed using a monoclonal antikeratin antibody, 24A3, known to react strongly with alveolar epithelial cells in injured lung. Type II cell differentiation was modulated by culture on extracellular matrices known to either accelerate or retard loss of differentiated morphology and metabolic function. During culture on a plastic or fibronectin-rich surface, loss of cell differentiation correlates with increased staining with 24A3 antikeratin antibody by indirect immunofluorescence and with increased abundance of a family of acidic 46,000-dalton keratin isoforms detected in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels of type II cell cytoskeletal extracts. Loss of type II cell differentiation is retarded or prevented by culture on substrata of purified laminin or of EHS tumor-derived basement membrane (matrigel). 24A3-linked fluorescence and expression of the 46 kDa keratins are reduced in parallel, although at 7 days in culture on matrigel or laminin, keratin expression increases. The results show that changes in type II cell differentiation effected in primary culture by the extracellular matrix correlates with changes in expression of the 24A3-reactive keratins. Loss of differentiated shape and function favors expression of these cytoskeletal antigens, which may provide quantifiable markers of the type II to type I cell transition that occurs during alveolar remodeling.

Immunochemical identification of desmin in Torpedo postsynaptic membranes and at the rat neuromuscular junction

Preparations of acetylcholine receptor-rich (AChR-rich) postsynaptic membranes from electric tissue of electric rays often contain an Mr 55,000 protein (55kD protein) that has not been previously characterized. Using a monoclonal antibody (MAb 1403) against the 55kD protein from Torpedo californica and a pan-specific, anti-intermediate filament antibody (Pruss et al., 1981; Cell 27:419-428), we show that the 55kD protein has the properties expected of Torpedo desmin. By the electron microscope immunogold method applied to perfusion-fixed electric tissue, MAb 1403 labeled only cytoplasmic filaments in the electroplax. These filaments were neither more concentrated nor arranged detectably differently in postsynaptic regions relative to nonpostsynaptic regions. The 55kD protein could also be fractionated away from isolated postsynaptic membranes by gradient centrifugation. The protein is thus a minor component of the postsynaptic membrane in situ and after isolation. On semithin cryosections of rat skeletal muscle, on the other hand, MAb 1403, which recognizes rat desmin but not rat vimentin, gave strong fluorescent labeling of the postsynaptic region, weaker labeling of the Z-line, and still weaker labeling of the cell surface immediately surrounding extra-junctional nuclei. The pattern of postsynaptic labeling suggests that desmin, presumably in the form of intermediate filaments, occurs near the AChR-rich crests of the junctional folds, but is particularly concentrated among and around the ends of the folds. Similar results were obtained with a second monoclonal antibody raised against authentic desmin. These results suggest that desmin intermediate filaments may have an important role in organization of the postsynaptic cytoplasm in rat muscle.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of intermediate filament expression in canine and feline neoplasms

Specimens of neoplastic tissues from 19 dogs and 4 cats were examined immunohistochemically for intermediate filament expression, using commercially available antibodies. Staining was observed in a wide range of tumor tissues and in normal internal controls by use of antibodies to vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and low and high molecular weight cytokeratins. Intermediate filament expression was found to be consistent with light and/or electron microscopic findings, and hence believed to be an accurate indicator of tumor histogenesis in cats and dogs. Three fixatives were evaluated for their relative abilities to preserve antigenicity. Absolute alcohol was superior to B5 fixative and both were superior to formalin. Some tissues that clearly displayed intermediate filament antigens with alcohol and B5 fixative failed to stain when fixed in formalin.

Influence of epidermal growth factor on the maturation of fetal rat brain cells in aggregate culture. An immunocytochemical study

Maturation of astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes was studied in serum-free aggregating cell cultures of fetal rat telencephalon by an immunocytochemical approach. Cell type-specific immunofluorescence staining was examined by using antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin, two astroglial markers; neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament (NF), two neuronal markers, and galactocerebroside (GC), an oligodendroglial marker. It was found that the cellular maturation in aggregates is characterized by distinct developmental increases in immunoreactivity for GFAP, vimentin, NSE, NF, and GC, and by a subsequent decrease of vimentin-positive structures in more differentiated cultures. These findings are in agreement with observations in vivo, and they corroborate previous biochemical studies of this histotypic culture system. Treatment of very immature cultures with a low dose of epidermal growth factor (EGF, 5 ng/ml) enhanced the developmental increase in GFAP, NSE, NF and GC immunoreactivity, suggesting an acceleration of neuronal and glial maturation. In addition, EGF was found to alter the cellular organization within the aggregates, presumably by influencing cell migration.

A simple fixation procedure for immunofluorescent detection of different cytoskeletal components within the same cell

In recent studies on the cytoskeletal organization of T51B rat liver cells by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, we have been unable to achieve double-staining of microtubules and intermediate filaments within the same cell. In acetone-fixed cells, microtubules were poorly preserved, and two out of three monoclonal antibodies tested did not stain them properly. In formaldehyde-fixed cells, the monoclonal anti-cytokeratin produced an incomplete staining pattern against a diffuse background. We have now developed a fixation protocol which includes simultaneous fixation and extraction with formaldehyde and nonionic detergent in the present of microtubule stabilization buffer. Although developed for a specific purpose, it is of general application as it yields excellent preservation of all cytoskeletal components tested so far, without masking antigenic determinants. The procedure is both simple and fast and will, therefore, be valuable for efficient processing of samples from large-scale experiments, such as the screening for cytoskeletal changes during longterm treatment of cells with drugs or carcinogens.

Acrylamide sensitization of the heat response of the cytoskeleton and cytotoxicity in attaching and well-spread synchronous Chinese hamster ovary cells

The vimentin intermediate filament (VIMF) network is more sensitive to heat-induced disruption than either the microtubule (MT) or microfilament (MF) cytoskeletal (CSK) arrays in G1 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (Coss and Wachsberger: Radiation Research, 1987). We therefore investigated the effect of the VIMF disruptive agent, acrylamide (Eckert: European Journal of Cell Biology 37:169-174, 1985), on the heat response of synchronous CHO cells. Cells, either in the process of spreading (G1 or S phase) or in the well-spread state (S phase), were exposed to a nontoxic concentration of 5 mM acrylamide, heated, and processed for immunofluorescence microscopy 30 min or 20 hr following the heat shock. Recovery from CSK disruption was related to cell survival. CHO cells, either in the process of spreading or in the well-spread state, were sensitized to heat-induced CSK disruption and cytotoxicity by acrylamide. Recovery from CSK disruption correlated with surviving fractions of cells treated in the G1 phase but not with surviving fractions of cells treated in the S phase and was independent of the degree of cell spreading. This correlation suggests that damage to CSK structures may contribute to the death of cells treated in G1 but not necessarily to the death of cells treated in S phase. The degree of acrylamide sensitization of heat-induced CSK disruption was greater for cells exposed to acrylamide prior to spreading than for well-spread cells. Furthermore, normal spreading of cells was prevented when they were plated into medium containing acrylamide, suggesting that acrylamide interferes with the initial stages of attachment and spreading of these cells. These observations are interpreted in relation to the possible role that VIMFs, together with cortical MFs, may play in mediating cell surface focal contacts in the initial stages of cell attachment and spreading.

Salivary gland myoepithelioma variants. Histological, ultrastructural, and immunocytological features

The histological and ultrastructural features of five major salivary gland tumours, which have little or no evidence of duct- or gland-type differentiation in routine sections, are described. Four of the cases have the tumour cells organized as narrow, anastomosing cords of cells separated by a myxoid and vascularized stroma; we have designated such lesions as reticular-type myoepitheliomas. The fifth case has a solid growth pattern and is largely composed of hyaline cells, that is, a plasmacytoid myoepithelioma. Ultrastructurally, one reticular myoepithelioma reveals myoepithelial cell differentiation with microfilament aggregates, while the other three examples are composed of modified myoepithelial cells displaying widened intercellular spaces, prominent synthesis of extracellular glycosaminoglycans, distinct basal lamina development, and obvious accumulations of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments. In electron micrographs, the modified myoepithelial cells of the plasmacytoid variant closely resemble the tumour cells in the reticular form. Three cases had expression of both glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and vimentin, but only one of the myoepitheliomas contained muscle-specific actin. At least focally, each of the cases exhibited a considerable spectrum of cytokeratin filaments. Using double-labeled immunofluorescent microscopy of one reticular variant and the plasmacytoid myoepithelioma, there was individual tumour cell co-expression of GFAP and vimentin focally in the plasmacytoid myoepithelioma, but co-expression of cytokeratins 13, 16 and GFAP were not noted in either case. As expected, co-expression of high- and low-molecular weight cytokeratin filaments was widespread in both myoepitheliomas. Most described myoepitheliomas have a solid growth pattern and are composed of spindle and plasmacytoid cells, but based on cytological features and growth patterns in this series, it is apparent that polygonal-shaped cells with novel architecture can occur in myoepitheliomas. The results also indicate the close relationship between pleomorphic adenoma and such variants of myoepithelioma.

Visualization of intermediate filaments in living cells using fluorescently labeled desmin

Fluorescently labeled desmin was incorporated into intermediate filaments when microinjected into living tissue culture cells. The desmin, purified from chicken gizzard smooth muscle and labeled with the fluorescent dye iodoacetamido rhodamine, was capable of forming a network of 10-nm filaments in solution. The labeled protein associated specifically with the native vimentin filaments in permeabilized, unfixed interphase and mitotic PtK2 cells. The labeled desmin was microinjected into living, cultured embryonic skeletal myotubes, where it became incorporated in straight fibers aligned along the long axis of the myotubes. Upon exposure to nocodazole, microinjected myotubes exhibited wavy, fluorescent filament bundles around the muscle nuclei. In PtK2 cells, an epithelial cell line, injected desmin formed a filamentous network, which colocalized with the native vimentin intermediate filaments but not with the cytokeratin networks and microtubular arrays. Exposure of the injected cells to nocadazole or acrylamide caused the desmin network to collapse and form a perinuclear cap that was indistinguishable from vimentin caps in the same cells. During mitosis, labeled desmin filaments were excluded from the spindle area, forming a cage around it. The filaments were partitioned into two groups either during anaphase or at the completion of cytokinesis. In the former case, the perispindle desmin filaments appeared to be stretched into two parts by the elongating spindle. In the latter case, a continuous bundle of filaments extended along the length of the spindle and appeared to be pinched in two by the contracting cleavage furrow. In these cells, desmin filaments were present in the midbody where they gradually were removed as the desmin filament network became redistributed throughout the cytoplasm of the spreading daughter cells.

Distribution of desmoplakin in normal cultured human keratinocytes and in basal cell carcinoma cells

In cultured human keratinocytes (NHEK) maintained in medium containing low levels of Ca2+ (0.04 mM) desmoplakin is a component of certain electron-dense bodies in the cytoplasm. These bodies are associated with bundles of intermediate filaments. Upon elevation of the level of Ca2+ in the culture medium to 1.2 mM, desmoplakin first appears at sites of cell-cell contact in association with bundles of intermediate filaments. Subsequently, desmoplakin becomes incorporated into desmosomes in a manner comparable to that seen in mouse keratinocytes (Jones and Goldman: Journal of Cell Biology 101:506-517, 1985). NHEK cells maintained for 24 hr at Ca2+ concentrations between 0.04 mM and 0.18 mM were processed for immunofluorescence, immunoelectron, and conventional electron microscopical analysis. In NHEK cells grown at Ca2+ concentrations of 0.11 mM, desmoplakin appears to be localized in electron-dense bodies associated with intermediate filaments at sites of cell-cell contact in the absence of formed desmosomes. At a Ca2+ concentration of 0.13 mM desmoplakin is arrayed like beads on a "string" of intermediate filaments at areas of cell-cell association. At 0.15 mM, desmosome formation occurs, and desmoplakin is associated with the desmosomal plaque. In basal cell carcinoma cells desmoplakin is not restricted to desmosomes but also occurs in certain electron-dense bodies morphologically similar to those seen in NHEK maintained in low levels of Ca2+ and during early stages of desmosome assembly. We discuss the possibility of "cycling" of desmoplakin through these bodies in proliferative cells.

Immunohistochemical characterization of chondroid syringomas

This study was initiated because the histogenesis of chondroid syringomas (CSs), especially the role of the myoepithelial cells, is still controversial. Twelve cases of CS were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods with a broad panel of routinely used antibodies. The epithelial elements were classified as tubuloglandular components, stromal cells, and solid nests. The authors' results indicated the following: (1) The inner cell layers of tubuloglandular components have distinct epithelial features with cytokeratin (CK), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) positivity. (2) The outer cell layers had negative results for muscle-specific actin (MSA), desmin, CEA, EMA, and CK (if antibody AE1/3 was used) and had positive results for vimentin, S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and in three cases for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). (3) The stromal cells and, to a lesser extent, the solid nests expressed immunophenotypes similar to those of the outer cell layers. These data suggest that the stromal components may derive from the outer cells of the tubuloglandular elements but derive from the outer cells of the tubuloglandular elements but do not confirm their exclusive myoepithelial origin.

Subcellular localization of functionally differentiated microtubules in squid neurons: regional distribution of microtubule-associated proteins and beta-tubulin isotypes

The subcellular localization of microtubule proteins in the neurons of squid (Doryteuthis bleekeri) was immunologically studied using monoclonal antibodies against the microtubule proteins. We found that (1) the squid neurons contained three kinds of high-molecular-weight microtubule-associated proteins [MAP A of approximately 300 kilodaltons (kD), MAP B of 260 kD, and axolinin of 260 kD] and two kinds of beta-tubulin isotypes (beta 1 and beta 2); (2) the cell body of the squid giant neuron contained MAP A, MAP B, and the two beta-tubulin isotypes (beta 1 and beta 2); (3) axolinin and the beta 1 isotype were present exclusively in the peripheral axoplasm of the giant axon; and (4) a small amount of axolinin, MAP A, and the beta 1 isotype was found in the insoluble aspect of the central axoplasm, whereas the soluble aspect of the central axoplasm contained an abundant amount of MAP A along with the modified form of the beta 1 isotype. The regional difference of the distribution of the microtubule protein components may explain the differences in stability among axonal microtubules. Microtubules in the soluble aspect of the central axoplasm are sensitive to any treatment with colchicine, cold temperature, and high ionic strength but those both in the insoluble aspect of the central axoplasm and in the peripheral axoplasm are highly insensitive to the treatment.

Expression of intermediate filaments and stromal proteins in granular cell tumor of the tongue

Intermediate filament subunits as well as components of the extracellular matrix, were localized in three cases of granular cell tumor of the tongue. Of the five intermediate filament families, only vimentin was present within the tumor cells. No labeling was obtained with antibodies to cytokeratin, desmin, neurofilaments, and glial filaments; this suggests that this tumor is not derived from epithelium, muscle, neural, or astrocytic origins, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining of the tissue with antibodies to fibronectin and to collagen indicated that the tumor contained low levels of these extracellular matrix proteins. The results suggest the possible use of antibodies to intermediate filaments as histogenetic markers for the clarification of the origin of tumors whose nature cannot be unequivocally determined by conventional histopathologic methods.

Ubiquitin is present on the cytokeratin intermediate filaments and Mallory bodies of hepatocytes

To investigate the relationship of cytokeratin intermediate filaments (IFs) and Mallory bodies (MBs) to the regulatory protein ubiquitin, the griseofulvin-fed mouse was examined by double-label immunocytochemistry. In controls, immunofluorescence of hepatocytes showed that an antiserum specific to ubiquitin stained the cell border and the cytoplasm as well as the nuclear rim. In griseofulvin-fed liver cells, the MBs induced by this treatment were stained in an identical pattern by the antiserum to ubiquitin and a monoclonal antibody specific to cytokeratin (TROMA 1). Upon examination of the immunoreaction at the ultrastructural level, the ubiquitin antiserum decorated the cytokeratin filaments as well as MB filaments. Particularly striking was the coincidence of localization of TROMA 1 and ubiquitin epitopes, many IF surrounding MBs being either intensely decorated or alternatively nonimmunoreactive. These results suggest that normal cytokeratin IFs are lightly ubiquitinated, whereas MBs are heavily ubiquitinated. Immunoblot analysis of extracted cytoskeletal proteins separated by gel electrophoresis showed that extensive ubiquitination of peptides was present in the livers of the griseofulvin-fed mice. Further, the lack of ubiquitin and TROMA 1 epitopes in some liver IF suggest that loss of the TROMA 1 epitope may lead to concomitant loss of the ability to bind ubiquitin. Although the role ubiquitin plays in Mallory body formation remains to be elucidated, we suggest that its significance here may be related to its normal association with cytokeratin.

Changes in the organization and antigenic determinants of intermediate filaments of rat hepatocytes after infusion of cytochalasin B in vivo

The changes in cytokeratin intermedial filaments (IFs) after cytochalasin B (CB) infusion of rat liver in vivo were studied by light and electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining (IMF), and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). The CB treatment caused a change in the IFs at the cell border associated with a change in the distribution of microfilaments. The IFs at the cell border were partially disrupted. Actin aggregates were localized at points where IFs had condensed together. The pericanalicular sheath was intact but very dilated. These results indicated that the CB treatment caused an irregular distribution of the microfilaments at the cell periphery but spared the actin at the bile canaliculus. Cytokeratin staining by IMF was markedly decreased or absent; however, IEM clearly showed the presence of nonstaining IFs after CB treatment. These results indicated that the antigenic determinant of normal cytokeratin IFs became masked after CB treatment. The results indicate that F-actin disassembly induced by CB affects both the organization and conformation of cytokeratins associated with loss of integrity of the plasma membrane and vesicular uptake of plasma proteins by hepatocytes.