Preparation of cultured cells for SEM: air drying from organic solvents

Air evaporation from organic solvents of differing polarities and surface free energies was used in the preparation of cultured murine peritoneal macrophages for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface structural features of these cells were compared to the surfaces of similar cells prepared by the critical-point procedure. In general, all organic solvents produced a marked collapse of cell structure resulting in an increase in surface irregularity. Fracture surfaces and sharply defined contours including numerous flaps and ridges were characteristic of the non-polar solvent dehydrated samples. Polar solvent dehydrated samples, including those dried from solvents of low surface free energy, exhibited a secondary flowing and settling of the cell membrane. Primary collapse was apparent but cell contours were smoothed and rounded. Overall cell shape and cell-to-cell relationships were retained regardless of solvent type. It is suggested that solvent evaporation may prove useful in certain cases, though investigators are advised to use caution when interpreting the results obtained by such procedures.

Alterations in mouse macrophage migration: a function of assay systems, lymphocyte activation product preparation, and fractionation

Supernatants from mouse spleen cell and peritoneal cell cultures were tested for the presence of lymphocyte activation products. Supernatants from mouse spleen cell and peritoneal cell cultures incubated with brucella antigens contained a macrophage migration inhibition factor(s) and a macrophage spreading factor(s) only if the cells were harvested from Brucella-infected mice. After dialysis and freeze-drying, the supernatants were fractionated by preparative acrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Three fractions with lymphocyte activation product activity were obtained from the fractionated supernatants of mouse spleen cells and peritoneal cells harvested from Brucella-infected mice and cultured with brucella antigen. One fraction inhibited mouse macrophage migration from capillary tubes but not from agarose wells. A second fraction not only inhibited macrophage migration from both agarose wells and capillary tubes, but also contained an activity(s) that stimulated macrophage migration through Nuclepore filters and induced macrophage spreading. A third fraction timulated macrophage migration from agarose wells and also contained an activity(s) that stimulated macrophage migration through Nuclepore filters. Fractionated supernatants of mouse spleen cells and peritoneal cells harvested from uninfected mice incubated with and without brucella antigen, as well as of cells harvested from infected mice and not incubated with antigen, did not contain detectable lymphocyte activation products.

Isolation of substances responsible for lymphokine activity from sensitized mouse spleen cells

Cultures of brucella-sensitized mouse spleen cells exposed to Brucella abortus antigens in vitro release macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) and macrophage spreading factor. Subjecting the supernatants from such cultures to preparative scale electrophoresis in acrylamide gel yields several fractions, one of which contains both MIF and macrophage spreading factor. This material has properties attributable to guinea pig MIF: it is nondialyzable, heat stable, nontoxic to macrophages from heterologous murine donors, and has a greater anodal electrophoretic mobility than guinea pig serum albumin. Another fraction from the gel column inhibits macrophage spreading; its electrophoretic mobility is similar to that of guinea pig gamma globulin. Neither brucella antigen nor skin reactive substances were detectable in any acrylamide gel column fraction when tested by the mouse footpad induration assay technique.

Scanning electron microscopy of spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum

The ellipsoidal dormant spores of Dictyostelium dicoideum prepared by freeze-drying had a uniform, compact appearance with fine wrinkles or ridges on the surface. Swollen spores were uneven in appearance, without fine wrinkles but with a seemingly expanded surface covering. The surfaces of the postgermination spore husks appeared unaltered except for a single straight exit slit along the longitudinal plane.

Migration inhibition of mouse macrophages by Brucella antigens

Mice are suitable donors of peritoneal macrophages for the capillary migration inhibition test, provided a period of preincubation with antigen is used