Discrete distribution of cholinergic and vasoactive intestinal polypeptidergic amacrine cells in the rat retina

The distribution and fine structure of cholinergic amacrine cells of the rat retina were observed using monoclonal anti-choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) antibody. The ChAT-immunoreactive cholinergic cells were located in the innermost zone of the inner nuclear layer and in the outer zone of the ganglion cell layer, and they formed two distinct bands in the inner plexiform layer. The ChAT-immunoreactive materials were diffusely localized throughout the cytoplasm except for the nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and the interior of the endoplasmic reticulum and vesicular components. The sequential immunostaining of one and the same section with both the ChAT antibody and the antiserum against vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) revealed clearly that the cholinergic amacrine cells are distinct from the VIP-immunoreactive amacrine cells.

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in adrenal chromaffin cells and intra-adrenal nerve fibers of rats

The present peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical study demonstrated a relatively small number of cells with substance P(SP)-like immunoreactivity in the adrenal medulla of rats. These cells were found alone or in small groups, were polygonal in shape and lacked long cytoplasmic processes. At immunoelectron microscopy, the immunoreactive cells were characterized by abundant granular vesicles, and the immunoreactive material was confined to the round core of the vesicles. Thus, it is suggested that SP co-exists with catecholamines in a population of chromaffin cells of the rat adrenal medulla. In addition a few SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers with varicosities were found in the adrenal medulla of rats. They extended between small clusters of chromaffin cells and had their dot-like terminals around and within the cell clusters. The SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were characterized by the presence of abundant small clear vesicles mixed with a few large granular vesicles; the immunoreactivity appeared in the latter, but was also perfused throughout the entire axoplasm. The nerve fibers formed synapses on nonimmunoreactive chromaffin cells. Judging from the presence of bundles of SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers penetrating the adrenal capsule and cortex as well as the absence of SP-immunoreactive ganglion cells in the medulla, the intramedullary SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers seem to be extrinsic in origin.

Neuropeptide immunocytochemistry in protostomian invertebrates, with special reference to insects and molluscs

In some molluscs (Aplysia and Fusitriton) and insects (silkworm and cricket), occurrence and distribution of neuropeptides in the nervous system and gut were studied with following results: in these invertebrates and also in planaria, PP-like immunoreactivity is extensively distributed in neurons and (in insects) in gut endocrine paraneurons. These cells are negative for NPY, the mammalian neuropeptide related to PP in molecular structure. PHI-like immunoreactivity is widely distributed in the neurons of those invertebrates; it occurs also in gut endocrine paraneurons in insects. The PHI-immunopositive cells are immunonegative for VIP and the coexistence of both peptides due to the common precursor in mammals cannot be recognized in these invertebrates. Immunoreactivity for urotensin I, the neuropeptide derived from teleostean urophysial neurons, is widely distributed in the neurons of the invertebrates. In insects (cricket) it occurs in gut endocrine cells.

Ultrastructural studies of adrenal adenoma causing primary aldosteronism

Adrenal adenoma tissue was obtained from 7 patients with the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and was studied electron microscopically. Spironolactone was administered in 6 of these patients, but not in the remaining patient. Most of the mitochondria of the tumour cells possessed tubular cristae, giving an appearance similar to the mitochondria in the cells of the zona glomerulosa. Spironolactone bodies were seen in the tumour cells of 6 patients who were given spironolactone preoperatively, but were not observed in these cells in the patient not given spironolactone. The literature on the developmental mechanism of this spironolactone body was reviewed.

Immunohistochemical study on Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat adrenal medulla

Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu-like immunoreactivity was revealed in many nerve fibers as well as in chromaffin cells in the rat adrenal medulla. The immunoreactive nerve fibers were seen among and around chromaffin cells in the forms of punctate structures or varicose processes and they were characterized by numerous small clear vesicles mixed with several large granular vesicles. The nerve fibers formed synaptic contacts with both Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu-like immunoreactive and non-immunoreactive chromaffin cells. The immunoreactive material in the nerves was generally confined to the granular cores. The present findings suggest that preproenkephalin A and its derivatives are produced in adrenal afferents which may be preganglionic cholinergic, and that they may play a significant role in the function of adrenal chromaffin cells.

An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of Segi's cap, a large aggregation of gut endocrine cells, in bovine fetuses

Segi's cap, a large aggregation of basal-granulated cells at the top of the intestinal villus, was studied in the proximal small intestine of bovine fetuses by histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques. 1) Typical Segi's caps were seen in the duodenum and proximal jejunum in bovine fetuses. 2) Smaller groups of basal-granulated cells were found in the villous and partly also in the cryptal epithelium, as well as in the subepithelial lamina propria. The possible mechanism for their occurrence was discussed in connection with the fate of the cap. 3) Segi's caps were present in a neonatal calf before the suckling stage, but not in 3 or 4 week-old calves. The process of and reason for this abrupt disappearance of the caps are unknown. 4) The Segi's cap in bovine fetuses consisted mainly of argyrophil cells as demonstrated by Grimelius' and Hellerström-Hellman's silver methods. Only a few argentaffin cells were found in fetal caps using a modified Masson-Hamperl's silver method. 5) Immunohistochemically, somatostatin-, gastrin-, motilin- and secretin-immunoreactive cells were identified. 6) Four different endocrine cell types could be distinguished in the bovine Segi's cap on the basis of the ultrastructural appearance of their secretory granules.

[A study of temperature sensitivity of choriocarcinoma cells in vitro--their cell proliferation and morphology in hyperthermic environment]

The possibility of hyperthermic therapy for choriocarcinoma was fundamentally analyzed in an in vitro study. The temperature sensitivity of choriocarcinoma cells designated GCH-nu-YS clone was examined using a severely controlled temperature gradient incubator (T.G.I.). The cells were placed into an atmosphere at various temperatures (37.0-41.2 degrees C) for about 2 weeks and the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was chronologically investigated in addition to degenerative changes in cellular morphology. When the temperature was not higher than 39.2 degrees C the proliferation of YS clone was nearly the same as that of the cells cultured at 37.0 degrees C. Proliferation at 39.5-39.6 degrees C, however, was slightly inhibited. And when cultured at over 39.9 degrees C, it was markedly inhibited. Above 40.4 degrees C, cell proliferation was impossible, thus resulting in destruction of the cells. These data suggest that the temperature upper limit for viability (TLV) is approximately 40.4-40.6 degrees C and the temperature upper limit for proliferation (TLP) is approximately 40.1-40.2 degrees C. When Okumura's method of classification according to temperature sensitivity is applied, the choriocarcinoma cells may be regarded as having the characteristics of adenocarcinoma. Morphological findings for cells treated at TLV revealed enlargement of the cytoplasm, an increase in the number of perinuclear granules and the appearance of deformed cells such as bizarre cells.

Diagnostic value of mitotic activity in endometrial stromal sarcoma: report of two cases

Two patients with endometrial stromal neoplasms, one low-grade and one high-grade malignant stromal sarcomas, were treated. The tumor cells of these two sarcomas had many common cytologic features and were similar to normal endometrial stromal cells. However, frequent mitoses were characteristic of the cytologic specimens of the high-grade stromal sarcoma but not of those of the low-grade sarcoma. Mitotic activity thus appears to offer a clear distinction in the cytologic differentiation between grades of endometrial stromal sarcoma and may serve as a guide to prognosis and treatment.

[Study on so called "cellular effect" of methotrexate on choriocarcinoma and its mode of manifestation (author's transl)]

The "cellular effect" i.e. temporary elevation of HCG titer may not be infrequently experienced during course of chemotherapy against choriocarcinoma. Present paper is to clarify real view of the effect and mechanism of its manifestation by using a cell-line (GCH-nu). 1) Cellular growth was suppressed moderately by 10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5)M MTX. 2) During 2-4 days of administration at these concentrations of MTX HCG per ml medium was elevated 5 times. HCG in cells per mg protein were also higher 5-7 times. 3) HCG-beta in media was enhanced 5-7 times in MTX group. 4) Estrone, estradiol and progesterone were not altered. 5) Choriocarcinoma cells developed marked enlargement of nuclei and cells, multinucleation and cytoplasmic vacuolization. 6) Cytochemistry of heat stable ALP revealed increased activity especially in cells with morphological changes. ALP examined by biochemical method was enhanced 5 times. 7) Amount of protein per cell increased 10 times after giving MTX. Real view of so-called "cellular effect" includes elevations of HCG-beta and ALP activity as well as HCG, whereas sex steroids are not apparently related. The data in addition to morphological and cytochemical changes reveal that MTX may induce differentiation of choriocarcinoma cells into those of syncytial type, which then sustain the "cellular effect".

[Close classification method of undetermined cases of trophoblastic disease (author's transl)]

With the improvement of recovery ratio of trophoblastic disease by means of primary chemotherapy, undetermined cases of trophoblastic diseases, whose morphological examination has not been conducted, have increased. The respective sickly constitutions of these cases are extremely complicated, and we have deviced a new close classification of these cases from clinical standpoint. For the purpose, we have chosen out the following items.: A. Major subdivision 1. Types of antecident pregnancy. 2. Duration between the antecident pregnancy and the commencement of chemotherapy. 3. Urinary hCG secretion pattern following molar pregnancy. 4. Following treatment of hydatidiform mole. B. Minor subdivision 1. Urinary hCG titer at the commencement of chemotherapy. 2. BBT pattern. 3. Chest x-ray findings. 4. PAG. 5. Clinical signs. 6. Development of focuses (clinical). 7. Necessary reasons for chemotherapy. These items are expressed respectively by figures. This close classification method is based on the combinations of these figures. The authors believe, this method will enable the easy classification of early chemotherapy examples and will present a strong key for the analysis of enormous cases.

[Microglandular hyperplasia of the cervix: reevaluation of the polyp (author's transl)]

Microglandular hyperplasia which may not be familiar in this country is a polypoid lesion of the cervix and has been noticed as the lesion sustained by contraceptive pills. The retrospective study was performed to clarify whether or not this lesion have been enclosed into diagnosis of cervical polyp at routine clinic. 1. Among 895 cases of cervical polyp resected at our clinic during 7 years from 1971, 7 microglandular hyperplasias were found, showing 0.8% of the incidence. 2. Ages of the 7 patients ranged from 42 to 52 years, and the average was 45.7. Three cases complained of metrorrhagia. 3. One woman was taking oral contraceptives and the other was on hormonal therapy. No patient was pregnant. 4. Polyps with microglandular hyperplasia were usually above the size of small finger tip. In one case, a large papillary mass (3.0 x 3.5 cm) resembling to carcinoma of the cervix was experienced. 5. There were no characteristic findings in cytology except a case with enlarged and vesicular cells. 6. Histologically, the lesion consists of numerous microglandular spaces lined by regular cuboidal or flat cells without atypism. The eosinophilic cytoplasms are not vacuolated. Glands are not clearly demarcated from edematous stroma. This change may be mistaken for adenocarcinoma.

Segi's cap, a large aggregation of endocrine cells on the intestinal villi, occurs also in cattle and pig fetuses

Segi's cap, a huge aggregation of basal-granulated cells on the top of the intestinal villi has been known only in human fetuses. This study reveals that the peculiar structure occurs also in cattle and pig fetuses. Segi's cap in these animals mainly consists of argyrophil endocrine cells and, in the cattle fetus, includes gastrin-, somatostatin-, motilin- and secretin-immunoreactive cells.

Effects of oestradiol and progesterone on the alkaline phosphatase activity of a human endometrial cancer cell-line

The alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity of a human endometrial cancer cell-line, established and designated as HEC-50-B in our laboratory, was investigated biochemically and histochemically in relation to its cell growth pattern and to the effects of the sex steroid hormones, oestradiol and progesterone. The ATPase activity increased sharply in the early stationary phase to reach an activity almost 2.5 times higher than that obtained in earlier stages of the culture. On administration of oestradiol to the culture medium, a sharp elevation of the ALPase activity was induced on an average of 2 days earlier (late logarithmic phase) than in the case of an ordinary culture (no hormone administration), without causing a notable change in cell growth pattern. It should be noticed, however, that progesterone at such a low concentration that had very little effect on cell growth in the culture could clearly prohibit the elevation of ALPase activity. This hormonal effect on the ALPase activity resembled that on the enzyme activity of the endometrium of adult women. The ALPase activity of both the cultured endometrial cancer cells and the endometrium was found to be a sensitive indicator of the effect of progesterone. It would be a useful tool for future study in elucidating the mechanism of hormonal control of the neoplasm.

Cytogenetic studies of human endometrial carcinomas by means of tissue culture

The cytogenetic studies of human endometrial carcinomas were performed using a tissue culture technique. Seventeen cases or 40.5 per cent out of 42 trials for culture could be analyzed. The mode of chromosome number was found at the diploid range in all cases, and the exact counting of the modal range revealed that the peak of the number was 46 in 75 per cent of the analyzed cases. The distributions were even both in the hypo- and hyperdiploid areas. The karyotype analyses showed that the majority of the endometrial carcinomas presented pseudo-diploid chromosomes, revealing irregular numerical alterations of each group constitution and scattered variant chromosomes with minor structural changes. Only four cases were noted to have an unclassified chromosome with marked structural aberrations. A marker chromosome was identified in only one case, whereas no common specific chromosome was noted and the histologic findings did not correlate with chromosome aberration. From our tissue culture study, carcinomas of human corpus uteri consist mainly of the cells with a pseudodiploid chromosomal constitution. It is suggested that a culture method would be a desirable procedure for the cytogenetic study.

A human gastric choriocarcinoma cell line with human chorionic gonadotropin and placental alkaline phosphatase production

A gastric choriocarcinoma cell line synthesizing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was established in 1971 by Oboshi et al. and was found to possess human placental alkaline phosphatase. The present paper also deals with the relationship between the cell growth and HCG secretion and with cellular localization of HCG and human placental alkaline phosphatase by cytochemical and ultrastructural methods. This cell line was found to secrete HCG during cellular proliferation, with the maximum secretion in the stationary phase (about 1 muIU/cell/48 hr), and the hormone could be detected in a small proportion of mono- and/or multinuclear cells in both logarithmic and stationary phases. The organ-specific, heat-stable, L-phenylalanine-sensitive, immunoreactive human placental alkaline phosphatase was localized on the cell membrane of many cells. Ultrastructurally, the line consisted mainly of cytotrophoblastic and intermediate cells in the process of syncytial formation, with more or less squamous metaplasia. From these findings it was concluded that the cell line maintained the properties of trophoblastic cells from morphological and functional aspects, i.e., it was a cell line with two distinct marker substances.