Remnant motility of macrophages treated with cytochalasin B in the presence of colchicine

Cold and metabolic inhibitor effects on cytoplasmic microtubules and the Golgi complex in cultured rat epiphyseal chondrocytes

Previous work has shown that exposure of cultured chondrocytes to colchicine leads to disappearance of microtubules and dispersion of the dictyosomes of the Golgi complex throughout the cytoplasm. Here, the effects of cold and metabolic inhibitors on cultured chondrocytes have been investigated in order to characterize further the relationship between these organelle systems. After incubation of cells for 24h at 4 degrees C most, but not all microtubules disappeared, indicating the existence of cold-resistant microtubules. Dictyosomes remained united in one area, until transfer of cultures to 37 degrees C, when they dispersed throughout the cytoplasm in about one-third of the cells. In cells exposed simultaneously to cold and colchicine, microtubules disappeared completely, but spreading of dictyosomes occurred only in some cells and became generalized first upon warming. Application of the metabolic inhibitors sodium azide or sodium fluoride (10(-2) M) or 2-deoxyglucose (5 X 10(-2) M) together with sodium cyanide (10(-2) M) inhibited microtubule removal by colchicine. Consequently, spreading of the Golgi complex was prevented. These findings support the concept of an important role of microtubules in the organization of the Golgi complex. Moreover, depolymerization of microtubules by colchicine appears to be an energy dependent process.

Ultrastructure of blebbing phenomenon and phagocytosis of blebs in laryngeal carcinoma

The epithelial-connective tissue junction of invasive squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma was examined electron microscopically. The pleomorphic cytoplasmic protrusions known as blebs were observed on the lateral and basal surfaces of malignant keratinocytes. These blebs were pinched off from the malignant epithelial cells and were then observed in the connective tissue or in the intercellular spaces. After the pinching-off process some blebs were seen to be closely surrounded by pseudopods of phagocytizing histiocytic cells in the lamina propria or by adjacent malignant keratinocytes in the intercellular spaces. Since blebs are believed to be intact parts of viable cells this engulfment can be interpreted as cytophagocytosis. During cytophagocytosis the zeiotic blebs exhibited varying degrees of enzymatic digestion. The process of blebbing was discussed in respect to cellular locomotion of malignant keratinocytes during tumor invasion. This phenomenon seems to occur only in the preliminary stages of malignant tumor growth in the larynx.

Effects of cytochalasin B on the fine structure of organized endodermal cells of the early chick embryo

Fresh pullet eggs (White Leghorn) were incubated for 36 to 48 hours. The blastoderms were exposed to cytochalasin B (CB), 10 or 40 microgram/ml, for 2, 5, and 15 minutes prior to fixation by immersion in buffered chick Ringers solution containing CB, previously dissolved in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO), or by sub-blastodermic injection. Controls fixed in ovo possess relatively flat surfaces with bulges due to uptake of yolk. Numerous microappendages (blebs, microvilli and ruffles) are present, especially at cell margins. DMSO-controls present a similar cell surface except that small blebs are more prominent. The plasmalemmas of CB-treated endodermal cells possess numerous large blebs (2-10 micron in diameter), smaller blebs (0.2 micron) and microvilli. Cell dissociation occurs in selected areas resulting in rounded cells, devoid of microappendages, with peripheral processes. Transmission electron microscopic preparations of tissues similar to those used for scanning electron microscopy reveal that large blebs are filled with membranous material. Microfilaments are present but lack their normal subplasmalemmal arrangement. Microtubules and other cell organelles are apparently unaffected by CB. Evidence in this study supports the concept that cytochalasin B exerts its influence through alteration of the plasmalemma.

Peripheral hyaline blebs (podosomes) of macrophages

The plasmalemma and hyaline ectoplasm together constitute the sensory and motor organ of macrophages. The purpose of this study was to isolate this cell fraction in order to analyze it biochemically and functionally. Brief sonification of warmed rabbit lung macrophages caused release of heterodisperse hyaline blebs and filopodia, which were easily collected by differential centrifugation. Viewed in the electron microscope, these structures consisted of membrane-bounded sacs principally containing actin filaments. Some contained secondary lysosomes. They were enriched threefold over whole cell homogenates in specific adenylate cyclase activity and in trichloroacetic-acid-precipitable (125)I when derived from cells labeled with 125(I) by means of a lactoperoxidase-catalyzed reaction. These markers were found to have identical isopycnic densitites when macrophage homogenates were subjected to sedimentation in a focusing sucrose density gradient system, and these markers had densities distinct from those of other cytoplasmic organelles. These markers were therefore assumed to be associated with macrophage plasma membranes. The specific beta- glucuronidase activity of the bleb fraction was similar to that of homogenates, but the blebs had considerably lower specific succinic dehydrogenase activity and RNA content, and DNA was undetectable. Electrophoresis of blebs solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate on polyacrylamide gels revealed polypeptides co-migrating with macrophage actin-binding protein, myosin, and actin; blebs also had EDTA-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity characteristic of myosin. The concentrations of actin-binding protein and myosin were higher in blebs than in cells or cytoplasmic extracts, whereas actin concentrations were similar (relative to extracts) or only slightly greater (than in cells). Blebs and intact cells had high lactate dehydrogenase activities in the presence but not the absence of Triton X-100. Blebs and cells oxidased 1-[(14)C]glucose, and the rate of glucose oxidation was increased substantially in the presence of latex beads. We conclude that intact sacs of plasmalemma encasing contractile proteins and cytoplasmic enzymes can be isolated from macrophages. They are enriched in myosin and actin-binding protein, indicating that the contractile apparatus is regulated in the cell periphery. These structures have the capacity to respond to environmental signals. We suggest the name "podosomes" for them because of their resemblance to macrophage pseudopodia. We propose that podosome formation results from rapid dissolution of the cortical gel when the membrane is in an actively extended configuration.

Cytochalasin B partially inhibits the oxalate-induced radial segmentation of mononucleated blood cells

Cytochalasin B (CB), 5 microgram/ml (= 1.0 x 10(-5) M), inhibited the oxalate-induced radial segmentation of the nuclei of lymphocytes and monocytes from peripheral blood. The median inhibition was 60%. The oxalate-induced radial segmentation (RS) is thought to be due to a microtubule-dependent contraction of the intermitotic residue of the mitotic apparatus around the nucleus. CB is thought to inhibit cell locomotion and cytokinesis by a centripetal contraction of the membrane-associated contractile cell layer without subsequent relaxation. It is thus suggested that the CB inhibition of the oxalate-induced RS was due to a spatial interference of the CB-induced contraction with the formation of RS nuclei.

Ultrastructure of blebbing and phagocytosis of blebs by hyperplastic thyroid epithelial cells in vivo

In addition to pseudopods, somewhat pleomorphic blebs were consistently found protruding from the apical surfaces of hyperplastic rat thyroid epithelial cells into the follicular lumens in vivo. Many blebs were knobby, roughly hemispherical protrusions, with a diameter of 2-3 mum. Such blebs had a densely packed microfilamentous core and contained numerous apparent ribosomes. They were morphologically similar to blebs that have been observed in a variety of cultured cells. Other blebs were larger, more elongate, and less knobby, but had a similar ultrastructural organization. Blebs of all sizes appeared to be phagocytosed on some occasions by nearby epithelial cells. The phagocytic process involved partial engulfment of the bleb by a typical epithelial pseudopod, followed by an apparent pinching-off process, presumably resulting in the separation of the bleb from its cells or origin. The pinching-off process was associated with a band of approx. 6-nm diameter microfilaments that developed within the pseudopod cytoplasm surrounding the base of the bleb and is postulated to function as a contractile ring. The finding of blebbing is an intact tissue in vivo indicates that this phenomenon is not restricted to cultured cells, and thus tends to extend the significance of in vitro observations of the process. In relation to their occurrence in the hyperplastic thyroid gland in vivo, possible interconversions are considered between different types of blebs, and between blebs and pseudopods.