The use of polystyrene microcarriers to prepare cell monolayers for transmission electron microscopy

In situ embedding of cell monolayers cultured on plastic surfaces for electron microscopy

Various procedures suitable for routine in situ embedding of cell monolayers were tested including: (1) the use of different Epon substitutes, (2) the use of different types of plasticware obtained from different sources, and (3) different methods of preparing capsules for sectioning. Different resins reacted differently with different plastics and type of preparation. Merck Epon substitute bound to most of the plastics tested. Ladd Epon substitute released cleanly from all plastics tested when a suitable method of preparation was used. The results show that for routine embedding of cell monolayers it is necessary to select an appropriate Epon substitute and method of preparation of capsules for the type of plasticware used. A routine method is described, with various alternative steps which can be applied when particular difficulties are encountered.

A convenient culture chamber for observation and embedding of macrophage monolayers for transmission electron microscopy

A chamber adapted from a polypropylene test tube is described for the cultivation and processing of undisturbed monolayers of normal mouse macrophages for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Peritoneal exudate cells are grown in the chambers on Visking dialysis membranes pretreated with Polybrene (Sigma Chemical Co.) and normal mouse serum. The cells are not further disturbed after adherence since the entire chamber, including dialysis membrane and cells, is processed for electron microscopy using standard material and protocols and the embedded dialysis membrane is readily oriented and thin-sectioned. This method is efficient for studying adherent cells since growth can be nearly confluent and cells remain firmly attached throughout the manipulations. Since a transparent membrane is used, cells can also be observed with the light microscope at all stages prior to sectioning.