A procedure for selecting specific areas of sections for comparative light and electron microscopic studies

Quick-freezing of cultured cardiac cells in situ with special attention to the mitochondrial ultrastructure

A new method has been developed which allows quick-freezing in situ of primary, cardiac cell cultures grown to confluence on gas-permeable membranes (Petriperm dishes). Small pieces of the growth substratum, with rhythmically beating myocardial cells, were slam-frozen, without cryoprotectants, against the surface of a helium-cooled copper block at approximately 16 K. The quality of the cellular cryopreservation, as judged by ultrastructural criteria, was studied in freeze-substituted specimens processed for transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of cryofixed cardiac cells was compared with that of unfrozen, chemically fixed samples. The severity of cryodistortions increased progressively with increasing distance from the point of first impact. Of particular interest were the dramatic alterations of the mitochondrial ultrastructure. The concept that the reticular and the outer mitochondrial membranes are intimately and strongly associated was clearly demonstrated. Optimally frozen material revealed cryopreserved ultrastructure of high quality. The method described appears to offer an ideal model system for correlating the information gained by phase-contrast microscopy of living cell cultures with the ultrastructure of the same samples fixed in situ by chemical or physical techniques. Cryofixation would be particularly useful for studying dynamic cellular processes associated with physiological and pathophysiological conditions, e.g. metabolic inhibition, anoxia and substrate deprivation.

Receptors for immunoglobulin G demonstrated on human peripheral nerve fibres by electron microscopy

The localization of class III of receptors for the Fc (fragment-crystallizable) region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (Fc gamma RIII) on human peripheral nerve fibres was investigated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining of frozen nerve sections with the monoclonal antibody anti-Leu-IIb. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Fc gamma RIII are localized to the entire surface membrane of the Schwann cell. Myelin and axons were not stained. Fc gamma RIII on human Schwann cells may be of significance in binding immune complexes, in phagocytosis, in release of lymphokines as well as cytotoxic and inflammatory mediators and in local immunoregulation.

Localization of Fc gamma receptors and complement receptors CR1 on human peripheral nerve fibres by immunoelectron microscopy

The localization of receptors for the Fc part of IgG (Fc gamma R) and for the complement C3b/C4b components (CR1) on human peripheral nerve fibres was investigated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining of frozen nerve sections with monoclonal antibodies. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Fc gamma R and CR1 are localized to the entire surface membrane and inner membrane (axolemma) of the Schwann cell. Myelin and axons were not stained. The presence of Fc gamma R and CR1 in human Schwann cells adds further evidence for the immunocompetence of these cells.

Asymmetric illumination contrast: a method of image formation for video light microscopy

Images with high resolution and exceptionally broad gray scale can be obtained by the application of video contrast enhancement to an optimized procedure for imaging transparent objects with oblique rays of illumination. This technique is simple to set up. A conventional microscope with a light source whose position can be adjusted and a video camera with controls for gain and black level are the only essential components. Features such as high resolution, optical sectioning, control of contrast, and operation under low light intensity make this technique preferable, in several instances, to currently used video microscopy techniques.