Glassy MC, Ferrone S. Ultrastructural alterations in human lymphoblastoid B cell lines treated with tunicamycin.
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 1981;
103:1-9. [PMID:
6971575 PMCID:
PMC1903799]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The ultrastructure of three human lymphoblastoid B cell lines, Raji, RPMI 4098, and WIL-2, was analyzed after the cells were incubated with tunicamycin, and antibiotic that selectively inhibits N-linked glycosylation of macromolecules. After a 24-hour exposure to 1.0 microgram/ml of tunicamycin, the lymphocytes lose their microvilli and become smooth spheres or develop a few blebs. Also, the cells show a dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in myelin figures resulting from intracellular membrane accumulation, possibly lysosomal in origin. These ultrastructural alterations are similar to those observed in Tay-Sachs, Fabrey's, and Gaucher's diseases, Type II pneumocytes in viral pneumonitis, certain lysosomal storage diseases, and in aging fibroblasts. Therefore, tunicamycin-treated cells may be a useful model in the correlation of altered ultrastructural pattern in membrane flow with the etiology of certain diseases.
Collapse