Structural anomalies of highly malignant respiratory tract epithelial cells
These studies were designed to determine whether cytostructural changes were related to malignancy and the loss of growth control in epithelial cells. Three highly malignant cell lines were derived from transplantable carcinomas of the respiratory tract and compared with three respiratory tract epithelial lines of negligible malignancy. Keratin cytoskeletons were visualized by indirect immunofluorescence staining, and sample photomicrographs representing each line were prepared. The criteria used in making the classifications to identify the features common to the highly malignant lines included the nonuniform spacing of cells in the field of view, the cell shape, and the presence of nonfluorescent areas in the lamellar cytoplasm. Since the nonuniformity of keratin distribution in the periphery of the malignant cells suggested a structural anomaly, the cell lines were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. Unlike cells from the lines of negligible malignancy, cells from two of the highly malignant lines showed thickenings in the subterminal portions of the lamellar cytoplasm. The results suggested that specific architectural changes at the cellular level might be linked to the process of epithelial transformation and tumor progression.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 6983161
- Journal Information:
- Cancer Res.; (United States), Vol. 42
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RESPIRATORY TRACT CELLS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
TUMOR CELLS
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOMAS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
KERATIN
ANIMAL CELLS
DISEASES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PROTEINS
SCLEROPROTEINS
550300* - Cytology
550800 - Morphology