Nucleolar changes in senescing WI-38 cells.
Changes in the area, dry mass and morphology of nucleoli were studied during in vitro aging of WI-38 cells. Interferometric methods were used for nucleolar dry mass determinations. The results show that there is (1) an increase in the fraction of cells with one large nucleolus per nucleus, 17% at population doubling 27.3 vs. 93% at population doubling 41.2, (2) an increase in mean nucleolar dry mass (583% at the last doubling), and (3) an increase in mean nucleolar area (236% at the last doubling) with in vitro senescence of WI-38 fibroblast cells. A strong correlation (r = 0.92) between nucleolar dry mass and nucleolar area was demonstrated.
D002455:Cell Division; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D007368:Interferometry; D008433:Mathematics; D013997:Time Factors