The Lx bodies of an eosinophilic granuloma in vivo and in vitro.
The ultrastructure of an eosinophilic granuloma is described. The typical tumor cell in vivo is the generally round histiocyte containing Langerhans cell type granules (Lx bodies), lamellar bodies, cytoplasmic clefts, and a markedly indented nucleus. In vivo, the Lx body was often continuous with the cell membrane, contained a typical periodic or nonperiodic median density, and had dilatations. Some dilatations were coated and similar to membrane-coated vesicles. The longest Lx body measured 4000 nm. After 18 days in culture, the ultrastructure of the histiocytes was similar to those in vivo. However, the Lx body in vitro had no association with the cell membrane, had no membrane coating, the median density was usually nonperiodic, and the longest body measured 7000 nm. Lx bodies in vivo were occasionally associated with vesicles containing membrane-enclosed particles (70--80 nm in diameter) without dense cores, whereas the median density of some Lx bodies in vitro were associated with membrane-enclosed particles (42--85 nm in diameter) with dense cores. Descriptions of the Lx body, its transformations in vitro, and its relation to lamellar bodies, membrane coated vesicles, and virus-like particles are the principal subjects of this report.
D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013997:Time Factors