Lipolysosomes in human hepatocytes. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of patients with Wilson's disease.
Lipid droplets surrounded by a peripheral membrane closely apposed to an electron-dense layer and containing acid phosphatase activity, similar to the lipolysosomes in hamsters described by Nehemiah and Novikoff (J. Cell Biol. 59: 246a, 1973; Exp. Mol. Pathol. 21:398, 1974), were found in the hepatocytes of patients with Wilson's disease. These organelles account for 1 to 2 per cent of the observed lipid droplets at the stage of the disease when excess fat is present. The occurrence of lipolysosomes in a condition not known to be associated with an acid lipase deficiency suggests that lipolysosomes may represent a nonspecific, alternate route for the mobilization of excess lipid from hepatocytes.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D008055:Lipids; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D010396:Penicillamine