Reverse hemolytic plaque assay. Electron microscopic observation of plaque-forming single adenoma cells in GH producing adenomas.
In this study, 3 GH-producing adenomas were studied as materials to clarify the usefulness of electron microscopic investigation of plaque-forming single adenoma cells, and ultrastructural morphometric comparisons were made to determine whether some differences exist at the cytoplasmic organelle level between small plaque-forming cells and large plaque-forming cells. In two cases, the relative cytoplasmic volume density of Golgi apparatus and lysosomes were significantly greater and the diameter of seretory granules were significantly smaller in large plaque-forming cells compared to small plaque-forming cells. Moreover, in one of them, not only the diameter but also the cytoplasmic volume density of secretory granules were significantly smaller in large plaque-forming cells. These findings suggest a greater secretory granule synthesis and internal granule destruction, and faster granules secretion at an early stage of formation in large plaque-forming cells compared with small plaque-forming cells. It became apparent through this study that electron microscopic investigation of plaque-forming single cells is practically useful since plasma membrane and cytoplasmic organelles were preserved well after processing for EM in most plaque-forming cells.
Department of Neurosurgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
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Yamada
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Aiba
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Hattori
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Suzuki
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Asa
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Kovacs
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D013006:Growth Hormone