Intercellular contacts of astroglial cells in vitro in the presence of PGE2. SEM, TEM and immunocytochemical studies.
The investigations were performed on 32 tumors of the CNS of fibrillary and gemistocyte type of astrocytoma from which the cultures were derived. The dissociated culture was used and the cells were seeded direct on glass. The MEM was supplemented with calf serum and embryonal extract. The cells maintained in culture for 21 days. They developed multiple or single long and delicate processes which originated a network of relative high density. SEM observations indicate that the cell established intercellular connections through spikes and surfaces of the processes and cell bodies. TEM studies have shown that the cell to cell connections are very tight but the contacts between the cell processes are similar to those described by DUFFY as punctate connections. The addition of PGE2 does not disturb the reconstruction of intercellular communication. The estimation of GFAP antigenicity of the investigated cells proved their astrocytic origin and revealed that the intermediate fibres are in the cell processes, and in the location of the contacts between cells.
Kałuza
J
J
Department of Neuropathology, Academy of Medicine, Kraków, Poland.
Stachura
J
J
D001254:Astrocytoma; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D011458:Prostaglandins E