title: Fluorescence microscopy of DES-induced morphologic transformation in unfixed, cultured cells.
abstract: Cultured baby Syrian hamster kidney cells (BHK 21), synchronized with hydroxyurea (HU), were treated with varying amounts of the carcinogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) during the first mitosis. DES-induced morphologic transformation was assessed by fluorescence microscopy of acridine orange, supravitally stained cells. Traditional karyotyping techniques were used to monitor DES-induced aneuploidy in parallel cell cultures. A total of 618 photomicrographs were obtained by systematic manual scanning of three replicate experiments each using three different DES treatment levels and a no DES control. These photomicrographs were randomized and graded blind by three independent observers. Each photomicrograph was graded for cellular morphologic transformation and a judgement as to whether DES treatment had been used. A definite dose-response relationship for both morphologic transformation, as well as for aneuploidy was observed. These findings portend a significance for use of fluorescence microscopy of morphologic transformation of unfixed supravitally stained mammalian cells, for the rapid assessment (24 h or less) of compounds that promote aneuploidization and carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Petcharuttana
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Cutter
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lorincz
mesh_terms: D000165:Acridine Orange; D000782:Aneuploidy; D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007621:Karyotyping; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D000165:Acridine Orange