title: Ultrastructural alterations in human lymphoblastoid B cell lines treated with tunicamycin.
abstract: The ultrastructure of three human lymphoblastoid B cell lines, Raji, RPMI 4098, and WIL-2, was analyzed after the cells were incubated with tunicamycin, and antibiotic that selectively inhibits N-linked glycosylation of macromolecules. After a 24-hour exposure to 1.0 microgram/ml of tunicamycin, the lymphocytes lose their microvilli and become smooth spheres or develop a few blebs. Also, the cells show a dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in myelin figures resulting from intracellular membrane accumulation, possibly lysosomal in origin. These ultrastructural alterations are similar to those observed in Tay-Sachs, Fabrey's, and Gaucher's diseases, Type II pneumocytes in viral pneumonitis, certain lysosomal storage diseases, and in aging fibroblasts. Therefore, tunicamycin-treated cells may be a useful model in the correlation of altered ultrastructural pattern in membrane flow with the etiology of certain diseases.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008871:Microvilli / Q000187:drug effects; D014415:Tunicamycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014415:Tunicamycin; D005944:Glucosamine