Disappearance of microvilli accompanying radiation-induced interphase death of rat thymocytes.
Thymocytes are radiosensitive and show interphase death (immediate death) after irradiation. The present investigation was undertaken to characterize by scanning electron microscopy the shape of thymocytes irradiated in vitro with 1 kR X-rays and determine the cell surface changes that accompany the development of interphase death. Exposing the cells to X-rays caused disappearance of the microvilli, usually observed with viable cells. Association of dead thymocytes with porous surface without any digitations was confirmed by the examination of enriched dead cell populations prepared by centrifuging the cell suspension in Percoll density gradient.
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000528:radiation effects