title: Transient cytoplasmic vacuolization in cultured normal and neoplastic cells treated with low molecular weight human serum ultrafiltrate: is out inside?
abstract: Human embryonal fibroblasts (HEF) and epithelial carcinoma cells (HEp-2) were exposed to low molecular weight (LMW) fractions (M(R) < 50-kDa) of human serum, generated by ultrafiltration. A prominent change in cytoplasmic morphology was detected by microscopic analysis of both cell types. Within 1-3 h of incubation an extensive vacuolization was induced, which phenotype was maintained for 6-12 h in the presence of the LMW filtrate in a cell type dependent manner, followed by a spontaneous reconstitution of the original cytoplasmic morphology by 24 h. Reversibility occurred by incubation in medium without filtered serum fractions. Transmission electron microscopy revealed vesicles without continuous bordering membrane or electron dense interna and demonstrated vacuoles in close contact with filamentous structures. Taken together the light- and electron microscopic characteristics of the observed vacuolization, potential interpretations of our results are discussed in the context of general cytoplasmic organization. Rearrangement of the cytoplasmic protein-water system as a consequence of an inductive effect of serum filtrates is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical School of Pécs, Hungary.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henics
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Köszegi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szücs
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kellermayer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kellermayer
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014462:Ultrafiltration; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium