Special cytochemistry in cell biology.
Cytochemistry is a science of localizing chemical components of cells and organelles on histological sections by using various techniques. We first aimed at studying cytochemistry by developing new techniques using various principles such as enzyme cytochemistry, microincineration, microspectrophotometry, radioautography, cryo-techniques, X-ray microanalysis and immunocytochemistry. We first concentrated on developing methodologies in the 1960s to 1970s. We then applied these special techniques to various kinds of cells in men and animals. Earlier, I proposed to classify these methods into three categories, i.e., chemical, physical, and biological techniques. The methodology has been well developed to form a new science which should be designated as "general cytochemistry" similarly to the general histology. On the other hand, these techniques should be applied to various cells in various organ systems, such as the skeletal, muscular, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, circulatory, nervous and sensory systems similarly to the special histology or the histology of organs. I summarize the results of cytochemical studies on cells of various organs carried out in our laboratory during these 44 years since 1955. The results obtained from cytochemical studies applied to various cells in respective organ systems should be designated as "special cytochemistry."
Nagata
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Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature
D037102:Lectins