Expression of calretinin in human mesothelioma cell lines and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry.

Human mesothelioma cell lines were studied concerning the expression of the calcium-binding protein calretinin (CR), and the relation of the DNA index to their cell cycle. The results obtained for cell lines with different morphological characteristics, were compared to those from human mesothelial cells transfected with SV40 to escape senescence. Immunocytochemical expression of calretinin (confirmed by immunoblot) was observed in all mesothelioma cell lines but not in the control cells.

Comparative studies of calretinin expression by WiDr cell line in vivo in xenografts in nude mice and in vitro.

WiDr cells from a human colon adenocarcinoma cultivated in vitro express the calcium binding protein calretinin. The immunoreactivity is present in some interphasic cells and decreases after seven days in culture together with the augmentation of the cell number. Calretinin expression is maintained in the undifferentiated cells of the tumoral mass developed in nude mice and in recultivated isolated tumour cells from the xenograft.

Morphological aspects of lymphocyte-macrophage interactions in human tumoral effusions "in vivo" and "in vitro".

"In vivo" and "in vitro" morphological analysis of associations of cells ("rosettes") involved in immune response in human tumoral effusions revealed the existence of cell interactions either by simple membrane apposition between the cell projections or by gap-like junctions between two adjacent cells; endocytotic phenomena were also observed. The giant fibroblastic cells seen "in vitro" ("myofibronoblasts") reacting positively to anti-human macrophage Mabs, might be the cells presenting antigen to lymphocytes.

Microcinematographic and electron microscopic study of the death of human tumor cells induced by histiocytic cells.

The cells from a malignant fibrous histiocytoma were enzymatically isolated and cultured in vitro. The cultures were observed by microcinematography and with an electron microscope after fixation and embedding. The interactions between histiocytic and tumor cells resulted in tumor cell death.

[Cells affected by apoptosis in effusions of tumor origin in man].

The cells from 3 human effusions of tumoral origin (adenocarcinoma) were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The presence and the type of cells undergoing apoptosis were studied. Among the different cell types present in these effusions, only some lymphocytes, macrophages and eosinophils (cells concerned in cell-mediated tumor immunity) are affected by the morphological changes of apoptosis.

[Analysis of the structure and distribution of chromatin in interphase nuclei of different cell types from a pleural effusion of tumoral origin in man. Cytophotometric and electron microscopic studies].

The authors have studied the distribution and the structure of the chromatin in the different cell types from a human pleural effusion of tumoral origin (mammary adenocarcinoma). The results show that in the entire nuclei the distribution and the structure of the chromatin cannot be considered as characteristic morphological features of the cells of the same cellular type. Thus making a clear distinction among differentiating cells and cells in DNA synthesis or in G2 period, only based on these properties of the chromatin, is very debatable.

Peculiar ultrastructural features in the cytoplasm of cells from human effusions associated with malignant disease.

A peculiar structure revealed by the electron microscope in a few cells from two human pleural fluids, showing the morphologic features of metastasizing cancer cells in effusions, is described. It has the appearance of a rod-shaped pentalaminary structure approximately 25-35 nm thick formed by an outer double membrane, surrounding a central, more dense axis showing transverse striations at about 10-nm intervals. The double membrane often exhibits a terminal expansion connected with the endoplasmic reticulum and it is sometimes associated with microfilaments.

In vitro responses of proliferating and non-proliferating cells to high doses of 17 beta-estradiol: cytochemical study.

The authors studied the effect of 17 beta-estradiol on the proliferation in vitro of chick embryo fibroblasts and human macrophages by microdensitometry, cytofluorometry, and autoradiography. For fibroblasts 17 beta-estradiol shortens the duration of the preparing period to mitosis, particularly of the synthetic phase (S) and has no effect on the duration of mitosis. For macrophages, which have temporarily lost their mitotic capacity, 17 beta-estradiol cannot induce mitotic division.

A quantitative microdensitometric and autoradiographic study of the effect of 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin-beta-D-thenylidene glucoside (VM-26) on the cell cycle of cultured fibroblasts.

The effect of 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin-beta-D-thenylidene glucoside (VM-26) , a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin, on the cell cycle was studied with chick embryo fibroblasts cultivated in vitro. DNA, RNA and protein content, as well as NADH-diaphorase activity were determined by quantitative microdensitometry and cytofluorometry. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine into DNA and proteins were analysed by autoradiography.

[Carbohydrate metabolism in the bovine carotid artery contracted by the action of potassium chloride].

The concentration of some end products and the activity of some enzymes participating in carbohydrates metabolism were examined in bovine carotid artery contracted by KCl. Oxygen consumption decreased significantly, anaerobic glycolysis and tissue lactic acid content increased during the KCl contraction. The hexosamines and the uronic acids producing ability of the KCl contracted artery were also higher.