Histochemical and biochemical observations on milk-fat-globule membranes from several mammalian species.

A specific secretory product of the lactating mammary gland are triglyceride fat globules which are enveloped by a very complex membrane, the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). In different mammalian species (man, rhesus monkey, horse, goat, sheep, cow, grey seal, camel, alpaka) the glycoproteins of this membrane have been analyzed by gel electrophoresis, Western blotting and lectin histochemistry. A remarkable intra- and interspecific variability of these glycoproteins has been detected pointing to so far unknown physiological adaptions, which may play a role in the intestine of the new born.

Ultrastructural and histochemical observations on secretory phenomena in the resting human mammary gland.

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of clinically normal appearing tissue and secretions of non-lactating human mammary glands have been investigated in order to document and analyse secretory phenomena in the resting gland. The material studied originated from women of different ages (18-74 years) who underwent plastic surgery or surgery for various disorders of the breast. The epithelia of small ducts and of alveolar enlargements as well as acini contained moderate amounts of mitochondria and of cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum; the transcisterns of the Golgi apparatus which were surrounded by smooth and coated vesicles, exhibited modest dilatations, the number of lysosomes increased with age; regularly glycogen particles and bundles of intracellular filaments (phi 5 nm) were to be observed.

Cell constitution and characteristics of human atherosclerotic plaques selectively removed by percutaneous atherectomy.

The Simpson atherectomy device used for the recanalization of severely stenosed peripheral arteries is able to collect plaque material which can be further characterized. This study reports histological, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopic findings on advanced human primary atherosclerotic plaques of peripheral arteries percutaneously removed by a Simpson atherectomy catheter. Material from stenosing plaques consisted of dense connective tissue with abundant amounts of concentrically arranged elastic fibers and lamellae.

[Transmission electron microscopy of in vitro cultivated squamous cell carcinoma cell lines].

Despite a twofold recloning, ultrastructural analysis of squamous cell carcinoma lines of the head and neck showed morphologically a very heterogeneous picture in respect of the cytoplasmatic organelles, electron density of the cytoplasma, nucleus and differentiation of the cell membranes. Most prominent were the differences in the content of mitochondria and the formation of intracytoplasmatic filaments and desmosomes. Although the cells have been cultured as single cells, they developed desmosomes in vitro.