Annulate lamellae of the jejunal absorptive cells in 21-day-starved rats

The ultrastructure of annulate lamellae of the jejunal absorptive cells in control and 21 d starved rats was investigated. Annulate lamellae were only rarely encountered in the jejunal absorptive cells of control rats, and then frequently in small stacks continuous with the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, there was a relatively frequent incidence of annulate lamellae in the jejunal absorptive cells of 21 d starved rats, and larger stacks of annulate lamellae were also observed in spite of marked ultrastructural changes of these cells. The annulate lamellae were also continuous with the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, which was degenerating. The degenerative process of the absorptive cells following starvation might be related to the origin and function of the annulate lamellae.     

Annulate lamellae in human malignant tumors: report of three cases

During the course of applying electron microscopy to diagnostic surgical pathological specimens, three malignant tumors (malignant melanoma, fibrous mesothelioma, lymphoblastic lymphoma) were found to contain annulate lamellae, distinctive intracytoplasmic organelles composed of membrane stacks interrupted by constrictions or pores. In one case both annuli and lamellae were present, a combination rarely described in human tissue and in animal models. In this material, the annuli of the annulate lamellae were structurally similar to nuclear pores. It is postulated that the abundant fibrils are probably related to the unusual configuration of the annulate lamellae. A morphologic relationship of the annulate lamellae to both the endoplasmic reticulum (cases 1 and 2) and the nuclear membrane (case 3) supports the theory that annulate lamellae may be related to both of these structures.     

Fine structure of the venom gland epithelium of the south american rattlesnake and radioautographic studies of protein formation by the secretory cells

The South American rattlesnake venom gland is made up of secretory tubules lined by a simple columnar epithelium containing horizontal cells, mitochondria-rich cells, and the principal cell type, the columnar secretory cells. This cell has a round basal nucleus and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, the cisternae of which are variably distended with flocculent material containing many dense intracisternal granules. The supranuclear Golgi apparatus is spherical, with stacks of flattened saccules at the periphery and large vacuoles containing masses of dense material, and other dense granules in the center. Similar but smaller granules are present at the apex where they fuse with the microvillus-covered apical membrane and release their content into the lumen. Protein synthesis was studied in snakes injected with ³H-tyrosine and sacrificed at several times after injection. Radioautographs showed reactions at one half and one hour over the ribosomes and membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At two hours the immature face of the Golgi apparatus was labeled. At four hours Golgi saccules and vacuoles with dense masses (secretory granules) were labeled, and at eight hours the dense masses within the secretory granules were heavily labeled both in the Golgi region and in the apex near the lumen. Labeled material was found in the lumen at two days. Intracisternal granules were first labeled at eight hours, and by two days reactions remained only over the flocculent content and intracisternal granules of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, venom protein was synthesized on the rough endoplasmic reticulum, migrated through the Golgi apparatus and accumulated in the dense masses of the secretory granules, which moved to the apex and were extruded. The labeling of intracisternal granules at eight hours and two days after injection indicated a storage nature for these granules.     

Postnatal development of mitral cell perikaryon in the olfactory bulb of the rat. A light and ultrastructural study

The differentiation of the mitral cell perikaryon in postnatal rat olfactory bulb was studied with the light and electron microscope. At birth the mitral cell was distinguishable and occupied a definitive position in the mitral cell layer. The cell contained a large oval nucleus surrounded by a thin rim of cytoplasm. Ribosomes, free and clustered, were scattered in the cell cytoplasm. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was relatively scarce. The Golgi complexes were made up of stacks of smooth-surfaced cisternae and associated vesicles. In certain cases the Golgi complexes projected into cellular processes. Mitochondria were present in all regions of the cytoplasm and contained well developed cristae. At the end of the first week, the mitral cell had developed significantly in size, and the cytoplasm contained well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi complexes were made up of several stacks of smooth-surfaced cisternae with the association of vesicles and electron dense bodies. The apical dendrites o mitral cells at this periiod had increased significantly in length. Subsequently, during the second and third week, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes became well developed. Associated with the Golgi complexes were electron dense lysosomal bodies. At three weeks and in older cells it was observed that dense lysosomal bodies. At three weeks and in older cells it was observed that dense lipofuschin granules increased significantly. It is suggested that the mitral cell matures and differentiates earlier than cells in the cerebral cortex.     

FINE STRUCTURAL STUDY OF ANNULATE LAMELLAE COMPLEXES IN HUMAN TUMORS

Specific intracytoplasmic organelles, annulate lamellae and radial clsternae, have been studied In several human tumors. Annulate lamellae are observed In all cases of leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant melanoma, whereas radial clsternae are only found in a case of leiomyosarcoma. Annulate lamellae are characterized by stacks of parallel arrayed long clsternae showing alternative arrangement of annuli and sacs. Some of these clsternae are connected directly with rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and there is continuity with the lumen and membrane. Radial clsternae are mainly composed of two structures: numerous short clsternae, which are a variant of annulate lamellae, and numerous spherical particles derived from the clsternae. The clsternae are arranged parallel or radially around particles measuring up to 1100 A in diameter. These particles consisting' of an amorphous high electron dense material without distinct limiting membrane are organized in groups and vary In number. There is no evidence of a direct relationship between these structures and viral infection.     

Unusual configurations of endoplasmic reticulum in human pituitary adenomas

Electron microscopic study of 435 surgically-removed human pituitary adenomas and 43 nontumorous adenohypophyses revealed unusual configurations of endoplasmic reticulum in 102 adenohypophysial tumors (23%) and in 12 nontumorous adenohypophyses (28%). These configurations classified as paired reticulum, annulate lamellae and ribosome-lamellar complexes were noted in various adenomatous and nontumorous adenohypophysial cells, indicating that they could not be used as specific markers for pituitary adenomas or for a particular adenohypophysial cell type. Paired reticulum was a common finding, whereas annulate lamellae and ribosome-lamellar complexes were rarely encountered. Whether or not these endoplasmic reticulum configurations could be considered as normal constituents of adenohypophysial cells was difficult to assess, since nontumorous cells studied were from patients who had various diseases and who had been treated with different hormones. The presence of endoplasmic reticulum configurations was neither related to age, sex of the patients nor degree of differentiation or endocrine activity of pituitary adenomas.     

The Golgi apparatus in the acinar cells of the developing embryonic pancreas: I. Morphology and enzyme cytochemistry

The Golgi apparatus apparatus of pancreatic acinar cells of rat embryos was studied during development from day 13 through day 20 of gestation. The morphological and enzyme cytochemical patterns varied characteristically in the course of cell differentiation. (1) A pronounced system of “rigid lamellae” characterized the area near the trans face of the Golgi stacks in the protodifferentiated and early phases of the differentiated states; by contrast, “rigid lamellae” were sparse in the terminal period of gestation. (2) Reaction product of acid phosphatase labeled the “rigid lamellae” in the protodifferentiated state, was extended across the majority of the stacked cisternae in the early differentiated state, but was restricted to the trans side again in the later periods of cell differentiation. (3) The early phase of the differentiated state was characterized by the tight association of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi cisternae on the trans side; the close spatial relationship of the two compartments was lessened after production of secretion granules had started. The findings are in line with those of recent studies on the Golgi organization in some other types of cells in different functional states, and they present the embryonic pancreatic tissue as another model for demonstrating the high flexibility of the Golgi complex. In agreement with the patterns previously found in the absorptive cells of the small intestine, the present results show that the close associations of the endoplasmic reticulum and cisternae of the trans Golgi side predominate in the early stages of cell differentiation.     

Unusual features of the nuclear envelope in human spermatogenic cells

Different types of human germ cells show unusual features of the nuclear envelope. Spermatogonial nuclei demonstrate two kinds of modifications. The first one is a series of intranuclear flattened cisterns, parallel to each other and to the inner aspect of the nuclear envelope. The second one is a nuclear envelope protrusion into the cytoplasm occupied by a double membrane-limited vesicle. Pores are found on the membrane of the vesicle facing the interior of the nucleus. In spermatocytes the nuclear pores are concentrated over certain areas and completely absent from others. In the regions where they are absent a single cytoplasmic cistern of rough endoplasmic reticulum is closely apposed to the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Early modifications of the nuclear surface appear in spermatids before the attachment of the acrosomic vesicle and may indicate an active role of the nuclear envelope in the morphogenesis of the acrosome. In round spermatids nuclear pores are absent from the area which is first related to the Golgi and later covered by the acrosomal cap. Single or multiple layers of cytoplasmic annulate lamellae are closely associated with the nuclear envelope over the pore rich areas. Frequently there are intranuclear accumulations of dense material adjacent to the annulate lamellae-nuclear pore complex. The chromatoid body is usually present on the cytoplasmic side of this complex. In the elongating spermatids most annulate lamellae are free in the cytoplasm, often in relation with Golgi and chromatoid body remnants near the axial filament. Few stacks of annulate la-mellae are noted adjacent to the pore rich nuclear regions. It is suggested that the described modifications are related to an active nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction.     

Ultrastructural analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen production in vitro

Recently several continuous cell lines (among these PLC/PRF/5 cells) producing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were established from human hepatocellular carcinomas. The cultured cells provide the first opportunity to study HBsAg synthesis and secretion in vitro. HBsAg, but not HBcAg, was localized by the fluorescent antibody technique in the cytoplasm and on the surface of the cultured cells. Under the electron microscope, th PLC/PRF/5 cells displayed morphologic characteristics of both hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, 22-nm. spherical or filamentous HBsAg particles were not seen in the cells, although spherical HBsAg particles were observed in the supernatant culture media. Therefore, the indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used to demonstrate HBsAg at the ultrastructural level. Electron-dense reaction product was detected along the nuclear envelope, on rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and in cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. These findings suggest that HBsAg is synthesized on rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and transferred into endoplasmic cisternae for processing and secretion. This mode of HBsAg production is identical with that observed in hepatocytes of patients infected with hepatitis B virus. The absence of detectable intracellular HBsAg particles suggests that the cultured cells secrete the particles very rapidly or that they may have a defect in intracisternal packaging of HBsAg into particles.     

Annulate lamellae in guinea pig Sertoli cells

Unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord was surgically induced in 24 Hartley strain guinea pigs. Groups of six animals were sacrificed 4, 8, 12, and 16 months after the surgery and testes were excised. Nine animals has severely damaged testes. Extensive study on the Sertoli cells of each of these nine animals was carried out after testicular tissues were processed for electron microscopy following the usual procedure. The majority of the affected seminiferous tubules contained a single layer of Sertoli cells without any differentiating germ cells. The Sertoli cells were vacuolated and contained highly lobulated nuclei. Each nucleus contained a nucleolus. The Sertoli cells contained an elaborate annulate lamellae system. The membranous portion of the annulate lamellae was associated with the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Close association of the annulate lamellae with the lysosomes and lipid droplets was found to be a consistent feature. Although it was not possible for us to predict the functional significance of these annulate lamellae, the present investigation clearly established for the first time, the presence of an annulate lamellae system in the Sertoli cell of a rodent species.     

Lacunar dilatations of intrafusal and extrafusal terminal cisternae, annulate lamellae, confronting cisternae and tubulofilamentous inclusions within the spectrum of muscle and nerve fiber changes in myotonic dystrophy

In 3 out of 5 muscle spindles available in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens from 30 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD) unusually large lacunar dilatations of terminal cisternae were observed that had thus far only been reported in extrafusal muscle fibers. Cytoplasmic annulate lamellae, confronting cisternae and regularly proliferated terminal cisternae, as well as intranuclear tubulovesicular inclusions were found in extrafusal muscle fibers that in combination with concentric membranous bodies seen in perineurial cells and Schwann cells generally emphasize an involvement of the endoplasmic reticulum in the pathogenesis of MD. In addition, a nuclear inclusion body was observed composed of tubulofilamentous structures with close similarity to those thought to be rather specific for inclusion body myositis. Vesicles filled with amorphous material originating from outer spindle capsule cells were suggested to indicate matrical lipidic debris leading to "ghost bodies" and calcifying globules. Light microscopical evaluation of 8 sural nerve specimens revealed a neuropathy in only 2 patients that was predominantly axonal in type and of slight to moderate severity with a secondary demyelinating component in 1 patient. These findings add to the large spectrum of muscle and nerve fiber changes in MD underlining the phenotypic multiplicity of a well defined genetic defect.     

Nuclear and cytoplasmic annulate lamellae in trophoblast giant cells of rat placenta

Single stranded profiles of nuclear annulate lamellae were identified in giant cells of rat trophoblast from the day when the chorioallantoic placenta first becomes vascularized, viz., day 12 post coitum, until the day before term, viz., day 22. Cytoplasmic annulate lamellae were observed only in giant cells from placentas at day 12. Occasionally cytoplasmic annulate lamellae were found in parallel array. Often the lamellar membranes were continuous with both granular and agranular membranes of endoplasmic reticulum; they closely resembled doubled outer nuclear membrane. Nuclear annulate lamellae resembled doubled inner nuclear membrane; and often the two were found in continuity. In addition, at later gestational ages (17 and 22 days), nuclear lamellae often were related anatomically to the variety of nuclear inclusions which characterize giant trophoblast cells during late pregnancy. A possible relationship of annulate lamellae to the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein is considered.     

Morphogenesis of avian infectious bronchitis virus in primary chick kidney cells

Summary Primary chick kidney cells were infected with avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and examined by electron microscopy. Virus particles entered the cells by viropexis and distinction could be made between engulfment by cell processes (phagocytosis) and entry by micropinocytosis in coated transport vesicles.Virus maturation occurred by budding into either the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum or cytoplasmic vacuoles, and evidence was obtained to suggest that the viral surface projections could be attached during the budding process. Late in infection large numbers of virus particles were present, mainly in cytoplasmic vacuoles, and the majority were released by cell lysis. Release by fusion of vacuoles with the plasma membrane was also observed, and individual virions could be transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the surface within coated vesicles.With 10 Figures     

Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus relationships in the rat spermatid

The appearance of the spermatid Golgi apparatus was studied, both in thin sections of rat testes fixed in glutaraldehyde and treated with either tannic acid or ferrocyanide-reduced osmium, and in relatively thick sections (0.25-0.5 μm) of glutaraldehyde fixed tissue impregnated with uranyl acetate followed by lead and copper citrate. With any one of these three procedures, the Golgi apparatus of young spermatids examined at the Golgi and cap phases appeared as a compact hemispherical mass whose base was located next to the developing acrosomic system. The cortical region of the hemisphere was composed mainly of several stacks of saccules. The central core or medullary region contained numerous vesicular and tubular membranous profiles. Numerous cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were closely applied to the surface of the Golgi apparatus. In thin sections, the ER cisternae were separated from the stacks of saccules by small spherical or elongated membranous profiles. In thick sections, most of these elements formed a network of tubules, some of which being continuous with ER cisternae. Cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum near the cis-face of the Golgi stacks also branched and traversed the cortical region of the Golgi apparatus through gaps seen between the stacks of saccules to reach the central core region. Some of these were closely applied to the trans elements of Golgi stacks although never in continuity with them. Finally, ER cisternae were found located within the stacks themselves between Golgi saccules; here the membranes of the closely apposed cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi saccules remained separated by a space of about 12 nm. Thus, in the spermatid, the endoplasmic reticulum was closely related with all components of the Golgi apparatus.     

Intracisternal crystalline arrays of coated parallel tubules in cells of a human osteosarcoma

Summary Crystalline arrays of coated parallel tubules (CPT) were observed by electron microscopy within dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of pleomorphic mononuclear cells in a human osteosarcoma. The wall of the peculiar intracisternal tubules consisted of an electron-dense thin membrane-like envelope which appeared to be composed of granular subunits. The electron-lucent tubular core together with the limiting envelope was approximately 15 nm in diameter. A coat of fuzzy material, approximately 10 nm thick, tightly surrounded the membrane-like wall of the tubules. Cross sections of accumulations of CPT showed the tubules to be arranged in a hexagonal crystalline array. The nature and significance of the intracisternal CPT are unknown.     

Evolution of the endoplasmic reticulum during spermiogenesis of the rooster: An electron microscopic study

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of rooster's spermatids was analyzed during spermiogenesis, which was subdivided into eight distinct steps on the basis of changes observed with the electron microscope in the nucleus, acrosome-perforatorium system, manchette, and flagellum. In steps 1 and 2, spermatids' ER cisternae presented the following specializations: (1) A loose network of tubular cisternae was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. (2) Six to eight tight networks of anastomosed tubular cisternae parallel to each other were closely stacked to form a discoid body (1.5–2.5 μm in diameter and 0.5–0.8-μm thick) in which spheroidal vesicles (0.4 μm in diameter) were inserted. Close to and connected with this body, called the alveolar body, there was a stack of annulate lamellae. (3) Large, flattened ER cisternae were seen singly or in piles of two or three running parallel to the nuclear surface. (4) A collection of tubular ER cisternae faced plaques of thickened plasma membranes. These elements of the ER system appear continuous with each other. During steps 3–5 of spermiogenesis, no modification of the alveolar body-annulate lamellae complex was noted; the large flattened ER cisternae disappeared, however, and the broad network of tubular cisternae developed markedly. During steps 6 and 7, the latter network of tubular cisternae fragmented into vesicles that swelled to give a vacuolated appearance to the cytoplasm. The alveolar body-annulate lamellae complex remained visible until late step 7, when it disintegrated just before spermiation. Thus the system of ER cisternae underwent marked structural modifications during spermiogenesis.     

Fine structural localization of RNA in myeloma cells detected by the enzyme-gold method.

The ultrastructural localization of RNA in myeloma cells was studied by the RNase-gold method. Gold particles indicating the presence of RNA were observed in large numbers, particularly in the granular component of the nucleolus and periphery of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, but not in the Golgi area, mitochondria, intranuclear inclusion bodies, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, dense bodies, or cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the nuclear chromatin and nucleolus, gold particles were more numerous as these structures were less mature. They were found in larger numbers also in the cytoplasm of immature cells. In plasma cells from patients with macroglobulinemia, gold particles were fewer than in myeloma cells of multiple myeloma, but there was no difference in their distribution pattern.     

The primary human oocyte: Some observations on the fine structure of Balbiani's vitelline body and the origin of the annulate lamellae

The ultrastructural details of human oocytes from four primordial follicles and one early primary follicle are presented. A fifth primordial follicle is represented by a paraffin section stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The paranuclear Balbiani vitelline body, contsisting of a centrosome surrounded by endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, compound aggregates, annulate lamellae, and mitochondria is described. The annulate lamellae arise as an evagination from the outer leaflet of the nuclear envelope and interdigitate with folds of the endoplasmic reticulum which also is continuous with the outer leaflet of the nuclear envelope. Structural aspects of annulate lamellae are discussed in relationship to current ideas of nuclear membrane ultrastructure and to their possible role in nucleo-cytoplasmic transfer. A biographical note on the life of Edouard Gérard Balbiani is presented.     

Fine structure of the interrenal cell in the quail and the pigeon.

The ultrastructural characteristics of the interrenal cell were investigated in the quail and the pigeon after fixation by intravascular abdominal perfusion. There is no significant fine structural difference between cells belonging to subcapsular and central regions of the gland. The interrenal cell in both species possesses nuclear bodies, polymorphic mitochondria with tubulo-vesicular cristae and tubular crystalline inclusions, considerable amounts of endoplasmic reticulum, ergastoplasm, a well developed Golgi apparatus, coated vesicles, microtubules, filaments, cilia, ribosomes, a profusion of liposomes, dense bodies with varied inner structure, pinocytic invaginations of cell membrane and intercellular attachment devices. The pigeon adrenorcortical cell also possesses intranuclear lipidlike inclusions and fibrous bundle (this being never recorded in adrenocortical cell), annulate lamellae, and a variety of cytosomes, probably lipofucsin in nature. The significance and cytophysiological role of various organelles and inclusions have been discussed in the light of earlier data obtained on avian adrenocortical cells.     

Cytochemical localisation of lysosomal enzymes and acidic mucopolysaccharides in the salivary glands of Aplysia depilans (Opisthobranchia)

Three types of secretory cells were reported in the salivary glands of Aplysia depilans: granular cells, vacuolated cells and mucocytes. To improve the characterisation of these cells, cytochemical methods for the detection of lysosomal enzymes and acidic mucopolysaccharides were applied. In granular cells, acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase were present in small lysosomes and in some secretory granules. The secretory granules could have received these enzymes after fusion with the small lysosomes that were frequently found very close to them. These cells were not stained with colloidal iron because they do not contain acidic mucopolysaccharides. In vacuolated cells, acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase were detected in lysosomes but not in the secretory vacuoles. Colloidal iron staining revealed the presence of acidic mucopolysaccharides in the vacuoles and in the Golgi apparatus of these cells. In mucocytes, lysosomes were very rare, but the secretion of these cells was very rich in acidic mucopolysaccharides. The filamentous network within the secretory vesicles was completely covered with iron particles, but practically no particles were observed over the granular masses attached to the membrane of the vesicles. Iron particles were also found in the trans-face cisternae of the U-shaped Golgi stacks, but were not seen in the cis-face cisternae or in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.