Electron microscopical investigations on the glycocalyx of cultivated cells after incubation with extracts from rapidly growing normal and tumour tissues.

Abstract

Electron microscopical investigations by means of the ruthenium red method on Huggin-tumour cells cultivated in vitro resulted in a different thickness of the glycocalyx depending on the fixation of the cells in monolayer or, after mechanical detachment, in suspension. Cells fixed in suspension display a thicker glycocalyx, which is supposed to be due to a contraction of the cells before fixation. Tissue extracts from rapidly growing tissues (mammary gland of pregnant cows, tumour tissue) cause a significant reduction of the glycocalyx in transformed hamster fibroblasts and Huggin-tumour cells after an 18-hour period of action. These findings are in accordance with previous findings on the glycolytic effect of tissue extracts on sections of cartilaginous tissue. It is discussed whether the action of the tissue extracts on the glycocalyx is due to its detachment or to an inhibition of its renewal.