Ultrastructural cytochemistry and radioautography of complex carbohydrates in heterophil granulocytes from rabbit bone marrow

Localization of serglycin in human neutrophil granulocytes and their precursors

Serglycin is a major proteoglycan of hematopoietic cells. It is thought to play a role in the packaging of granule proteins in human neutrophil granulocytes. The presence of serglycin in myeloid cells has been demonstrated only at the transcriptional level. We generated a polyclonal antibody against recombinant human serglycin. Here, we show the localization of serglycin in humans during neutrophil differentiation. Immunocytochemistry revealed serglycin immunoreactivity in the Golgi area of promyelocytes (PM) and myelocytes (MC), as well as in a few band cells and mature neutrophil granulocytes. Granular staining was detected near the Golgi apparatus in some of the PM, and the major part of the cytoplasm was negative. Immunoelectron microscopy showed serglycin immunoreactivity located to the Golgi apparatus and a few immature granules of PM and MC. The decreasing level of serglycin protein during myeloid differentiation coincided with a decrease of mRNA expression, as evaluated by Northern blotting. Subcellular fractions of neutrophil granulocytes were obtained. Serglycin immunoreactivity was detected in the fraction containing Golgi apparatus, plasma membrane, and secretory vesicles by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serglycin was not detected in subcellular fractions containing primary, secondary, or tertiary granules. Together, these findings indicate that serglycin is located to the Golgi apparatus and a few immature granules during neutrophil differentiation. This is consistent with a function for serglycin in formation of granules in neutrophil granulocytes. Our findings contrast the view that native serglycin is present in mature granules and plays a role in packaging and regulating the activity of proteolytic enzymes there.

Sulfated glycosaminoglycans in guinea pig neutrophils studied by use of cationic colloidal gold

Using a high electron resolution staining method, cationic colloidal gold (CCG, pH 1.0) staining, we studied the fine structural localization of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in various maturational stages of guinea pig neutrophils. Azurophil and specific granules of neutrophils reacted positively to CCG, with variety in labeling according to maturation. All immature azurophil and specific granules were labeled selectively. Mature granules lost their affinity with CCG. CCG-positive labeling was also observed in the trans to trans-most Golgi apparatus of promyelocytes and myelocytes. Prior absorption with poly-l-lysine prevented CCG labeling of tissue sections. Mild methylation of ultrathin sections at 37C did not alter CCG labeling, whereas CCG labeling disappeared after active methylation at 60C. Treatment with chondroitinase ABC or heparinase I abolished the majority of CCG labeling. These findings suggest the existence of sulfated GAGs not only in immature azurophil but also in immature specific granules of neutrophils. Sulfation of GAGs occurs in the trans- to trans-most Golgi apparatus of neutrophil granulocytes. A possible correlation between accumulation of sulfated GAGs and maturation of specific granules in neutrophils is also discussed.

Ontogeny of sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells in the rat fundic gland

The ontogeny of sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells in the rat fundic gland has been studied using high iron diamine (HID), Alcian Blue (AB) at pH 1.0, high iron diamine in combination with Alcian Blue at pH 2.5 (HID-AB), cationic colloidal gold (CCG) at pH 1.0 under light microscopy and CCG (1.0), HID-thiocarbohydrazide (TCH)-silver proteinate (SP)-physical development (PD) under electron microscopy. From day 19.5 of gestation, sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells were discernible under both light and electron microscopy. The development of such cells can be classified into four stages: (1) a prenatal period from day 19.5 of gestation extending to 0.5 days after birth; (2) 1 day to 2 weeks after birth; (3) 2 to 4 weeks after birth; and (4) the final period from 4 to 8 weeks after birth. Glycoconjugate-producing cells reached maturity by 4 weeks after birth. Our results indicated that glycoconjugate-producing cells were cells along the wall of foveolar lumen, but not those covering the gastric mucosa surface. Our results also suggested that the trans to transmost Golgi apparatus lamellae were the sites of sulphation in the developing rat stomach.

Ultrastructure of proteoglycans in the specific granules of guinea-pig basophilic leukocytes as demonstrated by cuprolinic blue staining

The ultrastructure of sulphate proteoglycans in basophil granules was examined using cytochemical procedures designed to stabilize and visualize these highly anionic macromolecules in situ. Unfixed or glutaraldehyde-prefixed guinea-pig spleen cells were submitted to fixation/staining in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, 0.2% cuprolinic blue (CB; a cationic phthalocyanin dye) and 0.2 or 0.3 M MgCl2 with or without glycosidase treatments. Abundant electron-dense precipitates were present throughout the granule matrix. The stained structures were often arranged in a quasi-crystalline typical banded pattern. Negative control basophils had no electrondense precipitates. Digestion with chondroitinase ABC destroyed the CB-positive electron-dense banded or filamentous patterns while sialidase treatment did not, but led to larger CB-positive filaments in the cytoplasm near the granules. Taking into account their high anionicity, as shown by the stability of dye binding in the presence of 0.3 M MgCl2, and their susceptibility to chondroitinase ABC, the CB-precipitates are assumed to be related to the sulphated proteoglycans previously characterized in basophil granules. The CB-positive crystalline or filamentous network of the granule matrix is also assumed to reflect the in situ location and organization of these intracellular proteoglycans and may be involved in maintaining the shape of the granule.

A re-evaluation of the distribution of the elastic meshwork within the periodontal ligament of the mouse

The elastic properties of the periodontal ligament have been attributed, in part, to oxytalan fibers, as no other types of elastic fibers are described there. It has been difficult to study the periodontal elastic meshwork by standard microscopic techniques because it is partially obscured by the adjacent periodontal ligament collagen fibers. Our study employed methods which either completely or partially removed mandibular molar periodontal ligament collagen fibers, exposing a previously undescribed periodontal elastic meshwork. The periodontal elastic meshwork was composed of many elastin lamellae containing both peripheral microfibrils of regular arrangement and central microfibrils of irregular arrangement, which could only be demonstrated in oxidized tissues. Peripheral, regularly arranged bundles of microfibrils resembled oxytalan fibers, which were often adherent to the border of the elastin lamella. Elastin lamellae containing irregular microfibrils resembled elaunin fibers. These fibers probably enclosed either blood vessels, nerves or collagen fiber bundles. Peripheral microfibrils attached elaunin to cementum, alveolar bone, blood vessels, and principal periodontal collagen fibers. Thus, the periodontal elastic meshwork is composed of both oxytalan and elaunin fibers. Microfibrils attach elaunin fibers to the adjacent non-elastic tissue and also form bundles which traverse the periodontal ligament space and are probably the oxytalan fibers demonstrable by light microscopic techniques. This meshwork of oxytalan and elaunin fibers probably contributes to tooth support and maintenance of periodontal homeostasis by dissipating chewing forces and maintaining patency of periodontal blood vessels.

Immunochemical localization of extracellular materials in bone marrow of rats

The distribution of type I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and heparan sulfate was studied in marrow of rats by indirect immunofluorescence. Most of the type I collagen of marrow is associated with large blood vessels and connective tissue trabeculae, but type I collagen was also localized in a delicate meshwork throughout the marrow and in the basement membrane of the sinusoidal endothelium. Fibronectin is partially co-distributed with type I collagen, but is much more widely distributed. Sheets or septa of fibronectin-rich material divide the marrow into small compartments that contain and appear to separate clusters of developing blood cells. These septa may serve as a substrate for anchorage and migration of blood cells. Labeling of laminin was observed in the basement membranes of blood vessels, of fat cells, and of the sinusoidal wall, but only scattered labeling was seen in other extracellular materials. Heparan sulfate proteoglycan was poorly labeled in the extracellular matrix of marrow.

Comparative electron microscopy of basophils and mast cells, in vivo and in vitro

We compared the fine structure and electron microscopic cytochemical findings of basophils and mast cells from humans, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and rats. The particulate structure was the most frequently observed and most typical structure of human and rabbit basophil granules and of guinea pig mast cell granules. The most prominent feature of guinea pig basophils and murine mast cells was that the fine structure of the granules was homogeneous. The fine structure of the granules in guinea pig basophils resembled that in murine mast cells, while the fine structure of the granules of guinea pig mast cells resembled those in human and rabbit mast cells. In mouse mast cells in culture, the majority of the granules contained small vesicles, which were also observed in human basophils in culture and in mouse basophils in vivo. The degrees of cytochemical reactivity of acid mucopolysaccharides among the species were different. Peroxidase activity was positive in most basophils and in human mast cells. Among mammals, the granules of basophils and mast cells present heterogeneous fine structure. It is of interest that the basophil granules of some species resemble the mast cell granules rather than the basophil granules of other species.

A nitrous acid procedure as a selective histochemical means of eliminating the N-sulphates of glycoconjugates

A nitrous acid procedure has been shown to lead to the elimination of N-sulphates in sections of a series of tissues containing sulphated glycoconjugates. Two groups of sulphated glycoconjugate-containing tissues were used; one contained N-sulphates and other was devoid of such groupings. In the first group of tissues, mast cells of different origins and renal glomeruli in the rat were employed. Xiphoid and tracheal cartilage matrix, submandibular and sublingual gland acini and gastric, duodenal and colonic mucosae were used in the second group. Sections were treated with nitrous acid and then stained with Alcian Blue pH 1.0, high iron diamine or Aldehyde Fuchsin for sulphated glycoconjugates. Such treatment was found to diminish the staining intensities exclusively in N-sulphated glycoconjugate-containing structures such as mast cell granules and renal glomerular basement membrane, providing a means of chemically eliminating N-sulphates of glycoconjugates in tissues.

Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical differences between transient myeloproliferative disorder and megakaryoblastic leukaemia in Down's syndrome

Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical studies were performed on blast cells from 12 Down's syndrome neonates with transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) and 13 Down's syndrome patients with megakaryoblastic leukaemia (MKL), in order to clarify the cytological characteristics of these cells. Average platelet peroxidase-positivity in blast cells of TMD patients was similar to that found in cases of MKL. Blast cells from subjects with TMD contained a number of different granules, namely, alpha granules, those that were myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive, electron-lucent or basophil-like, and those containing membrane components or ferritin particles. On the other hand, granules found in the blast cells of MKL patients with Down's syndrome included the electron-lucent variety, those with membrane components and a few that were basophil-like, but not alpha and MPO-positive granules nor those containing ferritin particles. A demarcation membrane system was observed in blasts from the TMD group, but not in the MKL group. These findings suggest that blast cells in TMD patients differentiate to megakaryocytes, neutrophils, basphils and erythroblasts, while those in cases of MKL show limited differentiation to immature megakaryocytes, erythroblasts and, sometime, basophils. Such results correspond well with those of culture studies, in which TMD blasts were found to be precursors of various types of blood cells.

Cultured human basophils with ultrastructural and ultracytochemical features of mast cells

To clarify whether in vitro-cultured basophils have features of mast cells, basophils grown in semisolid and liquid culture were studied ultrastructurally and cytochemically and were compared with freshly isolated basophils and mast cells. Ultrastructurally, the cultured basophils had pleomorphic cytoplasmic granules, some of which were similar to mast cell granules. However, scroll formation, characteristic of mast cell granules, was not observed in cells grown in semisolid and liquid culture. Cytochemically, the reactivity patterns of acidic glycoconjugates in the cultured cells more closely resembled those of the freshly isolated basophils than of the mast cells. In addition, the basophils grown in liquid culture showed a more matured form and had stronger reactivity to glycoconjugates, acid phosphatase and peroxidase than did the cells grown in semisolid culture, suggesting that the liquid culture system was better for the basophil.

Intracytoplasmic crystalloid structures in a malignant fibrous histiocytoma: ultrastructural and cytochemical study

Crystalloid structures were frequently observed in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in the left leg of a 71-year-old female. These structures were located in the cytoplasm of the fibroblastlike and histiocyte-like tumor cells. The structures consisted of an aggregate of dense granules without unit membrane. Neither glycoproteins nor polysaccharides were detected in these structures on sections stained with chromic acid-phosphotungstic acid or periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate. On sections from acrylate-embedded specimens, the structures were easily digested by trypsin and protease but were not sensitive to RNase. Although the significance and origin of these structures remain obscure, the results indicate that the crystalloid structures in the present study are mainly composed of proteinaceous substance.

Morphometry of feline neutrophil granule genesis

During neutrophil granule genesis, the formation of primary granules is generally thought to be limited to the promyelocyte stage; whereas synthesis of secondary granules is thought to occur only at the myelocyte stage. This hypothesis was tested morphometrically in feline neutrophils that are known to contain both granule types. Marrow specimens obtained from six cats were stained with peroxidase for identification of neutrophil primary granules and counterstained with periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) for identification of secondary granules. By regression analysis using arithmetic models, numbers of cytoplasmic granules in 311 cells were correlated with the degree of nuclear chromatin condensation, which was shown to be an adequate parameter for cell maturation. Promyelocytes and myelocytes had similar mean numbers of peroxidase-positive granules per unit area. A significant increase (p less than or equal to 0.0001) in the numbers of peroxidase-positive granules was noted between the metamyelocyte and the mature neutrophil stage, despite the lack of peroxidase activity in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi lamellae. By contrast, a significant increase of peroxidase-negative granules between the metamyelocyte and the mature neutrophil stage was not clearly established with these methods. The increase in peroxidase-positive granules may indicate continued production of peroxidase-containing granules and/or redistribution of peroxidase among lysosomal organelles in late feline neutrophils.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of complex carbohydrates in developing feline neutrophils

The feline species provides animal models for at least six congenital lysosomal disorders. Since knowledge of normal feline neutrophils is a prerequisite for studies of their abnormalities, the present report describes the morphology and cytochemistry of normal feline neutrophils and compares the subcellular distribution of sulfate- and vicinal-glycol-containing complex carbohydrates to that of peroxidase and acid phosphatase. Immature feline primary granules, formed in promyelocytes, were stained for peroxidase, acid phosphatase, sulfate, and vicinal glycols. During maturation, primary granules retained strong staining for peroxidase, but staining for vicinal glycols decreased, and acid phosphatase and sulfate reactivity was lost. Secondary granules formed in myelocytes lacked peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and sulfate staining, but stained intensely for vicinal-glycol-containing complex carbohydrates. No analogues of tertiary granules previously described in rabbits and humans were demonstrated in feline neutrophils. However, a new sequential staining technique for peroxidase and vicinal glycols has suggested the formation in myelocytes and late neutrophils of a third granule type that contained peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and vicinal glycols but lacked sulfate staining. Thus, the staining characteristics of primary and secondary granules in cats closely resembled those in humans and rabbits. The third (late-forming) type of granule has not previously been described in other species.

The mechanism accounted for the silver staining "fast techniques" development and its histochemical meaning. II. The binding between silver and ferric ion accounted for the silver staining development

Results obtained on filter paper strips models show that some protein and fatty acids become argentophil as an effect of a previously binding ferric ion although, in this instance, the silver staining can only be accomplished by using a silver diamine solution, since a silver nitrate solution is not effective. However, if the filter paper model is previously treated by a "multidentate ligand" before the silver nitrate solution treatment becomes able in doing the silver staining. This result shows that the binding between Fe3+ and Ag+ can be done if a suitable negatively charged "multidentate ligand" has been connected between them. The following "multidentate ligands" were tested: thiocarbohydrazide, carbohydrazide, and hexamethylenetetramine: ammonia was also tested, as an attempt to disclose if it is able to act as a "multidentate ligand". The semicarbazide effect was analysed and compared with the "ligands". It was found, either on filter paper strip models or on histological sections, that every "multidentate ligand", as well as ammonia, are effective in producing silver staining whereas semicarbazide is devoid of effect. The "ligands" effectiveness depends upon the solution pH, in the same manner that is does occur when the silver diamine "fast technique" is used on tissue sections. Histophotometric measures, taken on tissue sections, show that the silver staining afforded by the silver diamine "fast technique" is similar to that displayed by the "multidentate ligand" plus a silver nitrate solution treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural localization of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfates associated with granulopoiesis in embryonic chick bone marrow

Sulfated glycoconjugates were ultrastructurally localized within embryonic chick marrow by using the high iron diamine-silver proteinate stain. Stain was concentrated in the extravascular, granulopoietic compartment, indicating that granulopoiesis, but not erythropoiesis, proceeded in a highly sulfated environment. It was likely that most of the stainable material represented sulfated proteoglycans since staining was abrogated by predigesting tissue with enzymes and other treatments known to degrade specific glycosaminoglycan chains. Chondroitinase/hyaluronidase digestion resulted in the removal of most of the stainable material associated with the extracellular matrix and a portion of the stainable material associated with fibroblastic cell surfaces. Unaffected material lay in close proximity to fibroblastic cell membranes. Heparitinase/heparinase digestion had essentially the opposite effect. Sulfated material associated with matrix components was largely unaffected, but the fibroblastic plasmalemmal material was now absent. These results suggest that there are at least two categories of sulfated proteoglycans in the granulopoietic compartment, each differentially distributed. The plasmalemmal material likely represented heparan sulfate which in this tissue appeared to be associated in a uniform layer with fibroblastic stromal cell membranes and not with blood or endothelial cell membranes. Material identified as chondroitin sulfates was found within patches of amorphous matrix that was located on fibroblastic stromal cell surfaces and that was interspersed with fibrils in the extracellular matrix. Chondroitin sulfates were sparsely distributed on granulocytic cell surfaces.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of oxytalan fibres in monkey periodontal ligaments with the high iron diamine method

Monkey periodontal ligaments have been examined at the ultrastructural level to demonstrate the nature of reactive sites in oxytalan fibres. The high iron diamine (HID) and HID-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate methods specific for sulphate groups, with and without prior oxidation with monopersulphate, were used. Oxytalan fibres were composed of bundles of microfibrils with a diameter of 11.5 +/- 1.7 nm (mean +/- S.D., n = 50). In cross section the microfibrils were found to have a denser periphery, giving them a 'tubular' appearance. The oxytalan microfibrils of non-oxidized specimens showed little reactivity with either HID method, except that the extracellular matrix material in close association with collagen fibrils stained weakly; in oxidized specimens, both HID methods strongly stained oxytalan microfibrils and weakly stained the extracellular matrix material. Such reactivity of oxytalan microfibrils was not altered by digestion with testicular hyaluronidase or chondroitinase ABC, performed prior to or after persulphate oxidation. Further, the sequential thiosulphation and HID method for the demonstration of disulphide and sulphhydryl groups stained oxytalan fibres moderately. These results indicate that the oxidative generation of sulphate groups in oxytalan fibres may occur from either disulphide or sulphhydryl groups, or both, rather than the result of unmasking of sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

Ultrastructural evaluation of periodate-reactive glycoconjugates in human leukaemia cells

Periodate-reactive glycoconjugates in human leukaemic cells were examined electron microscopically by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method. Granules in ALL cells were classified into 4 types based on PA-TCH-SP staining features. Abnormal granules containing glycogen were observed only in children with treatment-resistant ALL. Cytoplasmic granules in leukaemic cells of patients with AML and acute monocytic leukaemia exhibited moderate reactivity. The distribution pattern of glycogen in the cytoplasm of leukaemic cells was classified into 3 types, one lacking glycogen, one containing small glycogen particles scattered throughout cytoplasm, and one showing clusters of glycogen particles. Cells with glycogen clusters were observed in ALL cells and in erythroblasts from patients with erythroleukaemia. PA-TCH-SP reactivity was detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum in acute promyelocytic leukaemia but not in ALL or other types of AML. Megakaryoblasts in megakaryocytic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukaemia exhibited characteristic PA-TCH-SP reactivity similar to that of normal megakaryocytes.

Ultrastructural morphology and cytochemistry of iron-deficient polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Previous studies have documented decreased activities of certain enzymes and altered function in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during iron deficiency. The present study was undertaken to determine if the enzymatic abnormalities could be correlated with morphologic or quantitative change in PMN granules. Ultrastructural examination of primary and secondary granules and assessment of the secondary granule components alkaline phosphatase and vicinal glycol-containing glycoconjugates was performed in rabbit bone marrow, peripheral blood, and peritoneal heterophils. In addition, biochemical quantifications of the secondary granule component alkaline phosphatase and the primary granule marker beta-glucuronidase were performed. The results confirmed that a marked, significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase occurs in iron-deficient animals; however, no biochemical decrease in beta-glucuronidase activity was observed. Ultrastructurally, PMN secondary granules of iron-deficient rabbits tended to be more numerous than in controls when examined with morphometric and glycoconjugate staining methods, but lacked staining in alkaline phosphatase preparations. These results demonstrate that iron-deficient rabbits produce normal to increased quantities of primary and secondary granules, despite a uniform deficiency of alkaline phosphatase, a secondary granule marker.

Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical identification of the small granules in basophils from human and animals

The small granules in the basophils obtained from humans and animals were compared ultrastructurally and cytochemically. Cytochemically, there were no qualitative differences among the small granules in the species examined. The small granules in humans, guinea pigs and rabbits were approximately 0.16-0.22 micron, 0.15-0.17 micron, and 0.12-0.16 micron, in diameter, respectively. In all species small granules had a single unit membrane and contained some amorphous material. In immature cells many of the small granules were distributed near the Golgi apparatus, while in the mature cells many of them were found around the periphery of the cell. There were no morphological or cytochemical differences between the small granules of the immature cells and those of the mature cells. The negative reaction in the dialysed iron and high iron diamine methods showed that the small granules did not have acid mucopolysaccharides or sulfated glycoconjugates. The strong reaction of the small granules of all species to the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) test, which was especially prominent in rabbit, showed that the small granules have many periodate-reactive neutral glycoconjugates but no acidic glycoconjugates. Enzyme cytochemistry revealed that the small granules are negative for peroxidase and catalase but positive for acid phosphatase.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of glycoconjugates in basophils from humans and animals

The distribution of glycoconjugates in the basophil granules of humans, guinea pigs, and rabbits was compared. The observation of acid mucopolysaccharides using the dialyzed iron method and of sulfated glycoconjugates using the high iron diamine method revealed three types of reactions in the basophil granules of all three species: granules showing a strong overall reaction, granules showing reaction only at their periphery, and granules showing no reaction. With regard to the relationship between maturation and the types of basophil granules, it appeared that, in general, there were many type-1 granules among immature basophils, but that these granules decreased in mature basophils as type-3 granules increased. The reaction patterns of periodate-reactive neutral glycoconjugates, as shown by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method, were different from those of acid mucopolysaccharides: the reaction of basophil granules was diffusely positive, and localization at the periphery was rarely observed. Therefore, unlike the acid mucopolysaccharides, it was difficult to classify the glycoconjugates into three types. However, as with acid mucopolysaccharides, there was a tendency for periodate-reactive glycoconjugates to decrease as maturation progressed. In terms of different species of animals, the reaction of periodate-reactive glycoconjugates with PA-TCH-SP was stronger in humans and rabbits than in guinea pigs.

Ultracytochemistry of glycogen particles in human erythroblasts. Semiquantitative observation

We examined the fine structural distribution of glycogen particles in the cells of the erythrocyte series from thirty individuals with or without hematological disorders using the periodic acid-thiocarbo hydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) technique, which is known to extend PAS staining to the ultrastructural level. In diseases exhibiting dyserythropoiesis, such as refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB) and juvenile chronic myelocytic leukemia (JCML), glycogen particles remarkably increased. In diseases showing hypererythropoiesis such as iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, or in cells obtained from very small premature infants, an increase in glycogen particles was observed in most cases. Compared to the PAS staining technique, which also utilizes the periodic acid reaction, the PA-TCH-SP technique appears to be more sensitive for visualizing glycogen particles in PAS negative cells, in addition to its capability of demonstrating the distribution of periodate reactive substance at the fine structural level.

Vicinal glycol-staining identifies secondary granules in human normal and Chédiak-Higashi neutrophils

Neutrophil secondary granules contain large amounts of glycoprotein. We evaluated periodate-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) staining of these granules after alpha-amylase digestion to assess their content of vicinal glycol-containing glycoconjugates and the usefulness of this stain as a positive stain for secondary granules. Using this method, early stages of secondary granule genesis were observed prior to completion of primary granule genesis in myelocytes. Immature secondary granules appeared round to ovoid, but irregular in outline and demonstrated strong staining of the limiting membrane and matrix material. In mature granules, matrix staining was unaltered; however, membrane staining was decreased. Some immature primary granules in promyelocytes demonstrated strong PA-TCH-SP reactivity which was masked in mature primary granules of band and segmented neutrophils. The Golgi apparatus showed progressively increasing PA-TCH-SP reactivity toward its mature surface which was often convex in promyelocytes and myelocytes and concave in segmented neutrophils. The Chédiak-Higashi secondary granules were cytochemically and morphologically similar to those of normal individuals and were not statistically decreased in number when compared to controls. They were only rarely observed contacting or fusing with giant granules which had consumed all primary granules leaving an easily detected population of secondary granules. Thus the alpha-amylase-PA-TCH-SP method demonstrates a large amount of unmasked vicinal glycol-containing glycoconjugates in neutrophil secondary granules, which allows their differentiation from primary granules.

Morphometric cytochemistry of catalase and myeloperoxidase-containing granules in the rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte

Recently developed morphometric and statistical techniques were applied to the study of heterogeneity of the granule population of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The cytochemical activities of myeloperoxidase and catalase were differentiated by incubation at pH 7.6, and pH 9.7 to 10.5, respectively. Each activity was found in more than one granule. Statistical evaluation suggested that in addition to the primary granule, two myeloperoxidase-containing granules and two catalase-containing granules existed. Although the presence of catalase activity has been described in the immature polymorphonuclear leukocyte previously, this is the first report indicating cytochemical reactivity in mature polymorphs.

Ultrastructural visualization of complex carbohydrates in eosinophilic leukocytes

Complex carbohydrates in eosinophils from human, rabbit, and rat marrow were identified and localized by cytochemical and radioautographic methods. The high iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP), low iron diamine (LID)-TCH-SP, and periodate (PA)-TCH-SP methods were used for the localization of sulfate, sulfate and carboxyl, and vicinal glycol- containing complex carbohydrates, respectively. Golgi vesicles and small precursor granules (0.2-0.4 micrometer in diameter) demonstrated strong HID-TCH-SP staining and labeled intensely after a 10-minute pulse with 35SO4(2). Crystalloid-free or immature specific granules (0.5-0.9 micrometers in diameter) labeled heavily after a 60-minute incubation and 60-minute chase with 35SO4(2). Immature granules were graded according to their HID-TCH-SP staining. Type I granules demonstrated strong rim staining and similar or somewhat less central staining, whereas type 2 granules only demonstrated rim staining, and type 3 granules lacked staining. Fully mature crystalloid-containing granules lacked staining. LID-TCH-SP similarly stained the HID-positive sulfated material in cytoplasmic granules. PA-TCH-SP stained some Golgi vesicles and diffusely stained all precursor granules and type 1 granules. Weaker staining was observed in type 2 granules and staining was very weak or absent in type 3 and crystalloid-containing granules. In early eosinophils, tubulovesicular structures (TVS) were observed rosetting and contacting precursor and type 1 granules. These TVS contained material with strong PA-TCH-SP staining but lacked HID-TCH-SP or LID-TCH-SP-reactive acidic glycoconjugates. Flattened Golgi saccules or early eosinophils stained weakly or not at all with the PA-TCH-SP method. Small granules and TVS in late (bilobed) eosinophils displayed PA-TCH-SP reactivity and lacked HID-TCH-SP staining but differed from TVS in early eosinophils in that they were not associated as rosettes with specific granules. These results indicate that sulfated and vicinal glycol-containing complex carbohydrates are differently disturbed in immature specific granules of eosinophils and presumably become masked to staining as the granule matures.

Electron microscopic detection of periodate reactive complex carbohydrates in human T and B lymphocytes

The periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) technique, which has the same cytochemical significance as PAS staining of light microscopy, was undertaken to reveal the distribution of complex carbohydrates with vicinal glycols in human lymphocytes in several conditions at the ultra-structural level. The PA-TCH-SP method stained the clustered and the scattered cytoplasmic granules, Golgi apparatus and glycogen particles of lymphocytes. In the buffy coat, the lymphocytes with the clustered cytoplasmic granules contained less glycogen particles compared with the lymphocytes without the clustered cytoplasmic granules. The majority of T-lymphocytes separated from the venous blood possessed PA-TCH-SP positive clustered cytoplasmic granules, but glycogen particles were scanty or negligible, while B lymphocytes were rich with glycogen particles but had scanty clustered cytoplasmic granules. The T and B cell-derived cultured cell lines had a similar reactivity to the peripheral T and B cells.