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Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of a Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Line (MCF-7) Cultured in Collagen-coated Cellulose Sponge¹

Department of Biology, Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit, Michigan 48201

MCF-7, a stable cell line derived from a human mammary carcinoma grown in monolayer cultures for more than 120 passages, was cultured in a collagen-coated cellulose sponge for 7 days and studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

The cells formed monolayers, clusters, and pseudoacinar structures. The cells were joined by junctional complexes and cell interdigitations. No junctions between the cells and the collagen coat were observed, but a Mg²⁺-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase reaction was detected.

Solid clusters of cells evolved into pseudoacinar structures by necrosis of the centrally located cells and/or detachment of centrally located cells from adjacent ones by accumulation of liquid in intercellular spaces. These spaces coalesced, forming large lumina filled with cellular detritus and dead cells surrounded by a single layer of cells. Individual cells had pleiomorphic nuclei with dispersed chromatin, having usually one or two nucleoli. Mitochondria, ribosomes, and microfilaments were numerous. Both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum showed poor development. In contrast, the Golgi apparatus was well developed.

Intracytoplasmic lumina of various sizes were observed in many single cells. These lumina were observed to coalesce and rupture with the subsequent ejection of intraluminal material.

The morphological pattern of these cells grown in the sponge, even after many passages as a monolayer, demonstrated that they have retained many properties of mammary epithelium. They also have the potentiality to reexpress the original patterns of the epithelial component of the primary mammary carcinoma.

¹ This study was conducted under Contract NO1-CP-33347 within the Virus Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute, NIH, USPHS, and under an institutional grant from the United Foundation of Greater Detroit.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 10/13/76. Accepted 4/ 6/77.