Studies on cell surface conformation following injury

Abstract

In the present series of studies, the use of scanning electron microscopy combined with analysis of thin sections was applied to the examination of cell membrane changes following acute lethal cell injury. In this report, acute injury of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells directed primarily at the plasma membrane was produced with the non-penetrating mercurial p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS). This compound interacts initially with the cell membrane, primarily by modifying membrane associated sulfhydryl groups resulting in rapid changes in membrane permeability. The present morphological changes revealed that rapid swelling and ultimately lysis of the cells occurred. These have earlier been shown to be accompanied by marked ion and water shifts and a concomitant decrease in adenine nucleotide content. Changes in cell surface contours as seen by scanning electron microscopy were dramatic and included rapid loss of normal surface microvillous patterns, and formation of surface folds, broad-based elevations and blebs with numerous intricate recesses. In transmission electron microscopy, membrane-limited vacuoles were seen at the cell periphery in addition to the above changes. The present study emphasizes the lability of cell surface conformation toward this toxic non-penetrating mercurial compound and the important role of cell membrane changes in acute lethal cell injury.