glycogen and Pleural-Effusion

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal cavities which is associated with exposure to asbestos. Studies of this tumour have been limited by a paucity of well-characterized human MM cell lines. In this study, 5 human MM cell lines were established from pleural effusions of patients with this malignancy. All 5 patients were males with known crocidolite asbestos exposure, who had received no treatment for their disease and in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, histology and electron microscopy (EM). These lines have been in culture from 11 to 25 months, and all of them for more than 18 passages. The appearance of the cells in culture was extremely varied; in 3 of the lines they were spindle-shaped with few vacuoles (JU77, LO68 and ONE58); in 1 line they had a thick, stellate shape with vacuoles (NO36) and in 1 they were very pleomorphic in both shape and size with irregular membranes and numerous vacuoles [DeH128 (M)]. Upon reaching confluence, cells in 3 of the 5 lines assumed the cobblestone-like pattern characteristic of epithelial-type cells, whereas in the other 2 (LO68 and ONE58) they remained spindle-shaped. All 5 lines demonstrated a loss of contact inhibition (i.e., piling) at confluence. Minimum doubling times varied significantly from 18 hr (JU77) to more than 30 hr [DeH128 (M)]. Cytological examination showed characteristic mesothelial/mesothelioma morphology, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin were demonstrated in cells from all 5 lines. These cells lacked CEA and epithelial mucin. The presence of cell junctions, glycogen and numerous long, thin, branching microvilli was readily demonstrable by EM. All lines had abnormal karyotypes, with the modal chromosome number varying from 40 to 80. Variable chromosome numbers, numerous structural rearrangements and unrecognizable marker chromosomes were readily observed; however, the only consistent change seen was del 6q21 in 4 of the 5 lines. The establishment of these 5 cultured human MM cell lines now provides an opportunity for comparative study of several aspects of the biology of MM in vitro as well as screening new treatment modalities.

Topics: Adult; Asbestos; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Cell Division; Cytoplasm; Glycogen; Humans; Karyotyping; Keratins; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mesothelioma; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Pleural Effusion; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vacuoles

A 7 1/2-year-old girl had exercise intolerance and exertional dyspnea. Four months later, congestive heart failure developed, with recurrent chylous pleural effusions, and she died at age 8 1/2 years. Endomyocardial biopsy tissue showed abundant PAS-positive, diastase-resistant cytoplasmic deposits. Similar inclusions were seen in muscle, skin, and liver specimens. Postmortem studies showed that the abnormal polysaccharide was especially abundant in heart and muscle, but was also present in all other tissues, including the central nervous system. Glycogen isolated from heart, muscle, and spinal cord showed a shift of the iodine spectrum toward higher than normal wavelengths. Branching enzyme activity was lacking in the muscle biopsy specimen and in all postmortem tissues; glycogenolytic enzymes had normal activities. These studies show that cardiomyopathy can be the first symptom of generalized branching enzyme deficiency and that the degree of accumulation of the abnormal polysaccharide may vary in different tissues.

Topics: Biopsy; Brain Chemistry; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Child; Cytoplasmic Granules; Female; Glycogen; Glycogen Storage Disease; Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV; Humans; Liver; Muscles; Myocardium; Pleural Effusion; Skin

In exsudate cells separated from serous body cavities of 29 tumour patients and 30 patients with inflammatory and congestive effusion in cardiac failure or liver cirrhosis respectively the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase were determined. In addition to sudanophilia the cell content of glycogen and that of ribonucleinic acid were evaluated. By means of cytochemical findings it could be found that an increase of unspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and ribonucleic acid in atypical cells points to a malignous ethiology of the exudate.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Ascitic Fluid; Esterases; Exudates and Transudates; Glycogen; Heart Failure; Histocytochemistry; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Leukemia; Liver Cirrhosis; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Neoplasms; Peritonitis; Pleural Effusion; Pleurisy; RNA

The stained smears of the deposits from one pericardial and 19 pleural effusions complicating rheumatoid arthritis were examined. On the basis of clinical and biochemical evidence it was considered that in six cases the effusions were due to the rheumatoid disease while in a further nine cases the association was considered likely. In the remaining five cases the association was considered to be due to chance as other causes for the effusions were diagnosed. On cytological examination, seven cases showed a characteristic picture of degenerating polymorphs with amorphous extracellular material and epithelioid cells many of which were multinucleate. Five others contained similar amorphous material without epithelioid cells; of these two had many plasma cells and a third numerous macrophages probably containing ;droplets' of rheumatoid factor complex. Thus in 12 of 15 cases a definite diagnosis of rheumatoid effusion could be made. In the remaining five cases cytological examination confirmed that the effusions were unrelated to the rheumatoid disease.The extracellular material gave a non-specific fluorescence with labelled anti-gamma globulin antisera, and since this reaction was not seen in control pleural fluid deposits, or with preparations of fibrin, it may have a confirmatory value. It is concluded that in many cases reliable cytological evidence can be found to confirm or refute a diagnosis of rheumatoid pleural or pericardial effusion. This may be helpful in the management of the rheumatoid disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cytodiagnosis; Cytoplasm; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glycogen; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Pericardial Effusion; Pinocytosis; Pleural Effusion; Precipitin Tests; Pseudopodia; Staining and Labeling

Topics: Empyema, Tuberculous; Glycogen; Humans; Neutrophils; Pleural Effusion; Postoperative Complications; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Animals; Dextrans; Glycogen; Histamine; Inflammation; Injections; Klebsiella; Pleural Effusion; Rats