Summary
The events which occur after reaggregation of dissociated embryonic chick thyroid cells are described. Although the cells rearrange themselves into follicles within a few hours after being packed by centrifugation, their complex cytoarchitecture is not maintained. The first sign of an impending change is the accumulation of large numbers of dense bodies in the apical cytoplasm. Shortly thereafter other types of lytic bodies become numerous, and blebs containing cytoplasmic membranous components appear at the apical cell surfaces. A short time later the basal cytoplasm contains large residual bodies concomitant with a reduction in the extent of the canalicular endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in the number of free ribosomes. With the passage of time there is a progressive decrease in the size and number of residual bodies, and the channels of rough endoplasmic reticulum reappear until the normal thyroid pattern is restored. Lytic phenomena coupled with vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum have been linked with control of function in several organs. Therefore, the results are discussed in terms of a possible realtionship between lytic activity and the reestablishment of thyroid function after dissociation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashford, T. P., and K. R. Porter: Cytoplasmic components in hepatic cell lysosomes. J. Cell Biol. 12, 198–202 (1962).
Balis, J. U., and P. E. Cohen: The role of alveolar inclusion bodies in the developing lung. Lab. Invest 13, 1215–1229 (1964).
Brandes, D., F. Bertini, and E. W. Smith: Role of lysosomes in cellular lytic processes II. Cell death during holocrine secretion in sebaceous glands. Exp. molec. Path. 4, 245–265 (1965).
Clark, S. L.: Cellular differentiation in the kidneys of newborn mice studied with the electron microscope. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 349–361 (1957).
DeDuve, C., and R. Wattiaux: Functions of lysosomes. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 28, 435–492 (1966).
Ekholm, R., and S. Smeds: On dense bodies and droplets in the follicular cells of the guinea pig thyroid. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16, 71–82 (1966).
Farquhar, M. G., and G. E. Palade: Cell junctions in amphibian skin. J. Cell Biol. 26, 263–291 (1965).
Harris, C. C., and C. A. Leone: Some effects of EDTA and tetraphenylboron on the ultrastructure of mitochondria in mouse liver cells. J. Cell Biol. 28, 405–408 (1966).
Hilfer, S. R.: Follicle formation in the embryonic chick thyroid. I. Early morphogenesis. J. Morph. 115, 135–152 (1964).
—: Cellular interactions in the genesis and maintenance of thyroid characteristics. In: Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions (W. Fleischmajer, ed), Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co. p. 177–199 (1968a).
—: Cell interactions in thyroid morphogenesis. Amer. Zool. 8, 273–284 (1968b).
—, and E. K. Hilfer: Effects of dissociating agents on the fine structure of embryonic chick thyroid cells. J. Morph. 119, 217–231 (1966).
— and L. B. Iszard: The relationship between cytoplasmic organization and the epitheliomesodermal interaction in the embryonic chick thyroid. J. Morph. 123, 199–212 (1967).
-, and M. Stern: Evidence for instability of the interaction between components of the 8-day chick embryonic thyroid. To be submitted to J. exp. Zool. (1968).
Hruban, Z., B. Spargo, H. Swift, R. W. Wissler, and R. G. Kleinfeld: Focal cytoplasmic degradation. Amer. J. Path. 42, 657–683 (1963).
Lesseps, R. J.: Cell surface projections: Their role in the aggregation of embryonic chick cells as revealed by electron microscopy. J. exp. Zool. 153, 171–182 (1963).
Moe, H., and O. Behnke: Cytoplasmic bodies containing mitochondria, ribosomes, and rough surfaced endoplasmic membranes in the epithelium of the small intestine of newborn rats. J. Cell Biol. 13, 168–171 (1962).
Moscona, A. A.: Recombination of dissociated cells and the development of cell aggregates. In: Cells and Tissues in culture I. (E. N. Willmer, ed.,) p. 489–529. London: Academic Press 1966.
Novikoff, A. B., E. Essner, and N. Quintana: Golgi apparatus and lysosomes. Fed. Proc. 23, 1010–1022 (1964).
Palay, S. L.: The morphology of secretion. In: Frontiers in cytology (S. L. Palay, ed.), p. 305–342. New Haven: Yale University Press 1958.
Payne, F.: A cytological study of the thyroid glands of normal and experimental fowl, including interrelationships with the pituitary, gonads and adrenals. J. Morph. 101, 89–129 (1957).
Porter, K. R.: Changes in cell fine structure accompanying mitosis. In: Fine structure of cells, Eighth Cong. Cell Biol. Leiden 1954, p. 236–250. Groningen: P. Nordhoff 1955.
Robbins, E., and N. K. Gonatas: The ultrastructure of a mammalian cell during the mitotic cycle. J. Cell Biol. 21, 429–463 (1964).
Rodriguez, T. G.: Ultrastructural changes in the mouse exocrine pancreas induced by prolonged treatment with actinomycin D. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 19, 116–129 (1967).
Saunders, J. W., and J. F. Fallon: Cell death in morphogenesis. In: Major problems in developmental Biology, 25th Symp. Soc. Devel. Biol. (M. Locke, ed.), p. 289–316. New York and London: Academic Press 1966.
Scheib, D.: Structure fine du canal de Müller de l'embryon de Poulet: lésions cytoplasmiques du canal mâle en régression. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 260, 1252–1254 (1965).
Smith, R. E., and M. G. Farquhar: Lysosome function in the regulation of the secretory process in cells of the anterior pituitary gland. J. Cell Biol. 31, 319–347 (1966).
Sobel, H. J.: Electron microscopy of I131-irradiated thyroid. Arch. Path. 78, 53–60 (1964).
Steinberg, M. S.: The problem of adhesive selectivity in cellular interactions. In: Cellular membranes in development, 22nd Symp. Soc. Devel. Biol. (M. Locke, ed.), p. 321–366. New York and London: Academic Press 1964.
Swift, H., and Z. Hruban: Focal degradation as a biological process. Fed. Proc. 23, 1026–1037 (1964).
Trinkaus, J. P.: Behavior of disassociated retinal pigment cells in heterotypic cell aggregates. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 100, 413–434 (1963).
Weber, R.: Biochemistry of amphibian metamorphosis. In: Biochemistry of animal development, II (R. Weber, ed.) p. 227–301. New York: Academic Press 1967.
Weiss, J. M.: The ergastoplasm. Its fine structure and relation to protein synthesis as studied with the electron microscope in the pancreas of the Swiss albino mouse. J. exp. Med. 98, 607–618 (1953).
Wetzel, B. K., S. S. Spicer, and S. H. Wollman: Changes in fine structure and acid phosphatase localization in rat thyroid cells following thyrotopin administration. J. Cell Biol. 25, 593–618 (1965).
Wissig, S. L.: The anatomy of secretion in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. I. The fine structure of the gland in the normal rat. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 7, 419–432 (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by grants GB 1502 and GB 3925 from the National Science Foundation. The assistance of Sharon B. Stern in preparation of the manuscript is gratefully acknowledged.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hilfer, S.R., Iszard, L.B. & Hilfer, E.K. Follicle formation in the embryonic chick thyroid. Z. Zellforsch. 92, 256–269 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335651
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335651