INVITRO DEMONSTRATION OF MALLORY BODY FORMATION IN LIVER-CELLS FROM RATS FED DIETHYLNITROSAMINE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (3) , 295-303
Abstract
Epithelioid liver cells were established in culture from rats sacrificed 10-18 wk after administration of the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine in their drinking water. After approximately 3 mo. in vitro, more than half the cells propagated from rats that developed hepatocellular carcinomas had bean-shaped, acentrically displaced nuclei with large juxtanuclear homogeneous appearing areas resembling hyalin or Mallory bodies in the livers of chronic alocholics. These abnormalities were not seen in the livers of origin, but were retained in the carcinomas that formed after cultured cells containing such juxtanuclear hyalin inclusions were inoculated into young rats or nude (i.e., thymusless) mice. These features persisted on reestablishment and continuous passage of the tumor cells in culture. The cells were further characterized by their karyotypes and growth properties in liquid media and soft agar. By transmission electron microscopy the hyaline bodies in the cultured tumor cells consisted of a disorganized meshwork of filaments. Examination by incubating cells with cytochalasin B and using antiactin and anti-DNase antisera as indirect immunofluorescence probes also revealed a disturbance in the cytoskeleton.