Ultrastructure of Avian Myeloblasts in Tissue Culture23

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Abstract
Studies were made on the ultrastructure of avian myeloblasts from the circulating blood of chickens with myeloblastosis; on the cells after 2 days in tissue culture in 50 percent chicken serum; and on the cells after culture under the same conditions for 18 to 31 days. Brief examinations were made also of blast cells in the bone marrow of chickens without disease. Myeloblasts in the blood exhibited a structure indistinguishable from that of blast cells with the characteristics of myeloblasts in the bone marrow. The blood cells showed only infrequently any evidence of intracellular structure recognizable as related to virus infection and synthesis. Previous work had revealed some, but very little more, evidence of intracellular virus in the cells from cultures in serum of low, 20 percent, concentration. In contrast, cells placed in a high concentration of serum underwent a remarkable enhancement of activity and showed the presence of large numbers of “gray body” structures which contained identifiable virus particles. In cells from cultures carried 3 to 4 weeks there was a sequence of structures grading from gray bodies to vesicles and vacuoles containing virus particles in small numbers. In the overall studies a series of transitional forms was seen with apparent intercorrelations of gray bodies, mitochondria, vesicles, and vacuoles involved in virus synthesis and disposal. The cells multiplied rapidly, liberated virus at a high rate, and retained the characteristics of malignancy. It appears that the gray bodies and mitochondria are related structures and constitute the major site of virus synthesis.

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