Summary
Mucosubstances of the mouse gallbladder epithelial cells were investigated with light and electron microscopic techniques. Based on results obtained with light microscopic histochemical techniques, viz. staining with PAS, Azure A and different Alcian blue methods in combination with various digestion procedures, the mucosubstance could be classified as a so-called GC-mucin according to the nomenclature of Spicer et al. (1965). Applying the electron microscope for a closer study of epithelial cell structure and utilizing among other techniques the PA-CrA-silver staining method for polysaccharides of Rambourg et al. (1969) the mucosubstance was traced to membrane bounded cytoplasmic granules, 0.2–0.3 μ in diameter. The latter proved secretory in nature and their discharge from the cells could be brought about by feeding starved animals with olive oil. The cells also exhibited pinocytotic activity as judged by their uptake of thorotrast particles injected in vivo into the gallbladder.
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Wahlin, T., Bloom, G.D. & Carlsöö, B. Histochemical observations with the light and the electron microscope on the mucosubstances of the normal mouse gallbladder epithelial cells. Histochemistry 42, 119–131 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00533263
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00533263