Related Experiment Videos
Possible role of microtubules in tumor cell surface membrane shedding, permeability, and lympholysis
Abstract:
Low temperature (0 degrees C/1 hr) induced changes in the mastocytoma P815 cell surface morphology which mimicked those induced by alloimmune T-lymphocytes during the cytolytic process. These morphological changes consist of the formation and shedding of membrane vesicles (MV) from the P815 cell surface. When the low-temperature-induced MV shedding process takes place at 22 degrees C, it occurs without changes in membrane permeability to 51Cr, whereas at 37 degrees C, the kinetics of 51Cr release resemble those induced by alloimmune T lymphocytes. The effects of two microtubule-stabilizing agents, deuterium oxide and hexylene glycol, were investigated on the low-temperature-induced MV shedding process as well as on the lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis (LMC) of target cells. These agents were found to inhibit (a) the low-temperature-induced MV shedding, (b) the low-temperature-induced membrane permeability changes to 51Cr, and (c) the LMC process. These data indicate that disruption of microtubules may be involved in all these events.
Insights
Low temperatures induce membrane vesicle shedding in P815 cells, similar to T-lymphocyte action. Microtubule-disrupting agents inhibit this process and lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Cytotoxicity
Background:
- Cell surface morphology changes are critical in cellular processes.
- Lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis (LMC) involves complex cellular interactions.
- Mastocytoma P815 cells serve as a model for studying cell surface dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microtubules in low-temperature-induced membrane vesicle (MV) shedding.
- To compare low-temperature-induced changes with T-lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis.
- To determine the effect of microtubule-stabilizing agents on MV shedding and LMC.
Main Methods:
- Induction of membrane vesicle shedding in P815 cells at low temperatures (0°C).
- Assessment of membrane permeability changes using 51Cr release at different temperatures (22°C and 37°C).
- Treatment with microtubule-stabilizing agents (deuterium oxide, hexylene glycol) and evaluation of their effects on MV shedding and LMC.
Main Results:
- Low temperature induced P815 cell surface morphological changes, including membrane vesicle shedding.
- MV shedding at 22°C did not affect membrane permeability, but at 37°C, 51Cr release kinetics mimicked LMC.
- Microtubule-stabilizing agents inhibited low-temperature-induced MV shedding, membrane permeability changes, and LMC.
Conclusions:
- Microtubule disruption is implicated in low-temperature-induced membrane vesicle shedding.
- The mechanisms underlying low-temperature-induced changes and LMC share similarities.
- Microtubule integrity is crucial for both MV shedding and lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis.