Alterations of the cytoplasmic organization of WIRL cells induced by trifluoperazine

The antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP) causes a reversible rounding of cells of the rat liver epithelial cell line, WIRL. We have investigated the cytoplasmic organization of these cells after TFP treatment using SEM, TEM and immunofluorescence and have observed significant differences between the control and treated cells. Mitochondria are converted to the condensed configuration with distended cristae and the endoplasmic reticulum becomes tubular with distended cisternae. Intermediate filaments, visualized with a monoclonal antibody, are aggregated to a cap on the nucleus in an arrangement different from that induced by colcemid.