The ultrastructure of human embryo heart cells in culture / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

The article reports the ultrastructural changes of 5 cases of 4 months human embryo heart ceils uncultured, after trypsinization and after 1,2,3,4,5 days in culture.1. Uncultured 4 month's human embryo heart cell contained a nucleus, located in the center of cytoplasm. A lot of glycogen and ribosome were seen in the cytoplasm. Myofibrils located in the periphery of cytoplasm, and Z line can be seen. A few mitochondria developed rather poorly. Intercalated discs can be seen, which is composed of desmosome, gap junction and fascia adherens.2. The harmful effect of trypsin on heart cells is controversial.3. The ultrastructure of human embryo heart cells in 1,2,3 day old culture showed an appearance like uncultured cardiac cells. Dedifferentiation was not seen.4. Some of human embryo heart cells in 4 and 5 day old culture showed sarcomere imperfection, thick Z line, swollen mitochondriae and cell degradation.5. According to our observation abundant glycogen and ribosome in cardiac cell is not only a characteristic of cultured heart cell, but also a characteristic of embryonic cell.