Application of Backscattered Electron Imaging to Enzyme Cytochemistry of Phytohemagglutinin-Stimulated Blastoid Cells.

Backscattered electron imaging (BEI) mode of scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to study cytochemical reactions of acid phosphatase, peroxidase, nonpocific esterase, and a silver-ataining method for nuclei of human blastoid cells in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated culture. Acid phosphatase activity was detected within the lysosomes and sometimes in the endoplasmic reticulum of PHA blastoid cells and monocytes. Peroxidase-positive granules after staining with osmium were seen in blastoid cells with good contrast and resolution in the BEI mode of SEM. Nonspecific esterase activity was also demonstrated in the BEI mode after incubation of the cells in Hanker's medium and ataining with osmium. These enzyme activities were generally visible at the identical sites of blastoid cell was always well-preserved in spite of the short fixation and the cytochemical procedure, and comparable to conventional SEM controls. Silver staining permitted recognition of the nuclear shapes and the fine chromatin patterns within the cultured cells.

Backscattered electron imaging

Scanning electron microscopy Lymphocyte blastogenesis

Enzyme cytochemistry

Phytohemagglutinin