Electron microscopic studies on radiation-induced changes of cell surface negative charges

Abstract

The amount and distribution of negatively charged sites of different cells (human fibroblasts, B16 melanoma cells, a human lymphoid leukemic cell type) were investigated. In the non-irradiated fibroblasts and B16 melanoma cells the negatively charged sites were localized mainly on apical and lateral surfaces as well as in a polarized manner. However, negatively charged sites on the control human lymphoid leukemic cells often have patched distribution. It was demonstrated that the amount and distribution of negatively charged sites on primary human fibroblasts and B16 melanoma cells changed upon ionizing radiation. However, the topology of negative charges on investigated human leukemic cell membrane did not change.