Observations of the surface morphology of cultured granulated metrial gland cells

Abstract

The surface morphology of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells which had migrated from cultured explants of mouse metrial gland tissue has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Granulated metrial gland cells have a very characteristic 3-dimensional morphology with a particularly large cell body and the exposed surface of the cultured cells exhibits various combinations of thin microvillous processes and leaf-like processes. Some GMG cells have a relatively smooth surface. Many GMG cells have a leading lamellipodium characteristic of motile cells and long trailing filopodia. In mixed cell cultures it was possible to distinguish, on the basis of the combination of their size and surface features, GMG cells from macrophages, natural killer cells, lymphokine-activated cells and small lymphocytes derived from the peritoneal cavity or spleen.