EXPERIMENTAL-EVIDENCE OF SECRETION BY MOUSE GRANULATED METRIAL GLAND-CELLS

Granulated metrial gland cells are cytotoxic cells found in the uterin e wall in pregnancy. In this study, the involvement of the cytoplasmic granules of mouse granulated metrial gland cells during cytolysis of fibrosarcoma Wehi 164 cells was investigated in vitro. Using the lecti n Helix pomatia agglutinin which binds to the granule membrane, but no t to the cell membrane, of mouse granulated metrial gland cells, the l imiting membrane of one or more cytoplasmic granules became incorporat ed into the cell membrane of the granulated metrial gland cells during cytolysis of Wehi 164 cells. It is concluded that this occurs during exocytosis of the contents of the granules and describes the first exp erimental evidence of secretion by mouse granulated metrial gland cell s. (C) 1997 W. B. Saunders Company Ltd.