Characterization of glycoconjugates in an embryonic human epithelial line and changes consequent to adaptation to a hyperosmotic medium

Cell surface and cytoplasmic glycoconjugates were characterized in embryonic human explant cells (a transformed heteroploid line) cultured in iso-osmotic medium (0.137m NaCl) and in hyperosmotic medium (0.274m NaCl) for 10 days in order to study the changes induced in these compounds by hyperosmoticity. Cytochemical and ultracytochemical staining selective for glycoconjugates was carried out. The following results were obtained: (1) glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans and glycolipids are present on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm of the explant cells; (2) lectin histochemistry combined with glycosidase digestion demonstrated the presence of the disaccharides fucose-N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid-β-galactose as terminal sequences; (3) histophotometric evaluation of lectin labelling showed a noticeable decrease in histochemical reactivity of adapted cells; (4) plasma membrane cell coat decreased in adapted cells, which was emphasized by ultracytochemical reactions and a rearrangement of glycolipids in the cytoplasm.