Autophagic mechanisms in diethylnitrosamine-induced tracheal papillomas of Syrian golden hamster.

Treatment with diethylnitrosamine induced tracheal papillomas in the Syrian golden hamster. Enlarged lysosomes (EL) occurred in a particular type of cells situated at the periphery of tumor lobules. The differentiated phenotype of these cells in secretory in nature. As to the significance of EL occurrence, two possibilities are considered: 1) EL formation is a part of disposal mechanisms after the autophagocytosis of undischarged secretory products by secondary lysosomes and 2) ELs are indicative of sublethal injury to cells of the outermost layer of tracheal papillomas.