Direct visualization of cell to cell coupling: transfer of fluorescent probes in living mammalian pancreatic acini.

A technique whereby it is possible directly to observe the movement of organic molecules from cell to cell in living mammalian exocrine glands is described. Thin translucent segments of mouse pancreas are mounted in a superfusion bath. Fluorescent probes are injected intracellularly via fine micropipettes and fluorescence observed. Both fluorescein (mol. wt. 332) and procion yellow (mol. wt. 697) are shown to be transferred from the injection cell to neighbouring acinar cells. This shows directly the existence of intercellular communicating pathways.