Immunofluorescence microscopic demonstration of vimentin filaments in asteroid bodies of sarcoidosis. A comparison with electron microscopic findings.

Asteroid bodies in multinucleate giant cells from sarcoid granulomas were investigated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. The following points have been established: 1. Asteroid bodies are made up of individual components of the so-called cytoskeleton, predominantly vimentin filaments. Microtubules are involved in smaller amounts in the formation of the asteroid bodies. 2. They arise within the area of the cytosphere. The body of the asteroid includes the centrioles while the arms of the asteroid usually extend into the Golgi area and occasionally up to the cell nuclei. 3. Asteroid bodies result from aggregation of the flexible filamentous and microtubular systems of the centrosphere. The processes of aggregation probably result from local fluid shifts and sol-gel transformations. 4. The stellate form of the aggregations is determined by the preexistent radial arrangement of the elements of the cytosphere. 5. The prevailing specific environment of the underlying granulomatous disease, together with the internal characteristics of the structure and function of the giant cells, in particular in states of exhaustion may play a part in their development.