Electron microscope studies on the relationship between mitochondria and inclusion body in spheroid alveolar epithelial cell after vital staining with acidic and basic dyes.

Electron microscope observations were conducted on the relationship between mitochondria and inclusion body in mice spheroid alveolar epithelial cells after injection of trypan blue, an acidic dye and Alcian blue 8GS, a basic dye, by vital staining procedures. When both dyes were injected, the mitochondria of the spheroid alveolar epithelial cell became degenerated; however, in injection of only trypan blue, the cristae showed an increase in electron density. In injection on only Alcian blue 8GS, the cristae showed negative contrast. In most cases the trypan blue particles did not enter into mitochondria, whereas particles of Alcian blue 8GS sometimes entered into the mitochondria. When trypan blue particles entered mitochondria, deposits were not evident in the inclusion body, whereas when Alcian blue particles entered mitochondria deposits were seen in the inclusion body. In both of these cases only a few inclusion bodies were formed so that only traces or no inclusion bodies with vacuolar appearance were observed. From these findings it is suggested that mitochondria maybe convert to inclusion bodies.