Morphological and cytochemical investigation of human mesothelial cells from pleural and peritoneal effusions: a light and electron microscopy study.

We investigated the morphological and cytochemical properties of mesothelial cells obtained from pleural and peritoneal effusions of patients with various diseases. The morphological features were studied by light and electron microscopy and by cytochemical methods. The different kinds of contact between mesothelial cells and their interaction with lymphocytes were observed and the transition of mesothelial cells to macrophages and/or fibroblasts was demonstrated.