EFFECT OF SODIUM BUTYRATE ON THE GRANULOPOIESIS OF MASTOCYTOMA-CELLS

The effect of sodium butyrate on mastocytoma p-815-4 cells was examined. In the presence of butyrate, the proliferation of mastocytoma p-815-4 cells decreased without any detectable cellular degeneration, and the average cell volume of the butyrate-treated cells increased. These cells tended to adhere to the substratum, and manifested their morphological changes. On the second day after the addition of butyrate, basophilic granules appeared around the Golgi area and gradually increased in number and in size. Ultrastructural examination with the electron microscope showed a well developed Golgi complex, numerous basophilic granules, many profiles of endoplasmic reticulum and many microvilli. These changes were maximized 3-4 days after the addition of this agent. The agglutination of the butyrate-treated cells by concanavalin A (ConA) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) did not change significantly. The induction of granulopoiesis of the cells in the presence of butyrate was prevented by the addition of actinomycin D or cycloheximide. © 1978.