Effects of cold stress on cellular structure and function /

The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain more precisely the limits of tolerance of cells in vitro to cold, as a basis for investigations on the cellular mechanisms affected. Mouse kidney cells were maintained in a perfusion chamber arranged for cooling and warming at various rates. Normal tissue culture media were used. Nearly all cells exposed to -0.3 C for 10 minutes, then warmed to 37 C, lived. Nearly all cells exposed to -1 C or lower for 10 minutes, and warmed to 37 C, died. The critical lethal cold shock seems to be between -0.3 and -0.7 C. Cold shock seems to produce little obvious change in cells, but mitochondrial breaks and swelling are obivous in electron micrographs. Also, nuclear ground substance appeared more granular than normal. One hypothesis was that microcrystallization probably occurs in certain organelles, particularly the mitochondria because these organelles are in constant motion. Similar results were obtained in experiments with human neutrophiles. (Author)."May 1966."The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain more precisely the limits of tolerance of cells in vitro to cold, as a basis for investigations on the cellular mechanisms affected. Mouse kidney cells were maintained in a perfusion chamber arranged for cooling and warming at various rates. Normal tissue culture media were used. Nearly all cells exposed to -0.3 C for 10 minutes, then warmed to 37 C, lived. Nearly all cells exposed to -1 C or lower for 10 minutes, and warmed to 37 C, died. The critical lethal cold shock seems to be between -0.3 and -0.7 C. Cold shock seems to produce little obvious change in cells, but mitochondrial breaks and swelling are obivous in electron micrographs. Also, nuclear ground substance appeared more granular than normal. One hypothesis was that microcrystallization probably occurs in certain organelles, particularly the mitochondria because these organelles are in constant motion. Similar results were obtained in experiments with human neutrophiles. (Author).Research supported by Aerospace Medical Division, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force; report prepared by the Department of Biology, University of Pittsburgh, under contract no.Mode of access: Internet