Ultrastructural and Stereological Analysis of Walker 256 Carcinosarcoma Cells at Various Stages of Their Differentiation

Ultrastructural and stereological study of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells implanted into the femoral muscle of Wistar rats was performed. Two types of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells were distinguished and their ultrastructural analysis was carried out. Five differentiation stages were described for each of the two cell types. Differentiation of carcinosarcoma cells was associated with a decrease of the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, enlargement of the cell, and hyperplasia of granular cytoplasmic reticulum elements, fixed ribosomes, and mitochondria. Differences in the ultrastructure of the two cell types at similar differentiation stages were detected.