Features of developing ferret tracheal epithelium: ultrastructural observations of in vivo and in vitro differentiation of ciliated cells.

Ultrastructural features of the developing, surface epithelium of ferrets from birth to 28 days of age were characterized. Progressive ciliogenesis in vivo was observed, beginning with cells covering the membranous portion of the trachea. Emerging cilia appeared in ultrathin sections and by scanning electron microscopy at sites correlating with accumulation of integral membrane particles seen in freeze-fracture preparations. Two patterns of ciliogenesis were observed: (1) the random emergence of cilia over the apical cell surface, and (2) initial emergence of cilia at the peripheral boundary of the luminal border of individual cells. Novel, ringlike structures were observed on the surfaces of nonciliated cells at all ages studied. Active ciliogenesis as well as the appearance of ring structures also were documented in the superficial epithelium from 1- to 5-day-old animals maintained in vitro for up to 4 days.