Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies on non-ciliated cells of the tracheal epithelium of normal, phenobarbital-treated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated mice.

Non-ciliated SER-rich cells of the tracheal epithelium of normal, phenobarbital-treated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated mice were studied ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically. The apical portion of these cells protrudes into the tracheal lumen, especially in the mice treated with the two compounds, and the apical cytoplasm is filled with numerous tubular elements of SER. Besides, the non-ciliated cells of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated mice show a strong positive reaction to the antiserum against microsomal cytochrome P-450 of liver. These findings support the concept that the non-ciliated tracheal cell may be involved in the metabolism of endogeneous and exogeneous chemical compounds.