Long-term organ culture of human uterine endocervix.

Explants of human endocervix have been maintained in organ culture for 24 weeks. The epithelium was viable for the entire duration of culture, as demonstrated by ultrastructural morphology and mitotic activity. The epithelium of the explants retained a near normal morphology for 2 to 4 weeks. The only changes observed were decreased mucus secretion in columnar cells, focal epidermoid metaplasia, and an increase in autophagic vacuoles. Subsequently, a slowly progressive transformation of the columnar epithelium into a metaplastic epithelium was observed, with loss of mucus-secreting columnar cells and ciliated cells and the appearance of cuboidal and flattened epidermoid cells, forming often two to three layers. Metaplasia began at the top of the papillae and ridges and extended progressively downwards into the clefts. Nevertheless, in a few areas deep in the clefts, columnar cells retained evidence of mucus secretion during the entire duration of culture. Epidermoid metaplasia appeared to develop in the explants by transformation of columnar mucous cells into cuboidal and flattened cells with epidermoid characteristics. This hypothesis is supported by ultrastructural observations that showed mucus secretion and early keratinization in the metaplastic cells. Mitotic figures were observed with transmission electron microscopy for up to 24 weeks, and all dividing cells contained mucous granules.