ABSTRACT
The surface bumps of nucleated cells play a preeminent role in cell-substrate and cell-cell interactions, and the organization of the various rough patches is directly related to cellular cytoskeletal elements. The role of the microvilli in initiating the intercellular contact has been investigated with electron microscopy. Using scanning electron microscopy, N. Weller demonstrated a redistribution of the concanavalin A binding sites suggesting movement of molecules inside the membrane depending on the extent to which the cell periphery extended into pseudopodia. Electron microscopic examination of cell-cell contact or cytotoxic T lymphocytes -target interaction has been often performed, but the authors have mainly observed the aspect of microvilli with conventional or scanning microscope using freeze fracture or immunoelectron microscopic techniques. Smoothing of the cell surface may be an active cell process that could be triggered by the stimulation of suitable cell surface receptors.
