Fig. 5

Transmission electron micrographs of MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells treated with a DMSO and b 3MA showed intact nuclear envelope and cytoplasmic membranes with minimal cell protrusions. c Actinomycin D-exposed cells showed membrane blebbing and apoptotic body formation. d Tamoxifen-treated cells showed an increase in vesicle formation when compared to e tamoxifen with 3MA. f ESE-15-ol-treated cells showed hypercondensed chromatin with an increase in vesicle- and apoptotic body formation. g Cells exposed to ESE-15-ol concurrent to autophagy inhibition with 3MA showed less signs of cell distress, fewer vesicles and intact nuclear membranes (Scale bar 5 μM) (Arrow colour keys: white = intact nuclear membrane; red = apoptotic bodies; yellow = vesicles)