Perineuronal Oligodendrocytes Research Articles

Comparison of oligodendrocytes grown in neocortex and spinal cord aggregate cultures

Mechanically dissociated cells of mouse central nervous system (CNS) (neocortex and spinal cord) form spherical aggregates in rotation culture and develop into populations of mature neurons and glial cells. Synapses and myelination of axons are evident in these aggregates although onset of these processes differs between aggregate types. In this study neocortex aggregates display synapses at 2 weeks in culture but do not demonstrate myelination of axons until 8 weeks. Spinal cord aggregates demonstrate myelinated axons at 2 weeks in culture although there are few synapses evident. The difference in myelination onset is due in part to the development of predominantly perineuronal oligodendrocytes in neocortex aggregates compared to the development of interfascicular oligodendrocytes in spinal cord aggregates. Both types of oligodendrocytes exhibit light, medium and dark categories and both cell types are capable of myelinating axons in culture.

Immunohistochemical localization of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in adult bovine cerebrum and cerebellum.

We have previously shown that 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP; EC 3.1.4.37) in rat central nervous tissues can be immunohistochemically stained with anti-bovine CNP serum. However, the anti-bovine CNP serum prepared in our laboratory has only weak cross-reactivity with rat CNP. Sections of bovine nervous tissues were found to be stained effectively with the serum, and the localization of CNP has been revealed in greater detail. We describe here the immunohistochemical localization of CNP in adult bovine cerebrum and cerebellum. CNP stained was localized in myelin sheaths, oligodendrocytes, and the processes of oligodendrocytes; astrocytes and neurons were negative. All myelinated nerve fibers appeared to be stained with the anti-CNP serum. Perineuronal and perivascular oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocytes extending their processes to isolated myelin fibers were stained. Interfascicular oligodendrocytes, however, did not react or reacted faintly to the anti-CNP serum; only their processes were reactive. Comparison with the stain for S-100 protein was helpful to distinguish oligodendrocytes from astrocytes particularly when both glial cells were situated together at the perineuronal and perivascular positions.

Electron-microscopic studies on primate neurons: microtubule-pigment associations.

The relationship between microtubules and the lipoprotein pigment found in senile Cynomolgus brain and senile human brain biopsy material was investigated. Numerous microtubules were present in all parts of the cytoplasm and within the pigment areas, running parallel or obliquely to the pigment bodies and being associated with its lateral aspects. Microtubules also occurred in the periphery of neurons or appearing to enter the perineuronal oligodendrocytes. These observations indicate a possible role of microtubules in the transport of pigment bodies. The oligodendrocyte from human brain biopsy material has definitely taken the role of a phagocyte in ingesting pigment bodies. Its numerous microtubules may offer a fasting moving system for disposing off pigment residures to the capillary endothelium.