ISSN:
1432-0533
Keywords:
Mouse mutant Jimpy
;
Optic nerve
;
Lipid ultrastructure
;
Phagolysosomes
;
Phagocytes
;
Histochemistry
;
Freeze-etching
;
Thin sections
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Optic nerves of the mouse mutant Jimpy and controls were studied in different developmental stages. The results cast some light on the nature and ultrastructure of intracellular lipids, which are a striking feature in the CNS of these affected mice. Light Microscopy. In the premyelination period the activity of acid phosphatase is quite similar in the lysosomes of both animal groups. A much higher increase of reaction product was found in Jimpy compared to controls during the advanced myelination stages. The normal glial cell arrangement in rows is absent in leucodystrophic animals. Electron Microscopy. Replicas of freeze-etched Jimpy optic nerves show lipid loaded cells exhibiting a plasma membrane different from that of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, thus suggesting a relationship to phagocyting microglia. Furthermore, the rare myelin membranes are almost particle free. Three types of structurally different lipid inclusions could be observed. Most of the lipidic bodies are surrounded by a membrane studded with particles. The freeze-fractured morphology of the lipid inclusions was compared with the appearance in thin sections, incubated for acid phosphatase demonstration. Acid phosphatase reaction product within all three types of lipid containing vesicles indicate the lysosomal nature of these structures, which may represent myelin breakdown products and/or myelin precursors.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00702674
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