Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Astroglial pattern in the spinal cord of the adult barbel (Barbus comiza)

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The distribution and the structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of the astroglial cells in the spinal cord of the adult barbel (Barbus comiza) have been studied by means of metallic impregnations (Golgi and gold-sublimate), immunohistochemical (GFAP and vimentin) and electron microscopic techniques. GFAP-positive cells were mainly distributed in the ependyma and in the periependymal region, but they have also been observed at subpial level in the anterior column. The ependymocytes were heterogeneous cells because they showed different immunohistochemical characteristics: GFAP-positive, vimentin-positive or non-immunoreactive cells. The radial astrocytes showed only GFAP immunoreactivity, and their processes ended at the subpial zone forming a continuous subpial glia limitans. Desmosomes and gap junctions between soniata and processes of radial astrocytes were numerous, and a relationship between radial astroglial processes and the nodes of Ranvier was also described. The perivascular glia limitans was poorly developed and it was not complete in the blood vessels of the periependymal zone; in this case, the basal lamina was highly developed. An important characteristic in the barbel spinal cord was the existence of a zone with an abundant extracellular space near the ependyma. The presence of radial astroglial somata at subpial level, the existence of vimentin-positive ependymocytes and the abundant extracellular space in the periependymal zone is discussed in relation to the regeneration capacity and the continuous growth showed by fish. Moreover, the abundance of gliofilaments and desmosomes leads us to suggest that mechanical support might be an important function for the astroglial cells in the barbel spinal cord.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achúcarro N (1913) De l'évolution de la néuroglie et spécialement de ses relations avec l'appareil vasculaire. Trab Lab Invest Biol 11:169–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson MJ, Swanson KA, Waxman SG, Eng LF (1984) Glial fibrillary acidic protein in regenerating teleost spinal cord. J Histochem Cytochem 31:1099–1106

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson MJ, Choy CY, Waxman SG (1986) Selforganization of ependyma in regenerating teleost spinal cord: evidence from serial section reconstructions. J Embryol Exp Morphol 96:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson MJ, Waxman SG, Fong HL (1987) Expiant cultures of teleost spinal cord: source of neurite outgrowth. Dev Biol 119:601–604

    Google Scholar 

  • Bairati A, Tripoli G (1954) Richerche morfologische ed istoquimiche sulla glia del nevrasse di vertebrati. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 39:392–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertolini B (1964) Ultrastructure of the spinal cord of the lamprey. J Ultrastruct Res 11:1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Bignami A, Raju T, Dahl D (1982) Localization of vimentin, the nonspecific intermediate filament protein, in embryonal glia and in early differentiating neurons. Dev Biol 91:286–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodega G, Fernández B, Suárez I, Gianonatti C (1986) Glioarchitectonics of the rat spinal cord. J Hirnforsch 27:577–585

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodega G, Suárez I, Fernández B (1987) Fine structural relationships between astrocytes and the node of Ranvier in the amphibian and reptilian spinal cord. Neurosci Lett 80:7–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodega G, Fernández B, Suárez I, Gianonatti C (1988) Glioarchitecture de la moelle épinière du crapaud (Bufo bufo L.): étude au microscope optique avec des techniques d'imprégnation métallique. Can J Zool 66:2415–2420

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodega G, Suárez I, Fernández B (1990a) Radial astrocytes and ependymocytes in the spinal cord of the adult toad (Bufo bufo L.). An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study. Cell Tissue Res 260:307–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodega G, Suárez I, Rubio M, Fernández B (1990b) Distribution and characteristics of the different astroglial cell types in the adult lizard (Lacerta lepida) spinal cord. Anat Embryol 181:567–575

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruni JE, Reddy K (1987) Ependyma of the central canal of the rat spinal cord: a light and transmission electron microscopic study. J Anat 152:55–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullón MM, Alvarez-Gago T, Fernández B, Aguirre C (1984) Glial fibrillary acidic (GFAP) protein in rat spinal cord. An immunoperoxidase study in semithin sections. Brain Res 309:79–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Bundgaard M, Cserr H (1981) A glial blood-brain barrier in elasmobranchs. Brain Res 226:61–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardone B, Roots BI (1990) Comparative immunohistochemical study of glial filament proteins (glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin) in goldfish, octopus and snail. Glia 3:180–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrato A, Toledano A, Barca MA (1981) Postnatal development of astrocytic glia in the cerebellum of Cyprinus carpio. Eleventh Int Cong Anat, Glial and Neuronal Cell Biology. Lis, New York pp 37–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochard P, Paulin D (1983) Initial expression of neurofilaments and vimentin in the central and peripheral nervous system of the mouse embryo in vivo. J Neurosci 4:2080–2094

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl D, Bignami A (1973) Immunochemical and immunofluorescence studies of the GFAP in vertebrates. Brain Res 61:279–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl D, Crosby CJ, Sethi JS, Bignami A (1985) Glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein in vertebrates: immunofluorescence and immunoblotting study with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. J Comp Neurol 239:75–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards MA, Yamamoto M, Caviness VS (1990) Organization of radial glia and related cells in the developing murine CNS. An analysis based upon a new monoclonal antibody marker. Neuroscience 36:121–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould SJ, Howard S, Papadaki L (1990) The development of ependyma in the human fetal brain: an immunohistological and electron microscopic study. Dev Brain Res 55:255–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Highly HR, McNulty JA, Rowden G (1984) Glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein in pineal supportive cells: an electron microscopic study. Brain Res 304:117–120

    Google Scholar 

  • King JS (1966) A comparative investigation of neuroglia in representative vertebrates: a silver carbonate study. J Morphol 119:435–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Korte GE, Rosenbluth J (1981) Ependymal astrocytes in the frog cerebellum. Anat Rec 199:267–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger L, Maxwell DS (1966) The fine structure of ependymal processes in teleost optic tectum. Am J Anat 119:479–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger L, Maxwell DS (1967) Comparative fine structure of vertebrate neuroglia. Teleosts and reptiles. J Comp Neurol 129:115–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Lara JM, Alonso JR, Vecino E, Coveñas R, Aijón J (1989) Neuroglia in the optic tectum of teleosts. J Hirnforsch 30:465–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauro GM, Fonti R, Margotta V (1991) Phylogenetic evolution of intermediate filament associated proteins in ependymal cells of several adult poikilotherm vertebrates. J Hirnforsch 32:257–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine RL (1989) Organization of astrocytes in the visual pathways of the goldfish: an immunohistochemical study. J Comp Neurol 285:231–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukáš Z, Dráber P, Buček J, Dráberová E, Viklický V, Stašková Z (1989) Expression of vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein in human developing spinal cord. Histochem J 21:693–702

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggs A, Scholes J (1990) Reticular astrocytes in the fish optic nerve: macroglia with epithelial characteristics form an axially repeated lacework pattern, to which nodes of Ranvier are apposed. J Neurosci 10:1600–1614

    Google Scholar 

  • Meikle ADS, Martin AH (1981) A rapid method for removal of the spinal cord. Stain Technol 56:235–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RH, Liuzzi FJ (1986) Regional specialization of the radial glial cells of the adult frog spinal cord. J Neurocytol 15:187–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Misson JP, Takahashi T, Caviness VS (1991) Ontogeny of radial and other astroglial cells in murine cerebral cortex. Glia 4:138–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori K, Ikeda J, Hayaishi O (1990) Monoclonal antibody R2D5 reveals midsagittal radial glial system in postnatally developing and adult brainstem. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87:5489–5493

    Google Scholar 

  • Navascués J, Martín-Partido, Alvarez IS, Rodríguez-Gallardo L, García-Martínez V (1987) Glioblast migration in the optic stalk of the chick embryo. Anat Embryol 176:79–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Nona SN, Shebab SAS, Stafford CA, Cronly-Dillon JR (1989) Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) from goldfish: its localisation in visual pathway. Glia 2:189–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Onteniente B, Kimura H, Maeda T (1983) Comparative study of the glial fibrillary acidic protein in vertebrates by PAP immunohistochemistry. J Comp Neurol 215:427–436

    Google Scholar 

  • Phelps CH (1972) The development of glio-vascular relationships in the rat spinal cord. An electron microscopic study. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 128:555–563

    Google Scholar 

  • Pouwels E (1978) On the development of the cerebellum of the trout, Salmo gairdneri. Anat Embryol 153:67–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Raine C (1984) On the association between perinodal astrocytic processes and the node of Ranvier in the C.N.S. J Neurocytol 13:21–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón y Cajal S (1909–11) Histologie du système nerveux de l'homme et des vertébrés. Maloine, Paris (reprinted 1972, Inst. Ramón y Cajal, CSIC, Madrid)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón y Cajal S (1916) El proceder del oro-sublimado para la coloración de la neuroglia. Trab Lab Invest Biol 14:155–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Roessman U, Velasco ME, Sindley SD, Gambetti P (1980) Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in ependymal cells during development. An immunocytochemical study. Brain Res 200: 13–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubio M, Suárez I, Bodega G, Fernández B (1992) Glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin immunohistochemistry in the posterior rhombencephalon of the iberian barb (Barbus comiza). Neurosci Lett 134:203–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarnat HB (1992) Regional differentiation of the human fetal ependyma: immunocytochemical markers. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 51:58–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarnat HB, Campa JF, Lloyd JM (1975) Inverse prominence of ependyma and capillaries in the spinal cord of vertebrates: a comparative histochemical study. Am J Anat 143:439–449

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki H, Mannen H (1981) Morphological analysis of astrocytes in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) spinal cord with special reference to the site attachment of their processes. J Comp Neurol 198:13–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Seitz R, Löhler J, Schwendemann G (1981) Ependyma and meninges of the spinal cord of the mouse: a light- and electronmicroscopic study. Cell Tissue Res 220:61–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Shehab SSA, Stafford CA, Nona SN, Cronly-Dillon JR (1989) Anti-goldfish glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) recognises astrocytes from rat CNS. Brain Res 504:343–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Silver ML (1942) The glial elements of the spinal cord of the frog. J Comp Neurol 77:41–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims TJ, Waxman SG, BLack JA, Gilmore SA (1985) Perinodal astrocytic processes at nodes of Ranvier in developing normal and glial cell deficient rat spinal cord. Brain Res 337:321–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims TJ, Gilmore SA, Waxman SG (1991) Radial glia give rise to perinodal processes. Brain Res 549:25–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Stensaas LJ, Stensaas SS (1968a) Astrocytic neuroglial cells, oligodendrocytes and microgliacytes in the spinal cord of the toad. I. Light microscopy. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 84:473–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Stensaas LJ, Stensaas SS (1968b) Astrocytic neuroglial cells, oligodendrocytes and microgliacytes in the spinal cord of the toad. II. Electron microscopy. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 86:184–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Stensaas LJ, Stensaas SS (1968c) Light microscopy of glial cells in turtles and birds. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 91:315–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson JA, Yoon MG (1982) Morphology of radial glia, ependymal cells, and periventricular neurons in the optic tectum of goldfish (Carassius auratus). J Comp Neurol 205:128–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez I, Raff M (1989) Subpial and perivascular astrocytes are associated with nodes of Ranvier in the rat optic nerve. J Neurocytol 18:577–582

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez I, Fernández B, Bodega G, Tranque P, Olmos G, GarcíaSegura LM (1987) Postnatal development of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the hamster arcuate nucleus. Dev Brain Res 37:89–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez I, Bodega G, Rubio M, Fernández B (1992) Sexual dimorphism in the hamster cerebellum demonstrated by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin immunoreactivity. Glia 5:10–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Szaro BG, Gainer H (1988) Immunocytochemical identification of non-neuronal intermediate filament protein in the developing Xenopus laevis nervous system. Dev Brain Res 43:207–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi T, Misson JP, Caviness VS (1990) Glial process elongation and branching in the developing murine neocortex: a qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical analysis. J Comp Neurol 302:15–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapscott SJ, Bennett GS, Toyama Y, Kleinbart F, Holtzer H (1981) Intermediate filament protein in the developing chick spinal cord. Dev Biol 86:40–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Raamsdonk W, Heyting C, Pool CW, Smit-Onel MJ, Groen JL (1984) Differentiation of neurons and radial glia in the spinal cord of the teleost Brachydanio rerio (the zebrafish): an immunocytochemical study. Int J Dev Neurosci 2:471–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolburg H, Bouzehouane U (1986) Comparison of the glial investment of normal and regenerating fiber bundles in the optic nerve and optic tectum of the goldfish and the crucian carp. Cell Tissue Res 244:187–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolburg H, Kastner R, Kurz-Isler G (1983) Lack of orthogonal particle assemblies and presence of tight junctions in astrocytes of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Cell Tissue Res 234:389–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Zamora AJ, Mutin M (1988) Vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein filaments in radial glia of the adult urodele spinal cord. Neuroscience 27:279–288

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    G. Bodega, I. Suárez, M. Rubio & R. M. Villalba

  2. Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, E-28040, Madrid, Spain

    B. Fernández

Authors
  1. G. Bodega
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. Suárez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Rubio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. M. Villalba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. Fernández
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bodega, G., Suárez, I., Rubio, M. et al. Astroglial pattern in the spinal cord of the adult barbel (Barbus comiza). Anat Embryol 187, 385–395 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185897

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185897

Key words

Search

Navigation