The present study described the labelling of amoeboid microglial cells in the postnatal rat brain with OX-42, an antibody that recognizes type 3 complement receptors CR3 in mononuclear phagocytes. Of the diverse morphological forms of amoeboid microglia present in the corpus callosum in early postnatal (2-5 days) rats, cells with a round regular outline, or showing short stout processes, were the most intensely stained. When traced from the main cell colony into the borderline zone with the cortex, the immunoreactivity of amoeboid microglia that assumed a ramified form was drastically reduced. Examination of materials from the late postnatal (8-12 days) age group showed that the majority of the OX-42 positive cells in the corpus callosum became oval, elongated and ramified. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the above observations, and also showed that the immunoreactivity in the round amoeboid microglia was localized in their plasma membrane, surface projections and invaginations, as well as in some of the subsurface vacuoles. The immunoreactivity was reduced in the oval cells, and diminished in the elongated or ramified form. It is proposed that the presence of CR3 membrane receptors in amoeboid microglial cells is related to their active role in endocytosis. These, however, diminish with the growth of the brain.

The present study described the normal ultrastructure of the monkey pineal gland. The gland was composed of the principal pinealocytes, intramural neurons and glial cells. The nucleus of the pinealocytes was deeply infolded with evenly distributed chromatin materials. The abundant cytoplasm was rich in organelles including the well-developed Golgi apparatuses, multivesicular bodies, dense-cored vesicles and widely scattered free and polyribosomes. A variety of axon terminals was observed and the majority of them contained pleomorphic agranular vesicles with a few large dense-cored vesicles. A few terminals showed flattened vesicles or small dense cored vesicles. Some of the axon terminals formed synaptic contacts with the cell bodies of pinealocytes. These synapses were mainly concentrated in the posterior third of the gland. The occasional intramural neurons observed were postsynaptic to axon terminals containing round agranular vesicles. The sources of the nerve fibres and terminals forming synaptic junctions with pinealocytes and intramural neurons were discussed.

The neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus (DMN) of the monkey (Macaca fascicularis) were of two main types: small (13 X 8 micron) and medium-sized (20 X 13 micron). The latter, which were the predominant form, contained a pale oval nucleus surrounded by organelle-rich cytoplasm. Between one and three long principal dendrites per section profile arose from each of the somata. Both axosomatic and axodendritic synapses were seen on these cells although the latter were more common. No structural changes were noted in the DMN 1-3 days after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Some of the dendrites of the medium-sized axotomized vagal neurons appeared darkened 5-10 days after the operation. With longer surviving intervals, i.e. 21 and 28 days after operation, darkened dendrites were more commonly seen and the cytoplasmic density of these dendrites was dramatically enhanced. Their mitochondria were pale and some of them also showed vesiculation. Both normal and degenerating axon terminals were seen to form synaptic contacts with the darkened dendrites. The degenerating axon terminals were characterized by the clumping of their round agranular vesicles. Both darkened dendrites and degenerating axon terminals were phagocytosed by hypertrophied astrocytes and activated microglial cells. Blood elements infiltrating into the DMN were a possible source for some of the neural macrophages. It was concluded from the present study that the dendrites of the vagal neurons were the first structures to degenerate in axotomy and these were subsequently removed by glial elements. Degenerating axon terminals on the darkened dendrites could represent endings of the central processes of peripheral vagal ganglion cells that had undergone transganglionic degeneration after damage to their peripheral processes.

The ultrastructure of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the oesophagus of the monkey resembled that described in the oesophagus of other mammalian species but differed in their paucity and almost lack of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, caveolae and filaments. The plasmalemma of the ICC was in close contact (20- to 30-nm gaps) with that of smooth muscle cells. This may occasionally take the form of a desmosome, but gap junctions have not been observed. Vesiculated axon profiles, containing large granular or agranular vesicles were in close contact (20- to 30-nm gaps) with the plasmalemma of ICC. In a few vesiculated profiles a presynaptic density could be recognized. The intercalation of the ICC between the vesiculated axon profiles and the smooth muscle cells suggest a role in oesophageal motility. Between 3 and 21 days following bilateral vagotomy some ICC showed regressive changes such as increased electron density and shrinkage of the cytoplasm, crowding of the organelles and dissolution of the nuclear chromatin material. Axon profiles in the vicinity of the affected ICC contained glycogen granules suggesting injury. In late stages, the number of ICC and smooth muscle contacts was reduced. The results suggest that the vagus nerves exert a trophic influence on the ICC and that the intercellular relationships between ICC and smooth muscle cells possess a degree of plasticity. It is tentatively suggested that these vagal effects may be mediated via the oesophageal myenteric ganglia.

Giant cells and macrophages play important roles in defence and in reparative functions of the body. This paper describes a giant cell and macrophage present in an inflammatory mass in the temporal bone. X-ray microanalysis performed at the ultrastructural level revealed the presence of a very high iron content in the electron dense precipitates observed in both types of cells. The high iron content is probably due to phagocytosed haemosiderin, a breakdown product of free haemoglobin since there was evidence of haemorrhage present in the biological sections. As the tissue was chemically fixed, it also demonstrates that there is still a place for electron probe microanalysis in tissues (including archived specimens) which have undergone chemical fixation.