Cytological Studies of Organotypic Cultures of Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia Following X-Irradiation in Vitro

Abstract

Long-term organotypic cultures of rat dorsal root ganglia were cxposed to a single 40 kR dose of 184 kvp X-rays and studied in the living and fixed states by light or electron microscopy at 1-14 day intervals thereafter. Within the first 4 days following irradiation, over 30% of the neurons display chromatolytic reactions (cccentrlc nuclci, peripheral dispersal of Nissl substance, central granular zone) as well as abnormal nuclcolar changes and dissociation of ribosomes from endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Some satellite cells undergo retraction or acute degeneration, leaving only basement membrane to cover the neuron in these areas. 8 days after irradiation, neurons also exhibit (a) arcas in which ribosomes are substantially reduced, (b) regions of cytoplasmic sequestration, (c) extensive vacuolization of granular endoplasmic rcticulum and Golgi complex, and (d) diversely altered mitochondria (including the presencc of ribosome-like particles or association with abnormal glycogen and lipid deposits). Nucleolar components become altered or reoriented and may form abnormal projections and ringlike configurations. Sizeable areas of the neuronal soma are now denuded of satellite cells; underlying these areas, nerve processes arc found abnormally invaginated into the neuronal cytoplasm. By the 14th day following irradiation, most neurons display markcd degenerative changes including extensive regions of ribosome depletion, sequestration, vacuolization, autolysis, and, in some areas, swirls of filaments, myelin figures, and heterogeneous dense bodies. These observations demonstrate that X-irradiation produces profound cytopathological changes in nervous tissue isolated from the host and that many of these changes resemble the effects of radiation on nervous tissue in vivo.

An ultrastructural study of sympathetic ganglion satellite cells in the rat 1. Normal and x-ray irradiated satellite cells

“…Such dilation of the endoplasmic-reticulum cisternae of irradiated autonomic ganglion cells and satellite cells were observed earlier in the rat (Nicolescu et al, 1966;Forssmann and Rouiller, 1966) and guinea pig (Sulkin et aI., 1968). and Masurovsky et al (1967) reported the same phenomenon in the neurons of irradiated rat dorsal root ganglia.…”

Incorporation of [35S] sulfate into chondroitin sulfates by organized cultures of murine peripheral, sympathetic and central nervous tissues

“…I n PNS and CNS, 6 replicate cultures were set up for both myelin formation and maintenance, and 10 cultures were prepared of ANS. Details of these culture methods are published elsehwere: P N S by Bunge et al (1967); CNS by Allerand and Murray (1968); and ANS by Murray and Benitez (1967).…”

Morphological changes in peri-prostatic sympathetic ganglion cells in aging males

“…changes included accumulation of lipofuscin pigment in the ganglion cells, local aggregation of satellite cells nodules of nageotte and neuronal vacuolar degeneration (10). The effects of X-irradiation on ganglion cells of the lower back in rats were investigated by Masurovsky et al (11). In the first days, a sharp degeneration in the satellite cells was noted and later sequestration, vacuolization and autolysis were detected.…”

“…In the first days, a sharp degeneration in the satellite cells was noted and later sequestration, vacuolization and autolysis were detected. All these changes were possibly linked to metabolic and membrane permeability (11). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated changes were evaluated by Burdo et al (12) through examination of the dorsal root ganglia of CD8-depleted simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques.…”