Structural and Functional Features of Choroid Epithelium from Buffalo Brain

Abstract

Choroid plexuses (CPs) play pivotal roles in many processes that establish, survey, and maintain the biochemical and cellular status of the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in the anatomy and physiology of CPs have been linked to several CNS diseases. However, CP structure and function are not definitely known. Here, we report structural and functional features of choroid epithelium from buffalo brain never described before. Mixed with common epithelial cells, two novel cell types were identified by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The first peculiar cells showed a globular apical portion projecting into the ventricular cavities, and a basal peduncle in direct contact with blood capillaries underlying the epithelium. The second type of cells resulted to be formed by a globular body from which depart numerous processes; these cells, localized deeply in the choroid epithelium, strictly contact neighboring epithelial cells. No synaptic contacts were detected between these cell populations and common epithelial cells. To gain some insight into the functional properties of choroid cells, NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activities were evaluated. Of interest, whereas a strong NADPHd activity was detected in all cell types of choroid epithelium, nNOS was only detected in the first type of peculiar cells. The presence of nNOS in the CPs was confirmed by Western blotting. These results suggest that nitric oxide may serve as a signal for the regulation of CP multiple functions. Anat Rec, 290:1399Rec, 290: -1412Rec, 290: , 2007Rec, 290: . 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: buffalo brain; choroid plexus; NADPH-d; nNOS; scanning electron microscopy; transmission electron microscopy Abbreviations used: Abbreviations used B 5 bleb; BC 5 blood capillary; BM 5 basal membrane; BME 5 endothelium basal membrane; C 5 cilia; CB 5 cellular body; CC 5 choroid epithelial cell; Cn 5 connective tissue of the sub-epithelium; CNS 5 central nervous system; CP 5 choroid plexus; CSF 5 cerebrospinal fluid; E 5 capillary endothelium; ECE 5 extended cellular element; G 5 globular portion; Tj 5 tight junction; Gp 5 gold particle; Gpm 5 gold particle mass; H 5 hallmark of the extended cellular element sticking point to the blood capillary; M 5 microvilli on the apical cell surface; Mf 5 microfilaments; Mi 5 mitochondria; N* 5 nucleus of an extended cellular element; N 5 nucleus; N8 5 nucleus of a choroid epithelial cell; NADPHd 5 NADPH diaphorase; Ne 5 stained irregular cellular formation; nNOS 5 neuronal nitiric oxide synthase; NO 5 nitric oxide; Np 5 pericyte nucleus; Op 5 holes; P 5 pinocytic sites; Pe 5 peduncle; Pr 5 cellular protrusion; Ps 5 cellular processes; RER 5 rough endoplasmic reticulum; S 5 smooth cell surface; SEC 5 suprachoroidal cell; SEM 5 Scanning electron microscopy; SER 5 smooth endoplasmic reticulum; TEM 5 transmission electron microscopy; W 5 diaphragm on the blood capillary wall

Electron Microscopic Study of the Porcine Choroid Plexus Epithelium

“…In the buffalo CP, a novel cell type has recently been reported. These cells are characterized by a cellular clump of cytoplasm, which lies above the CP epithelium and is attached to the underlying capillaries by a thin stalk which passes through the CP epithelium (Scala et al., 2007). In the porcine CP, several cellular elements connected with a peduncle were observed, but they could not be unambiguously distinguished from normal large maturing blebs.…”

The Expression of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Brain of the Mouse During Embryogenesis

“…NO functions as a unique gaseous modulator for neurotransmission, plasticity, and cytotoxicity in adult animals (Bidmon et al, 1997; Nakajima et al, 1998; Scott, 1999; Pisu et al, 2002). NO also appears to play a role in development by regulating synapse formation and patterning (Hindley et al, 1997; Mogi et al, 2007; Scala et al, 2007; Vincent, 2010). Recent studies indicate that NO contributes to triggering a switch from cellular proliferation to differentiation during neurogenesis (Gibbs, 2003; Yuan et al, 2006; Vincent, 2010).…”

Morphology of the pathways of intracellular circulation in the brain

“…Функціональний стан мікроциркуляторного русла залежить від ліквородинаміки і продукції СМР безпосередньо у судинних сплетеннях, що можуть змі-нюватись при різних патологічних станах [10,17,80]. Виникнення низки важких захворювань центральної нервової системи дослідники пов'язують з порушеннями функцій даних утворень, що викликає пренатальну та пост натальну гідроцефалії, епілепсію, нейродегенеративні захворюваня, зокрема [46,47].…”