H. Herrlinger

Intraneuritic corpora amylacea

Within the framework of an Early Postmortem Brain Sampling Program we had the opportunity to make some light and electron microscopic observations on the orbital cortex of two elderly subjects known to have been free of neurologic and psychiatric disease. Filamentous deposits with the ultrastructural appearance of corpora amylacea were seen inside astrocytic and, more rarely, inside neuronal processes. The findings and their interpretation are discussed in the light of current views on cerebral corpora amylacea and Lafora bodies. It is concluded that todays views on this matter do not account satisfactorily for the present observation or for observations we have quoted from the literature.

Nucleolus-like inclusions in neuronal perikarya and processes: phase and electron microscope observations on the hypothalamus of the mouse.

SummaryThe ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei of goldthioglucose-treated and control mice were examined by phase and electron microscopy. Neuronal perikarya and processes contained nucleolus-resembling inclusion bodies detectable by phase and electron microscopy. The inclusions consisted of round unbounded masses of granular- or filamentous-appearing material of variable density. Elongated forms were occasionally seen. Even in damaged nerve cell bodies and processes the inclusions were recognizable as relatively well-preserved structures. The hypothesis is presented that they represent a storage or transit form of readily available material which is either piled up in the perikaryon or moved along its processes before being finally used and/or released.ZusammenfassungDie ventromedialen Hypothalamuskerne von Mäusen nach Goldthioglucose-Injektion und von Kontrollmäusen wurden phasenoptisch und elektronen-mikroskopisch untersucht. Die neuronalen Perikaryen und Fortsätze enthielten nucleolusähnliche, phasenkontrast- und elektronenmikroskopisch sichtbare Einschlußkörper. Diese bestanden aus rundlichen, nicht membranbegrenzten Anhäufungen eines granulär oder filamentär erscheinenden Materials von unterschiedlicher Dichte. Gelegentlich wurden auch längliche Formen beobachtet. Sogar in stark geschädigten Nervenzellen waren die Einschlüsse noch als relativ gut erhaltene Strukturen zu erkennen. Es wird die Hypothese aufgestellt, daβ die nucleolusähnlichen Körper eine Depot- oder Transitform von schnell verfügbarem Material darstellen, welches entweder in den Perikaryen angehäuft oder in den Fortsätzen zum Ort der Verwendung und/oder Freisetzung transportiert wird.

Fenestrated blood capillaries in rat cranio-spinal sensory ganglia

SummarySeveral fenestrated capillaries were seen in the endoneurium of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia from two young adult albino rats treated with tetraethylthiuram disulfide. The finding is regarded as normal, although the possibility exists that intoxication with tetraethylthiuram disulfide may have enhanced the intensity and/or rate of this cytologic specialization of some isolated endothelial cells.

Ultrastructural cytochemical demonstration of peroxidase-positive monocyte granules: An additional method for studying the origin of mononuclear cells in encephalitic lesions

SummaryUnlike lymphocytes, blood monocytes possess in their cytoplasm peroxidase-positive (azurophil) granules (ppg) which largely correspond to the homonymous organelles of neutrophil granulocytes. We tested whether ppg, demonstrated cytochemically at the submicroscopic level, could serve as markers of monocyte-derived reactive mononuclear cells in encephalitic lesions. Samples of cerebrocortical tissue from adult albino mice with experimental yellow fever virus encephalitis were incubated in a medium containing diaminobenzidine and H2O2 for localization of peroxidatic activity. Mononuclear cells exhibiting ppg were found (1) in the lumen of brain venules, (2) in different stages of migration through the walls of such vessels, (3) in perivascular areas, (4) in the glioneuropil, either loosely scattered or forming small clusters, (5) in a satellite position to neurons, and (6) in leptomeningitic infiltrates. Several mononuclear elements harboring ppg had assumed an elongated, rod cell-like out-line. Amongst the peroxidase-negative mononuclears were fully developed brain macrophages and elements showing morphologic features characteristic of activated lymphocytes. Most mononuclear cells without ppg resembled the peroxidase-reactive ones. The results of this study provide direct evidence in favor of a monocytic origin of, at least, numerous reactive mononuclear elements in encephalitic lesions. The approach followed in the present study is not suitable for quantitative investigations of the histogenesis of mononuclear cells responding to brain injuries, since emigrated blood monocytes rapidly lose their ppg, particularly, when they display enhanced phagocytic activity.

Organized inclusions in astrocytic and amorphous inclusions in neuronal mitochondria of human frontal brain tissue

SummaryBrain tissue specimens were obtained early post mortem from the frontal lobe of seven unselected elderly subjects known to have been free of neurologic disease. Electron microscopically, two types of intramitochondrial inclusions were seen in four of seven cases. In two cases a few astrocyte mitochondria of the gyral white matter showed dense, elongated inclusions with an ordered linear substructure. These inclusions were, as a rule, accompanied by a row of prismatic cristae. In three cases some nerve cell mitochondria contained amorphous material of medium density and compact appearance. The globular masses often occupied the whole width of the mitochondrion. A relationship between the observed finding and a particular disease or morbid condition was not apparent. The inclusions are regarded as the morphologic substrate of a nonspecific metabolic change or degenerative process of the mitochondrion.

Intravitale Tellur-Markierung lysosomaler Speicherorganellen bei exogener Lipidose

1. Nachtigall, W. : Verh. dtsch, zool. Ges. 1964, 319 2. Demoll, R,: Biol. Zbl. 39, 474 (19t9) 3. Stellwaag, F.: Z. wiss. Zool. 108, 358 (t914) 4. Insti tut ft~r \Vissenschaftlichen Film, G6ttingen, 1 400-2 600 b/see 5. Kaufmann, T.: Dissertation MOnchen ~960 6. Schneider, P.: in Vorbereitung 7. 1Riischkamp, F.: Zoologica 75, I (t927) 8. Hermes, M. : in Vorbereitung 9. Schneider, P., et al.: in Vorbereitung 10. Mit apparativer Unterst/i tznng der DFG

Hexagonal arrangement of intragranular particles in human basophilic leucocytes.

The electron microscopic study of leucocytes from a child with a familial cerebroretinal degeneration disclosed a hexagonal array of the intragranular particles of some basophiles. This highly ordered