Ultrastructural observations on myoepithelial cells and nerve terminals in the camel Harderian gland

Summary The myoepithelial cells and the nerve terminals of the Harderian gland in the one-humped camel were examined by using the transmission electron microscope. The myoepithelial cells are well developed, and composed of a cell body containing the nucleus, and many cytoplasmic processes. The cytological features are consistent with the function of the myoepithelial cell mainly as a contractile element, and possibly as a regulator for fluid transport. They are attached to the glandular cells of the end-pieces with desmosomes and interdigitating cytoplasmic processes. Densely packed myofilaments fill most of the cytoplasm, and micropinocytosis vesicles on the inner and outer borders are prevalent. The glandular end-pieces are innervated with unmyelinated nerve terminals which have been observed in the interstitial connective tissue. Nerve terminals without neurolemmal sheath penetrating the basal lamina and forming a direct neuroglandular contact with the glandular cells were observed. These intraglandular nerve terminals were found in direct contact with the myoepithelial cells, and contained small clear vesicles and a few larger dense granules.     

Sensory innervation of the Achilles tendon by group III and IV afferent fibers

Summary In sympathectomized cats the innervation of the Achilles tendon by fine afferent nerve fibers was studied with semithin and ultrathin sections. Several different types of sensory endings of group III and group IV nerve fibers were identified.Of the five different types of endings in the group III range (T III endings), two are located within vessel walls. One of them ends in the circumference of the venous vessels (T III/VV). Its lanceolate terminals have characteristic receptor areas at their edges. The second type ends in the adventitia of lymphatic vessels (T III/LV). Its receptive areas are scattered along their terminal course. Two further group III endings ramify within the connective tissue compartments of the vessel-nerve-fascicles of the peritenonium externum and internum. One type is tightly surrounded by collagen fibrils (T III/PTic); the other terminates between the collagen fiber bundles (T III/PTgc). The latter arrangement recalls the ultrastructural relation between nerve terminals and collagen tissue in Golgi tendon organs.The fifth type innervates the endoneural connective tissue of small nerve fiber bundles (T III/EN). At least some of them come into close contact with bundles of collagen fibers which penetrate the perineural sheath to terminate within the endoneurium.The endings of group IV afferents (T IV endings) show a striking topographic relationship to the blood and lymphatic vessels of all connective tissue compartments of the Achilles tendon. They form penicillate endings which may contain granulated vesicles. In any event, they can easily be discriminated from the T III endings in the vessel walls.In close neighborhood to Remak bundles, a cell has been regularly found which fulfilled all ultrastructural criteria for mast cells. But this cell is not a mast cell proper because it is surrounded by a basal lamina (pseudo mast cell).     

Serotonin-immunoreactive varicosities in the cell body region and neural sheath of the snail, Helix pomatia, ganglia: an electron microscopic immunocytochemical study

The distribution and connections of serotonin-immunoreactive fibers in the cell body region and neural sheath of the central ganglia of the snail, Helix pomatia, have been examined. The cell body region of the ganglia is supplied by an extremely dense network of varicose serotonin-immunoreactive fibers which surround neuronal perikarya in the ganglia. Immunoreactive processes also run to the neural sheath of both the ganglia and the peripheral nerve roots, forming a dense network. Electron microscopy revealed five different connections of serotonin-immunoreactive varicosities, according to their target: (i) non-specialized contacts with neuronal perikarya; (ii) non-specialized contacts with axon processes on the surface of the peripheral nerve roots; (iii) non-specialized neuromuscular connections with smooth muscle fibers in the neural sheath; (iv) varicosities engulfed by glial processes in both the cell body region and neural sheath; (v) varicosities embedded in the connective tissue elements of the sheath either partly or completely free of glial processes. In all cases of appositions no membrane specializations could be observed on either site of the contacts. These observations provide morphological evidence for non-synaptic regulatory actions of serotonin-containing neurons in Helix central nervous system: (i) modulation of the activity of neuronal perikarya; (ii) involvement in neuromuscular regulation; (iii) neurohormonal modulation of peripheral processes by release through the neural sheath.     

Innervation of the vibrissae of the California sea lion,Zalophus californianus

The vibrissae of the California sea lion are richly innervated with myelinated fibers that terminate in three distinctly different endings. Large nerve bundles enter the base of the follicle and immediately branch into smaller bundles that traverse the connective tissue trabeculae below the large ring sinus. Some neurons terminate in a lamellated corpuscle in close relationship to the venous sinuses of the proximal cavernous tissues. The remainder of the nerves continue distally parallel to the glassy membrane terminating in two specific types of endings arranged in a ring about the shaft of the vibrissae at the level of the upper portion of the ring sinus. One type of ending is on the outer surface of the glassy membrane where the myelin sheath terminates abruptly and the sensory ending is flattened into a thick, lancet-shaped structure. An extension of cytoplasm from a specialized supportive cell covers this terminal segment of the nerve on two sides, while numerous finger-like extensions protrude into the connective tissue from the narrow, uncovered sides. The second type of ending penetrates the glassy membrane, branches, and terminates in close apposition to the Merkel cells in the outer root sheath. Amyelinated nerves of various sizes are frequently observed in the same bundles as the larger myelinated fibers, but to date, the position of their termination has not been established.     

Relationship between the ulnar nerve and the branches of the radial nerve to the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle

One branch of the radial nerve to the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle (MHN) has been described as accompanying or joining the ulnar nerve. Mostly two MHN branches have been reported, with some reports of one; however, the topographical anatomy is not well documented. We dissected 52 upper limbs from adult cadavers and found one, two, and three MHN branches in 9.6%, 80.8%, and 9.6% of cases, respectively. The MHN accompanying the ulnar nerve was always the superior MHN. The relationship between the ulnar nerve and the MHN was classified into four types according to whether the MHN was enveloped along with the ulnar nerve in the connective tissue sheath and whether it was in contact with the ulnar nerve. It contacted the ulnar nerve in 75.0% of cases and accompanied it over a mean distance of 73.6 mm (range 36–116 mm). In all cases in which the connective tissue sheath enveloped the branch of the MHN and the ulnar nerve, removing the sheath confirmed that the MHN branch originated from the radial nerve. The detailed findings and anatomical measurements of the MHN in this study will help in identifying its branches during surgical procedures. Clin. Anat. 00:1–16, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On the development of bone marrow innervation in new-born rats as studied with silver impregnation and electron microscopy,

This study of innervation of the bone marrow in new-born rats demonstrates that major signs of differentiation occur in the nerves at the end of the second week after birth. Myelinated nerve fibers begin to acquire their myelin sheath at this time. The Schwann cells show abundant ergastoplasmic reticulum. Some of these cells separate individual axons and wrap them up with the double membranes that form the myelin sheath. From then on, the nerves of the marrow contain both myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers. Fibroblasts also differentiate during this time, producing collagen fibers around the nerves. Some fibroblasts are interconnected by desmosome-like structures. Fibroblasts and collagen fibers form the connective tissue sheaths of the nerve (perineurium and endoneurium). Upon completion of the myelin sheath by the Schwann cells and the connective tissue sheath by the fibroblasts, nerves of the marrow acquire the morphological characteristics of the peripheral nerves of the adult animal. The fine structure of the axons in contact with the muscle fibers of the arterial wall correspond to Type 2-a of Watari. These nerve fibers are considered to be of sympathetic type. The time of maturation of nerves in the bone marrow coincides with the beginning of responsiveness to stimulatory and inhibitory conditions demonstrated in this organ by other authors.     

脱细胞枪乌贼神经的制备及其生物相容性

背景：脱细胞哺乳动物神经有有髓纤维直径小、细胞成分不易彻底清除、复合细胞不均匀的缺点。 目的：制备脱细胞枪乌贼神经,并探讨其生物相容性。 方法：用Hasse化学萃取法制备脱细胞枪乌贼神经,观察其脱细胞的效果、管道及基底膜的完整性,用MTT法检测脱细胞枪乌贼神经与细胞相容性,用皮下植入实验检测其组织相容性。 结果与结论：制备的脱细胞枪乌贼神经细胞及髓鞘清除彻底、神经纤维膜管及基底膜保留完整,且膜管粗大。脱细胞枪乌贼神经皮下植入植入后1和2周材料周围有炎症细胞浸润。植入后4 周材料周围有薄层纤维结缔组织囊,材料内部及周围只有少量炎症细胞。结果证实,采用Hasse化学萃取法制备的脱细胞枪乌贼神经,细胞清除彻底,神经纤维膜管及基底膜保留完整,与异种细胞及组织相容性良好。     

Synovial sarcoma of nerve

Tumors of peripheral nerve are largely neuroectodermal in nature and derived from 2 elements of nerve, Schwann or perineurial cells. In contrast, mesenchymal tumors affecting peripheral nerve are rare and are derived mainly from epineurial connective tissue. The spectrum of the latter is broad and includes lipoma, vascular neoplasms, hematopoietic tumors, and even meningioma. Of malignant peripheral nerve neoplasms, the vast majority are primary peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Malignancies of mesenchymal type are much less common. To date, only 12 cases of synovial sarcoma of nerve have been described. Whereas in the past, parallels were drawn between synovial sarcoma and malignant glandular schwannoma, an uncommon form of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, molecular genetics have since clarified the distinction. Herein, we report 10 additional examples of molecularly confirmed synovial sarcoma, all arising within minor or major nerves. Affecting 7 female and 3 male patients, 4 tumors occurred in pediatric patients. Clinically and radiologically, most lesions were initially thought to be benign nerve sheath tumors. On reinterpretation of imaging, they were considered indeterminate in nature with some features suspicious for malignancy. Synovial sarcoma of nerve, albeit rare, seems to behave in a manner similar to its more common, soft tissue counterpart. Those affecting nerve have a variable prognosis. Definitive recommendations regarding surgery and adjuvant therapies await additional reports and long-term follow-up. The literature is reviewed and a meta-analysis is performed with respect to clinicopathologic features versus outcome.     

The fine structure of the monkey submandibular gland with a special reference to intra-acinar nerve endings

The secretory terminations of monkey submandibular gland were studied by electron microscopy. The acini are composed of two types of secretory cells which are presumably serous and mucous in type. Myoepithelial cells are present also in the acini. The peri-acinar connective tissue contains many unmyelinated nerve fibers. In some portions, the axons contain many synaptic vesicles of various types. These nerve endings partially lose their Schwann cell investment and reach the acinar basement membrane. In peri-acinar connective tissue two types of nerve endings may be recognized. They are thought to be adrenergic and cholinergic in type. On the other hand, only one type of nerve ending (cholinergic) is observed within the acini. The intra-acinar nerve endings are not surrounded by Schwann cell cytoplasm and make direct contact with plasma membranes of the myoepithelial and mucous cells, with a space about 200 Å wide intervening between the nerve and terminal cell. No nerve endings occur in the interspaces between the serous cells. Also, the ultrastructure of the secretory and myoepithelial cells is described.     

An electron microscopical observation of the endoneurial mast cells of the laboratory musk shrew: Suncus murinus)

Histochemical and ultrastructural properties of endoneurial mast cells of the normal and histamine liberator Compound 48/80 (48/80)--injected musk shrew, Suncus murinus (Suncus) were examined by light and electron microscopies. It was observed that the normal mast cells contained numerous cytoplasmic granules, with dense and irregular dense cores, covered at times with slender microvilli. The cells were diffusely located within the endoneurial sheath of the peripheral nerve fibers and in the intercellular spaces of the spinal ganglion cells. Histochemically, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and heparin were observed in mast cell granules. Biochemical analysis also indicated a relatively high content of histamine in the suncus peripheral nerve. A single intradural-injection of 48/80 resulted in the degranulation of endoneurial mast cells and revealed peculiar axoplasmic changes make up of neurofilament-mitochondrial complexes in the peripheral nerve fibers. No remarkable histochemical and ultrastructural differences were observed between the endoneurial mast cells and the connective tissue mast cells in the suncus. The significance of these findings is discussed with regard to previous studies of the endoneurial mast cells in other laboratory animals.     

Dual Contribution of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Employed for Tissue Engineering of Peripheral Nerves: Trophic Activity and Differentiation into Connective-Tissue Cells

Adult peripheral nerves in vertebrates can regrow their axons and re-establish function after crush lesion. However, when there is extensive loss of a nerve segment, due to an accident or compressive damage caused by tumors, regeneration is strongly impaired. In order to overcome this problem, bioengineering strategies have been employed, using biomaterials formed by key cell types combined with biodegradable polymers. Many of these strategies are successful, and regenerated nerve tissue can be observed 12 weeks after the implantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the key cell types and the main stem-cell population experimentally employed for cell therapy and tissue engineering of peripheral nerves. The ability of these cells to release a range of different small molecules, such as neurotrophins, growth factors and interleukins, has been widely described and is a feasible explanation for the improvement of nerve regeneration. Moreover, the multipotent capacity of MSCs has been very often challenged with demonstrations of pluripotency, which includes differentiation into any neural cell type. In this study, we generated a biomaterial formed by EGFP-MSCs, constitutively covering microstructured filaments made of poly-ε-caprolactone. This biomaterial was implanted in the sciatic nerve of adult rats, replacing a 12-mm segment, inside a silicon tube. Our results showed that six weeks after implantation, the MSCs had differentiated into connective-tissue cells, but not into neural crest-derived cells such as Schwann cells. Together, present findings demonstrated that MSCs can contribute to nerve-tissue regeneration, producing trophic factors and differentiating into fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth-muscle cells, which compose the connective tissue.     

A light and electron microscopic investigation of the neurosecretory bag cells ofAplysia

Summary The two bilateral clusters of neurosecretory bag cells ofAplysia were studied with both light and electron microscopy. Autoradiography revealed that the bag cells rapidly accumulate³H-labelled amino acids and that after 1–2 h, heavy concentrations of silver grains appear over Golgi complexes and in the proximal axons. Intrasomatic injections of CoCl₂ or lucifer yellow showed clear branch points and numerous varicosities along individual axons. Many of the bag cells are multipolar. Electron-microscopic observations confirmed that individual fibres branch and showed that the varicosities are packed with dense-cored vesicles similar in size (180 nm diameter) and electron density to those found in the somata. The axons of several cells are usually associated into bundles that travel (within the connective tissue sheath) either rostrally up the pleurovisceral connective or toward the contralateral bag cell cluster. Bundled in groups of tens to hundreds, a total of many thousands of axons fill the sheath around each cell cluster and around the proximal 2–5 mm of the pleurovisceral connective; the number of axon bundles in the sheath decreases rapidly with distance from the cluster. Individual axons reaching the outer edges of bundles form neurosecretory endings near blood sinuses in the sheath, creating an extensive neurohemal release area. Dense-cored vesicles are packed into the endings, often in very close apposition to the plasma membrane. Possible release profiles (omega-shaped) and smaller clear vesicles (85 nm diameter) were observed in the axon endings. A number of axons also enter and travel among the conventional (non-neurosecretory) axons in the core of the pleurovisceral connective nerve. These core bag cell axons project for several millimetres beyond the terminations of the bundled axons of the sheath.The findings support the hypothesis proposed in physiological studies that the distribution and branching of the axonal tree are the basis for the extracellularly recorded wave forms and of the potentiation of electrical signals during bag-cell activity. Additional evidence indicates that exocytosis is the means by which bag-cell hormone is released during afterdischarges.     

Increase of mucosal mast cells in the jejunum of patients infected with Trichinella spiralis

The mast cell response in the mucosa and connective tissue of 36 jejunal biopsies of patients with clinically diagnosed trichinellosis, teniasis and lambliasis has been studied. Biopsy material was fixed in standard formalin or Carnoy's fixative, enabling differentiation between mucosal mast cells (MMC) and connective tissue mast cells (CTMC). With both fixatives CTMC could equally well be recognized. With Carnoy's fixative an additional population of mast cells (MMC) could be visualized both in the mucosa and the connective tissue. In the mucosa small mucosal mast cells were observed as well. Compared to the numbers of mast cells in the mucosa and the connective tissue of teniasis and lambliasis patients, the number of mast cells in trichinellosis patients only visualized using Carnoy's fixative was markedly higher. It was concluded that also in man trichinellosis is accompanied by an increase of cells with MMC characteristics. Further studies are needed to clarify the morphological and histochemical features of these cells and their possible role in this parasitic infection.     

神经端侧吻合中外膜对神经再生影响的实验研究

目的 为临床利用端一侧吻合修复周围神经缺损提供相关的实验依据。方法 采用ＳＤ大鼠,左侧胫神经干外膜开窗,将腓总神经远端端一侧吻合至胫神经干上（Ａ组）。右侧胫神经干包饶一开窗的筋膜套管（Ｂ组）。术后１５周分别用快兰（ＦＢ）和核内（ＮＹ）标记胫神经和再生腓总神经,观察背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）的标记细胞并作吻合口处纤维光镜下的直视观察。结果 Ａ组动物其背根神经节有大量快兰标记阳性细胞和核黄标记阳性细胞,但未     

The fine structure of cellular layers and connective tissue space at spinal nerve root attachments in the rat

Tissue containing the attachment of nerve roots to the spinal cord was dissected from seven rats perfused with buffered aldehydes. Both dorsal and ventral roots were obtained from all cord levels. All tissues were prepared routinely for electron microscopy. The outer layers of the root sheath are homologous with the outer layers of the pia mater and are essentially continuous with it. The inner layers of the root sheath, which are a structurally modified and centrally directed continuation of the perineurium across the subarachnoid space, terminate as an open-ended tube near the junction of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Here there is direct continuity between the endoneurial connective tissue space and the pial connective tissue space. The latter, in turn, communicates directly with the subarachnoid space through fenestrations between pial cells. The relationship of this to certain clinical manifestations is briefly discussed.     

Ultrastructural Study of a Perineurioma

A case of soft tissue tumor in the left brachialis muscle of a 49-year-old Japanese female patient was studied by electron microscopy. The tumor was diagnosed as intramuscular myxoma by light microscopy, but electron microscopic observation revealed that the tumor almost entirely consisted of cells similar to normal perineurial cells. The tumor cells possessed long, slender cytoplasmic processes covered by well-developed but discontinuous basal laminae, clusters of pinocytotic vesicles, and infrequent intercellular junctions. Perineurial cells have also been observed in other peripheral nerve lesions: neurofibromas, nerve sheath myxomas, and localized hypertrophic neuropathies. However, the term “perineurioma” or “perineurial cell tumor” should be reserved for discrete tumorous masses that are almost entirely composed of perineurial cells without evidence of residual axons, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, or tactile corpusclelike structures. Perineurioma may represent a third category of peripheral nerve sheath tumors, ultrastruc-turally distinct from schwannomas and neurofibromas.     

Ultrastructural Study of a Perineurioma

A case of soft tissue tumor in the left brachialis muscle of a 49-year-old Japanese female patient was studied by electron microscopy. The tumor was diagnosed as intramuscular myxoma by light microscopy, but electron microscopic observation revealed that the tumor almost entirely consisted of cells similar to normal perineurial cells. The tumor cells possessed long, slender cytoplasmic processes covered by well-developed but discontinuous basal laminae, clusters of pinocytotic vesicles, and infrequent intercellular junctions. Perineurial cells have also been observed in other peripheral nerve lesions: neurofibromas, nerve sheath myxomas, and localized hypertrophic neuropathies. However, the term “perineurioma” or “perineurial cell tumor” should be reserved for discrete tumorous masses that are almost entirely composed of perineurial cells without evidence of residual axons, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, or tactile corpusclelike structures. Perineurioma may represent a third category of peripheral nerve sheath tumors, ultrastruc-turally distinct from schwannomas and neurofibromas.     

The elasmobranch kidney

Summary In the kidney of two elasmobranch fish, the little skate (Raja erinacea) and the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), each tubular bundle is wrapped by a continuous sheath of extremely flattened cells which are ordered in several closely superimposed layers. Thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas demonstrate that extensive tight functions exist between the cells of this peritubular sheath. The sheath cells lie on a discontinuous basement membrane which suggests that they do not belong to the connective tissue. Conceivably, each peritubular sheath segregates the milieu inside the sheath (surrounding the bundle of 5 tubules bules and capillaries which form the countercurrent system) from the milieu outside the sheath (connective tissue matrix in which the bundles are embedded).Supported in part by National Institutes of Health AM 06345 and by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sonderforschungs-bereich 146)Alexander von Humboldt Fellow     

Acquisition of i(8q) as an early event in malignant triton tumors

Malignant triton tumors (MTT) are rare soft-tissue tumors characterized by a mixture of cells with nerve sheath and skeletal muscle differentiation. MTT is a histological variant of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). No characteristic cytogenetic anomaly has been detected in MPNST or MTT. In this paper, we report on the cytogenetic findings of an MTT from a 20-year old male with neurofibromatosis (NF1). The tumoral karyotype showed the modal number to be near-diploid and an abnormal karyotype with a Robertsonian translocation and 4 markers: 49,XY,der(14;15)(q10;q10),+4mar. Spectral karyotyping revealed the karyotype: 49,XY, der(14;15)(q10;q10),+i(8)(q10)x4. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of the tissue confirmed the presence of the additional i(8)(q10) in all tumoral cells. The sequence analysis of p53 revealed a polymorphism in exon 9, codon 329. The two alleles, TTC and TCC, codify for phenylalanine and serine, respectively. Our results indicate that all neoplastic cells have the same cytogenetic pattern, suggesting that both cell lines, which show nerve sheath and skeletal muscle differentiation, are derived from a unique stem cell. The acquired Robertsonian chromosomal recombinants might represent an event in the tumorigenesis of MTT, and the present data suggest that genes located on 8q can be involved in the development of MTT.