The development of the radial glial scaffold of the cerebellar cortex from GFAP-positive cells in the external granular layer

Summary We have reinvestigated the origin and genesis of the radial glia of the cerebellar cortex in the hamster using three astroglial markers, vimentin, GFAP, and S-100 protein antibodies. On embryonic day 12 (E12), before the emergence of the external granular layer, the cerebellar anlage is traversed from the ventricle to the pial surface by a primordial radial glial scaffold which is vimentin-positive, but GFAP and S-100 negative. With the formation of the external granular layer on E13, a few GFAP positive cells appear among the unstained external granular layer cells. First seen within the germinal trigone and caudalmost part of the external granular layer, they then develop rostrally, amongst the cells of the expanding external granular layer, proliferating adjacent to the basement membrane. Beginning on E15, cells that are positive for the S-100 protein also appear within the external granular layer and the molecular zone. In later stages, S-100 is strongly expressed in Golgi epithelial cells, so we have considered it to be a marker for these cells. By contrast, the primordial radial glial cells were not stained with this marker. On the day of birth (E16/PO) many S-100 positive cells also appear at intermediate levels between the EGL and the Purkinje cell plate. They are unipolar and bear a single radial process that is directed towards the pial surface. The caudorostral appearance of S-100-positive cells firstly in the external granular layer, then in the molecular zone and finally in the Purkinje cell plate is identical to the temporal sequence of development of these layers, and suggests that S-100-positive cells are at first integral constituents of the external granular layer, but later descend through the molecular zone, to colonize the Purkinje cell plate. Here they proliferate and ultimately differentiate into Golgi epithelial cells, their numerous short radial glial processes traversing the molecular zone and the external granular layer to fill the interstices between the primordial radial glial fibres. At birth, S-100-positive Golgi epithelial cells have progressively colonized the Purkinje cell plate from the germinal trigone rostrally, up to a region midway between primary fissure and anterior medullary velum and, between P2 and P3, the rostralmost part of the cerebellum has become populated. GFAP- and S-100-positive cells remain in the external granular layer up to the end of the first postnatal week. In the same interval, the number of Golgi epithelial cells and Bergmann glial fibres increases rapidly in the expanding cerebellar cortex. Our results suggest that the majority of the Golgi epithelial cells are not translocated, morphologically transformed primordial radial glial cells, but derive from the external granular layer, translocate into the Purkinje cell layer and differentiate into the secondary radial glial cells which intercalate with the basal processes of primordial radial glia. The latter are thus supplemented by the former, providing a radially organized substrate allowing granule cells produced in the secondary proliferative zone of the EGL to migrate through the molecular zone into the IGL.     

Destruction of meningeal cells over the newborn hamster cerebellum with 6-hydroxydopamine prevents foliation and lamination in the rostral cerebellum

Intracisternal injection of 30 micrograms 6-hydroxydopamine was used to destroy meningeal cells in the newborn hamster. After 20 or 30 days the cerebella of treated animals showed severe morphological alterations including: an absence of distinct folia anterior to the primary fissure; a disruption of lamination in the same region by the displacement of both Purkinje cells and cerebellar interneurons; a reduction in size and frequency of branching of the medullary tree with anomalous anterobasal branches and splaying; reductions in the area of the molecular layer, the total area occupied by granule cells, the length of the pial surface and the length of the Purkinje cell layer of 29, 21, 57 and 27%, respectively; disorganization of the radially organized glial scaffold by outgrowth of Bergmann glial fibers and displacement of their cell bodies, the Golgi epithelial cells, and anomalous orientation, polarity, size and branching frequency of Purkinje cell dendritic trees. These findings support our earlier hypothesis that the initial destruction of meningeal cells destabilizes the cerebellar surface (basal lamina and glia limitans superficialis) and disorganizes the glial scaffold, while the neuronal cerebellar malformations are secondary to this glial defect.     

Radial glial cells and the lamination of the cerebellar cortex

Radial glial cells are stem cells that play an important role in neuronal migration and proliferation in the developing brain. However, how radial glial cells contribute to the lamination of the cerebellar cortex is not well understood. We therefore used immunohistochemistry and BrdU labeling to follow radial glial cell differentiation, cell migration and cerebellar cortex development in mice from embryonic day 8 to postnatal day 180. We report that radial glial cells represent the stem cell population of the neuroepithelium of the neural tube, and act as progenitors for both neurons and neuroglia. In addition, radial glial cells not only give rise to the principal cells of the cerebellar cortex, the Purkinje and granule cells, but they also provide a scaffold for the migration of these cells. We conclude that radial glial cells play a pivotal role in establishing the laminar structure of the cerebellar cortex.     

Subcellular localization of a putative kainate receptor in Bergmann glial cells using a monoclonal antibody in the chick and fish cerebellar cortex

A monoclonal antibody, IX-50, that was raised against a kainate binding protein (Mr = 49,000) from chicken cerebellum, was used in light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical studies to localize putative kainate receptors. Pre- and postembedding immunoperoxidase and immunogold methods were used in the cerebellar cortices of one to 26-day old chickens and adult rainbow trout. Immunoreactivity was detected only in association with Golgi epithelial/Bergmann glial cells. Intracellular immunoreactivity was present in the granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and in lysosomes, representing the sites of synthesis, glycosylation and degradation of the protein. In the fish the granular endoplasmic reticulum was not immunoreactive. Extracellular immunoreactivity was associated with the plasma membrane. In the fish it was established that the epitope is on the outer surface of the membrane. The protein seems to be uniformly distributed along the membrane including the somata, the radial stem processes and the leafy lamellae surrounding Purkinje cell dendrites. Areas of the glial membrane in contact with other glial cells were also immunopositive. High-resolution light microscopy demonstrated all the Bergmann glial plasma membrane in the cortex, providing a "negative" image of Purkinje cell dendrites. It is apparent that Bergmann glial processes selectively outline the dendrites of the Purkinje cells by surrounding the parallel fibre terminal/Purkinje cell spine synaptic complexes. The parallel fiber terminals were highly immunoreactive for glutamate, as shown by an immunogold procedure. The association of Bergmann glial processes, carrying the Mr = 49,000 kainate binding protein, with the Purkinje cell dendrites and spine synapses could provide a basis for neuronal signalling to the Bergmann glia, possibly by glutamate.     

Postnatal Development of the Central Nervous System: Anomalies in the Formation of Cerebellum Fissures

A natural defect in rat cerebellum postnatal development has been found in the fissura prima, consisting in various complex configurations of the cerebellar layers. We investigated the genesis of fissure malformations through immunoreactions for PCNA, GFAP, GABAA α6, and calbindin to label proliferating cells of the external granular layer (egl), radial glial fibers, mature granule cells, and Purkinje cells, respectively. Results on critical stages of rat postnatal development provided interesting evidences on how the malformation develops in fissures prima and secunda. Early (postnatal day 10) at the site of malformation, the Bergmann radial glia was often retracted and showed distortions and irregular running. The interruption of GFAP‐positive radial glial fibers could fit in with the presence of clusters of PCNA‐unlabeled cells in the sites of fusion of the egl; the clusters of cells are granule cells since their soma is labeled by GABAA α6. Moreover, an altered migration of granule cell precursors to the internal granular layer was evident which, in turn, affected Purkinje cell differentiation and the growth of their dendrites. In summary, the changed relationship among glial fiber morphology, granule cell migration, and Purkinje cell differentiation suggests how the Bergmann glial fibers have a basic role in the foliation process, being the driving physical force in directing migration of the granule cells at the base of fissure. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Reelin与小脑发育——Notch1信号通路的调节作用

目的 探讨Reelin在小脑放射状胶质细胞、神经干细胞和普肯耶细胞迁移和分布中的作用,并探讨Notch信号通路在其中的作用。 方法 取WT小鼠和reeler小鼠胚胎9d至生后60d的脑部共148例,运用免疫荧光技术检测两组小鼠小脑发育中放射状胶质细胞、神经干细胞、普肯耶细胞及激活型Notch1受体的表达。 结果 Reeler小鼠小脑发育中放射状胶质细胞极性紊乱导致迁移阻滞于内颗粒层,过早分化,分子层中数量减少(P<0.01);Sox2阳性的干细胞启动迁移较慢,随后未得到适当的终止信号越过普肯耶细胞层进入外颗粒层,野生型小鼠该细胞并不迁移进入外颗粒层;普肯耶细胞多数不能迁移至分子层大量阻滞于内颗粒层中形成细胞团;激活型的Notch1受体在reeler小鼠小脑中表达减少。 结论 Reelin在小脑神经干细胞、胶质细胞、普肯耶细胞发育和片层化分布中有重要作用,并且Notch1信号通路参与Reelin介导的小脑发育。     

Fusiform nerve cells of the granular layer in the cerebellar cortex of the baboon

The granular layer of the cerebellar cortex of the baboon contains a heterogeneous population of large nerve cells. Besides the well known Golgi cells there is a fusiform type of nerve cell which is mostly encountered immediately underneath the Purkinje cell layer. The fusiform nerve cells can be distinguished from Golgi cells not only in Golgi-impregnated material but also in Nissl-stained preparations. The fusiform nerve cells are evenly distributed throughout the superficial portions of the granular layer. The ratio of the Purkinje cells versus fusiform nerve cells is 4:1.     

小鼠放射状胶质细胞和小脑皮质的发育

目的探讨小鼠小脑皮质发育过程中放射状胶质细胞的分化。方法应用免疫荧光及5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(BrdU)检测技术,标记小鼠胚胎8d至生后180d小脑(57例,分为19组,每组3只)的神经干细胞、放射状胶质细胞、普肯耶细胞及颗粒细胞。结果放射状胶质细胞于胚胎13d的神经上皮出现,尔后该细胞分化为各种神经元和贝格曼胶质细胞,并在小脑皮质层状结构的形成中起着重要作用。结论放射状胶质细胞来源于神经上皮细胞,是神经细胞和神经胶质细胞的前体细胞。在小脑皮质的发育过程中,放射状胶质细胞能分化为普肯耶细胞和颗粒细胞,并为神经细胞的迁移提供路径和支架。     

Cerebellar anomalies in congenital murine toxoplasmosis

Gravid Nya:NYLAR mice, infected with Toxoplasma gondii on gestation day 7, experienced embryo resorptions, abortions, stillbirths, and a reduction in average litter size by one-third. Postnatally, all congenitally infected pups showed growth retardation, cachexia, and hind limb weakness. Some pups developed necrotic petechiae on the ears and tail, and a blood-tinged nasal discharge. Coronal sections of the cerebellum at age 1 month revealed developmental abnormalities including: persistence of remnants of an external granular layer; fragmented and disoriented Bergmann glial foot processes; numerous ectopic granule cells stranded in the molecular layer; focal disorganization and edema of the Purkinje cell layer; and thinning of the internal granular layer. Our working hypothesis is that the cerebellar anomalies originated with parasite invasion of the fetal vascular endothelium leading to vasculitis and microcirculatory dysfunction, perivascular edema, perfusion impairment, and tissue anoxia. In the cerebellar folia, the cellular migration defects are attributed to edema-induced swelling and fragmentation of the Bergmann glial foot processes that guide migrating neurons, whereas the focal loss of Purkinje and granule cells is ascribed to hypoxia-ischemia. Although Toxoplasma cysts were detected in the cerebellum, morphologic evidence of parasite association with neuropathology was not obtained.     

小鼠小脑皮质的组织发生

目的:探讨小鼠小脑皮质的组织发生过程。方法:应用光镜和电镜技术对胚胎和生后小脑皮质进行形态学观察,对各层厚度和细胞密度进行测量。结果:胚胎12 d(E12)小脑原基有室管膜层、套层和边缘层构成,约出生当日(P0)出现外颗粒层、分子层、Purkinje细胞层和内颗粒层。外颗粒层P6/7达最厚,至P20消失。P0至P30内颗粒层细胞逐步分化发育成熟,Purkinje细胞树突树逐渐形成,约P7时Purkinje细胞排列成单层。结论:E12至P0片层化小脑主要经历了细胞增殖、分化与迁移;P0至P30片层化结构逐渐发育成熟,外颗粒层消亡以细胞迁移和凋亡为主,其他各层细胞主要经历了分化发育与凋亡。     

Distribution pattern of DNA template activity in the developing cerebellar cortex in rats and its alteration after transplacental administration of ethylnitrosourea

The ultracytochemical acridine orange(AO) method has been employed to demonstrate DNA template activity in the developing cerebellar cortex in rats and its alteration after transplacental administration of ethylnitrosourea (ENU). Electron microscopic studies revealed that AO binds to DNA exclusively within the active extended euchromatin portion of the cell nucleus of the proliferating external granular layer. No or only a few AO reaction products were visible in the non-proliferating cell nuclei of the internal granular layer and of Purkinje cells. With increasing cellular differentiation of granule cells in the cerebellar cortex the number of AO positive cells as well as the number of AO reaction products per cell showed a progressive decrease. A single i.p. injection of 50 mg/kg of ENU in rats on day 15 to 21 of gestation resulted in occasional cell damage to the proliferating external granule cells of developing cerebellar cortex at 4 and 7 days after birth. Damaged cells of the external granular layer were found to have no or only a small number of AO reaction products in their nuclei. In further development from 14 to 28 days the cerebellar cortex of offspring from ENU-treated mother showed no abnormality and exhibited no definite alteration in distribution pattern of AO reaction products.     

小鼠小脑皮质发育过程中细胞迁移及血管之间的相互作用

目的 探讨小鼠小脑片层化过程中血管发生与细胞迁移之间的关系。方法 不同年龄小鼠共计146只,应用免疫荧光法和5′-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（BrdU）法及墨汁血管灌注技术,标记小鼠胚胎期10日（E10）至出生90日（P90）小脑的放射状胶质细胞,普肯耶细胞,颗粒细胞以及小脑内血管发生。结果 在E15左右,小脑皮质内开始出现血管网;尔后随着年龄的增长,放射状胶质细胞和血管之间相互诱导, 血管开始变得密集,我们可以观察到,外颗粒层的血管沿着放射状胶质细胞分布,但是在内颗粒层和白质,血管的走行比较紊乱,和放射状胶质细胞走行保持高度一致。结果还发现很多BrdU阳性细胞紧贴着血管迁移。结论 在小脑片层化形成的过程中,细胞迁移起着非常关键的作用,血管在小脑皮质内不仅和放射状胶质细胞相互作用,引导神经细胞的迁移,并且为神经细胞的迁移提供路径和支架。     

On the development of the cerebellum of the trout, Salmo gairdneri. V. Neuroglial cells and their development

The neuroglia of the cerebellum of Salmo gairdneri Richardson, 1836, has been studied in mature and developing specimens with light and electron microscopy. The light microscopic observations were largely carried out on Golgi material. The cerebellum of the trout contains all of the neurologlial cell types described for the mammalian cerebellum, viz. ependymal cells, Golgi epithelial cells, velate protoplasmic astrocytes, smooth protoplasmic astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In addition two types of glial elements, which combine characteristics of ependymal cells and of velate astrocytes, are found. These elements are designated as ependymoid astrocytes and astrocytoid ependymal cells. Smooth astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were observed only in later stages of development and possibly arise from the secondary matrix. The other glial cell types, as well as transitional forms between these types, are present in rather early stages, and show a similar ultrastructure. It is plausible that all these types develop from the glioblasts produced by the ventricular matrix layer. Many glial cells are radially oriented and keep in contact with the meningeal surface throughout development. The lattice formed by matrix cells in the earliest stages, and by glial cells and the axons of granule cells later on, plays a role in directing the migration of cells. Other functions of the glia, such as dividing the cerebellar cortex in synaptic compartments, are suggested. It may be concluded that the high degree of differentiation of the teleostean cerebellum is also reflected by the morphology of the neuroglia.     

Meningeal cells influence cerebellar development over a critical period

Summary We have investigated the influence of meningeal cells on the development of the cerebellum by destroying these cells with 6-hydroxydopamine in hamsters of different ages. The ensuing foliation and lamination disruption in the cerebellar vermis is attributed to a disintegration of the cerebellar surface and a disorganization of the glial scaf-fold of the cerebellar cortex due to a loss of meningeal-glial interaction in stabilizing the extracellular matrix at the glia limitans superficialis (v. Knebel Doeberitz et al. 1986, Neuroscience 17:409–426). The severity of these cerebellar defects is correlated with the ontogenetic stage at which meningeal cells are destroyed, being greatest after treatment at postnatal day 1 and decreasing thereafter until day 5 and beyond, when no abnormalities occur, although all meningeal cells are destroyed throughout. The absence of cerebellar defects after destruction of meningeal cells at day 5 or later is associated firstly with the end of the period of branching morphogenesis of the cerebellum when all folial primordia are established, and, secondly, with the maturation of the glia limitans superficialis. These findings indicate that meningeal cells stabilize the cerebellar surface and glial scaffold over a critical period that ends, when the pattern of cerebellar foliation is established, and when the glia limitans superficialis has reached a mature state. Beyond this stage glial end-feet alone are sufficient to maintain the epithelial integrity of the cerebellum.     

Lipofuscin in the cerebellar cortex of albino rats: An electron microscopic study

Summary The ultrastructure of autofluorescent, PAS-positive lipofuscin in Purkinje, granule, Golgi epithelial, basket and stellate, microglial and perivascular cells in the cerebellar cortex of senescent rats is described. The membrane-bounded pigment is composed of three elements: 1) electron-lucent homogeneous droplets, 2) a granular matrix and 3) intensely osmiophilic patches. The proportions of these three components vary between cell types and one can grossly differentiate a neuronal and a glial lipofuscin. The lipofuscin granules of stellate and perivscular cells are different from lipofuscin of other cerebellar neurons and glia. It can be concluded from these morphological observations that each cerebellar cell type has its distinct lipofuscin.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft La 184/5I would like to thank Mrs. v. Bronewski and Mr. H. Boffin for their technical assistance     

Meningeal cells stimulate and direct the migration of cerebellar external granule cells in vitro

The external granular layer is a secondary proliferative zone that arises from the caudolateral margin of the cerebellar ventricular zone and then spreads beneath the pial surface, eventually covering the entire cerebellar anlage. Here, both a part of the Bergmann glia and granule cells are generated. Selective destruction of the leptomeningeal cell layer during development in vivo disrupts the subpial extension of the external granular layer and the laminar deposition of its descendant cells. The mechanisms by which meningeal fibroblasts exert their controlling influence on cortical development have remained unclear but could involve diffusible factors and/or interactions mediated by direct cellular contacts. In order to test these assumptions, we have co-cultivated cerebellar slice explants with meningeal cells with and without interposition of a microfilter barrier. In this setup, meningeal cells by a diffusible factor stimulated the emigration of immature neurons exclusively from the external granular layer. This effect could also be elicited by fibroblasts from other tissues but not by nonfibroblastic cells such as, e.g., astroglia. In the Boyden chamber assay, the migration of undifferentiated neurons isolated from the external granular layer was chemotactically oriented towards the source of meningeal cell-conditioned media. In comparison, neurons from the internal granular layer did not respond to this stimulus. The attraction of immature neurons towards the pial surface could (1) represent a mechanism for the establishment of (subpial) secondary proliferative zones and (2) hypothetically also play a role in the outward-directed migration of postmitotic cells, e.g., in the isocortical anlage.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of postnatal changes in cerebellar cortical cytoarchitectures in ferrets

We immunohistochemically characterized postnatal changes in cerebellar cortical cytoarchitectures in ferrets using markers for cerebellar cortical neurons and glial cells. Although 10 lobules of the vermis were already observed on postnatal day (PD) 4, Purkinje cells were still arrayed into two to three layers. Purkinje cells were aligned in a monolayer by PD 10 and formed mature shapes on PD 42 by developing their dendritic arbors. Parvalbumin immunostaining revealed relatively slower maturation of Purkinje cells in the Lobule X cortex than in other lobules. Basket and stellate cells emerged in the molecular layer on PDs 21 and 42, respectively. Rosette-like arranged glutamate decarboxylase 65 and 67-positive puncta were observed in the inner granular layer (IGL) on PD 21. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining appeared in the outer zone of the external granular layer (EGL) containing progenitors of granular neurons on PDs 4–21. Bergmann glial processes extending vertically through the molecular layer and EGL were visible with GFAP immunostaining on PD 10 and thereafter. Their somata, aligned in the Purkinje cell layer, showed immunopositivity to Sox2 already on PD 4 and subsequently to S100 protein on PD 10. Sox2-positive cells were found sparsely in the IGL. Few of them were NeuN positive on PD 90, predicting the possibility of adult neurogenesis. These immunohistochemical results revealed that ferrets underwent cerebellar cortical histogenesis during their postnatal life in sequences. Relatively slow development or maturation of the ferret cerebellum was revealed by the timing of the monolayer alignment and morphological maturation of Purkinje cells.     

Prenatal development of Bergmann glial fibres in rodent cerebellum

Summary The external granular and molecular layers in the foetal cerebellar cortex of mice and rats were examined by electron microscopy for the presence of Bergmann glial fibres. Morphologically distinct Bergmann fibres were observed at embryonic day E 15 in the mouse and at E 17 in the rat. Even at prenatal stages of development these fibres have a considerable degree of cytological differentiation which permits their identification as glial elements. The glial fibres contain numerous microfilaments, some smooth endoplasmic reticulum, a few mitochondria and scant free ribosomes. They penetrate the molecular and external granular layers radially and terminate with endfeet at the cerebellar surface. The proliferative cells of the external granular layer possess cytoplasmic processes which are oriented randomly, do not have endfeet, and are morphologically distinct from the Bergmann fibres with which they intermingle. In conclusion, immature Bergmann glial cells are present well before birth in the rodent cerebellum.     

Naphthylamidase used as a lysosome marker in the study of acute selective necrosis of the internal granular layer of cerebellum.

Histochemical examination of the activity of naphthylamidase (LNAse) in the cerebellar cortex of 70 human autopsies consistantly revealed a marked activity mainly in the internal granular layer with pH optimum of 5.8. Slight enzyme activity was also localized in sites corresponding to lipofuscin deposits and areas of acid phosphatase activity in the Bergmann glial cells, Purkinje cells and in perivascular cells. The histochemical findings support the LNAse reaction as a lysosome marker. Differences in localization of LNAse and acid phosphatase could possibly be due to prior release of the latter enzyme from the internal granular layer. Significant correlation between demonstrable loss of granule cell nuclei (the so-called acute, selective necrosis of the granular layer) and low pH of the cerebellar tissue could be demonstrated in 21 cases. The present findings support the hypothesis that an enzymatic disintegration of the granule cells takes place in postmortem cerebella with low pH simulating a necrotic vital phenomenon.     

C型尼曼-匹克病小鼠小脑的胶质反应

探讨C型尼曼-匹克病(Nicmann-Pick disease type C,NPC)小脑胶质细胞的变化及其意义。应用组织蛋白酶D(Cat-D)和胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)抗体以及免疫组织化学方法,观察生后不同年龄的NPC和正常小鼠小脑内小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞的变化。结果显示随着年龄的增长,NPC小鼠小脑内Cat-D深染的小胶质细胞的数量呈进行性增加,细胞逐渐增大,尤以皮质分子层为甚。小脑髓质和颗粒层内GFAP阳性星形胶质细胞肿胀,数量增多;皮质内Bergmann胶质细胞逐渐增多,其放射状突起伸至分子层的表面。上述胶质细胞反应在小脑小结和蚓垂比较轻微。结果提示NPC小鼠小脑内小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞显著激活,它们可能与浦肯野细胞等神经元的退行性变有关。