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Ding X, Pan T, Tian Q, Huang W, Hayashi LS, Liu Q, Li F, Xu LX, Miao P, Yang X, Sun B, Feng CX, Feng X, Li M, Huang J. Profiling Temporal Changes of the Pineal Transcriptomes at Single Cell Level Upon Neonatal HIBD. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:794012. [PMID: 35350377 PMCID: PMC8958010 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.794012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) often results in various neurological deficits. Among them, a common, yet often neglected, symptom is circadian rhythm disorders. Previous studies revealed that the occurrence of cysts in the pineal gland, an organ known to regulate circadian rhythm, is associated with circadian problems in children with HIBD. However, the underlying mechanisms of pineal dependent dysfunctions post HIBD remain largely elusive. Here, by performing 10x single cell RNA sequencing, we firstly molecularly identified distinct pineal cell types and explored their transcriptome changes at single cell level at 24 and 72 h post neonatal HIBD. Bioinformatic analysis of cell prioritization showed that both subtypes of pinealocytes, the predominant component of the pineal gland, were mostly affected. We then went further to investigate how distinct pineal cell types responded to neonatal HIBD. Within pinealocytes, we revealed a molecularly defined β to α subtype conversion induced by neonatal HIBD. Within astrocytes, we discovered that all three subtypes responded to neonatal HIBD, with differential expression of reactive astrocytes markers. Two subtypes of microglia cells were both activated by HIBD, marked by up-regulation of Ccl3. Notably, microglia cells showed substantial reduction at 72 h post HIBD. Further investigation revealed that pyroptosis preferentially occurred in pineal microglia through NLRP3-Caspase-1-GSDMD signaling pathway. Taken together, our results delineated temporal changes of molecular and cellular events occurring in the pineal gland following neonatal HIBD. By revealing pyroptosis in the pineal gland, our study also provided potential therapeutic targets for preventing extravasation of pineal pathology and thus improving circadian rhythm dysfunction in neonates with HIBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ding
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Pan
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiuyan Tian
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenxi Huang
- Undergraduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Lauren S Hayashi
- IRTA Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Qin Liu
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fuyong Li
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Li-Xiao Xu
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Po Miao
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chen-Xi Feng
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xing Feng
- Soochow Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Child Brain Injury, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Undergraduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.,IRTA Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Pediatrics Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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2
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Lépinay J, Taragnat C, Dubois JP, Chesneau D, Jockers R, Delagrange P, Bozon V. Negative regulation of melatonin secretion by melatonin receptors in ovine pinealocytes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255249. [PMID: 34324562 PMCID: PMC8320996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) is a biological modulator of circadian and seasonal rhythms and reproduction. The photoperiodic information is detected by retinal photoreceptors and transmitted through nerve transmissions to the pineal gland, where MLT is synthesized and secreted at night into the blood. MLT interacts with two G protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2. The aim of our work was to provide evidence for the presence of MLT receptors in the ovine pineal gland and define their involvement on melatonin secretion. For the first time, we identified the expression of MLT receptors with the specific 2-[125I]-MLT agonistic radioligand in ovin pinealocytes. The values of Kd and Bmax are 2.24 ± 1.1 nM and 20 ± 6.8 fmol/mg. MLT receptors are functional and inhibit cAMP production and activate ERK1/2 through pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/o proteins. The MLT receptor antagonist/ inverse agonist luzindole increased cAMP production (189 ± 30%) and MLT secretion (866 ± 13%). The effect of luzindole on MLT secretion was additive with the effect of well-described activators of this pathway such as the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and the α-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. Co-incubation of all three compounds increased MLT secretion by 1236 ± 199%. These results suggest that MLT receptors are involved in the negative regulation of the synthesis of its own ligand in pinealocytes. While adrenergic receptors promote MLT secretion, MLT receptors mitigate this effect to limit the quantity of MLT secreted by the pineal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lépinay
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Catherine Taragnat
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Dubois
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Didier Chesneau
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Véronique Bozon
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- * E-mail:
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3
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Gheban BA, Colosi HA, Gheban-Rosca IA, Pop B, Domșa AMT, Georgiu C, Gheban D, Crișan D, Crișan M. Age-Related Changes of the Pineal Gland in Humans: A Digital Anatomo-Histological Morphometric Study on Autopsy Cases with Comparison to Predigital-Era Studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57040383. [PMID: 33921100 PMCID: PMC8071372 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57040383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: The pineal gland is a photoneuroendocrine organ in the midline of the brain, responsible primarily for melatonin synthesis. It is composed mainly of pinealocytes and glial tissue. This study examined human postmortem pineal glands to microscopically assess age-related changes using digital techniques, and offers a perspective on evolutionary tendencies compared to the past. Materials and Methods: A retrospective autopsy study has been performed on 72 pediatric and adult autopsy cases. The glands have been processed for histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Slides were assessed under polarized light and digitally scanned. Morphometric data were obtained using CaseViewer and ImageJ. Results: Thirty-three females and 39 males were included in the study, grouped under three age groups: 0–25, 46–65, and 66–96 years of age. The peak gland volume was found within the 46–65 age group, the overall mean volume was 519 mm3, the main architectural types were lobular and insular, and the mean percentage of pineal calcification was 15% of the gland, peaking within the 66–96 age group, with a predominantly globular shape. Glial cysts were found in 20.8% of cases. The intensity of GFAP stain was maximal in the pediatric age group, but the extent of glial tissue was much larger in elderly patients. Discussion: The degenerative process of the pineal gland can be quantified by measuring normal parenchyma, calcifications, glial tissue, and glial cysts. Morphometric differences have been observed and compared to a similar studies performed in the published literature. The current study, unfortunately, lacks a 26–45 age group. Digital techniques seemed to offer a more exact analysis, but returned similar results to studies performed over 40 years ago, therefore offering important information on evolutionary tendencies. Conclusions: Increase in glial tissue, calcifications, and glial cysts have a defining role as age-related changes in the pineal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan-Alexandru Gheban
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
- Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Correspondence: (B.-A.G.); (H.A.C.)
| | - Horațiu Alexandru Colosi
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (B.-A.G.); (H.A.C.)
| | | | - Bogdan Pop
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
- The Oncology Institute “Ion Chiricuţă”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Ana-Maria Teodora Domșa
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Carmen Georgiu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
- Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Dan Gheban
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
- Children’s Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Doinița Crișan
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (B.P.); (A.-M.T.D.); (C.G.); (D.G.); (D.C.)
- Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Maria Crișan
- Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Histology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400129 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Dumas G, Goubran‐Botros H, Matondo M, Pagan C, Boulègue C, Chaze T, Chamot‐Rooke J, Maronde E, Bourgeron T. Mass-spectrometry analysis of the human pineal proteome during night and day and in autism. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12713. [PMID: 33368564 PMCID: PMC8047921 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The human pineal gland regulates day-night dynamics of multiple physiological processes, especially through the secretion of melatonin. Using mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and dedicated analysis tools, we identify proteins in the human pineal gland and analyze systematically their variation throughout the day and compare these changes in the pineal proteome between control specimens and donors diagnosed with autism. Results reveal diverse regulated clusters of proteins with, among others, catabolic carbohydrate process and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle-related proteins differing between day and night and/or control versus autism pineal glands. These data show novel and unexpected processes happening in the human pineal gland during the day/night rhythm as well as specific differences between autism donor pineal glands and those from controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
- Precision Psychiatry and Social Physiology laboratoryCHU Ste‐Justine Research CenterDepartment of PsychiatryUniversity of MontrealQuebecQCCanada
| | - Hany Goubran‐Botros
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Cécile Pagan
- Paris Descartes UniversityParisFrance
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie MoléculaireINSERM U942Hôpital LariboisièreAPHPParisFrance
| | - Cyril Boulègue
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Thibault Chaze
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Julia Chamot‐Rooke
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Erik Maronde
- Institute for Anatomy IIFaculty of MedicineGoethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
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5
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Coon SL, Fu C, Hartley SW, Holtzclaw L, Mays JC, Kelly MC, Kelley MW, Mullikin JC, Rath MF, Savastano LE, Klein DC. Single Cell Sequencing of the Pineal Gland: The Next Chapter. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:590. [PMID: 31616371 PMCID: PMC6764290 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of pineal cell biology has undergone remarkable development as techniques have become available which allow for sequencing of entire transcriptomes and, most recently, the sequencing of the transcriptome of individual cells. Identification of at least nine distinct cell types in the rat pineal gland has been made possible, allowing identification of the precise cells of origin and expression of transcripts for the first time. Here the history and current state of knowledge generated by these transcriptomic efforts is reviewed, with emphasis on the insights suggested by the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Steven W. Hartley
- Comparative Genomics Analysis Unit, Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lynne Holtzclaw
- Microscopy and Imaging Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph C. Mays
- Institute on Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew W. Kelley
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James C. Mullikin
- National Institutes of Health Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Martin F. Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luis E. Savastano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David C. Klein
- Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: David C. Klein
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Mays JC, Kelly MC, Coon SL, Holtzclaw L, Rath MF, Kelley MW, Klein DC. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the mammalian pineal gland identifies two pinealocyte subtypes and cell type-specific daily patterns of gene expression. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205883. [PMID: 30347410 PMCID: PMC6197868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate pineal gland is dedicated to the production of the hormone melatonin, which increases at night to influence circadian and seasonal rhythms. This increase is associated with dramatic changes in the pineal transcriptome. Here, single-cell analysis of the rat pineal transcriptome was approached by sequencing mRNA from ~17,000 individual pineal cells, with the goals of profiling the cells that comprise the pineal gland and examining the proposal that there are two distinct populations of pinealocytes differentiated by the expression of Asmt, which encodes the enzyme that converts N-acetylserotonin to melatonin. In addition, this analysis provides evidence of cell-specific time-of-day dependent changes in gene expression. Nine transcriptomically distinct cell types were identified: ~90% were classified as melatonin-producing α- and β-pinealocytes (1:19 ratio). Non-pinealocytes included three astrocyte subtypes, two microglia subtypes, vascular and leptomeningeal cells, and endothelial cells. α-Pinealocytes were distinguished from β-pinealocytes by ~3-fold higher levels of Asmt transcripts. In addition, α-pinealocytes have transcriptomic differences that likely enhance melatonin formation by increasing the availability of the Asmt cofactor S-adenosylmethionine, resulting from increased production of a precursor of S-adenosylmethionine, ATP. These transcriptomic differences include ~2-fold higher levels of the ATP-generating oxidative phosphorylation transcriptome and ~8-fold lower levels of the ribosome transcriptome, which is expected to reduce the consumption of ATP by protein synthesis. These findings suggest that α-pinealocytes have a specialized role in the pineal gland: efficiently O-methylating the N-acetylserotonin produced and released by β-pinealocytes, thereby improving the overall efficiency of melatonin synthesis. We have also identified transcriptomic changes that occur between night and day in seven cell types, the majority of which occur in β-pinealocytes and to a lesser degree in α-pinealocytes; many of these changes were mimicked by adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol. The cellular heterogeneity of the pineal gland as revealed by this study provides a new framework for understanding pineal cell biology at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Mays
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core Facility, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lynne Holtzclaw
- Microscopy and Imaging Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Martin F. Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthew W. Kelley
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David C. Klein
- Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Bolat D, Kürüm A, Canpolat S. Morphology and quantification of sheep pineal glands at pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods. Anat Histol Embryol 2018; 47:338-345. [PMID: 29774950 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine organ associated with photoperiodic regulation in mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pineal gland at the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods by means of morphology and stereology. The study examined at total of 24 ovine pineal glands collected from healthy female Akkaraman breed. Thick sections (40 μm) were cut and treated with synaptophysin. Following each thick section, six consecutive sections at a thickness of 5 μm were cut. Each thin section was stained with one of the following dyes: Crossman's modified triple dye, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), melatonin marker, periodic acid-Schiff, Von Kossa and AgNOR. The pineal gland volume was measured using Cavalieri's method. The optical fractionator was used to estimate the total number of pinealocytes. The percentage of parenchyma and connective tissue and degree of vascularization were estimated by the area fraction fractionator method. The pineal gland volumes in the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal groups were 7.53 ± 1.715 mm3 , 11.20 ± 1.336 mm3 and 17.75 ± 1.188 mm3 , respectively (p < .5). The number of pinealocytes in the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal groups was 3,244,000 ± 228,076, 4,438,000 ± 243,610, 7,381,766 ± 406,223, respectively (p < .05). The glands of the post-pubertal group contained the highest amount of connective tissue (11.49 ± 2.103%; p < .5) and the largest GFAP staining area (p < .05). The melatonin staining density was the highest in the pubertal group. The density of lipofuscin staining was higher in the pubertal and post-pubertal groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durmuş Bolat
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Kırıkkale University, Yahsihan, Kırıkkale, Turkey
| | - Aytül Kürüm
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kırıkkale University, Yahsihan, Kırıkkale, Turkey
| | - Sıla Canpolat
- Faculty of Engineering, Multidisciplinary Laboratories, İzmir Economy University, Balcova, İzmir, Turkey
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8
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Carvalho-Sousa CE, da Silveira Cruz-Machado S, Tamura EK, Fernandes PACM, Pinato L, Muxel SM, Cecon E, Markus RP. Molecular basis for defining the pineal gland and pinealocytes as targets for tumor necrosis factor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:10. [PMID: 22654792 PMCID: PMC3356111 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The pineal gland, the gland that translates darkness into an endocrine signal by releasing melatonin at night, is now considered a key player in the mounting of an innate immune response. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the first pro-inflammatory cytokine to be released by an inflammatory response, suppresses the translation of the key enzyme of melatonin synthesis (arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase, Aanat). Here, we show that TNF receptors of the subtype 1 (TNF-R1) are expressed by astrocytes, microglia, and pinealocytes. We also show that the TNF signaling reduces the level of inhibitory nuclear factor kappa B protein subtype A (NFKBIA), leading to the nuclear translocation of two NFKB dimers, p50/p50, and p50/RelA. The lack of a transactivating domain in the p50/p50 dimer suggests that this dimer is responsible for the repression of Aanat transcription. Meanwhile, p50/RelA promotes the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide, which inhibits adrenergically induced melatonin production. Together, these data provide a mechanistic basis for considering pinealocytes a target of TNF and reinforce the idea that the suppression of pineal melatonin is one of the mechanisms involved in mounting an innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Emanuele Carvalho-Sousa
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Koji Tamura
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro A. C. M. Fernandes
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Pinato
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy, Universidade Estadual PaulistaMarília, Brazil
| | - Sandra M. Muxel
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erika Cecon
- Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina P. Markus
- *Correspondence: Regina P. Markus, Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil. e-mail:
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Abstract
We studied the pineal gland (PG) growth separating two critical moments of the rat post-natal development: the lactation and post-weaning periods. We studied 30 Wistar rats in the post-natal day - PN day 6, 10, 21, 45, 60 and 90 using light microscopy and quantitative methods (allometry and stereology). We estimated the PG volume (using the Cavalieri's principle) and the number of pineal gland cell nuclei (PGCN, using the disector method). We analysed the correlation of the PG volume (y) versus brain weight (x) in the different age groups (the bivariate study used log-transformed data and the allometric model log y = log a + b log x). The PG growth gradually decelerated in older rats than in younger rats. The major increment of the PG growth was observed between PN day 6 and PN day 10, while the minor increment was observed after weaning between PN day 45 and PN day 60. After 60 days of age differences were no more observed. The relative growth of the PG was allometrically positive in all age groups, and growth curves separated the lactation from the after weaning periods. The number of PGCN of rat continuously increased during post-natal life and differences between the lactation and after weaning periods were significant. It is possible that the supporting cells, fibres and new synapses are responsible for that PG late post-natal increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ferreira-Medeiros
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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10
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Echigo N, Moriyama Y. Vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter is expressed in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing astrocytes in rat pineal glands. Neurosci Lett 2004; 367:79-84. [PMID: 15308302 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.05.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2004] [Revised: 05/06/2004] [Accepted: 05/26/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory amino acid and acts as an intercellular transmitter in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. In pineal glands, GABA is supposed to be a paracrine-like modulator of secretion of melatonin, although its mode of action, especially the sites of GABA signal appearance, is unknown. Vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT) is a potential marker for the GABAergic phenotype. Here we presented evidence that VIAAT is expressed in GFAP-expressing astrocytes and a subpopulation of OX42-expressing microglia, but not in pinealocytes in cultured cells of rat pineal glands. The VIAAT-expressing cells also exhibit GABA immunoreactivity. Essentially the same results were obtained for pineal glands. These results suggest that GABA is stored and secreted from astrocytes and a subpopulation of microglia in pineal glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Echigo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tshushima-naka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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11
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Utsuki S, Kawano N, Oka H, Fukushima Y, Kondo K, Tanizaki Y, Yashui Y, Fujii K, Yagishita S. Pineal parenchymal tumor with marked retinoblastic differentiation: Case report. Brain Tumor Pathol 2003; 20:33-7. [PMID: 14604230 DOI: 10.1007/bf02478945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A 53-year-old woman was found to have a tumor in the pineal region. Histologically, Homer-Wright rosettes were sporadically distributed in a diffuse proliferation of round tumor cells that were immunoreactive for synaptophysin and chromogranin. A few perivascular pseudorosettes were also present, and the perivascular tumor cells were immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. By electron microscopy, well-developed junctions and pronounced interdigitation of abutting plasma membranes were noted in many tumor cells, as well as abundant intracytoplasmic microtubules. These findings indicated that the tumor was a pineal parenchymal tumor accompanied by an extraordinary epithelial-like differentiation, suggesting retinoblastic photoreceptor cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Utsuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 228-8555, Japan.
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12
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Sakai Y, Hira Y, Matsushima S. Central GABAergic innervation of the mammalian pineal gland: a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical investigation in rodent and nonrodent species. J Comp Neurol 2001; 430:72-84. [PMID: 11135246 DOI: 10.1002/1096-9861(20010129)430:1<72::aid-cne1015>3.0.co;2-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical observations were made to demonstrate central pinealopetal fibers immunoreactive for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and synapses between their terminals and pinealocytes in the pineal gland of four rodent (Wistar-King rat; mouse; Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus; Hartley strain guinea pig) and one nonrodent (tree shrew, Tupaia glis) species. GABA-immunoreactive myelinated and unmyelinated fibers and endings were found in the parenchyma of the pineal gland of all the animals examined. In the rodent species, GABAergic fibers were mainly found in the intermediate and proximal portions of the pineal gland and were nearly or entirely absent in the distal portion of the gland. Abundant GABAergic fibers were evenly distributed throughout the gland of the tree shrew. In all the animals, the habenular and posterior commissures contained abundant GABA-positive fibers, and some of them were followed to the pineal gland. GABA-positive endings made synaptic contact with pinealocytes, occasionally in mice and guinea pigs, and frequently in tree shrews; no synapses were observed in Syrian hamsters and rats. In the pineal gland of all the animals, GABA-immunoreactive cell bodies were not detected, and sympathetic fibers were not immunoreactive for GABA. These data indicate that GABAergic fibers are main pinealopetal projections from the brain. In view of the difference in the distribution of these fibers, central GABAergic innervation may play a more significant role in nonrodents than in rodents. The frequent occurrence of GABAergic synapses on pinealocytes in the tree shrew suggests that GABA released at these synapses directly controls activity of pinealocytes of this animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Sakai
- Department of Anatomy, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan.
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13
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Yatsushiro S, Hayashi M, Morita M, Yamamoto A, Moriyama Y. Glutamate receptor subunit delta2 is highly expressed in a novel population of glial-like cells in rat pineal glands in culture. J Neurochem 2000; 75:1115-22. [PMID: 10936193 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2000.0751115.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian pineal gland uses L-glutamate as an intercellular chemical transmitter to regulate negatively melatonin synthesis. To receive glutamate signals, pinealocytes express at least three kinds of glutamate receptors: metabotropic receptor types 3 and 5 and an ionotropic receptor, GluR1. In this study, we examined whether or not the fourth class of ionotropic receptor, delta, which is known for its nondefinitive molecular function and its unique expression pattern in brain, is expressed in pineal gland. RT-PCR analyses with specific probes indicated the expression of mRNA of delta2 but not that of delta1 in pineal gland and cultured pineal cells. Western blotting analysis with polyclonal antibodies specific to the carboxyl-terminal region of the delta2 receptor recognized a single 110-kDa polypeptide of cerebellar membranes and specifically immunostained Purkinje cells. The delta2 antibodies recognized a 110-kDa polypeptide of pineal membranes and specifically immunostained huge glial-like cells with the occasional presence of several long, branching processes in a pineal cell culture. delta2 is not uniformly distributed throughout the cells and is relatively abundant at the periphery of the cell bodies and long processes, where the terminals of synaptophysin-positive processes of pinealocytes, a site for glutamate secretion, are frequently present. The delta2-positive cells constitute a very minor population among total pineal cells (approximately 0.03%). Double immunolabeling with delta2 antibodies and antibodies against marker proteins for pineal interstitial cells clearly distinguishes delta2-positive pineal cells and other known interstitial cells, including glial fibrillary acidic protein- or vimentin-positive glial-like cells. These results indicated that the delta2 glutamate receptor is expressed in a novel subpopulation of pineal glial-like cells in culture and suggest the presence of a glutamate-mediated intercellular signal transduction mechanism between pinealocytes and delta2-expressing cells. The pineal cells may provide a good experimental system for studies on the function of glutamate receptor delta2.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yatsushiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan
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14
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Abstract
The distribution and density of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive, sympathetic fibers and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, substance P (SP)-, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive, non-sympathetic fibers in the pineal gland, the effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGX) on these fibers, and the location of their terminals in the pineal gland were compared between rodents and non-rodents. A dense network of TH/NPY-positive fibers is present all over the pineal gland. A less dense network of CGRP/SP- or VIP-positive fibers occurs in the whole pineal gland of non-rodents, but these fibers are usually confined to the superficial pineal gland in rodents. After SCGX, some TH/NPY-fibers remain only in the deep pineal gland in rodents, whereas considerable numbers of these fibers persist throughout the gland in non-rodents. Thus, the remaining fibers, probably originating from the brain, may be more numerous in non-rodents. Since CGRP-, SP- or VIP-immunoreactive fibers in the pineal capsule can be traced to those in the gland, and since these fibers are ensheathed by Schwann cells, it is concluded that these fibers belong to the peripheral nervous system. However, the existence of SP-positive central fibers cannot be denied in some species. In the superficial pineal gland of rodents, sympathetic terminals are mostly localized in perivascular spaces, whereas the parenchymal innervation by sympathetic fibers in the pineal gland is more dense in non-rodents than in rodents. Synapses between sympathetic nerve terminals and pinealocytes occur occasionally in non-rodents, but only rarely in the superficial pineal gland of rodents. The occurrence of the synapses may depend on the frequency of intraparenchymal sympathetic terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Matsushima
- Department of Anatomy, Asahikawa Medical College, Nishikagura, Asahikawa, 078-8510, Japan
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15
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Abstract
The structure of the pineal gland of 32 clinically healthy ovine embryos at different stages of development was studied. Embryos were arranged in four age groups, each containing eight embryos (four males and four females), defined in terms of the most relevant histological features: group 1 (27 to 69 days of prenatal development), group 2 (70 to 97 days), group 3 (98 to 116 days), and group 4 (117 to 150 days). At around 30 days of prenatal life, according to topographic criteria, the pineal outline begins to differentiate into a dorsal evagination of the diencephalic medium line, close to the anterior and posterior commissures. The growth of the pineal is biphasic. The ontogenic-proliferative phase begins at 30 days and includes the invasion of ependymal cells and the proliferation of the pineal parenchyma cells. The hypertrophic-differentiation phase includes the volume increment of the pinealoblasts and their differentiation into pinealocytes; this occurs at around 118 days. At around 98 days, the gland acquires its definitive compact appearance due to 1) glandular growth in constant volume and 2) the obliteration of pineal recess. The glandular structure displays a parenchyma made up of pinealoblasts, interstitial cells, and cells containing pigment. The pineal stroma is structured in pseudolobes formed by reticular and collagen fiber septae, which constitute together the interstitial cell prolongation net, which is the support structure of the whole glandular cytology. Capillaries are detected all over the glandular surface, being more abundant in the medullary zone. At around 98 days of prenatal development, VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) positive fibers, distributed around blood vessels and among pinealoblasts were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Regodón
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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16
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Abstract
Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the second cell type in sheep embryo pineal glands. Thirty-two embryos were studied from day 54 of development through birth. Specimens were arranged in four age groups, defined in terms of the most relevant histological features: Group 1 (54-67 days of prenatal development), Group 2 (71-92 days), Group 3 (98-113 days), and Group 4 (118-150 days). At 98 days, a second cell type was observed which differed from pinealoblasts and showed uniform ultrastructural characteristics similar to those of astrocytes in the central nervous system. Ultrastructural homogeneity was not matched by the results of histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis: while all Type II cells stained positive to phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, only 50% expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein. In the course of ovine intrauterine development, the vascular affinity of this second cell population, composed of glial-like or astrocytic cells at varying stages of maturity, leads to the formation of a limiting pineal barrier. This barrier may constitute the morphological expression of a hypothetical functional involvement in the exchange of substances between blood and pineal parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Franco
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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17
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Sakai Y, Hira Y, Matsushima S. Regional differences in the pineal gland of the cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus: light microscopic, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical observations. J Pineal Res 1996; 20:125-37. [PMID: 8797179 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.1996.tb00248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical observations of the various portions of the pineal gland of the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) were made. The volume of the proximal half occupied about 30% of the whole organ, and pinealocytes were slightly smaller in size in the proximal portion than elsewhere. The distal and intermediate portions contained few interstitial cells and numerous astrocytes, but the proximal portion lacked interstitial cells and had more abundant astrocytes than elsewhere. Astrocytes, which were immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, mainly lined the pericapillary spaces in the distal and intermediate portions, but in the proximal portion these cells often surrounded isolated or groups of pinealocytes. In the distal and intermediate portions, abundant sympathetic fibers and less numerous non-sympathetic, peptidergic fibers were mainly localized in the pericapillary spaces; these fibers were sparsely distributed in the parenchyma close to interstitial cells or astrocytes. In the proximal portion, non-sympathetic fibers were scarce and sympathetic fibers were distributed abundantly and almost exclusively in the parenchyma. Most of the sympathetic fibers were adjacent to astrocytes and, occasionally, made specialized contact with them. Fenestrae in the capillary endothelium were numerous in the distal portion but absent in the proximal portion. Thus, marked differences in structure existed between the distal and proximal portions of the pineal gland of the cotton rat suggesting that both portions are functionally dissimilar. In addition, the present study indicates that the proximal portion of the cotton rat was well developed and showed morphological features similar to the deeply situated pineal glands of other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Sakai
- Department of Anatomy, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan
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18
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Abstract
We have studied the postnatal evolution of the glial cells in the rat pineal gland after its chemical pre- and perinatal denervation, by the assessment of the immunocytochemical expression of three antigens characteristic of glial cells i.e., vimentin (VIM), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and S-100 protein. The neurotoxic agents we applied consisted of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) administered during the first 5 postnatal days, and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) injected to pregnant rats in the 15th gestational day. VIM immunoreactivity was detected in pineal glial cells from the first postnatal day, both in denervated and control groups. However, in denervated glands, the maturation process of the glial cells is considerably accelerated, since they appear completely detached of the connective tissue septa at day 15. From day 30, the number of VIM-positive structures progressively increases until adulthood, when a large number of immunoreactive cell processes produces a reticular appearance to the denervated pineal gland. The first GFAP and S-100 protein immunoreactive cells were observed earlier in denervated animals (5th postnatal day for S-100 protein, and 10th postnatal day for GFAP) compared with controls. In the experimentally denervated groups, the population of positive cells, as well as their size and the number of their cell processes, is considerably higher and progressively increased. They were always characteristically located in the proximal half of the gland. From day 45, this region of the gland shows a notable amount of hypertrophic positive cells with thick processes, showing a gliotic aspect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- F López-Muñoz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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19
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Abstract
The pineal gland is host to a spectrum of neoplasms. Those considered to be derived from or differentiating toward pineal parenchymal cells are rare. Traditionally, pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) have been divided into 3 types: pineocytomas, pineoblastomas, and mixed or transitional tumors. Their characterization has been far from adequate and no firm diagnostic criteria, light microscopic or ultrastructural, have been established. In an attempt to provide more precise prognostic diagnostic criteria, we undertook a detailed ultrastructural analysis of 17 PPTs and found them to exhibit light microscopic and ultrastructural features strikingly similar to those of pineal parenchymal cells in varying stages of development, ranging from undifferentiated primitive neuroepithelial cells to mature pineal parenchymal cells. We endorse classification of PPTs based on a combination of their light microscopic and ultrastructural features. Accordingly, PPTs can be divided into three categories: 1) pinealoblastoma, 2) PPTs of intermediate or mixed differentiation, and 3) pineocytoma, a tumor of mature-appearing pineocytes. In keeping with this classification, our 3 pinealoblastomas behaved as highly malignant tumors. A correlation of morphology and prognosis was less evident between intermediate tumors and pineocytomas, perhaps the result of considerable variation in surgical and other therapies. Evidence of neurosensory differentiation, a feature noted to a varying extent in all but the pineoblastomas, included club-shaped "nerve endings" in 7 tumors, small numbers of dense core granules in 8, clear vesicles in 7, and structures suggestive of synapses in 4. With the exception of 3 undifferentiated PPTs or pinealoblastomas lacking nerve endings, all pineocytomas exhibited some combination of these markers of neuronal specialization. In that the ultrastructural features of these PPTs were more indicative of their aggressiveness than was their degree of light microscopic differentiation or grade, we consider electron microscopy a useful adjunct, not only in diagnosis but also in therapeutic decision-making and prognostication.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Min
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190
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20
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Abstract
The expression of glial antigens vimentin (VIM) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is described in the pineal gland of cats and dogs from the first postnatal days to adulthood. VIM immunopositive cells were observed from the first postnatal days in both species. GFAP expression starts from the second postnatal week. In adults, a notable population of stellate cells immunopositive for GFAP and VIM was found dispersed throughout the gland. According to their immunocytochemical profile, these cells could be identified as astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Boya
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Pedersen EB, Fox LM, Castro AJ, McNulty JA. Immunocytochemical and electron-microscopic characterization of macrophage/microglia cells and expression of class II major histocompatibility complex in the pineal gland of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 1993; 272:257-65. [PMID: 8513480 DOI: 10.1007/bf00302731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial cells in the pineal gland of the rat were characterized immunocytochemically using the monoclonal antibodies MRC OX-42 and ED1 for macrophages/microglia, and MRC OX-6, which recognizes major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen. A polyclonal antibody against GFAP was used to identify astrocytes. Cells immunopositive for OX-42 and/or ED1 were distributed throughout the gland; they extended processes primarily along the perivascular spaces and occasionally within the parenchyma of the gland. Ultrastructurally, these OX-42-positive cells were characterized by a nucleus with sparse heterochromatin and cytoplasmic vacuoles/lysosomes. Cells expressing MHC class II antigen had a distribution and morphology similar to OX-42-immunopositive cells, suggesting that pineal macrophages/microglia play a role as antigen-presenting cells. GFAP-positive astrocytes were concentrated at the proximal end of the pineal where the pineal stalk enters the gland. The occurrence of antigen-presenting cells in this circumventricular neuroendocrine gland has important functional implications as these cells may be mediators of neuroimmunomodulatory mechanisms, and involved in certain disease states such as autoimmune pinealitis.
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22
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Abstract
The developmental expression of the glial antigens, vimentin (VIM), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and S-100 protein is described in the rat pineal gland from the first postnatal day to adulthood. Thick VIM immunopositive cell cords forming a network throughout the pineal gland were observed from the first postnatal days. These cords progressively disappeared during the first postnatal month as their cells dispersed into the pineal parenchyma. From 20 to 25 postnatal days, pineal glial cells appeared as isolated star-shaped VIM immunopositive cells. Immunostaining for GFAP and S-100 protein showed a similar developmental expression pattern. Both antigens appeared later than VIM (15-20 postnatal days) and were restricted to the pineal glial cells located in the proximal third of the gland, close to the pineal stalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Borregón
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Abstract
In the present work, coexpression of vimentin (VIM) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is demonstrated in the glial cells of the adult rat pineal gland. Serial consecutive Epon semithin sections (0.5 microns thick) were alternately immunostained for VIM and GFAP. GFAP positive cells and processes were found in the proximal region of the pineal gland, near the pineal stalk. Most of these cells were also immunostained for VIM in adjacent semithin sections. The significance of the coexpression VIM-GFAP and the restricted location of GFAP positive cells is discussed in relation with the maturation of pineal glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- F López-Muñoz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Li K, Welsh MG. S-antigen and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the in situ pineal gland of hamster and gerbil and in pineal grafts: developmental expression of pinealocyte and glial markers. Am J Anat 1991; 192:510-22. [PMID: 1781457 DOI: 10.1002/aja.1001920415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Postnatal development of S-Ag and GFAP immunoreactivity in the in situ pineal glands of golden hamsters and gerbils was examined using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistochemical technique. S-Ag was present in the gerbil pineal gland on the first postnatal day (P1), whereas it did not appear in the hamster pineal until P6. GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes were first observed in the hamster pineal gland on P7 and in the gerbil pineal gland on P10. The number of S-Ag-immunoreactive pinealocytes and GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the pineal glands of hamsters and gerbils increased with increasing age from P7 to 3 weeks. By 4 weeks, strong S-Ag and GFAP immunoreactivity was observed in both hamster and gerbil pineal glands. GFAP-immunoreactive stellate astrocytes were distributed evenly throughout the gerbil superficial pineal gland, but they were more often located in the peripheral region of the hamster superficial pineal. For the pineal grafts, pineal glands from neonatal (3-5 day old) hamsters were transplanted into the third cerebral ventricle (infundibular recess or posterior third ventricle) or beneath the renal capsule of adult male hamsters. S-Ag immunoreactivity appeared in the pineal grafts within 1 week following transplantation. By 4 weeks the pineal grafts showed strong S-Ag immunoreactivity which was maintained until at least 12 weeks after transplantation. The time course of glial cell maturation in the cerebroventricular pineal grafts is generally parallel to the hamster pineal gland in situ before 4 weeks. By 12 weeks, however, more astrocytes differentiated and developed GFAP-immunoreactivity in the pineal grafts than in the in situ pineals. These studies have described the postnatal development of S-Ag and GFAP immunoreactivity in in situ pineal glands and in neonatal pineal grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Li
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208
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25
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Schröder H, Malhotra SK. Characterization of rodent pineal astrocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy using a monoclonal antibody (J1-31). Cell Tissue Res 1987; 248:607-10. [PMID: 3300995 DOI: 10.1007/bf00216490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In previous studies pineal astrocytes have been characterized immunohistochemically mainly by use of antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein. Because of the recent demonstration of this protein in non-astrocytic cells the question of its specificity as an astrocytic marker has been raised. A possible alternative tool for characterizing pineal astrocytes is the J1-31 monoclonal antibody, which is directed against a 30,000 dalton astrocytic protein clearly distinguishable from glial fibrillary acidic protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy of this antibody in the pineal gland of rat and guinea-pig revealed a staining pattern similar to that obtained by glial acidic fibrillary protein antisera. In the rat, J1-31-immunoreactive cells and processes were concentrated in the transitional region between the superficial pineal gland and pineal stalk. Fibrillar J1-31-immunoreactive structures were seen in the most proximal part of the guinea-pig pineal gland. The J1-31 monoclonal antibody therefore appears to be a useful tool for the demonstration of pineal astrocytes; it avoids the specificity problems of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry.
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