Biomaterial Database

Occurrence of oligodendrocytes within astrocytes in demyelinating lesions. 1992

N R Ghatak

Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.

We investigated the fine structural details of the presence of apparently newly formed oligodendrocytes within reactive astrocytes in white matter lesions obtained by biopsy from seven cases (3 multiple sclerosis (MS); 3 progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML); 1 with nonspecific reactive changes next to a sarcoid granuloma). Intact oligodendrocytes were found within astrocytic cytoplasm in two acute MS lesions and also in the reactive white matter lesion. The internalized cells appeared to lie within membrane-bound vacuoles. Formation of rudimentary junctions was observed between the internalized cells and host astrocytes. Sometimes more than one oligodendrocyte was seen in the same astrocyte. Our study suggests that this newly recognized interaction between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes is not restricted to acute MS lesions and probably represents emperipolesis rather than phagocytosis. This apparently nonspecific finding may be expected in any lesion with a proliferation of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The precise mechanism of this phenomenon or its functional significance is not entirely clear.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007968	Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal	An opportunistic viral infection of the central nervous system associated with conditions that impair cell-mediated immunity (e.g., ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME and other IMMUNOLOGIC DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES; HEMATOLOGIC NEOPLASMS; IMMUNOSUPPRESSION; and COLLAGEN DISEASES). The causative organism is JC Polyomavirus (JC VIRUS) which primarily affects oligodendrocytes, resulting in multiple areas of demyelination. Clinical manifestations include DEMENTIA; ATAXIA; visual disturbances; and other focal neurologic deficits, generally progressing to a vegetative state within 6 months. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, pp36-7)	Encephalitis, JC Polyomavirus,Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy,JC Polyomavirus Encephalopathy,Encephalopathies, JC Polyomavirus,Encephalopathy, JC Polyomavirus,JC Polyomavirus Encephalitis,Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive Multifocal,Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive,Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive,Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009103	Multiple Sclerosis	An autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young adults and characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. Pathologic findings include multiple sharply demarcated areas of demyelination throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction. The usual pattern is one of recurrent attacks followed by partial recovery (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, RELAPSING-REMITTING), but acute fulminating and chronic progressive forms (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE) also occur. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p903)	MS (Multiple Sclerosis),Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Fulminating,Sclerosis, Disseminated,Disseminated Sclerosis,Sclerosis, Multiple
D009836	Oligodendroglia	A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system. Oligodendroglia may be called interfascicular, perivascular, or perineuronal (not the same as SATELLITE CELLS, PERINEURONAL of GANGLIA) according to their location. They form the insulating MYELIN SHEATH of axons in the central nervous system.	Interfascicular Oligodendroglia,Oligodendrocytes,Perineuronal Oligodendroglia,Perineuronal Satellite Oligodendroglia Cells,Perivascular Oligodendroglia,Satellite Cells, Perineuronal, Oligodendroglia,Perineuronal Satellite Oligodendrocytes,Interfascicular Oligodendroglias,Oligodendrocyte,Oligodendrocyte, Perineuronal Satellite,Oligodendrocytes, Perineuronal Satellite,Oligodendroglia, Interfascicular,Oligodendroglia, Perineuronal,Oligodendroglia, Perivascular,Perineuronal Satellite Oligodendrocyte,Satellite Oligodendrocyte, Perineuronal,Satellite Oligodendrocytes, Perineuronal
D003711	Demyelinating Diseases	Diseases characterized by loss or dysfunction of myelin in the central or peripheral nervous system.	Clinically Isolated CNS Demyelinating Syndrome,Clinically Isolated Syndrome, CNS Demyelinating,Demyelinating Disorders,Demyelination,Demyelinating Disease,Demyelinating Disorder,Demyelinations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D001253	Astrocytes	A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.	Astroglia,Astroglia Cells,Astroglial Cells,Astrocyte,Astroglia Cell,Astroglial Cell,Astroglias,Cell, Astroglia,Cell, Astroglial