Age-related accumulation of congophilic fibrillar inclusions in endocrine cells. 1991

J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
Department of Neuropathology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.

Intracellular fibrillar congophilic inclusions are well known as neurofibrillary tangles in neurons and as Biondi bodies in choroid plexus epithelial cells. Recently similar amyloid-like inclusions in adrenal cortical cells were described (Eriksson and Westermark 1990). This study on 150 adrenal glands confirms these observations. In our material the age-related accumulation of congophilic inclusions starts earlier (in the sixth decade) and reaches a higher incidence (42.7%). We found similar intracellular inclusions in other endocrine organs, for example in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, in the cells of parathyroid glands and in Sertoli cells. The age-related incidence of these fibrillar inclusions in the pituitary was 68%: the co-incidence with interstitial amyloid deposits was 49.5%. Thus the intracellular accumulation of congophilic fibrils in old age is a wide-spread phenomenon and occurs not only in neurons but also in endocrine cells (adrenal, pituitary and parathyroid glands) and in active secretory cells (choroid plexus and Sertoli cells).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009454 Neurofibrils The delicate interlacing threads, formed by aggregations of neurofilaments and neurotubules, coursing through the CYTOPLASM of the body of a NEURON and extending from one DENDRITE into another or into the AXON. Neurofibril
D010902 Pituitary Gland A small, unpaired gland situated in the SELLA TURCICA. It is connected to the HYPOTHALAMUS by a short stalk which is called the INFUNDIBULUM. Hypophysis,Hypothalamus, Infundibular,Infundibular Stalk,Infundibular Stem,Infundibulum (Hypophysis),Infundibulum, Hypophyseal,Pituitary Stalk,Hypophyseal Infundibulum,Hypophyseal Stalk,Hypophysis Cerebri,Infundibulum,Cerebri, Hypophysis,Cerebrus, Hypophysis,Gland, Pituitary,Glands, Pituitary,Hypophyseal Stalks,Hypophyses,Hypophysis Cerebrus,Infundibular Hypothalamus,Infundibular Stalks,Infundibulums,Pituitary Glands,Pituitary Stalks,Stalk, Hypophyseal,Stalk, Infundibular,Stalks, Hypophyseal,Stalks, Infundibular
D001923 Brain Chemistry Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states. Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D002831 Choroid Plexus A villous structure of tangled masses of BLOOD VESSELS contained within the third, lateral, and fourth ventricles of the BRAIN. It regulates part of the production and composition of CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. Chorioid Plexus,Plexus Choroideus,Choroideus, Plexus,Plexus, Chorioid,Plexus, Choroid
D003224 Congo Red An acid dye used in testing for hydrochloric acid in gastric contents. It is also used histologically to test for AMYLOIDOSIS. Red, Congo
D004702 Endocrine Glands Ductless glands that secrete HORMONES directly into the BLOOD CIRCULATION. These hormones influence the METABOLISM and other functions of cells in the body. Endocrine Gland,Gland, Endocrine
D005110 Extracellular Space Interstitial space between cells, occupied by INTERSTITIAL FLUID as well as amorphous and fibrous substances. For organisms with a CELL WALL, the extracellular space includes everything outside of the CELL MEMBRANE including the PERIPLASM and the cell wall. Intercellular Space,Extracellular Spaces,Intercellular Spaces,Space, Extracellular,Space, Intercellular,Spaces, Extracellular,Spaces, Intercellular
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000311 Adrenal Glands A pair of glands located at the cranial pole of each of the two KIDNEYS. Each adrenal gland is composed of two distinct endocrine tissues with separate embryonic origins, the ADRENAL CORTEX producing STEROIDS and the ADRENAL MEDULLA producing NEUROTRANSMITTERS. Adrenal Gland,Gland, Adrenal,Glands, Adrenal
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging

Related Publications

J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
January 1998, Neuroscience,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
February 1990, The American journal of pathology,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
February 2001, The American journal of pathology,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
January 1984, Ultrastructural pathology,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
March 1976, Virchows Archiv. B, Cell pathology,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
February 1993, Ceskoslovenska patologie,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
January 1999, Histology and histopathology,
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
January 1971, Zeitschrift fur Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie (Vienna, Austria : 1948),
J Bohl, and H Steinmetz, and S Störkel
August 2002, Immunology letters,
Copied contents to your clipboard!