Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural study of the medulloblastoma in tissue culture. 1980

W R Markesbery, and J W Walsh, and M D Frye

The electron microscopic features of the early phases of growth of the medulloblastoma maintained in vitro are described. The predominant early growth is comprised of small migrating cells with large nucleocytoplasmic ratio, few organelles and prominent neuritic processes containing abundant microtubules. These cells compare favorably with the cells of the primitive external granular layer of the cerebellum and cells cultivated in vitro from the fetal cerebellar cortex previously described. In addition astrocytes containing 70 to 90 A cytoplasmic filaments were commonly found in these cultures. Undifferentiated cells and cells with cilia were present in the explant proper. Cells with processes containing large dense core vesicles were also present in the explant proper suggesting the presence of neuronal differentiation. Our studies support the concept that the medulloblastoma is derived from primitive neuroectodermal cells. In addition it also suggests that astrocytic and neuronal differentiation may occur in this neoplasm in vitro.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008527	Medulloblastoma	A malignant neoplasm that may be classified either as a glioma or as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of childhood (see NEUROECTODERMAL TUMOR, PRIMITIVE). The tumor occurs most frequently in the first decade of life with the most typical location being the cerebellar vermis. Histologic features include a high degree of cellularity, frequent mitotic figures, and a tendency for the cells to organize into sheets or form rosettes. Medulloblastoma have a high propensity to spread throughout the craniospinal intradural axis. (From DeVita et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed, pp2060-1)	Arachnoidal Cerebellar Sarcoma, Circumscribed,Medulloblastoma, Desmoplastic,Medullomyoblastoma,Sarcoma, Cerebellar, Circumscribed Arachnoidal,Medulloblastoma, Adult,Medulloblastoma, Childhood,Melanocytic Medulloblastoma,Adult Medulloblastoma,Adult Medulloblastomas,Childhood Medulloblastoma,Childhood Medulloblastomas,Desmoplastic Medulloblastoma,Desmoplastic Medulloblastomas,Medulloblastoma, Melanocytic,Medulloblastomas,Medulloblastomas, Adult,Medulloblastomas, Childhood,Medulloblastomas, Desmoplastic,Medulloblastomas, Melanocytic,Medullomyoblastomas,Melanocytic Medulloblastomas
D008870	Microtubules	Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS.	Microtubule
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D001932	Brain Neoplasms	Neoplasms of the intracranial components of the central nervous system, including the cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum. Brain neoplasms are subdivided into primary (originating from brain tissue) and secondary (i.e., metastatic) forms. Primary neoplasms are subdivided into benign and malignant forms. In general, brain tumors may also be classified by age of onset, histologic type, or presenting location in the brain.	Brain Cancer,Brain Metastases,Brain Tumors,Cancer of Brain,Malignant Primary Brain Tumors,Neoplasms, Intracranial,Benign Neoplasms, Brain,Brain Neoplasm, Primary,Brain Neoplasms, Benign,Brain Neoplasms, Malignant,Brain Neoplasms, Malignant, Primary,Brain Neoplasms, Primary Malignant,Brain Tumor, Primary,Brain Tumor, Recurrent,Cancer of the Brain,Intracranial Neoplasms,Malignant Neoplasms, Brain,Malignant Primary Brain Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Brain,Neoplasms, Brain, Benign,Neoplasms, Brain, Malignant,Neoplasms, Brain, Primary,Primary Brain Neoplasms,Primary Malignant Brain Neoplasms,Primary Malignant Brain Tumors,Benign Brain Neoplasm,Benign Brain Neoplasms,Benign Neoplasm, Brain,Brain Benign Neoplasm,Brain Benign Neoplasms,Brain Cancers,Brain Malignant Neoplasm,Brain Malignant Neoplasms,Brain Metastase,Brain Neoplasm,Brain Neoplasm, Benign,Brain Neoplasm, Malignant,Brain Neoplasms, Primary,Brain Tumor,Brain Tumors, Recurrent,Cancer, Brain,Intracranial Neoplasm,Malignant Brain Neoplasm,Malignant Brain Neoplasms,Malignant Neoplasm, Brain,Neoplasm, Brain,Neoplasm, Intracranial,Primary Brain Neoplasm,Primary Brain Tumor,Primary Brain Tumors,Recurrent Brain Tumor,Recurrent Brain Tumors,Tumor, Brain
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002479	Inclusion Bodies	A generic term for any circumscribed mass of foreign (e.g., lead or viruses) or metabolically inactive materials (e.g., ceroid or MALLORY BODIES), within the cytoplasm or nucleus of a cell. Inclusion bodies are in cells infected with certain filtrable viruses, observed especially in nerve, epithelial, or endothelial cells. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Cellular Inclusions,Cytoplasmic Inclusions,Bodies, Inclusion,Body, Inclusion,Cellular Inclusion,Cytoplasmic Inclusion,Inclusion Body,Inclusion, Cellular,Inclusion, Cytoplasmic,Inclusions, Cellular,Inclusions, Cytoplasmic
D002528	Cerebellar Neoplasms	Primary or metastatic neoplasms of the CEREBELLUM. Tumors in this location frequently present with ATAXIA or signs of INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION due to obstruction of the fourth ventricle. Common primary cerebellar tumors include fibrillary ASTROCYTOMA and cerebellar HEMANGIOBLASTOMA. The cerebellum is a relatively common site for tumor metastases from the lung, breast, and other distant organs. (From Okazaki & Scheithauer, Atlas of Neuropathology, 1988, p86 and p141)	Benign Cerebellar Neoplasms,Cerebellar Cancer,Malignant Cerebellar Neoplasms,Cerebellar Neoplasms, Benign,Cerebellar Neoplasms, Malignant,Cerebellar Neoplasms, Primary,Cerebellar Tumors,Neoplasms, Cerebellar,Neoplasms, Cerebellar, Benign,Neoplasms, Cerebellar, Malignant,Neoplasms, Cerebellar, Primary,Primary Neoplasms, Cerebellum,Benign Cerebellar Neoplasm,Cancer, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Cancers,Cerebellar Neoplasm,Cerebellar Neoplasm, Benign,Cerebellar Neoplasm, Malignant,Cerebellar Neoplasm, Primary,Cerebellar Tumor,Cerebellum Primary Neoplasm,Cerebellum Primary Neoplasms,Malignant Cerebellar Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Benign Cerebellar,Neoplasm, Cerebellar,Neoplasm, Cerebellum Primary,Neoplasm, Malignant Cerebellar,Primary Cerebellar Neoplasm,Primary Cerebellar Neoplasms,Primary Neoplasm, Cerebellum,Tumor, Cerebellar
D002531	Cerebellum	The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills.	Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children