Vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein filaments in radial glia of the adult urodele spinal cord.
This work, based on Golgi impregnations, transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, demonstrates that the intermediate filaments found in the radial gliocytes of the adult newt spinal cord are both vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) structures. Gliocytes appeared as large, arboreous cells, with appendages extending peripherally. They were extensively immunolabelled with both anti-vimentin and anti-GFAP monoclonal antibody conjugates. Outstanding correspondence in cell configuration was found when Golgi-impregnated specimens were compared to the distribution of immunolabels. Electron micrographs showed cytoplasmic bundles of anti-vimentin decorated intermediate filaments occupying the radial projections. The presence of GFAP confirms the astroglial character of the radial glia in urodeles; the existence of vimentin suggests that the spinal cord of the adult animal retains immature astroglia, which should express enlarged capabilities of adaptation.
Zamora
A J
AJ
Unité de Rechereches Neurobiologiques, INSERM U 6, Marseille, France.
Mutin
M
M
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000378:metabolism*; D012834:Silver; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D014746:Vimentin; D012834:Silver