Epiperikaryal synaptophysin reactivity in the normal human central nervous system.
An epiperikaryal synaptophysin immunoreactivity has been regarded as an indicator of neoplastic or otherwise abnormal neurons and this staining property serves as an important criterion to distinguish between normal and abnormal neurons. In the present study we have investigated the epiperikaryal synaptophysin reactivity in various regions of the normal human central nervous system by using autopsy materials from 11 subjects aged 3 months-86 years. We found a definite but variable staining of the brainstem and spinal cord motor neurons as well as the cerebellar Purkinje cells. A particular strong and consistent reactivity was seen in neurons of the cerebellar nuclei in which also axons and dendrites were labelled to a variable extent. This type of neuronal staining was never observed in the cerebrum. We therefore conclude that the employment of this staining property as a criterion for abnormal neurons should be used with caution in the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord whereas it may be used more safely in the cerebrum.
Lindboe
C F
CF
Department of Pathology, Vest-Agder Central Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway.
Hansen
H B
HB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000378:metabolism*
D016708:Synaptophysin