title: Ultrastructure of alpha-synuclein-positive aggregations in U373 astrocytoma and rat primary glial cells.
abstract: Abnormal alpha-synuclein-positive glial cytoplasmic inclusions are found in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies. We have recently developed an in vitro model of alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive aggregations in U373 astrocytoma cells. We have additionally overexpressed wild-type and a C-terminally truncated form of alpha-synuclein in primary rat glial cells. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were found to form alpha-synuclein-positive aggregations in vitro perinuclearly or in the processes of the cells. The morphological studies presented here demonstrate that the aggregations we have observed in vitro are not limited by a membrane but have unclear borders. They have an amorphous dense core that is intensely alpha-synuclein-immunopositive and a predominantly filamentous halo around. Mainly filamentous structures at the border area between the halo and the core are alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive. We conclude that this in vitro model of alpha-synuclein-positive glial aggregations mimics the morphology of the abnormal glial inclusions described in neurodegenerative disorders and could be a suitable model for studying their role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of lnnsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stefanova
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emgård
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klimaschewski
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wenning
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reindl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D051843:Synucleins; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497606:Snca protein, rat; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein