title: Apolipoprotein D in the Niemann-Pick type C disease mouse brain: an ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis.
abstract: Enhanced apoD gene expression and abnormally high levels of apoD protein accumulation in the brain have been previously documented as features of the neurodegenerative disorder, Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C). In the present study we have used immunocytochemistry and light and electron microscopy to elucidate the cellular and subcellular distribution of apoD in the Balb/c NIH npc1(-/-) mouse brain. The normal mouse brain demonstrates low levels of apoD-expressing glia particularly in the cerebellar white matter. In contrast, abundant, strongly apoD-immunolabeled cells were observed in select grey matter nuclei, including the globus pallidus, thalamus, and substantia nigra, and in white matter tracts within the internal capsule and cerebellum of NP-C mouse brain. These brains regions have been previously shown to display the most significant neurodegenerative changes in the NP-C mouse. Ultrastructural analysis revealed dense apoD immunoreactivity on the nuclear envelopes of cells that have the morphological features of oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells and light staining on astrocytes. These results define the cellular and subcellular pattern of expression of apoD in NP-C mouse brain and suggest a possible role for this lipocalin in the pathophysiology of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore 119260. antongwy@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Wei-Yi
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Chang-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Shutish C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; D009542:Niemann-Pick Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; C106831:Npc1 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins