A spatio-temporal analysis of the differentiation of a group of specialized (secretory) ependymal cells in the subcommissural organ (SCO) of the brain was undertaken in the bovine using a monoclonal antibody (C1B8A8) which is specific of the secretory process in this organ. In addition, lectins (concanavalin agglutinin (Con A), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin (PHA] were used to analyse the maturation of the carbohydrate moieties of the secretory product (subcommissuralin). Monoclonal antibody NC-1 specific to a complex carbohydrate epitope including a terminal 3-sulfoglucuronyl residue similar to HNK-1 was also tested to compare the reactivity of the SCO with that of other brain structures. These cells express a specific antigen related to the known secretory activity of the SCO during early embryogenesis (2 months). This antigen is recognized by C1B8A8 antibody and by Con A suggesting that high mannose-type glycoproteins are synthesized at this stage. Later on (approximately 3.5 months), appearance of C1B8A8, WGA, LCA, L- and E-PHA-positive material in the apical lining of the ependymal cells, close to the ventricular cavity, suggests that maturation of the complex-type glycoproteins (Asn-linked) occurs at this stage. Presence of secretory material in the CSF and Reissner's fibre could be detected using the same probes at a stage of 4 months. As early as 2 months NC-1-positive material was detected in the ependyma of the mesencephalic roof, while no reaction occurred in the SCO epithelium. This suggests that the carbohydrate moieties of subcommissuralin is different from that of ependymins beta and gamma. Using specific monoclonal antibodies, molecular characterization of subcommissuralin and experimental analyses on its accurate role in brain development will further our tentative comparison with ependymins. The secretory ependymal cells in the SCO express a particular phenotype and could represent an increasing model to study cell differentiation in the brain.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0165-3806(90)90198-8DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

ependymal cells
12
subcommissural organ
8
monoclonal antibodies
8
secretory ependymal
8
sco brain
8
monoclonal antibody
8
carbohydrate moieties
8
stage months
8
secretory
6
sco
5

Similar Publications

CFAP65 is essential for C2a projection integrity in axonemes: implications for organ-specific ciliary dysfunction and infertility.

Cell Mol Life Sci

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.

Defects in motile cilia and flagella lead to motile ciliopathies, including primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which manifests as multi-organ dysfunction such as hydrocephalus, infertility, and respiratory issues. CFAP65 variants are a common cause of male infertility, but its localization and function have remained unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated CFAP65's role using Cfap65 knockout mice and human patients with CFAP65 variants.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Motile cilia modulate neuronal and astroglial activity in the zebrafish larval brain.

Cell Rep

January 2025

Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Erling Skjalgssons Gate 1, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Algorithms in the Cortex, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres Gate 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address:

The brain uses a specialized system to transport cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), consisting of interconnected ventricles lined by motile ciliated ependymal cells. These cells act jointly with CSF secretion and cardiac pressure gradients to regulate CSF dynamics. To date, the link between cilia-mediated CSF flow and brain function is poorly understood.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Ependymomas, rare neuroglial tumors originating from ependymal cells, can occur in the CNS and typically affect the brain's ventricles or spinal cord. Prognosis is influenced by tumor grade, location, resection extent, and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) scores. This study evaluates clinical features, treatment outcomes, and factors affecting prognosis in patients with intracranial ependymomas.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Various mature tissue-resident cells exhibit progenitor characteristics following injury. However, the existence of endogenous stem cells with multiple lineage potentials in the adult spinal cord remains a compelling area of research. In this study, we present a cross-species investigation that extends from development to injury.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Biological aging involves a gradual loss of homeostasis in molecular and cellular functions, particularly in the brain, which contains diverse cell types that differ in their aging resilience.
  • This study offers an extensive single-cell RNA sequencing dataset of approximately 1.2 million transcriptomes from brain cells in young and aged mice, identifying 847 cell clusters and 14 age-biased clusters predominantly involving glial types.
  • Key findings reveal specific gene expression changes with aging, including decreased neuronal function genes and increased immune-related genes, particularly in cells around the third ventricle of the hypothalamus, suggesting its critical role in the aging process of the mouse brain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!