Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies of neuronal and oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. 2. Oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions

Acta Neuropathol. 1992;84(1):32-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00427212.

Abstract

Oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions (OCI) in multiple system atrophy were investigated immunocytochemically and ultrastructurally. Among the 17 cases examined, 16 had OCIs. Almost all OCIs were positive for both alpha B-crystallin and ubiquitin. The antibodies against tubulin, paired helical filament and tau stained OCIs to various extents. Ultrastructurally OCIs consisted of meshworks of granule-associated filaments about 25 nm in diameter that sometimes formed flame-shaped tangle-like structures. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that an epitope of alpha B-crystallin was located on the granule-associated filaments composing OCIs. Our studies further support a cooperative role of alpha B-crystallin, ubiquitin and cytoskeletal protein in the formation of some types of intracytoplasmic inclusions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atrophy
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Crystallins / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism*
  • Inclusion Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure*
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism
  • Oligodendroglia / ultrastructure*
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitins / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Crystallins
  • Tubulin
  • Ubiquitins
  • tau Proteins