The ventricular system in neuroendocrine mechanisms. II. In vivo Monoamine transport by ependyma of the median eminence

[Role of tanycytes within the blood-hypothalamus interface]

Information exchanges between the brain and the periphery are key stages in the regulation of various physiological functions. The mediobasal hypothalamus, which ensures a large part of these functions, must be permanently informed about the physiological state of the body to guarantee the maintaining of homeostasis. For that purpose, it possesses a peculiar blood-brain interface due to the presence of specialized glial cells called tanycytes. This review describes the organization of the blood-hypothalamus interface and characterizes the peculiar place of tanycytes within it, as well as their striking capacity to remodel their own interface in order to ensure the regulation of various physiological functions.

The locus ceruleus responds to signaling molecules obtained from the CSF by transfer through tanycytes

Neurons can access signaling molecules through two principal pathways: synaptic transmission ("wiring transmission") and nonsynaptic transmission ("volume transmission"). Wiring transmission is usually considered the far more important mode of neuronal signaling. Using embryonic chick locus ceruleus (LoC) as a model, we quantified and compared routes of delivery of the neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF), either through a multisynaptic axonal pathway or via the CSF. We now show that the axonal pathway from the eye to the LoC involves axo-axonic transfer of NGF with receptor switching (p75 to trkA) in the optic tectum. In addition to the axonal pathway, the LoC of chick embryos has privileged access to the CSF through a specialized glial/ependymal cell type, the tanycyte. The avian LoC internalizes from the CSF in a highly specific fashion both NGF and the hormone urotensin (corticotropin-releasing factor family ligand). Quantitative autoradiography at the ultrastructural level shows that tanycytes transcytose and deliver NGF to LoC neurons via synaptoid contacts. The LoC-associated tanycytes express both p75 and trkA receptors. The NGF extracted by tanycytes from the CSF has physiological effects on LoC neurons, as evidenced by significantly altered nuclear diameters in both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. Quantification of NGF extraction shows that, compared with multisynaptic axonal routes of NGF trafficking to LoC, the tanycyte route is significantly more effective. We conclude that some clinically important neuronal populations such as the LoC can use a highly efficient "back door" interface to the CSF and can receive signals via this tanycyte-controlled pathway.

Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ciliated epithelia of rats

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), originally found in the endothelium of vascular tissue, also exists in other cell types, including ciliated epithelia of airways. The eNOS is ultrastructurally localized to the basal body of the microtubules of the cilia, and nitric oxide (NO) stimulates ciliary beat frequency (CBF). We examined whether the expression of eNOS is present in ciliated cells of other organs. Western blotting analysis revealed that eNOS was expressed in the rat cerebrum, lung, trachea, testis, and oviduct. Immunohistochemical staining showed that eNOS was localized in the ciliated epithelia of airways, oviduct, testis, and ependymal cells of brain in addition to the endothelium and smooth muscle of the vasculature. To confirm the activation of eNOS in the ciliated epithelia, we examined the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg), the substrate of NOS, on the production of nitrite and nitrate (NOx) in the cultured explants of rat trachea. L-Arg (100 microM) increased NOx levels significantly (p<0.05). In explants exposed to inhibitors of NOS, the effect of l-Arg on the production of NOx was blocked. These findings suggest that epithelial NO plays an important role in signal transduction associated with ciliary functions.

A scanning and transmission electron microscopic analysis of the cerebral aqueduct in the rabbit

An examination of the surface of the cerebral aqueduct with the scanning electron microscope revealed that the walls of the cerebral aqueduct were so heavily ciliated that most of the ependymal surface was obscured, yet certain specialized supraependymal structures could be discerned lying on (or embedded within) this matt of cilia. These structures were determined by transmission electron microscopy and Golgi analysis to be either macrophages, supraependymal neurons, dendrites from medial periaqueductal gray neurons, or axons of unknown origin. Some axons, which were found to contain vesicles, appeared to make synaptic contacts with ependymal cells. Using the transmission electron microscope, the ependymal lining was found to consist of two different cell types: normal ependymal cells and tanycytes which have a long tapering basal process that was observed to contact blood vessels or, more rarely, seemed to terminate in relation to neuronal elements. While there have been previous reports on the structure of the third and lateral ventricles in other species, there are limited reports in the rabbit. The present report is not only the first description for the rabbit, but it is the first complete scanning and transmission electron microscopic analysis of the cerebral aqueduct in any species.

Transient midline raphe glial structure in the developing rat

A major glial structure is present during development within the midline raphe of the midbrain, hindbrain, and cervical spinal cord of the rat. It is composed of great numbers of glial cell bodies lying immediately ventral to the cerebral ventricular system and the large radial processes extending from these cells toward the ventral surface of the brain roughly within the midsagittal plane. There is also a smaller group of glial cells on the dorsal surface of the aqueduct and the central canal whose processes extend to the dorsal surface of the brain. The entire structure exhibits an intensely positive immunoreactivity with the antibody to the S-100 protein, a nervous-system-specific protein found primarily in the cytoplasm of astrocytes. This immunoreactivity makes possible a clear visualization of the extent, magnitude, and continuity of this structure from at least embryonic day 15, the first age examined, until postnatal days 7-8, when it is no longer visible by this technique. This glial structure has several prominent morphological characteristics. During prenatal and early postnatal development the fibers forming the ventral aspect of the structure in the midbrain and hindbrain are formed into two parallel plates on either side of the midline with S-100-negative tissue between the plates. As development progresses, S-100-positive fibers are continually added so that the plates become thicker at the expense of the nonstaining intervening area. By postnatal day 4 only a single midline plate of fibers is visible, occupying the entire midline raphe. In the region of the pontine flexure the entire structure takes on a distinctly pleated configuration. This fact produces a curious "sine wave" appearance when the plane of section crosses these vertical pleats. At postnatal day 5 the structure begins to disappear, and it is no longer visible by 7-8 days postnatal. This glial structure does not stain with antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein, a protein associated with fibrous astrocytes, or routine cell stains such as cresyl violet. With these techniques the raphe area appears essentially devoid of identifiable cellular elements.

Cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase in the ependyma of the rat medulla oblongata

The ependyma of the IVth ventricle and the central canal of the rat medulla oblongata was investigated using the cytochemical technique for alkaline phosphatase (A1Pase) which revealed two types of ependymal cells in the medulla. The central canal type of the ependymal cell occupying the dorsal part of the central canal in the lower medulla exhibited intense A1Pase activity with light microscopy. These cells had reaction products in all plasma membranes, including the microvilli and the cilia at the luminal cell surface. Some cells appeared to be tanycytes, since the process reached the basement membrane of the parenchymal blood vessel. The ventricular type of ependymal cells, which form the floor of the IVth ventricle and the central canal, contained no reaction products in any structure of the luminal cell surface. The possible relationship between the cerebrospinal fluid and the nervous tissues through the ependymal linings is discussed.

Spinal tanycytes in the adult rat: a correlative Golgi gold-toning study

In Golgi impregnated transverse sections through the cervical spinal cord of the 7-12-week-old adult rat, numerous tanycytes were observed radiating from the ependyma into the gray matter that surrounds the central canal. The tail processes of these tanycytes terminated as foot processes in association with blood vessels. Spinal tanycytes were classified into ependymal (E) and subependymal (S) types on the basis of the shape and position of the soma. The soma of the E tanycyte was shaped as a column and was entirely located within the ependyma. In contrast, the soma of the S tanycyte was flask shaped, with the widest portion of the flask located subependymally and the elongated portion extending through the ependyma ultimately reaching the luminal surface. Selected Golgi impregnated sections were gold toned and deimpregnated for direct correlative analysis at the ultrastructural level. Gold-toned tanycytes contained the fine clusters of gold particles underlying the plasma membrane of the cell body and coarse clusters of gold particles throughout the tail and foot processes. The apical surface of tanycytes was characterized by numerous microvilli and large cytoplasmic protrusions that evaginated from the apical surface into the lumen of the central canal. At the luminal surface, adjacent tanycytes were joined laterally by junctional complexes with punctate tight junctions and zonulae adhaerentes associated with fibrils and microtubules. In contrast, gap junctions, hemidesmosomes, and puncta adhaerentia were found between adjacent tail processes of tanycytes. The foot processes interdigitated with one another and abutted the basal lamina around the perivascular space of blood vessels. The basal lamina was continuous around the lateral walls of foot processes and filled the spaces between membranous infoldings of the lateral walls. These basal membrane labyrinths were continuous with the basal lamina of the blood vessel and may provide an extensive surface relation between the perivascular space and the neighboring extracellular compartment. The findings of the present study support the contention that tanycytes may modify the composition of substances moving between the perivascular and extracellular spaces.

Transition between immature radial glia and mature astrocytes studied with a monoclonal antibody to vimentin

A monoclonal antibody to vimentin (RBA1) and a polyclonal antiserum to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used in double labeling experiments to examine astrocyte intermediate filaments in development and wounding. RBA1 bound to radial glia in newborn rat parietal cortex that are predominantly anti-GFAP-negative. The RBA1-positive radial fibers disappeared by postnatal day 20 with the greatest rate of disappearance occurring between day 8 and day 15. Between birth and day 20, the anti-GFAP staining increased to the adult pattern in mature shaped astrocytes. Some overlay was observed between the binding patterns of the two antibodies. Stab wounds to cortical areas were made at a developmental time when there were normally no RBA1-positive astrocytes. RBA1-positivity was present in some astrocytes but only at the edges of the wounds. The distribution patterns of RBA1-positive cells led to hypotheses concerning the possible function of vimentin in astrocytes and its regulation during development and wounding.

Morphological relations between the receptor neurons, sustentacular cells and Schwann cells in the olfactory mucosa of the salamander

The morphological characteristics of olfactory receptor neurons and their relations to the sustentacular cells and to the sheath cells of Schwann in the olfactory mucosa of the salamander (Ambystoma maculatum et tigrinum) were studied using a modification of the rapid Golgi technique. The bipolar receptor neurons had a fusiform-shaped cell body whose apical pole gave rise to a surface-reaching dendrite and a basal pole which gave rise to an axon. The length and width of the dendrite, although variable, were positively correlated with the relative depth at which the cell body was located in the sensory epithelium. Beyond the initial segment, the axon had a sinuous course prior to its entrance into the lamina propria. Within the lamina propria, the axons were associated with the sheath cells of Schwann to form the olfactory nerve fascicles. The processes of adjacent sheath cells formed an elaborate network of continuous cavities through which the axons coursed. Two morphologically distinct varieties of sustentacular cells, designated types I and II, were found in the sensory epithelium. Both types had a columnar profile consisting of an elongated cell body, a central stalk, and a basilar expansion of the stalk found at the junction of the epithelium with the lamina propria. The central stalk of type I sustentacular cells was unbranched, whereas that of type II cells gave rise to riblike processes from which cytoplasmic veils extended to envelop the cell bodies of receptor neurons. The basilar expansions were found in close apposition to the wall of capillaries or to acinar cells of Bowman's glands located in the most superficial region of the lamina propria. The morphological relationships and possible interdependencies among receptor neurons, the types of sustentacular cells, and the sheath cells are discussed.

Transport of horseradish peroxidase by processes of radial glia from the pial surface into the mouse brain

The transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) applied to exposed pial surfaces of the brain was studied in newborn, 4-, 7- and 12-day-old, and adult mice. In the telencephalon the cell bodies of radial glia were found to accumulate the tracer. Labeled cells occurred in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle during the first postnatal week; they became gradually restricted to an area around the stria terminalis (ventrolateral ventricular corner) by day 12. At later stages no HRP transport could be traced from the surface of the telencephalon. In the cerebellum, HRP was transported from the surface to the cell bodies of Bergmann glia in all age groups studied including adult animals. It is concluded that radial glia and their derivatives share the capacity of transporting material between various cerebrospinal fluid compartments.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of glial fibrillary acidic protein in mouse tanycytes

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to stain for the astrocytespecific glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cells lining the third ventricle of the developing and mature mouse brain. Before birth immunoreactive tanycytes were only observed in the infundibular recess of the median eminence, where they could first be seen at embryonic day 17. They possessed long processes running towards the ventral surface on the brain. During the early postnatal period GFAP-positive tanycytes gradually appeared throughout the third ventricle, although the ependymal cells themselves remained unstained. The tanycytes retained thier immunoreactivity for anti-GFAP serum in the adult, and were also evident in the adult rat third ventricle indicates that they, the transient radial glia of the developing cerebral cortex, the persistent Bergmann glia of the cerebellum, similar astrocytes with radial processes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and conventional astroglia are all closely related cell types.

Cells of origin of the afferent fibers to the median eminence in the rat

The cell bodies of origin of axons terminating in the median eminence have been identified by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or 125I-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). The tracers were injected into the median eminence by pressure and under direct visual control, using a ventral surgical approach. The retrogradely labeled cells are exclusively located within the hypothalamus. The most heavily labeled cells are parvocellular neurons in the arcuate nucleus, the periventricular area, the medial part of the paraventricular nucleus, and the rostral paraventricular nucleus; a few cells are also located in the rostral part of the preoptic area immediately lateral and dorsal to the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT). Less heavily located cells are found in the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei, including the lateral parts of the paraventricular and rostral paraventricular nuclei, the supraoptic nucleus, and the accessory magnocellular nuclei. Retrogradely labeled cells are not found in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, except for a few lightly labeled cells in the posterior division of the nucleus. However, if the injected tracer spreads into the arcuate nucleus, labeled cells are present throughout the ventromedial nucleus. Labeled cells are not found in other parts of the hypothalamus, including lateral and posterior portions of the preoptic area, the anterior hypothalamic area, and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or in catecholaminergic cell groups of the midbrain, pons, and medulla. Control injections of HRP into the posterior pituitary and the ventromedial nucleus produce patterns of cell labeling which are very distinct from that seen with injections into the median eminence. Following injections into the posterior pituitary, the cells of the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei are all heavily labeled, but small cells in the parvocellular neuronal groups are not labeled. Direct injections into the ventromedial nucleus resulted in labeled cells in widespread parts of the hypothalamus, as well as in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the lateral septum, in parts of the amygdaloid complex and the subiculum, and in several cell groups in the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Protein synthesis and transport by the rat choroid plexus and ependyma: an autoradiographic study

Light (LM-ARG) and electron microscope (EM-ARG) autoradiographs were preapred from immature rat choriod plexus and ependyma at 5, 10, 30, and 60 min and 16 h following intraperitoneal administration of [3H]labeled amino acid mixtures. Intracellular protein synthesis and transport were ascertained in lateral and fourth ventricle choroid plexus epithelium by quantitative EN-ARG at the several post-injection intervals. ARG were also prepared from choriod plexuses cultured for one day, pulse labeled for one hour and reincubated for various periods in nonradioactive media. Significant labeling of both attached and free apical protrusions (blebs) was observed in both choroid plexus and ependyma in vivo and in choroid plexus in vitro. This phenomenon was interpreted as a physiologically significant mechanism for protein trasport (apocrine secretion) by epithelia into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Ultrastructure of the subfornical organ of the chicken (Gallus domesticus)

The SFO of the chicken is divided in half by a large central blood sinus; ventrally it is covered by a thin layer of ependyma (including tanycytes, dendrites, and axons) which connects the two lateral halves and protrudes as a midsagittal crest into the lumen of the third ventricle. The ependyma consists predominantly of tanycytes with long basal processes which terminate upon perivascular spaces. These cells have an extensive Golgi apparatus and abundant lysosomes; their cellular apices containing polyribosomes and a few vesicles frequently protrude into the ventricle. In addition to astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells, there is another glial cell population that is distinguished by the presence of parallel stacks or spherical to ovoid conglomerates of rough ER and their unique location, i.e., limited to areas ventral and ventral-lateral to the large blood sinus. Two types of neurons are present: neurons in which there is a paucity of granulated vesicles and occasional vacuoles in both the cytoplasm and nuclei, the second type of neuron elaborates many granulated vesicles. Numerous puncta adhaerentia are observed between adjacent neuronal perikarya and between glial processes and neuronal perikarya. Diverse axon types are found within the chicken SFO. Axo-dendritic and axo-somatic axon terminals and presynaptic axon dilations contain assorted combinations of electron-lucent and granulated vesicles of different maximal diameters. Based on the morphology of these axons, cholinergic, peptidergic, and serotoninergic fibers are described. There are two additional groups of axons whose classification awaits further investigation. The chicken SFO differs from the mammalian SFO in several respects: it possesses an ependyma with secretory and/or absorptive tanycytes predominating; it is divided midsagittally by a central blood sinus; its lateral and dorsal limits are nebulous; a previously undescribed peculiar type of glial cell is found in a limited portion of the organ; supraependymal neurons are lacking.

Histochemical characterization of monoamine oxidase in ependyma of rat hypothalamus

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity has been demonstrated histochemically in rat hypothalamic ependyma using the sulphate-tetrazolium and coupled peroxidatic techniques with tryptamine, tyramine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and benzylamine as substrates. Both methods were applied to cryostat sections with and without exposure to selective amine oxidase inhibitors, including the selective A-MAO inhibitor clorgyline, and the B-MAO inhibitor deprenyl. Our results show that both cuboidal-columnar and tanycyte ependyma contain one or more forms of MAO not generally present in the hypothalamus. It is suggested that ependymal MAO may form an amine-barrier system modulating the movement and effect within the hypothalamus of specific cerebrospinal fluid or blood monoamines.

Electron microscopic demonstration of a supraependymal cluster of neuronal cells and processes in the hamster third ventricle

A supraependymal cluster of neuronal cells and processes consistently present on the floor of the hamster third ventricle was identified and characterized by means of correlative scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. SEM revealed each cluster to be ovoid with the majority of its surface covered by dome-shaped protrusions and fine beaded fibers. A number of processes traveling individually or in groups also entered or exited from the cluster at its base. As these processes passed over the ventricular surface, they contributed to an extensive network on the floor and ventral aspect of the ventricular wall. Some processes terminated on the ependymal surface in bulbous endings while others penetrated the ependyma. The neuronal nature of these clusters and their associated processes was confirmed at the TEM level. The dome-shaped protrusions visible on the surface of the cluster in SEM corresponded to apical surfaces of neurons confined to the peripheral aspect of a core of loosely arranged processes. These cells exhibited a prominent nucleolus, stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), polyribosomes, Golgi cisternae, mitochondria and microtubules (MT) and gave rise to dendritic processes which extended into the core. These dendrites gave off branches at acute angles and contained polyribosomes, single cisternae of RER and evenly spaced MT. Other profiles of processes within the core shared these characteristics, suggesting that they also were branches of the peripheral cells. Axons present within the core and on the cluster's surface exhibited vesicle-filled varicosities which frequently established synaptic contact with the peripheral cells and their processes. The presence of an intraventricular cluster of neurons which potentially communicates with centers extrinsic to the ventricle may have important implications in the hypothesized role of cerebrospinal fluid and tanycytic ependyma in the neuroendocrine regulation of anterior pituitary function.

Purification of viable ciliated cuboidal ependymal cells from rat brain

Trypsinization of coronal sections of rat brain, followed by incubation with the chelating agent, ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), results in selective release of ciliated cuboidal ependymal cells which may be further purified by centrifugal methods. The isolated cells are motile, viable, and exhibit ultrastructure comparable to that in situ.

Scanning electron microscopy of the third ventricular floor of the rat

By utilizing a horizontal dissection technique the entire floor of the third ventricle has been examined. When viewed in toto the ventricular floor was seen to have an hourglass shape with the supraoptic and infundibular recesses equalling the widened portions. Consistent regional differnces were also noted. The rostral half of the floor was densely ciliated while the caudal portion, containing ependymal elements of the underlying median emience, possessed few cilia. The ciliated cells ended in an abrupt transition zone located about halfway along the floor. The rostral portion of the infundibular recess had many more apical blebs and microvilli than did the caudal areas. Supraepen dymal cells of both the phagocyte-like and neuron-like variety were observed in all of the animals examined. In some animals, complex, branching, interconnecting networks of fine calibered fibers interconnected neuron-like cells that occurred singly and occasionally in clusters. Female rats examined at all phases of the estrus cycle demonstrated no cyclic alterations of the ependymal surface.

Distribution and properties of an adenosine triphosphatase in the tanycyte ependyma of the IIIrd ventricle of the rat

The distribution, histochemical properties and ultrastructural localization of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolyzing enzymes in the tanycyte ependyma of the third ventricle have been studied in female Wistar rats. Using a calcium-cobalt procedure and a lead capture technique, splitting of ATP could be demonstrated in perikarya and processes of tanycytes in the region of the ventromedial nucleus. The reaction showed no dependence on magnesium or sodium ions, did not occur with other monodi-, and tri-phosphates as substrates, and was inhibited by p-chlormercuribenzoate (PCMB) and sodium fluoride, but not by ouabain. With the calcium-cobalt method the highest intensity of reaction was found at pH 9.4, whereas the lead method gave optimal results at pH 6--8. At the ultrastructural level, the reaction product was found at the outer surface of the plasma membranes of tanycytes and reached its highest concentrations in the region of the region of the apical microvilli; From the findings it is concluded that splitting of ATP in tanycytes is due to a true ATPase. The enzyme might be involved in an active transport of substances by tanycytes.

Localization of dopamine in the endocrine hypothalamus of the rat

Microspectrofluorometry, fluorescence histochemistry and light and electron microscopic autoradiography have established the presence of sub-populations of neurons in the arcuate-periventricular region of the rat hypothalamus that sequester both radiolabeled dopamine and demonstrate formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. These characteristics are consistent with a catecholaminergic function. Selective sequestration of 3H-dopamine at the light and ultrastructural level is discussed in the context of an ultrashort loop autoregulatory mechanism for this neuronal population.