Myelination-dependent axonal membrane specializations demonstrated in insufficiently myelinated nerves of the dystrophic mouse

Electron tomographic analysis of cytoskeletal cross-bridges in the paranodal region of the node of Ranvier in peripheral nerves

The node of Ranvier is a site for ionic conductances along myelinated nerves and governs the saltatory transmission of action potentials. Defects in the cross-bridging and spacing of the cytoskeleton are a prominent pathological feature in diseases of the peripheral nerve. Electron tomography was used to examine cytoskeletal-cytoskeletal, membrane-cytoskeletal, and heterologous cell connections in the paranodal region of the node of Ranvier in peripheral nerves. Focal attachment of cytoskeletal filaments to each other and to the axolemma and paranodal membranes of the Schwann cell via narrow cross-bridges was visualized in both neuronal and glial cytoplasm. A subset of intermediate filaments associates with the cytoplasmic surfaces of supramolecular complexes of transmembrane structures that are presumed to include known and unknown junctional proteins. Mitochondria were linked to both microtubules and neurofilaments in the axoplasm and to neighboring smooth endoplasmic reticulum by narrow cross-bridges. Tubular cisternae in the glial cytoplasm were also linked to the paranodal glial cytoplasmic loop juxtanodal membrane by short cross-bridges. In the extracellular matrix between axon and Schwann cell, junctional bridges formed long cylinders linking the two membranes. Interactions between cytoskeleton, membranes, and extracellular matrix associations in the paranodal region are likely critical not only for scaffolding, but also for intracellular and extracellular communication.

Overexpression of the cytotoxic T cell (CT) carbohydrate inhibits muscular dystrophy in the dyW mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy 1A

A number of recent studies have demonstrated therapeutic effects of transgenes on the development of muscle pathology in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but none have been shown also to be effective in mouse models for laminin alpha2-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A). Here, we show that overexpression of the cytotoxic T cell (CT) GalNAc transferase (Galgt2) is effective in inhibiting the development of muscle pathology in the dy(W) mouse model of MDC1A, much as we had previously shown in mdx animals. Embryonic overexpression of Galgt2 in skeletal muscles using transgenic mice or postnatal overexpression using adeno-associated virus both reduced the extent of muscle pathology in dy(W)/dy(W) skeletal muscle. As with mdx mice, embryonic overexpression of the Galgt2 transgene in dy(W)/dy(W) myofibers inhibited muscle growth, whereas postnatal overexpression did not. Both embryonic and postnatal overexpression of Galgt2 in dy(W)/dy(W) muscle increased the expression of agrin, a protein that, in recombinant form, has been shown to ameliorate disease, whereas laminin alpha1, another disease modifier, was not expressed. Galgt2 over-expression also stimulated the glycosylation of a gly-colipid with the CT carbohydrate, and glycolipids accounted for most of the CT-reactive material in postnatal overexpression experiments. These experiments demonstrate that Galgt2 overexpression is effective in altering disease progression in skeletal muscles of dy(W) mice and should be considered as a therapeutic target in MDC1A.

Development of a model for microphysiological simulations: small nodes of ranvier from peripheral nerves of mice reconstructed by electron tomography

The node of Ranvier is a complex structure found along myelinated nerves of vertebrate animals. Specific membrane, cytoskeletal, junctional, extracellular matrix proteins and organelles interact to maintain and regulate associated ion movements between spaces in the nodal complex, potentially influencing response variation during repetitive activations or metabolic stress. Understanding and building high resolution three dimensional (3D) structures of the node of Ranvier, including localization of specific macromolecules, is crucial to a better understanding of the relationship between its structure and function and the macromolecular basis for impaired conduction in disease. Using serial section electron tomographic methods, we have constructed accurate 3D models of the nodal complex from mouse spinal roots with resolution better than 7.5 nm. These reconstructed volumes contain 75-80% of the thickness of the nodal region. We also directly imaged the glial axonal junctions that serve to anchor the terminal loops of the myelin lamellae to the axolemma. We created a model of an intact node of Ranvier by truncating the volume at its midpoint in Z, duplicating the remaining volume and then merging the new half volume with mirror symmetry about the Z-axis. We added to this model the distribution and number of Na+ channels on this reconstruction using tools associated with the MCell simulation program environment. The model created provides accurate structural descriptions of the membrane compartments, external spaces, and formed structures enabling more realistic simulations of the role of the node in modulation of impulse propagation than have been conducted on myelinated nerve previously.

Clustering of voltage-sensitive sodium channels on axons is independent of direct Schwann cell contact in the dystrophic mouse

The distribution of voltage-sensitive sodium channels on axons in the dorsal and ventral spinal roots of the dystrophic mouse 129/ReJ-Lama2dy was determined via immunocytochemistry. In these nerves there are regions in which Schwann cells fail to proliferate and myelinate axons in a normal manner, leaving bundles of closely packed large-diameter amyelinated axons. We have identified discrete and focal concentrations of sodium channel immunoreactivity on these axons by both confocal immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, using a peptide-derived polyclonal antibody. In addition, simultaneous labeling with an antibody recognizing neuronal-specific ankyrinG revealed a distinct colocalization with the sodium channels on both normal and amyelinated axons. The presence of patches of sodium channels along with their anchoring protein on amyelinated axons in the absence of intervening Schwann cells demonstrates that axons can form and maintain independently these initial aggregations. This confirms that direct contact between Schwann cell and axon is not required for the formation of sodium channel patches of nodal dimensions and density. Furthermore, this strongly suggests that local transfer of sodium channels from Schwann cells to axons is not required for this process.

Three-dimensional fine structure of cytoskeletal-membrane interactions at nodes of Ranvier

Cytoskeleton-membrane-extracellular matrix interactions at the node of Ranvier were examined in both central and peripheral axons by combining three different methods for tissue preparation with three different electron microscopic techniques for imaging supramolecular structure. Conventional and three-dimensional high voltage electron microscopy of thin and semithick sections of tissues stained en bloc with ferric chloride revealed the presence of transcellular structures across the nodal gap traversing the paranodal glial-axonal junction. These structures penetrate both axonal and glial membranes and are further traced to the cortical axoplasm. This observation was verified by an examination of similar regions in rapidly-frozen freeze-substituted fresh axons. The filamentous nature of these structures, their focal attachment to the external true surface of the nodal and paranodal axolemma and their association with membrane particles were visualized in deep etch rotary-shadow replicas. At the node, both extracellular gap-crossing filaments and membrane-cytoskeletal linkers in the nodal axoplasm are joined to one of the prominent membrane particles of the nodal axolemma. At the paranodal axo-glial junction, the anchoring site of these membrane-cytoskeleton linkers are found on the linear arrays of 16 nm particles. Thus, cytoplasmic filaments and extracellular filaments or bridge structures are involved in the membrane-cytoskeletal interaction at the node and paranode. Some of these membrane particles are known to play a role in ionic conductances known to occur at this site. An additional role in cell adhesion or maintenance of the membrane specialization of this functionally important site of axolemma is now indicated.

Freeze-fracture studies of reactive myelinated nerve fibres after diffuse axonal injury

We have studied the axonal and myelin sheath response in diffuse axonal injury after angular acceleration using the freeze-fracture and thin section techniques. It was found that the glial-axonal junction was intact until 1 h after injury. But upon loss of the nodal axolemma specialisations, after 3 to 4 h, the dimeric particles of the glial-axonal junction (GAJ) were lost and, by 6 h, the myelin lamellae became separated from the axonal remnant. There was a correlated loss of glial membrane specialisations of the GAJ during this separation. In the internodal region a suggestion of membrane damage occurred after 20 min but discrete myelin dislocations (particle-free areas) were not found until 1-h survival and were extensive by 6 h. Areas of loosely organised myelin occurred between intact axons at 7-28 days after injury. No evidence for growth cone formation was obtained.

Diagnostic levels of ultrasound may disrupt myelination

Neonatal rats 3 to 5 days of age were exposed to the ultrasound beam from a medical ultrasound imaging system. Dorsal nerve roots were examined by electron microscopy. Comparison between exposed and sham-exposed controls revealed disruption of the nodes of Ranvier attributable to ultrasound. Morphologic changes ranged from vacuole formation in the paranodal region to frank demyelination and were still evident after 24 h of recovery. Rats of this age are at a stage of myelination similar to that of a human fetus 4 to 5 months. The ultrasound intensities used in this study are consistent with those used for human imaging (SPTA 0.135 mW/cm2, SATA 0.045 mW/cm2, SPTP 8.7 W/cm2, SPPA 1.9 W/cm2), but the relevance of these findings to clinical ultrasound will require further study.

Activity of 2'3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase and content of PO protein in the peripheral nervous system of the dystrophic mouse and chicken

To investigate whether various myelin markers could detect pathological changes in myelination, the activity of 2'-3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) and the level of PO protein were compared in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of the dystrophic mouse and chicken and their phenotypically normal siblings. The same comparison was made for subcellular fractions of these nerves. The level of PO protein and the activity of CNP were normal in the spinal roots of sciatic nerves of the 129B6F1/Jdy/dy strain of dystrophic mouse. These parameters were slightly but significantly lower in the spinal roots of the 129REJ/dy/dy strain of dystrophic mouse. These results suggest that the 129B6F1/Jdy/dy mutant and the 129REJ/dy/dy mutant mouse might not have the same type of biochemical abnormality in their PNS. The specific activity of CNP and the proportion of PO protein increased significantly in the various regions of the PNS of 1-day-old chicks when compared to that of the 18-day-old embryos. Subcellular fractionation of peripheral nerves indicated that these components were enriched in the crude myelin fraction. These results support the conclusion that PO protein and CNP are suitable markers of myelinogenesis in the PNS of the chick. These parameters were normal in the line 413 dystrophic chicken. These results do not support the conclusion of a systemic membrane defect in the PNS of the dystrophic mouse and chicken.

Dendritic growth following labyrinthectomy in the squirrel monkey. Light and electron microscopic studies

In the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) peripheral vestibular dendrites underwent degeneration after destruction of the vestibular end organs (labyrinthectomy). The dendrites subsequently grew into the remodelled area where the end organs, surrounding tissues and inner ear fluid spaces were previously located, and were progressively occupied by connective tissue, blood vessels and also new bone. This finding indicates that peripheral vestibular dendrites of adult squirrel monkey can grow, that Schwann cells migrate along with these dendrites, and that myelin can be formed in vivo in locations not previously destined for myelination. The importance of these findings in relation to the plastic properties of the squirrel monkey vestibular nerve is discussed.

Immunocytochemical localization of sodium channel distributions in the excitable membranes of Electrophorus electricus

The tetrodotoxin binding protein, a major component of the Na+ channel, has been purified from the electric organ of the South American eel Electrophorus electricus. Antibodies to this protein were raised in rabbits and their specificity was demonstrated by a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay and by immunoprecipitation procedures. These antibodies were used to examine the distribution of the binding protein in the eel electroplax membranes and along myelinated nerve axons. The distribution of the antigen was determined by using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique at both the light and electron microscopic levels. In the electrocytes of the electric organ, only the innervated face showed staining in experimental material. The stained regions of electroplax plasmalemma included the caveolae of the innervated surface while caveolae of the non-innervated surface did not stain. Thus, the innervated surface including caveolae exclusively contains the Na+ channels. Along myelinated axons, staining was limited to the nodal zone of the node of Ranvier. The paranodal and internodal zones did not stain for the binding protein. Limited diffusion of primary IgG and subsequent reactants into the paranodal and internodal sites was eliminated as a possible source of focal staining at nodes because mechanically demyelinated preparations also exhibited focal nodal staining. Thus, this tetrodotoxin binding protein component of the Na+ channel is located solely within the nodal zone of the node of Ranvier.