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J Zimmer

Publications and source records attributed to J Zimmer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Organotypic slice cultures of the rat striatum: an immunocytochemical, histochemical and in situ hybridization study of somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase, and enkephalin.

In order to establish an in vitro model of Huntington's disease, we prepared slice cultures of striatal tissue from newborn rats. The striatal cultures were grown for 12-39 days in the absence of any other brain tissue. The presence of specific cell markers was shown by immunocytochemistry, histochemistry and in situ hybridization with alkaline-phosphatase-labeled oligonucleotide probes. We focused on (1) the medium-sized, aspiny interneurons, which in vivo express the neuropeptides somatostatin and neuropeptide Y and the nitric oxide synthesizing enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase, and which are spared in Huntington's disease and (2) the enkephalinergic, medium-sized projection neurons, which are particularly vulnerable in Huntington's disease. Similar basic morphologies of the presumed interneurons and double staining of NADPH-diaphorase positive and somatostatin immunoreactive neurons suggest that the two neuropeptides and NADPH-diaphorase are extensively colocalized in the cultures, as in vivo. In the newborn rats, included as controls, a patch-matrix distribution of the NADPH-diaphorase staining is described for the first time. In the striatal slices the distribution of the NADPH-diaphorase staining stayed uneven after 3-5 weeks in culture, with areas almost devoid of staining alternating with more heavily stained areas. This pattern may represent an intermediate stage between the patch-matrix distribution in the newborn and the homogeneous staining in the adult rat striatum. From quantitative estimates we found the same mutual rank order of the numbers of neuropeptide Y- and somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons and NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons in vivo and in vitro. Both in the slice cultures and in the brain, the number of enkephalin mRNA-containing neurons significantly exceeded that of neuropeptide Y- and somatostatin mRNA-containing neurons. This implies that the mutual distribution of presumed interneurons and projection neurons was preserved in the slice cultures. Comparison of cell numbers per unit volume showed that, in the cultures, the number of presumed interneurons, with the exception of NPY mRNA-containing neurons, significantly exceeded that in vivo. In contrast, the enkephalin mRNA-containing neurons, which in vivo are projection neurons, were significantly fewer in the cultures. The relative loss of projection neurons and preservation of interneurons in single slice cultures of striatal tissue apparently mimick some of the neurodegenerative changes of Huntington's disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cytokines in cerebral ischemia: expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA in the postischemic adult rat hippocampus.

Transient global cerebral ischemia induces selective neuronal degeneration in the adult rat hippocampus, which is both preceded and accompanied by activation of microglia and astrocytes. Altered expression patterns of cytokines and growth factors might influence the postischemic neuron-glial interactions as well as the degenerative neuronal processes. Northern blotting of hippocampal tissue from ischemic animals revealed elevated levels of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA, and in the present in situ hybridization study we examine the endogenous expression and cellular localization of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in the adult rat hippocampus at various intervals following 10 min of global cerebral ischemia. Six hours after ischemia, a diffuse expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was found throughout the brain, which further intensified until Day 2 and thereafter subsided. In parallel, a massive increase of signal was observed in the hilus fascia dentata from Day 1 and in area CA1 from Day 2 to 4, both areas displaying selective neuronal degeneration. Peak levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA were found in the hilus around Day 4, whereas expression in the CA1 area persisted through Day 21, the latest time point examined. A similar biphasic response, consisting of a transient, generalized reaction and a persistent lesion-associated activation in areas undergoing selective neuronal degeneration, was previously described for microglia and is reconfirmed in the present study. Cells of the microglial/macrophage lineage thus include the potent modulatory cytokine TGF-beta 1 in their potential repertoire of responses to both CNS activation and lesioning.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Autosomal sex reversal and campomelic dysplasia are caused by mutations in and around the SRY-related gene SOX9.

A human autosomal XY sex reversal locus, SRA1, associated with the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia (CMPD1), has been placed at distal 17q. The SOX9 gene, a positional candidate from the chromosomal location and expression pattern reported for mouse Sox9, was isolated and characterized. SOX9 encodes a putative transcription factor structurally related to the testis-determining factor SRY and is expressed in many adult tissues, and in fetal testis and skeletal tissue. Inactivating mutations on one SOX9 allele identified in nontranslocation CMPD1-SRA1 cases point to haploinsufficiency for SOX9 as the cause for both campomelic dysplasia and autosomal XY sex reversal. The 17q breakpoints in three CMPD1 translocation cases map 50 kb or more from SOX9.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Transient decrease in calbindin immunoreactivity of the rat fascia dentata granule cells after repeated electroconvulsive shocks.

Changes in hippocampal calbindin immunoreactivity were investigated after repeated electroconvulsive shocks. Adult rats were subjected to 10, 20, or 36 electroconvulsive shocks (50 mA, 0.5 seconds), given as on shock per day, 5 days a week. The rats were sacrificed and processed for calbindin immunohistochemistry 1, 2, and 30 days after the last electroconvulsive shock. In the rats receiving 10 or 20 electroconvulsive shocks, a selective reduction of the calbindin immunoreactivity of the dentate granule cell bodies, dendrites, and mossy fibers was noted 1 and 2 days after the last electroconvulsive shock. After 36 electroconvulsive shocks there was an almost complete loss of calbindin immunoreactivity from the granule cell bodies and dendrites, and the calbindin immunoreactivity of the mossy fibers was markedly reduced. Thirty days after the last of 36 electroconvulsive shocks, the calbindin immunoreactivity was back to normal. Besides demonstrating pronounced changes associated with repeated electroconvulsive shocks, the results confirm the transient nature of these changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Grafting of dopaminergic ventral mesencephalic slice cultures to the striatum of adult rats.

Live storage of dopaminergic neurons before intracerebral grafting will allow pregrafting examination and manipulation of the cells, as well as pooling and mixing of cells from several donors. In this study we examined whether mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, grown in organotypic cultures for 1 week, would survive subsequent grafting to the adult rat striatum. Slices of ventral mesencephalon from neonatal rats were grown by the Roller drum method for 1 week and then grafted into the striatum of adult rats, with and without preceding 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of their nigrostriatal pathway. Using immunocytochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase, cultured dopaminergic neurons were found to survive and to extend fibers into the host striatum when examined 4, 7, 14, 28, and 87 days after grafting. When compared with slices of noncultured mesencephalic tissue from 1-week-old rats the slice culture period did not significantly reduce the number of surviving tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons. From this we conclude that slice cultures can be used for transient storage of dopaminergic donor tissue before intracerebral grafting. The surviving tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons in control grafts from 1-week-old rats, furthermore, extends the time frame of possible donor ages used for grafting.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Microglial and astroglial reactions to anterograde axonal degeneration: a histochemical and immunocytochemical study of the adult rat fascia dentata after entorhinal perforant path lesions.

The reaction of microglial and a stroglial cells to anterograde axonal degeneration was studied in the fascia dentata of adult rats at various timepoints after removal of the entorhinal perforant path projection. Microglial cells were identified by histochemical staining for nucleoside diphosphatase (NDPase) at light and electron microscopical levels. Astroglial cells were stained immunocytochemically for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Activated astroglial cells and some microglial cells also stained immunocytochemically for the intermediate filament protein vimentin. Phagocytotic activity was detected by histochemical staining for acid phosphatase. The postlesional connective reorganization of the cholinergic septohippocampal projection was monitored by histochemical staining for acetylcholinesterase. Twenty-four hours after entorhinal cortex ablation, microglial cells in the perforant path zones of the fascia dentata and the adjacent neuropil reacted by shortening and coarsening of processes and an increase in NDPase reactivity. These changes occurred prior to a noticeable increase in GFAP immunoreactivity and hypertrophy of astroglial cells (first evident on postlesional day 2) or sprouting of cholinergic septohippocampal fibres (first evident on day 3). There was evidence of an early, local proliferation of microglial cells in the denervated perforant path zones and migration into these zones of microglial cells from adjacent intact areas. The specific accumulation of strongly stained microglial cells within the denervated parts of the dentate molecular layer persisted for at least 4 weeks, while the astroglial reaction subsided at 3 weeks. The results demonstrate an early activation of microglial cells by axonal degeneration, and indicate that these cells may play a pivotal, inductive role in the subsequent glial and neural events.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1994

Repeated electroconvulsive shocks cause transient changes in rat hippocampal somatostatin and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity and mRNA in situ hybridization signals.

Increased levels of somatostatin (SS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been demonstrated in the hippocampal formation after kindling. The increase might be specifically associated with kindling, or be an effect of repeated seizures per se. In order to separate these two components we studied the effects of repeated electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) on hippocampal SS-like and NPY-like immunoreactivity and SS mRNA and NPY mRNA in situ hybridization. ECS elicit seizures without having a demonstrable kindling effect. Rats were subjected to 10, 20, or 36 ECS (50 mA, 0.5 s), given as one shock per day, 5 days per week. One, 2 and 30 days after the last ECS, the rats were killed, together with sham-treated control rats, and processed for immunocytochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridization. There was a bilateral increase in SS-like and NPY-like immunoreactivity 1 and 2 days after the last ECS in the outer part of the dentate molecular layer. This is the terminal field of the hilar SS-containing and NPY-containing neurons, which displayed both increased immunoreactivity and hybridization signal of the cell bodies. There was also a bilateral de novo expression of NPY-like immunoreactivity in the mossy fiber system, but this was not accompanied by the appearance of a detectable NPY hybridization signal over the parent dentate granule cell bodies. The increase in SS-like immunoreactivity and hybridization signal was most pronounced in the rats that had received the largest number of ECS. This was not observed for the NPY-like immunoreactivity and hybridization signal, where the increase appeared similar after 10, 20 and 36 ECS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The susceptibility of CA1 pyramidal cells to cerebral ischemia is maintained after neonatal, lesion-induced reorganization of the hippocampal circuitry.

Acute lesions of hippocampal pathways have been shown previously to ameliorate CA1 pyramidal cell loss after subsequent transient cerebral ischemia. In this study, we examined the effect of chronic neonatal lesion with reorganization of hippocampal circuitry on adult postischemic neuron loss in the hippocampus. Newborn rats were subjected to unilateral knife-cut lesions at various positions along the trisynaptic entorhino-dentato-hippocampal pathway. Seven months later, the rats were subjected to transient cerebral ischemia using the four-vessel occlusion technique. At the time of killing 4 days later, a Nissl stain was used to demonstrate neuronal degeneration, while connective reorganization resulting from the neonatal lesions was monitored by Timm staining. In one group of rats, neonatal lesions had caused severe depletion of entorhinal projections to the septodorsal fascia dentata and hippocampus (CA1 and CA3), without any direct damage to the dorsal hippocampus itself. Another group had extensive damage of the dorsal CA3, with removal of the Schaffer collaterals from these levels to CA1, and variable damage to the entorhinal afferents. In both groups, the extent and pattern of ischemia-induced degeneration of CA1 pyramidal cells were the same on the lesioned and nonlesioned sides of the brain, demonstrating that neonatal lesions and the subsequent connective reorganization did not have a sparing effect. Seen in relationship to previous observations in adult rats of the neuroprotective actions of acute, preischemic lesions of the trisynaptic hippocampal pathway, it is concluded that CA1 pyramidal cell loss requires the presence of intact excitatory afferents rather than an intact hippocampal circuitry.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1993

Cholecystokinin-, enkephalin-, and substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dentate area, hippocampus, and subiculum of the domestic pig.

The distribution of cholecystokinin-like, enkephalin-like, and substance P-like immunoreactivities is described in the dentate area, hippocampus, and subiculum of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) as a baseline for future experimental studies. The distributions in the pig are compared with previous observations in other species. Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were intensely stained and present in large numbers in all subfields studied. Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive terminals appeared as stained puncta, whereas fibers were only rarely encountered. The puncta were mainly seen in the dentate molecular layer and dentate granule cell layer, the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal regio inferior, stratum moleculare of the hippocampal regio superior, and in the subiculum. Enkephalin-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were faintly stained and generally present in very small numbers, except for some pyramidal cells in the subicular cell layer. Enkephalin-like immunoreactive fibers were few in number, whereas stained puncta appeared with variable densities. Puncta of particularly high densities were found in the dentate molecular layer, whereas they appeared of moderate density in the dentate hilus, stratum moleculare of the hippocampal regio superior, and in the subiculum. Substance P-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were few and very faintly stained. They primarily occurred in the dentate hilus, stratum oriens of the hippocampus, and in the subicular cell layer. Stained fibers were few in number, whereas stained puncta were present in abundant numbers corresponding to the mossy fiber projection in the dentate hilus and the layer of mossy fibers of the hippocampal regio inferior, and in moderate numbers in stratum moleculare of the hippocampal regio superior and in the subiculum. For all three neuropeptides there were consistent and very characteristic variations in the distribution of immunoreactivity along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus. When viewed in a comparative perspective the distribution of enkephalin-like and substance P-like terminals in the domestic pig displayed striking differences from the basic pattern observed in other species. This contrasted with the distribution of cholecystokinin-like neurons and terminals, which resembled more closely these species.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Biocytin pellets: an alternative technique for massive anterograde labeling of neuronal pathways in vivo and in vitro.

The present study demonstrates that biocytin suspended in pellets of either coagulated chicken plasma (plasmaclot) or gelatine, produces intense anterograde axonal and terminal labeling and dense retrograde Golgi like labeling of neurons when injected into the brain parenchyma of young adult rats. The technique worked perfectly on hippocampal pathways like the mossy fiber system, the hilodentate associational and commissural fiber systems, CA3 Schaffer collaterals, the entorhinal perforant path to fascia dentata and hippocampus, as well as frontal motor cortical efferent and afferent fiber tracts. This pellet tracer delivery technique also proved very useful when applied on hippocampal slice cultures, where small pellets of plasmaclot embedded biocytin resulted in very discrete uptake sites with dense labeling of small groups of neurons and their projections.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Microglial MHC antigen expression after ischemic and kainic acid lesions of the adult rat hippocampus.

By taking advantage of the specific neuronal and connective organization of the hippocampus and the different susceptibility of hippocampal neurons to transient cerebral ischemia or intraventricular injections of kainic acid (KA), we examined the microglial reactions to different types of neuronal injury. In all areas with neuronal or axonal degeneration, the microglial cells reacted by specific degeneration-related morphological transformations and expression of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen. Subpopulations of microglial cells also expressed class II MHC antigen and leukocyte common antigen (LCA) in relation to (1) degenerating nerve cell bodies in the dentate hilus and the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers, (2) postischemic degeneration of dendrites in the stratum radiatum of CA1, and (3) combined dendritic and axonal degeneration in the stratum radiatum of the KA-lesioned CA3. MHC II and LCA expression was not observed in relation to degeneration of the CA3-derived Schaffer collaterals in CA1 after KA-induced CA3 lesions. In the case of ischemia the degeneration-related reactions were preceded by an early, generalized microglial reaction, which also included areas without subsequent signs of neural degeneration. This reaction, which was transient and characterized by subtle morphological changes and induction of class I MHC antigen only, was presumably triggered by a general postischemic perturbation of the cerebral microenvironment, and not by actual neural degeneration. In conclusion, we found that microglial expression of class I MHC antigen was a sensitive marker of both the general perturbation after ischemia and axonal degeneration distant from the areas of actual nerve cell death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Microglial and astroglial reactions to ischemic and kainic acid-induced lesions of the adult rat hippocampus.

The aim of this study was to characterize the microglial and astroglial reactions to degeneration of (a) hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and dentate hilar neurons induced by cerebral ischemia and (b) CA3 pyramidal cells and dentate hilar neurons induced by intraventricular injections of kainic acid (KA). The microglial reactions to ischemia, as monitored by histochemical staining for the enzyme nucleoside diphosphatase (NDPase) and immunohistochemical staining for the complement type 3 receptor (CR3), could be divided into (1) initial and generalized, but transient, reactions which also included areas devoid of subsequent neural degeneration and (2) protracted, degeneration-specific reactions in the areas with neural degeneration. Due to more widespread hippocampal involvement a similar distinction was not possible after KA lesions. After both ischemia and KA application the protracted degeneration-specific reactions were characterized by increased NDPase/CR3 reactivity and prominent morphological changes. In the dentate hilus, reactive microglial cells clustered around the degenerating hilar neurons. In stratum radiatum of CA1, reactive microglial cells transformed into either (1) "rod cells," aligned along the postischemic, degenerating pyramidal cell dendrites, followed by subsequent transformation into ameboid-like cells, or (2) "bushy" cells, in response to degeneration of Schaffer collaterals induced by KA lesioning of CA3 pyramidal cells. Within stratum radiatum of the KA-lesioned CA3, where both dendrites and axons were degenerating, the microglial cells developed into stellate cells with thickened, retracted processes and plump cell bodies. These cells were supplemented by rounded macrophage-like cells. Astroglial reactions, monitored by immunohistochemical staining for the intermediate filament proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin (VIM), and the normal plasma constituent immunoglobulin G (IgG), showed an initial and generalized astroglial immunoreactivity for IgG, which paralleled the initial and transient microglial reactions, while the reactive changes in GFAP and VIM immunohistochemistry paralleled the protracted, degeneration-specific reactions with regard to timing, strength, and distribution. In the KA-lesioned CA3, the most prominent finding was a prompt loss of astroglial GFAP immunoreactivity corresponding to the degenerating pyramidal cell layer and the adjacent mossy fiber layer. The results strongly indicate that stimuli other than neural degeneration initiated the activation of both microglial and astroglial cells, which then upon further activation by actual neuronal damage and degeneration adjust according to which neuronal structures were undergoing degeneration.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1993

A developmental study of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme and aspartate aminotransferase activity in organotypic rat hippocampal slice cultures and primary cultures of mouse neocortical and cerebellar neurons.

The development of enzyme activity and isozyme distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was studied in murine organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and dissociated cultures of neocortical neurons and cerebellar granule cells and compared with that of the respective brain regions in vivo. In the hippocampal slice cultures and the hippocampus in vivo, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) was also measured. During development in culture the specific activity of LDH increased in all types of cultures reaching values similar to that found in the corresponding brain areas in vivo. However, significant differences in the isozyme distribution were observed between the preparations in vitro and in vivo. During development in vivo, the LDH isozyme pattern changed from a preferential M-subunit composition to a preferential H-subunit composition regardless of the brain area. This shift was not observed in the respective cultures where the M4-isozyme prevailed at all culture periods examined accounting for 30-45% of the total LDH activity. The cultured cerebellar granule cells did not express the H4-isozyme at all, while in the hippocampal slice cultures and the cultured neo-cortical neurons this isozyme accounted for about 5% of the total LDH activity. The activity of AAT in the hippocampal organotypic slice cultures increased considerably during the culture period in parallel with the increase in AAT activity during postnatal development of hippocampus in vivo. The activity of AAT in the slice cultures was, however, consistently lower than the corresponding activity in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Area specific functional activity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. A 2-deoxyglucose study.

Slices of hippocampus from 5 day old rats were cultured by the roller-tube technique. After 4 weeks [14C]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) was added to the medium for 45 min, whereafter the cultures were frozen and cut on a cryostat. The sections were thawed onto coverslips and processed for autoradiography. Image analysis of the resulting autoradiographs showed a higher uptake of 2-DG in CA3 than in CA1 and fascia dentata, whereas CA1 and fascia dentata did not differ significantly with respect to 2-DG uptake. The study demonstrates, that organotypic hippocampal slice cultures display an area specific glucose utilization, and thus functional activity, which is similar to that observed in adult conscious rats. We therefore anticipate that the method can be used to examine the integrated activity of the whole neuronal network in these cultures under various manipulations, like hypoxia or additions of various drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Marginal defects in amalgam fillings after the use of 2 intermediate substances].

Thirty-six Class V amalgam restorations were placed in 29 patients. Prior to insertion of the amalgam in 12 cavities the walls were treated with Amalgam Liner and in another 12 cavities with Copalite. The remaining 12 cavities were not treated before amalgam insertion. The margin quality was determined quantitatively with the SEM using replicas obtained immediately after the polishing of the restorations and 6 months later. At baseline the cavities treated with Copalite showed a margin quality identical to the untreated cavities. Cavities treated with Amalgam Liner showed an inferior margin quality. After 6 months the margin quality of the three groups showed no statistical differences. With neither of the liners tested was it possible to improve the margin quality of amalgam restorations.

Calcium Fluoride↗
PubMed1992

Somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the dentate area, hippocampus, and subiculum of the domestic pig.

With the principal aim of providing baseline observations for future experimental studies, the distribution of somatostatin-like and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivities is described in the dentate area, hippocampus, and subiculum of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and compared with the distribution described in other mammals. Intensely stained somatostatin-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were present throughout the region, with highest densities in the dentate hilus, stratum radiatum and stratum oriens of the hippocampal regio inferior, stratum oriens of the hippocampal regio superior, and in the subicular cell layer. Somatostatin-like immunoreactive terminals were represented by both stained fibers and stained puncta. Scattered somatostatin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were seen in most areas, but regular fiber plexuses were present in the dentate molecular layer and dentate hilus, stratum moleculare of the hippocampus, and in the subicular plexiform layer. Somatostatin-like immunoreactive puncta were seen in the dentate molecular layer, stratum moleculare of the hippocampus, and in the subicular plexiform layer. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were less numerous than somatostatin-like immunoreactive ones. They were mainly seen in the dentate granule cell layer and dentate hilus, stratum radiatum and stratum oriens of the hippocampus, and in the subicular cell layer. Intensely stained neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive fibers were numerous, and present in all areas examined. They formed fiber plexuses in the dentate molecular layer and dentate hilus, stratum moleculare of the hippocampal regio superior, and in the subicular plexiform layer. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive puncta were present in the dentate molecular layer, stratum moleculare of the hippocampus, and in the subicular plexiform layer. Consistent and very characteristic variation in the distribution of somatostatin-like and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity was found along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus. The distribution of somatostatin-like and neuropeptide Y-like neurons and terminals in the domestic pig displayed striking similarities with the basic pattern of organization of these neuropeptides in other species, although more subtle species-specific characteristics were also observed in the pig.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Tyrosine hydroxylase and acetylcholinesterase in the domestic pig mesencephalon: an immunocytochemical and histochemical study.

The mesencephalon of the young domestic pig was studied by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry with focus on the substantia nigra (SN), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and related areas. The purpose was to obtain information on the organization of the mesencephalic, TH immunoreactive (TH-i), and dopaminergic areas of the pig, in order to provide the necessary background for the possible use of the pig as an alternative large animal experimental model for research on Parkinson's disease, including the use of encapsulated pig dopaminergic neurons for intracerebral xenotransplantation. Significant findings in the pig, compared to observations in other species, included the presence of prominent bundles of TH-i dendrites passing in a dorsoventral direction from pars compacta into pars reticulata at middle and caudal levels of the SN, and the presence of a distinct TH-i substantia nigra pars lateralis (SNL). Caudally in the pig mesencephalon, the retrorubral field (RRF) was found to be very extensive. The view of the RRF, SN, and VTA as parts of the same integrated system was indicated by the crisscrossing of TH-i dendrites at the transitions between these areas. Estimation of the number of TH-i neurons in the SN and the VTA showed that these nuclei were of equal size in the pig. Further, it was found that TH-i nerve cells were present in the midline between the VTA in the interfascicular and rostral linear groups. TH-i nerve cells were also present in the otherwise serotoninergic dorsal raphe nuclei, just as other TH-i cells formed a perirubral cell group. AChE-positive neurons were present in both SN and VTA, and appeared to have the same size and morphology as the TH-i neurons in these areas. Within both nuclei, there were local differences in the AChE staining density, but perhaps more significantly were some marked differences in the structure of the AChE-positive neuropil of the two areas. We anticipate that the present description of the cellular organization of the TH-i dopaminergic areas in the domestic pig ventral mesencephalon will be useful for the development of a nonprimate, large animal, experimental model of Parkinson's disease.

Acetylcholinesterase↗