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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Endopeptidase-24.11, a cell-surface peptidase of central nervous system neurons, is expressed by Schwann cells in the pig peripheral nervous system.

Endopeptidase-24.11 is a 90-kDa surface glycoprotein with the ability to hydrolyze a variety of biologically active peptides. Interest in this enzyme is based on the consensus that it may play a role in the termination of peptide signals in the central nervous system. In the present study, we have investigated the distribution of endopeptidase-24.11 in two nerves of the peripheral nervous system of newborn pigs: the sciatic, composed of a mixture of myelinated and nonmyelinated axons, and cervical sympathetic trunk in which greater than 99% of the axons are nonmyelinated. The endopeptidase was monitored enzymatically, as well as by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry using mono- and polyclonal anti-endopeptidase antibodies. Endopeptidase-24.11 was detected in both the sciatic nerve and the cervical sympathetic trunk. Membrane preparations from sciatic nerve hydrolyzed 125I-insulin B-chain, and more than 50% of the activity was inhibited by phosphoramidon with an IC50 concentration of 3.2 nM. Moreover, a 90-kDa polypeptide was detected by immunoblotting of sciatic nerve membranes. The type of cells expressing the endopeptidase was determined by immunohistochemistry. In teased nerve preparations, these cells were identified morphologically as myelin- and non-myelin-forming Schwann cells. Endopeptidase-24.11 was also expressed by cultured Schwann cells from sciatic nerve and cervical sympathetic trunk maintained for 3 h in vitro. The presence of endopeptidase-24.11 on the Schwann cell surface raises the possibility of a potential role for the enzyme in nerve development and/or regeneration.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute, severe, central and peripheral nervous system combined demyelination.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelopathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome are both immunologically mediated para-infectious demyelinating disorders, the former affecting the central nervous system and the latter affecting the peripheral nervous system. The term encephalo-myelo-radiculo-neuropathy was introduced to describe cases in which major involvement of one system, most commonly the peripheral, was associated with mild involvement of the other. We present a case of acute severe demyelination simultaneously affecting both the central and the peripheral nervous systems in a 10-year-old female. This clinical picture combines acute disseminated encephalomyelopathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome, both of which are extremely severe.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Endothelin and the central and peripheral nervous systems: a decade of endothelin research.

1. During the past decade, extensive investigation of the endothelin (ET) system, primarily characterized by its potent vasoactive peptide element ET-1, has suggested a prominent role for this humoral agent and its isopeptides in cardiovascular and neural regulation. 2. Major elements of this system, including its peptide isoforms, converting enzymes involved in their formation and metabolism, as well as multiple receptor subtypes, have been localized within various components of the cardiovascular system and the central and peripheral nervous systems. 3. An understanding of the possible roles for the ET system in neural regulation and development has progressed over the past several years; most notable is the influence of ET on the central control of cardiovascular function and sympathetic tone. 4. The present concentrated review of ET and the central and peripheral nervous systems is presented to introduce the other papers within this symposium by briefly describing the presence and influence of components of this unique peptide system within pertinent physiological structures involved in cardiovascular, adrenal, sympathetic and enteric developmental function.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Adenoviral and adeno-associated viral transfer of genes to the peripheral nervous system.

Targeted expression of foreign genes to the peripheral nervous system is interesting for many applications, including gene therapy of neuromuscular diseases, neuroanatomical studies, and elucidation of mechanisms of axonal flow. Here we describe a microneurosurgical technique for injection of replication-defective viral vectors into dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Adenovirus- and adeno-associated virus-based vectors with transcriptional competence for DRG neurons led to expression of the gene of interest throughout the first neuron of the sensory system, from the distal portions of the respective sensory nerve to the ipsilateral nucleus gracilis and cuneatus, which contains the synapses to the spinothalamic tracts. Use of Rag-1 ablated mice, which lack all B and T lymphocytes, allowed for sustained expression for periods exceeding 100 days. In immunocompetent mice, long-term (52 days) expression was achieved with similar efficiency by using adeno-associated viral vectors. DRG injection was vastly superior to intraneural injection into the sciatic nerve, which mainly transduced Schwann cells in the vicinity of the site of inoculation site but only inefficiently transduced nerve fibers, whereas i.m. injection did not lead to any significant expression of the reporter gene in nerve fibers. The versatile and efficient transduction of genes of interest should enable a wide variety of functional studies of peripheral nervous system pathophysiology.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1997

Serotonin immunoreactivity in the peripheral nervous system of oligochaeta.

The distribution of serotonin immunoreactive elements in the peripheral nervous system of three earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia fetida and Tubifex tubifex) was studied using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Most parts of the peripheral nervous system contain immunoreactive fibers. All segmental nerves as well as branches of the prostomial nerves show strong immunoreactivity. Muscles of the body wall contain serotonergic fibers, mostly between the circular and longitudinal layers. The best supplied area is the buccal musculature. All parts of the enteric nervous system contain serotonergic fibers, strongest staining was observed in the buccal and pharyngeal walls. Along the wall of the calciferous glands thin immunoreactive fibers were found. The excretory system, the metanephridial tubules also display immunoreactivity. Under the surface epithelium, a serotonergic subepidermal plexus was observed. No significant differences were observed between the species studied. On the basis of our morphological findings and functional studies performed by other authors it is suggested that serotonin plays an essential role in the function of the peripheral nervous system in Oligochaeta.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Peripheral nervous system lesion syndromes and the mechanisms of their formation in connective tissue diseases.

Systemic rheumatological diseases are often accompanied by the development of central and peripheral nervous system pathology. Data providing evidence of the high incidence of peripheral nervous system lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic scleroderma are presented. These diseases in particular are characterized by polyneuropathies and tunnel syndromes. Our own observations, along with published data, revealed the following major pathogenetic mechanisms of peripheral nervous system lesions in diffuse connective tissue diseases - ischemic, immunological, and metabolic. Consideration of these mechanisms will lead to pathogenetically based treatment and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗
PubMed1984

Immunocytochemical demonstration of peptidergic neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems of the flatworm Microstomum lineare with antiserum to FMRF-amide.

The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of the flatworm Microstomum lineare were studied by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical method, with the use of antisera to the molluscan cardioactive peptide FMRF-amide. FMRF-amide immunoreactive perikarya and nerve fibres are observed in the CNS and the PNS. In the CNS, immunoreactive perikarya and nerve fibres occur in the brain, in the epithelial lining and the mesenchymal surroundings of the ciliated pits, and positive fibres in the longitudinal nerve cords. In the PNS, immunoreactive fibre bundles with variocosities occur in the pharyngeal nerve ring, in symmetrical groups of perikarya on each side of the pharynx, and in the mouth area. Positive perikarya and meandering nerve fibres appear in the intestinal wall. A few immunoreactive cells and short nerve processes are observed at the male copulatory organ and on both sides of the vagina. Some immunoreactive peptidergic cells do not correspond to cells previously identified by histological techniques for neurosecretory cells. The distribution of immunoreactivity suggests that the FMRF-amide-like substance in CNS and PNS in this worm has roles similar to those of the brain-gut peptides in vertebrates. The status of FMRF-amide-like peptides as representatives of an evolutionarily old family of peptides is confirmed by the positive immunoreaction to anti-FMRF-amide in this primitive microturbellarian.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Functional breakdown of the lipid bilayer of the myelin membrane in central and peripheral nervous system by disrupted galactocerebroside synthesis.

The lipid bilayer of the myelin membrane of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) contains the oligodendrocyte- and Schwann cell-specific glycosphingolipids galactocerebrosides (GalC) and GalC-derived sulfatides (sGalC). We have generated a UDP-galactose ceramide galactosyltransferase (CGT) null mutant mouse (cgt-/-) with CNS and PNS myelin completely depleted of GalC and derived sGalC. Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are unable to restore the structure and function of these galactosphingolipids to maintain the insulator function of the membrane bilayer. The velocity of nerve conduction of homozygous cgt-/- mice is reduced to that of unmyelinated axons. This indicates a severely altered ion permeability of the lipid bilayer. GalC and sGalC are essential for the unperturbed lipid bilayer of the myelin membrane of CNS and PNS. The severe dysmyelinosis leads to death of the cgt-/- mouse at the end of the myelination period.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[The peripheral nervous system and HIV infection. 13 cases].

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system occur at all stages of HIV infection. From 13 patients referred for a peripheral neuropathy, 9 were known to be HIV seropositive and 4 were found to be seropositive. All were Caucasian males aged 27 to 58. Ten were homosexual, 2 were drug-addicts. Patients fell into several groups: the first group was made of 5 patients, 4 asymptomatic and 1 AIDS-related-complex (ARC), with an inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute in 1 case and subacute in 4; the CSF showed pleiocytosis in all cases. Motor conduction nerve velocities were markedly reduced and motor distal latencies prolonged. Three patients recovered spontaneously, 1 responded to corticosteroids, 1 to plasmapheresis. In the second group, 4 patients, 1 asymptomatic and 3 ARC, had a distal symmetrical polyneuropathy; CSF was normal in 2 cases. Electrophysiological studies and nerve biopsies indicated a mixed axonal-demyelinating polyneuropathy. Three patients recovered spontaneously, 1 is unchanged. Among both groups, an infiltration of mononuclear cells was found on nerve biopsies in 4 cases. The third group was made of 3 patients with AIDS who presented with a painful sensory polyneuropathy involving the distal lower limbs. Electrophysiological and pathological study of the nerve indicated axonal degeneration. No cell infiltration was found. The last patient with AIDS had a progressive meningoradiculopathy. These 4 patients died within 6 months after the onset of the neuropathy. These findings are close to those previously reported, and confirm the wide spectrum of disorders of the peripheral nervous system associated to HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Sclerotome development and peripheral nervous system segmentation in embryonic zebrafish.

Vertebrate embryos display segmental patterns in many trunk structures, including somites and peripheral nervous system elements. Previous work in avian embryos suggests a role for somite-derived sclerotome in segmental patterning of the peripheral nervous system. We investigated sclerotome development and tested its role in patterning motor axons and dorsal root ganglia in embryonic zebrafish. Individual somite cells labeled with vital fluorescent dye revealed that some cells of a ventromedial cell cluster within each somite produced mesenchymal cells that migrated to positions expected for sclerotome. Individual somites showed anterior/posterior distinctions in several aspects of development: (1) anterior ventromedial cluster cells produced only sclerotome, (2) individual posterior ventromedial cluster cells produced both sclerotome and muscle, and (3) anterior sclerotome migrated earlier and along a more restricted path than posterior sclerotome. Vital labeling showed that anterior sclerotome colocalized with extending identified motor axons and migrating neural crest cells. To investigate sclerotome involvement in peripheral nervous system patterning, we ablated the ventromedial cell cluster and observed subsequent development of peripheral nervous system elements. Primary motor axons were essentially unaffected by sclerotome ablation, although in some cases outgrowth was delayed. Removal of sclerotome did not disrupt segmental pattern or development of dorsal root ganglia or peripheral nerves to axial muscle. We propose that peripheral nervous system segmentation is established through interactions with adjacent paraxial mesoderm which develops as sclerotome in some vertebrate species and myotome in others.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Role of adhesion molecules in the genesis of the peripheral nervous system in avians.

In vertebrates, the peripheral nervous system arises from the neural crest by a multistep process involving epithelium-mesenchyme interconversions and cell migrations. These successive events are associated with profound and controlled reorganization of the expression of both cell-cell and cell-substratum adhesion molecules responsible for the direct interaction of neural crest cells with their neighbours or the extracellular matrix. Thus, at the onset of emigration of neural crest cells from the neural tube, the cell-cell adhesion systems mediated by N-cadherin and N-CAM are lost by cells. This is accompanied by the complete reorganization of the extracellular matrix in the immediate environment of neural crest cells and by changes in cell shape. Later, as crest cells undergo migration towards their differentiation sites, they are found associated with fibronectin. Cell adhesion molecules are reaquired by neural crest cells following specific sequences as they coalesce into primordia of the various ganglia. In vitro, fibronectin constitutes the most appropriate substrate for migration of neural crest cells. The migration-promoting effect of fibronectin can be specifically inhibited both in vivo and in vitro by antibodies to fibronectin, integrin receptors, or by peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser sequence. Neural crest cells recognize two major adhesion sites along fibronectin molecules; these are the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser sequence located in the medial part of the molecule and the CS1 site situated in the alternatively spliced IIICS region. These two sequences are required to permit full motile behavior of cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Distribution of laminin in the developing peripheral nervous system of the chick.

During axonal elongation in the developing peripheral nervous system, the temporal and spatial distribution of adhesive molecules in extracellular matrices and on neighboring cell surfaces may provide "choices" of pathways for growth cone migration. The extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin appears in early embryos and mediates neuronal adhesion and neurite extension in vitro. In this study, we have examined the distribution of laminin at early periods of peripheral nervous system development. The distribution of laminin, demonstrated by immunostaining frozen sections of chick embryos, was compared to the distribution of fibronectin and of early peripheral neurites as revealed with an antibody to a neurofilament-associated protein. Laminin is present in the neural tube basement membrane, in early ganglia, and in developing dorsal and ventral roots, where the laminin staining pattern parallels that of neurofilaments. In early ganglia and nerve roots, laminin immunostaining defines loose "meshworks" rather than basement membranes, which seem to form slightly later in these structures. In contrast, fibronectin is absent in neural tube basement membrane, ganglia, and nerve roots, although it is present along neural crest migratory pathways and in intersomitic spaces. Our observations of laminin distribution are consistent with the possibility that laminin provides an adhesive surface for neurite extension at some stages of early peripheral nervous system development.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Cytofluorescence localization of adriamycin in the nervous system. II. Distribution of the drug in the somatic and autonomic peripheral nervous systems of normal adult mice after intravenous injection.

By a fluorescence-microscopic technique, the distribution of the antineoplastic glycoside adriamycin (doxorubicin) was studied in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of normal adult mice after i.v. injection. Doses comparable to those used in patients for treatment of malignant diseases were used. The orange-red fluorescence of the drug was observed in dorsal root ganglia, in the trigeminal ganglia, and in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia where it was preferentially accumulated in the nuclei of satellite cells. This nuclear labeling was a very quick process which occurred in the superior cervical ganglion within 15 s after the injection. Adriamycin-fluorescent nuclei were also observed in the suprarenal medulla. Fluorescent nuclei were present within the pre- and postganglionic sympathetic nerve trunks close to the superior cervical ganglion but not in the endoneurium of the trigeminal and the sciatic nerves or in the spinal nerve roots. In such structures labeled cells appeared in the connective tissue sheaths covering the nerves and the roots. No adriamycin-induced fluorescence was detected in the myenteric plexus of the intestine. Our study thus shows that i.v. injected adriamycin is distributed preferentially within areas of the PNS where the blood vessels are known to be highly permeable.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1998

Early development of the peripheral nervous system in a lancelet species.

The developmental pattern of the lancelet (amphioxus) peripheral nervous system from embryos to larvae has been studied by using wholemount immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy. The peripheral nerves first appeared on the anterior dorsal surface of the medulla at the middle neurula stage, when the anterior nerve cord was just closing. A single axon with a large growth cone was the progenitor of each nerve. The nerve roots adopted an asymmetric arrangement soon after. The first nerve, likely a pair of pure sensory nerves, sprouted from the anterior tip of the nerve cord. This nerve may be comparable topographically to the preoptic nerve (the posterior branch of the terminal nerve) in lungfishes. However, the neuron that first extends its axon was located in the medulla, as in the other posterior nerves. One of the extramedullary primary sensory neurons, the corpuscles of de Quatrefages, appeared in larvae with the mouth and two anterior gill pores. Their axons were seemingly fasciculated with the efferent axon of the first nerve. The second nerve, the most complex one to appear during embryonic and early larval development, innervated the preoral pit and the buccal region. The third and fourth nerves on the left side also innervated the buccal region. The larval innervation patterns in the anterior region differed from the adult organization, suggesting a segmental rearrangement of the nerve supply during development. There was no evidence to dichotomize the peripheral nerves into cranial and spinal nerves, as exist in vertebrates. These characteristics of the peripheral nervous system in the lancelet indicate that this animal has a rather derived or primitive developmental system of peripheral nerves, making the analysis of homology with vertebrates difficult.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Magnetic stimulation of the peripheral nervous system.

Following a review of general aspects of magnetic stimulation pertaining to the peripheral nervous system, the reported performance of currently available magnetic stimulation systems in various critical areas of peripheral clinical neurophysiology is evaluated. The author suggests techniques for the use of the magnetic stimulator in the clinical study of the peripheral nervous system, where its use has been shown to be appropriate or to have advantages over other currently used techniques.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2002

Peripheral nervous system in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate peripheral nervous system involvement in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinemia (GA). BACKGROUND: GA is an inborn error of amino acid metabolism caused by mutations in the enzyme ornithine aminotransferase. Patients with GA have hyperornithinemia, progressive centripetal loss of vision, minor CNS abnormalities, and type II muscle fiber atrophy with accumulation of tubular aggregates. The authors previously showed that muscle and brain creatine stores are depleted in the patients with GA. METHODS: The authors searched evidence of peripheral nervous involvement in 40 patients with GA (mean age 31.6 +/- 16.3 years; range 5 to 74 years) by using neurography, quantitative sensory threshold testing, and evoked potential testing. RESULTS: Neurography revealed abnormalities in 21 (53%) of the patients. The abnormalities associated with the severity of the ophthalmologic changes and the age of the patients. With quantitative sensory threshold testing, abnormal large-fiber function was found in seven (18%) and abnormal small-fiber function was found in four (10%) patients. Somatosensory evoked potential and brainstem auditory evoked potential responses were abolished in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings of peripheral nervous system involvement in GA suggest that GA is a systemic disease affecting not only CNS but also the peripheral nervous system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Markers of inflammation, vitamin E and peripheral nervous system function: the InCHIANTI study.

BACKGROUND: Aging of the peripheral nervous system is associated with several morphologic and functional changes, including a decrease of the nerve conduction velocity. There is evidence that these changes contribute to age-related-decline in muscle strength, sensory discrimination, and autonomic responses. The aim of this study was to characterize the decline in nerve conduction velocity in the peripheral nervous system over the aging process and to identify factors that, independent of age, affect nerve conduction velocity. METHODS: We measured motor nerve conduction velocity of the right superficial peroneal nerve using a standard neurophysiologic technique in a population-based sample of subjects aged between 20 and 103 years old enrolled in the InCHIANTI study. RESULTS: Average conduction velocities in the peripheral nerve decreased linearly with age in both sexes. We found that diabetes, cognitive impairment, uric acid, sIL-6R and alpha-tocopherol were significant predictors of nerve conduction velocity independently of the potential confounding effect of age, sex, sex x age interaction term, height, lymphocytes, neutrophils number, alpha1 and alpha2-globulin serum protein. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that inflammation and inadequate antioxidant defenses are associated with accelerated decline of nerve conduction velocity over the aging process.

Adult↗