Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrastrukturelle Lokalisation von Mukosubstanzen der Zellhülle im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte

The fine structural localisation of cell coat mucosubstances in the rat subcommissural organ

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Electron microscopical localisation of the cell coat mucosubstances in the rat subcommissural organ was studied with the Alcian blue (AB), Ruthenium red (RR) and Lanthanum nitrate (LN) methods.

Alcian blue stains deeply a layer which extends over apical plasmalemma, cilia and microvilli. An alcianophilic membrane covering these apical differentiations is also observed. It would appear that this membrane and the AB-positive layer participate in the formation of Reissner's fibre which is also alcianophilic. The cytoplasmic matrix of rarely found degenerating apical parts or whole ependymal cells is strongly AB-stained.

Ruthenium red reveals positively stained granules at the apical plasmalemma of ependymal cells, microvilli, and within and at the surface of Reissner's fibre. Periodic structures like epithelial and capillary basal membranes show minute RR deposits.

Lanthanum positive material is mainly located intercellularly between hypendymal cells and between basal parts of ependymal cells. The periodic structures are also strongly LN-positive. Epithelial and capillary basal membranes are irregularly stained.

Our observations suggest that apical segregation or holocrine disintegration of the alcianophilic ependymal cells is responsible for the formation of the AB-positive material. The origin of the RR- and LN-positive materials remains obscure.

Zusammenfassung

Im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte wurde die Glykokalyx der Zellen mit der Alcianblau (AB)-, Rutheniumrot (RR)- und Lanthannitratmethode elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht.

Mit Alcianblau wird eine das apikale Plasmalemm, die Zilien und die Mikrovilli bedeckende, sehr elektronendichte Schicht dargestellt. Über den Zilien und Mikrovilli wird eine zweite stark acianophile Hülle beschrieben, die anscheinend an der Bildung des alcianophilen Reissnerschen Fadens beteiligt ist. Starke Alcianophilie zeigt die cytoplasmatische Matrix der selten vorkommenden degenerierten Zellen bzw. der apikalen Zellteile.

Mit Rutheniumrot werden auf dem apikalen Plasmalemm der Ependymzellen, den Mikrovilli, auf der Oberfläche und im Innern des Reissnerschen Fadens RR-positive Schollen beobachtet. Die „periodisch strukturierten Körper“, Epithel- und Kapillarbasalmembranen zeigen kleine Rutheniumrot Niederschläge.

Lanthannitrat-positives Material ist hauptsächlich zwischen den Hypendymzellen und basalen Ependymzellteilen lokalisiert. Die „periodisch strukturierten Körper“ reagieren intensiv mit Lanthannitrat. Epithel- und Kapillarbasalmembranen erscheinen unregelmäßig gefärbt.

Unsere Befunde sprechen dafür, daß das AB-positive Material durch apikale Abstoßung bzw. holokrine Auflösung der alcianohpilen Zellen entstehen kann. Der Ursprung des RR- und LN-positiven Materials ist unbekannt.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literatur

  • Afzelius, B. H., Olsson, R.: The fine structure of the subcommissural cells and of Reissner's fibre in Myxine. Z. Zellforsch. 46, 673–685 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., Schiebler, T. H.: Histologische und cytochemische Untersuchungen am Subkommissuralorgan von Säugern. Z. Zellforsch. 37, 583–596 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, R. M., D'Agostino, A. N., Cancilla, P. A.: A morphological and histochemical study of the subcommissural organ of young and old sheep. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 299–315 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Behnke, O., Zelander, T.: Preservation of intercellular substances by the cationic dye alcian blue in preparative procedures for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 31, 424–438 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedeczky, I., Smith, A. D.: Ruthenium red staining of the hamster adrenal medulla. Histochemie 32, 213–219 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benett, H. S.: Morphological aspects of extracellular polysaccharides. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 11, 14–23 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondareff, W.: An intercellular substance in rat cerebral cortex: submicroscopic distribution of ruthenium red. Anat. Rec. 157, 527–536 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosque, G. P., Arranz, B., Arnaiz, P. S.: L'organe sous-commissural chez Cavia cobaya adulte. Acta anat. (Basel) 33, 65–75 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, R. E.: Ruthenium red stainable surface layer on lung alveolar cells: electron microscopic interpretation. Stain Technol. 44, 173–177 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. D., Afifi, A. K.: Histological and ablation studies on the relation of the subcommissural organ and rostral midbrain to sodium and water metabolism. Anat. Rec. 153, 255–261 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey, E. W., Wislocki, G. B.: An electron microscopic study of the blood brain barrier in the rat, employing silver nitrate as a vital stain. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 245–257 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Diederen, J. H. B.: The subcommissural organ of Rana temporaria L. A cytological, cytochemical, cyto-enzymological and electronmicroscopical study. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 379–403 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Diederen, J. H. B.: Influence of light and darkness on the subcommissural organ of Rana temporaria L. A cytological and autoradiographical study. Z. Zellforsch. 129, 237–255 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eberl-Rothe, G.: Über den Reissnerschen Faden der Wirbeltiere. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 57, 137–180 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ermisch, A., Sterba, G., Hess, J.: Untersuchungen zur Klärung der Funktion des Reissnerschen Fadens. In-vitro-Bindung von Noradrenalin, Adrenalin und Serotonin. Experientia (Basel) 26, 1319–1321 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fährmann, W.: Experimentelle Untersuchungen am Reissnerschen Faden bei Triturus alpestris Laur. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 71, 339–346 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrel, G.: Adrenoglomerulotropin. Circulation 21, 1009–1015 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fasske, E., Steins, I.: Über die Anfärbbarkeit saurer Mucopolysaccharide mit Rutheniumrot. Z. wiss. Mikr. 67, 47–50 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Forte, T. M., Forte, J. G.: Definition of the extracellular space in secreting and nonsecreting oxyntic cells. J. Cell Biol. 47, 782–786 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, G. J.: The subcommissural organ. Anat. Rec. 126, 253–265 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, G. J.: Subcommissural organ secretion in the dehydrated rat. Anat. Rec. 132, 563–567 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Groniowski, J., Biczyskowa, W., Walski, M.: Electron microscope studies on the surface coat of the nephron. J. Cell Biol. 40, 585–601 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauser, R.: Morphogenetic action of the subcommissural organ on tail regeneration in Xenopus larvae. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv 169, 170–184 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess, J., Sterba, G.: Die Bindungsfähigkeit des Reissnerschen Fadens für Adrenalin und Noradrenalin in vivo. Acta biol. med. germ. 28, 849–851 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Isomäki, A. M., Kivalo, E., Talanti, S.: Electron-microscopic structure of the subcommissural organ in the calf (Bos taurus) with special reference to secretory phenomena. Ann. Acad. Sci. fenn. A5 111, 1–64 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, S.: The enteric surface coat on cat intestinal microvilli. J. Cell Biol. 27, 475–491 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmanova, I. G., Shapiro, I.: On subcommissural organ in photogenous catalepsy. Arkh. anat., gistol., embriol. 46, 42–49 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky, M. J., Shea, S. M.: Transcapillary transport by pinocytosis. Microvascular Res. 2, 353–360 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimble, J. E., Sørensen, S. C., Møllgaard, K.: Cell junctions in the subcommissural organ of the rabbits revealed by use of ruthenium red. Z. Zellforsch. 137, 375–386 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivalo, E., Talanti, S., Rinne, U. K.: On the secretory phenomena in the subcommissural organ of the rat. Anat. Rec. 139, 357–361 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Laatsch, R. H.: Electron microscopy of the rat subcommissural organ. Anat. Rec. 148, 303–304 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Langley, O. K.: A comparison of the binding of alcian blue and inorganic cations to polyanions in peripheral nerve. Histochem. J. 3, 251–260 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, J. F., Dodd, J. M.: Studies on the structure, ultrastructure and function of the subcommissural organ—Reissner's fibre complex of the european eel Anguilla Z. Zellforsch. 89, 533–559 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonieni, J.: Morphochemical comparative studies of the subcommissural organ in some laboratory animals. Folia histochem. cytochem. 6, 485–498 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonieni, J., Rechard, L.: The effect of dehydration on the ultrastructure and cholinesterase activity of the subcommissural organ in the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 133, 377–387 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesseps, R. J.: The removal by phospholipase C of a layer of lanthanum-staining material external to the cell membrane in embryonic chick cells. J. Cell Biol. 34, 173–183 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, H.-S., Duncan, D.: An electron microscope study of the subcommissural organ in rat and guinea pig. Anat. Rec. 139, 313 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J. H.: Ruthenium red and violet. I. Chemistry, purification, methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action. Anat. Rec. 171, 347–368 (1971a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J. H.: Ruthenium red and violet. II. Fine structural localisation in animal tissues. Anat. Rec. 171, 369–416 (1971b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Palomo, A.: The surface coat of animal cells. Int. Rev. Cytol. 29, 29–75 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miline, R.: Contribution à l'étude du comportement corrélatif du complex épithalamoépiphysaire et de la zone glomérulaire des glandes surrénales sous l'influence de l'obscurité. In: Structure and function of the epiphysis cerebri (eds. J. Ariëns Kappers and J. P. Schadé). Progress in brain research vol. 10, p. 612–627. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miline, R., Krstić, R., Devečerski, V.: Sur le comportement du réticulum endoplasmique des épendymocytes de l'organe sous-commissural du rat dans le stress. Fourth European Regional Conference on Electron Microscopy. Part II, p. 363–364. Rome: Ed. Vaticana 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miline, R., Krstić, R., Devečerski, V.: Das Subkommissuralorgan unter Stressbedingungen. Bericht über das Symposium in Schloss Reinhardsbrunn vom 13. bis 16. Mai 1968, S. 53–57. Jena: VEB G. Fischer Verlag 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Møllgård, K.: Histochemical investigations on the human foetal subcommissural organ. I. Carbohydrates and mucosubstances, proteins and nucleoproteins, esterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase. Histochemie 32, 31–48 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M.: Über die Feinstruktur des Subcommissuralorgans von Gecko japonicus. Arch. histol. jap. 17, 411–427 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M., Kusaba, K., Yamakawa, K.: Feinstruktur des Subkommissuralorgans des Histamininjizierten Gecko japonicus. Arch. histol. jap. 22, 465–475 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M., Nakayama, Y., Tanaka, H.: Fine structure of the perivascular space of the Gecko japonicus sucommissural organ. Experientia (Basel) 25, 252–253 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M., Shimada, T., Oribe, T., Hiraki, T.: An electron microscopic study on the subcommissural organ of the monkey, Macacus fuscatus. Arch. histol. jap. 34, 61–72 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M., Tanizaki, T.: An electron microscopic study on the toad subcommissural organ. Arch. histol. jap. 23, 337–358 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murakami, M., Nakayama, Y., Shimada, T., Amagase, N.: The fine structure of the subcommissural organ of the human fetus. Arch. histol. jap. 31, 529–540 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oksche, A.: Funktionelle histologische Untersuchungen über die Organe des Zwischenhirndaches der Chordaten. Anat. Anz. 102, 404–419 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oksche, A.: Studien am Subcommissuralorgan. Anat. Anz. 106/107, Erg. H., 392–404 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oksche, A.: Histologische, histochemische und experimentelle Studien am Subcommissuralorgan von Anuren (mit Hinweisen auf den Epiphysenkomplex). Z. Zellforsch. 57, 240–326 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oksche, A., Vaupel-von Harnack, M.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Nervenbahnen des Pinealkomplexes von Rana esculenta L. Z. Zellforsch. 68, 389–426 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palkovits, M.: Participation of the epithalamo-epiphyseal system in the regulation of water and electrolytes metabolism. In: Structure and function of the eiphysis cerebri (eds. J. Ariëns Kappers and J. P. Schadé). Progress in brain research, vol. 10, p. 627–634. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palkovits, M.: Karyometrische Untersuchung zur Klärung der osmo- bzw. volumenregulatorischen Rolle des Subcommissuralorganes und seiner funktionellen Verbindung mit der Nebennierenrinde. Z. Zellforsch. 84, 59–71 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palkovits, M., Földvari, I. P.: Antidiuretic effect of the subcommissural organ. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 11, 91–102 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Papacharalampous, N. X., Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Subcommissuralorgan des Meerschweinchens. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 202–229 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G. E.: Histochemistry, theoretical and applied, vol. 1, 3rd ed. London: Churchill Ltd. 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez, E. M.: Ependymal specializations. II. Ultrastructural aspects of the apical secretion of the toad subcommissural organ. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 15–31 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sathyanesan, A. G.: Effect of hypophysectomy and light on the subcommissural organ in some teleosts. Neuroendocrinology 1, 178–183 (1965/66).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schütte, B.: Enzymhistochemische Untersuchungen am Subfornical- und am Subcommissuralorgan sowie an der Area postrema der Wistarratte. Acta histochem. (Jena) 41, 210–228 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Die Kapillaren im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte. Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Tieren verschiedenen Lebensalters. Z. Zellforsch. 73, 56–88 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J. E.: Histochemistry of alcian blue. I. Metachromasia of alcian blue, astrablau and other cationic phthalocyanin dyes. Histochemie 21, 277–285 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea, S. M.: Lanthanum staining of the surface coat of cells. Its enhancement by the use of fixatives containing alcian blue or cetyl-pyridinium chloride. J. Cell Biol. 51, 611–620 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, U.: Aspects of fine structure and function of the subcommissural organ of the embryonic chick. Tissue & Cell 2, 19–32 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanka, P., Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung des Subcommissuralorgans der Ratte. Z. Zellforsch. 63, 277–301 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba, G.: Morphologie und Funktion des Subcommissuralorgans. Bericht über das Symposium in Schloß Reinhardsbrunn vom 13. bis 16. Mai 1968, S. 17–32. Jena: VEB G. Fischer 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba, G., Müller, H., Naumann, W.: Fluoreszenz-und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen über die Bildung des Reissnerschen Fadens bei Lampetra planeri (Bloch). Z. Zellforsch. 76, 355–376 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba, G., Wolf, G.: Vorkommen und Funktion der Sialinsäure im Reissnerschen Faden. Histochemie 17, 57–63 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiéry, J. P.: Mise en évidence des polysaccharides sur coupes fines en microscopie électronique. J. Micr. 6, 987–1018 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tice, L. W., Barrnett, J. R.: Alcian blue staining for electron microscopy. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 688–689 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, B. M., Cooper, T. B., Kline, N. S.: Structural basis of lithium psychopharmacology. Extracellular ground substance of rat brain. Int. Pharmacopsychiat. 5, 208–217 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, T., Klein, M. J., Stoeckel, M. E., Porte, A., Stutinsky, F.: Sur la structure fine de la fibre de Reissner et son mode de formation au niveau de l'organe sous-commissural. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 163, 2436–2440 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetzstein, R., Schwink, A., Stanka, P.: Die periodisch strukturierten Körper im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte. Z. Zellforsch. 61, 493–523 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Winzler, R. J.: Carbohydrate in cell surfaces. Int. Rev. Cytol. 29, 77–125 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wislocki, G. B., Leduc, H. E.: Vital staining of the hematoencephalic barrier by silver nitrate and trypan blue, and cytological comparisons of the neurohypophysis, pineal body, area postrema, intercolumnar tubercle and supraoptic crest. J. comp. Neurol. 96, 371–415 (1952a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wislocki, G. B., Leduc, H. E.: The cytology and histochemistry of the subcommissural organ and Reissner's fiber in the rodents. J. comp. Neurol. 97, 515–544 (1952b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. E.: The epiphyseal cell: an electron microscopic study of its intercellular relationships and intercellular morphology in the pineal body of the albino rat. In: Structure and function of the epiphysis cerebri (eds. J. Ariëns Kappers and J. P. Schadé). Progress in brain research vol. 10, p. 332–376. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada, E.: The fine structure of the gall bladder epithelium of the mouse. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 445–457 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, S. Y., Lai, S. E.: Structure of aortic elastic fiber: an electron microscopic study with special reference to staining by ruthenium red. J. Electron Microscopy 19, 362–370 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zboray, G.: The effect of continuous light or darkness on the subcommissural organ and glomerular zone of adrenals of the white rat. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 15, 337–341 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Mit technischer Assistenz von Herrn Pierre-André Milliquet.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kristić, R. Ultrastrukturelle Lokalisation von Mukosubstanzen der Zellhülle im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte. Z.Zellforsch 139, 237–252 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306524

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306524

Key words

Navigation