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Apolipoprotein D in the Niemann-Pick type C disease mouse brain: An ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis

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Journal of Neurocytology

Abstract

Enhanced apoD gene expression and abnormally high levels of apoD protein accumulation in the brain have been previously documented as features of the neurodegenerative disorder, Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C). In the present study we have used immunocytochemistry and light and electron microscopy to elucidate the cellular and subcellular distribution of apoD in the Balb/c NIH npc1 −/− mouse brain. The normal mouse brain demonstrates low levels of apoD-expressing glia particularly in the cerebellar white matter. In contrast, abundant, strongly apoD-immunolabeled cells were observed in select grey matter nuclei, including the globus pallidus, thalamus, and substantia nigra, and in white matter tracts within the internal capsule and cerebellum of NP-C mouse brain. These brains regions have been previously shown to display the most significant neurodegenerative changes in the NP-C mouse. Ultrastructural analysis revealed dense apoD immunoreactivity on the nuclear envelopes of cells that have the morphological features of oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells and light staining on astrocytes. These results define the cellular and subcellular pattern of expression of apoD in NP-C mouse brain and suggest a possible role for this lipocalin in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, 119260

    Wei-Yi Ong & Chang-Yong Hu

  2. Neurobiology Research Laboratory, New England Biomedical Research Center and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Newington, CT, 06111, USA

    Shutish C. Patel

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  1. Wei-Yi Ong
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  2. Chang-Yong Hu
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  3. Shutish C. Patel
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Ong, WY., Hu, CY. & Patel, S.C. Apolipoprotein D in the Niemann-Pick type C disease mouse brain: An ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis. J Neurocytol 31, 121–129 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023993405851

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