ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Neurolipomastocytoid cells (NLMs)
;
Mast cells
;
Uptake
;
35S-3H-5-HTP
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The uptake and turnover of the precursors of heparin and heparan sulphate (35S), and of serotonin (3H-5-hydroxytryptophan; 3H-5-HTP) by mast cells (MCs) and neurolipomastocytoid cells (NLMs) of the mammalian CNS were studied. Rats of varying age from 1 day to early adulthood were injected with 35S (as a solution of sodium sulphate) and 3H-5-HTP, and allowed to survive for different periods. Several fixatives, as well as lengths of exposure to photographic emulsion, were tested. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor, nialamide, needed to be given before uptake of 3H-5-HTP could be adequately demonstrated especially in the CNS. 35S was taken up by structures known to contain a great deal of sulphate, viz., cartilage and goblet cells, as well as by MCs of adult liver and thymus, but not by MCs of adult CNS. All of these structures, including the MCs of CNS, took it up much more avidly in babies than in adults. 3H-5-HTP had a similar effect in that the MCs of younger animals took it up more strongly than did those of adults. In the MCs of the CNS uptake seemed to increase up to 15 days of age but then to decrease as maturity was reached. The MCs are located in the leptomeninges of the cerebral hemispheres as well as the choroid fissures and dorsal thalamus. The NLMs, ubiquitously distributed in the leptomeninges as well as perivascularly, showed less radioactivity with both markers in fewer cells and only in babies. The possible significance of these results is discussed. It is concluded that MCs, and to a lesser extent NLMs, of the CNS do permit entry of these markers, and that the more immature the cells, the heavier the load that enters. Adult cells do not seem to take up precursor suggesting little or no turnover.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00216756
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