Summary
The distribution of 5′-nucleotidase (5′-Nu) is reported in spinal meninges of the rat on the basis of an immunohistochemical and enzyme histochemical investigation. Strong immunoreactivity was found in the arachnoid membrane and in the sheaths of the spinal roots as well as in septa subdividing the roots. Also the superficial layer of the ligamentum denticulatum showed enzyme staining. No immunoreactivity could be detected in the pia mater or along the spinal nerve roots outside the subarachnoid space. Within the arachnoid mater the immunoreactivity was concentrated in the basal zone of the arachnoid membrane, thus appearing as a narrow fluorescent band near the border of the dura. An accentuation of immunoreactivity could be observed in areas where small dural blood vessels approach the subarachnoid space. It is well known that adenine nucleotides released from neural and glial cells of the central nervous system finally reach the cerebrospinal fluid. We presume that 5′-Nu in the arachnoid membrane and spinal root sheaths is responsible for the conversion of adenine nucleotides into adenosine and that this conversion is associated with the reabsorption process of cerebrospinal fluid which most probably also takes place in spinal meninges. Adenosine, the product of 5′-nucleotidase, could play a role in the reabsorption process by its vasodilatatory effect on dural and epidural vessels.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andres KH (1967) Über die Feinstruktur der Arachnoidea und dura mater von Mammalia. Z Zellforsch 79:272–295
Burnstock G (1981) Neurotransmitters and trophic factors in the autonomic nervous system. J Physiol 313:1–35
Dawson TP, Gandhi R, Le Hir M, Kaissling B (1989) Ecto-5′-Nucleotidase: Localisation in rat kidney by light microscopic histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. J Histochem Cytochem 37:39–47
Gandhi R, Le Hir M, Kaissling B (1990) Immunolocalization of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in the kidney by a monoclonal antibody. Histochemistry 95:165–174
Haines DE (1991) On the question of a subdural space. Anat Rec 230:3–21
Haller FR, Low FN (1971) The fine structure of the peripheral nerve root sheath in the subarachnoid space in the rat and other laboratory animals. Am J Anat 131:1–20
Haninec P, Grim M (1990) Localization of dipeptidylpeptidase IV and alkaline phosphatase in developing spinal cord meninges and peripheral nerve coverings of the rat. Int J Devl Neuroscience 8:175–185
Hardonk MJ (1968) Distribution of 5′-nucleotidase in tissues of rat and mouse. Histochemie 12:1–17
Himango WA, Low FN (1971) The fine structure of a lateral recess of the subarachnoid space in the rat. Anat Rec 171:1–20
Kreutzberg GW, Barron KD, Schubert P (1978) Cytochemical localization of 5′-nucleotidase in glial plasma membranes. Brain Res 158:247–257
Kreutzberg GW, Hussain ST (1984) Cytochemical localization of 5′-nucleotidase activity in retinal photoreceptor cells. Neuroscience 11:857–866
Le Hir M, Dubach UC (1984) Sodium gradient-energized concentrative transport of adenosine in renal brush border vesicles. Pflueghers Arch 401:58–63
Le Hir M, Kaissling B (1989) Distribution of 5′-nucleotidase in the renal interstitium of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 258:177–182
Newby AC (1984) Adenosine and the concept of retaliatory metabolites. Trends Biochem Sci 9:42–44
Osswald H (1984) The role of adenosine in the regulation of glomerular filtration rate and renin secretion. Trends Pharmacol Sci 5:94–97
Schachenmayr W, Friede RL (1978) The origin of subdural neomembranes. Am J Pathol 92:53–62
Schubert P (1978) Intraneuronal transport and functionally related release of adenosine derivatives from central axon terminals. Hoppe-Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 359:460–461
Spielman WS (1991) Adenosine receptors and signaling in the kidney. Hypertension 17:117–130
Wachstein M, Meisel E (1957) Histochemistry of hepatic phosphatases at physiologic pH. Am J Clin Pathol 27:13–23
Werner JA, Schünke M, Tillmann B (1987) Histochemical visualization of lymphatic capillaries in the rat: a comparison of methods demonstrated at the posterior pharyngeal surface. Arch Histol Japn 50:505–514
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zenker, W., Rinne, B., Bankoul, S. et al. 5′-Nucleotidase in spinal meningeal compartments in the rat. Histochemistry 98, 135–139 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717005
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717005