Ultrastructural localization of the membrane-bound Mg-adenosine triphosphatase activity in rat meninges

The distribution of the membrane-bound magnesium ions-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg-ATPase) activity has been studied ultracytochemically in rat meninges by the method of Wachstein and Meisel (1957). A device specially constructed to avoid preparation artefacts has been used to obtain sections from the parietal region of the head. The meninges display an intense though irregularly distributed ATPase activity marked by depositions of electron-dense reaction product (RP) which is almost absent in the outer and middle dural layers. In the borderline zone between dura mater and the arachnoid the RP deposits are found at the outer surface of the inner dural cells and at the contact sites between these cells and the dural neurothelium. The intercellular cleft(s) between the neurothelium and the outer arachnoidal layer, occupied by an "electron-dense band", remains free of RP. The strongest accumulations of reactions granules are observed on the surface of the leptomeningeal cells of the arachnoidal space. In the contact region between the inner arachnoidal and the outer pial layers the distribution of the RP is similar to the one observed in the interface zone dura mater/arachnoid, while the pial cells themselves are definitely reaction-positive. In all meningeal vessels RP is found at the lumenal and abluminal aspects of the endothelium as well as at the cell membranes of the perivascular cells. These results emphasize the importance of the dural neurothelium for the functions of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-barrier between the dural blood vessels and the CSF.     

Ependyma and meninges of the spinal cord of the mouse

Summary In addition to ependymal epithelial cells, numerous tanycytes are found along the entire central canal of the mouse. These tanycytes are arranged in clusters in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord. In the conus medullaris, tanycytes separate and ensheath bundles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons; their processes take part in the formation of the stratum marginale gliae. In the caudal part of the spinal cord, the ventral wall of the central canal is thin and some areas are reduced to a single-cell thickness. In this region, ependymal cells participate directly in the formation of the stratum marginale gliae.The meninges consist of the intima piae, the pia mater, the arachnoid, a subdural neurothelium and the dura mater. The subarachnoid space appears occluded and opens only around the spinal roots. In the vicinity of the spinal ganglia, the dura mater, the subdural neurothelium and the arachnoid form a cellular reticulum.     

The functional and structural borders between the CSF-and blood-dominated milieus in the choroid plexuses and the area postrema of the rat

Summary In the borderline area between the hemal milieu of the choroid plexuses (PC) and the interstitial cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) compartment, ground substances displaying increased amounts of basal lamina-like material and containing negatively charged sulfated glycosaminoglycans appear to be endowed with selective properties. They may function as a sieve or filtration barrier gradually controlling the passage of substances between the two milieus, depending on their charge and molecular weight. Special structural features and functional properties of ependymal cells are associated with such bordering structures. These ependymal cells are transitional elements between choroid epithelium and ciliated ependymal cells. As judged from experiments with horseradish peroxidase and conventional electron microscopy, occluding junctions at the basal pole of these cells prevent a rapid alteration in the milieu conditions, enabling gradual change from hemal to CSF composition near the bases of these transitional ependymal cells. The borderline structures between the hemal milieu of the PC and the area postrema (1) are established by leptomeningeal cells which face a hemal mileu, (2) are endowed with conspicuous tight junctions, and (3) produce a flocculent substance, the light-microscopic equivalent of which is PAS positive. These structures probably establish an effective barrier between the two milieus of different composition. The functional characteristics and the morphology of the meningeal cells facing the hemal milieu of neurohemal regions resemble closely the neurothelial cells, which are interposed between the CSF milieu and the hemal milieu in the dura mater. The present results suggest that the location between the hemal and the CSF milieu is decisive for the transformation of leptomeningeal cells into neurothelial elements.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Kr 569/5-1)Dedicated to Professor Dr. med., Dr. med. vet. h.c., Dr. phil. h.c. Andreas Oksche on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Morphogenesis of rat cranial meninges

Summary The meninges of albino Wistar rat embryos, aged between the 11th embryonic day (ED) and birth, were sectioned using a specially constructed device. This technique permits optimal microanatomical preservation of all tissues covering the convexity of the brain: skin, muscle, cartilage or bone, and the meninges. At ED11, the zone situated between the epidermis and the brain is occupied by a mesenchymal network. At ED12, part of this delicate network develops as a dense outer cellular layer, while the remainder retains its reticular appearance, thus forming an inner layer (the future meningeal tissue). At ED13, the dura mater starts to differentiate. At ED14, the bony anlage of the skull can be identified, and along with the proceeding maturation of dura mater some fibrillar structures resembling skeletal muscle fibers appear in the developing arachnoid space. At ED15–17, a primitive interface zone — dura mater/ arachnoid — is formed, comprised by an outer electronlucent and an inner electron-dense layer marking the outer aspect of the arachnoidal space. At ED18–19, the innermost cellular row of the inner durai layer transforms into neurothelium, which is separated from the darker arachnoidal cells by an electron-dense band. The arachnoidal trabecular zone with the leptomeningeal cells is formed at ED19. By the end of the prenatal period (ED20–21), its innermost part organizes into an inner arachnoidal layer and an outer and inner pial layer. The results from this study indicate (i) that dura mater and leptomeninges develop from an embryonic network of connective tissue-forming cells, and (ii) that the formation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-containing spaces accompanies the differentiation of the meningeal cellular layers.     

Zur Feinstruktur der Arachnoidalzotten bei Mammalia

Zusammenfassung Arachnoidalzotten und Granula meningica von jungen und erwachsenen Katzen und Hunden wurden in situ über das Blutgefäßsystem mit Glutaraldehyd fixiert. Lichtmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Semidünnschnittserien und elektronenmikroskopische Auswertungen derselben Objekte ergaben: Die Arachnoidalzotten und Granula meningica von Hund und Katze zeigen den gleichen Feinbau. Die Unterschiede in der Größe und in der Struktur führen zu einer Klassifizierung der Arachnoidalzotten. Als Neurothelprotrusionen werden Einrichtungen des subduralen Neurothels beschrieben, die intradural Kontakt zu Duragefäßen aufnehmen oder transdural die Arachnoidea mit der Lamina intima der Wand des Sinus sagittalis superior verbinden. Die äußere Arachnoidalzellschicht ist an den Protrusionen unterschiedlich stark beteiligt. Die eigentlichen Arachnoidalzotten und Granula meningica haben immer einen Bindegewebsraum, der mit der Leptomeninx zusammenhängt. Flüssigkeit und Substanzen, die über die Arachnoidalzotten aus dem Subarachnoidalraum ausgeschieden werden, müssen folgende Zonen passieren. 1. das Mesothel des Subarachnoidalraumes, 2. den Bindegewebsraum der Arachnoidea, 3. die äußere Arachnoidalzellschicht, 4. das subdurale Neurothel, 5. den perivaskulären Bindegewebsraum, 6. das Endothel der Duragefäße oder die Wand des Sinus durae matris. Membranvesikulation, Endothelfensterung, Mikropinozytose, Systeme von Interzellularspalten der zellulären Scheiden und blind in der Zottenoberfläche endende Endothelkanälchen aus dem Sinus werden als morphologische Kriterien eines Stofftransportes angesehen, der für die Liquorresorption wichtig ist. Hierbei wird durch die aktive Steuerung der Zellen eine Diffusionsbarriere aufrechterhalten, die das milieu interne der Leptomeninx garantiert. Dieser Resorptionsweg über die Duragefäße (durale Liquorresorption) scheint die Resorption durch die Meninx vasculosa (piale Liquorresorption) und die mögliche Resorption über die intracerebralen Kapillaren (cerebrale Liquorresorption) zu ergänzen. Es wird vermutet, daß die Gefäße zusammen mit den Arachnoidalzotten eine Sonderfunktion bei der Liquorresorption erfüllen, die unter anderem den Aufgaben des Lymphgefäß-systems in der Peripherie ähnlich ist. Markhaltige und freie marklose Nervenfasern, die in der Zottenumgebung anzutreffen sind, könnten Pressoreceptoren für die Regulation des Liquordruckes sein. Es wird angenommen, daß die genannten Funktionen der Zotten in der Fetalzeit und Neugeborenen-Periode von der gesamten Arachnoidea und Dura erfüllt werden können.

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Summary Arachnoid villi and arachnoid granulations of young and adult cats and dogs were fixed in situ by glutaraldehyde perfusion through the Wood vessel system. Light microscopy of semi-thin serial sections and electron microscopic studies have given the following results: Arachnoidal villi and granulation of dogs and cats have identical ultrastructures. Differences in size and form characterise different types of arachnoid villi. Intradural and transdural protrusions of the subdural neurothelium are simple in structure. Most of these protrusions have contact with the perivascular sheaths of the dural blood vessels. The outer arachnoid cell layer has no or very little share in the cell plugs of the neurothelial protrusions. The larger type of the arachnoid villi and the arachnoid granulations contain a connective tissue space deriving from the leptomeninx. Fluid and substances which are to be secreted by the arachnoid villi from the subarachnoid space have to pass through six tissue laminae: 1. the mesothelium of the subarachnoid space, 2. the arachnoid connective tissue space, 3. the outer arachnoid cell layer, 4. the subdural neurothelium, 5. the perivascular connective tissue sheath, 6. the basement membrane and the endothelium of the dural vessel or sinus. Cytopempsis, endothelium fenestrations, micropinocytosis, complex-systems of intercellular gaps of the arachnoid cell border, and endothelium lined tubuli in the sinus wall are considered to show a specialized transport mechanism important for the CSF resorption. In this secretion process active cell mechanisms of the outer arachnoid cell layer and the subdural neurothelium probably guarantee the milieu interne of the leptomeninges. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resorption through the dural blood vessels (dural resorption of CSF) seems to complete the main resorption within the meninx vasculosa (pial resorption of CSF) and the probable small resorption by intracerebral capillaries (cerebral resorption of CSF). It appears that the dural resorption of CSF through arachnoid villi may serve a special function similar to protein and antibody uptake in the peripheral connective tissue by lymphatic capillaries.Myelinated and unmyelinated free nerve fibers in the region of the villi may represent receptors of the liquor pressure control system. Within the fetal and perinatal period the whole arachnoidea and dura mater may fulfill the function of the later villi and granulations.

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Ultrastructural investigation of the meningeal compartment of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid-barrier in rats and cats. A horseradish peroxidase study

The permeability of the meningeal blood vessels and cellular layers to horseradish peroxidase was studied 5, 10 and 15 minutes following intravasal or intraarachnoidal introduction of the marker. When applied intravasally, the horseradish peroxidase-containing solution easily passed through the walls of all meningeal vessels (dural, pial and the ones traversing the arachnoid space). The cells of the inner dural layer and dural neurotheliun delay the penetration of horseradish peroxidase into the cerebrospinal fluid-filled arachnoid space by 10 min--rats and 15 min--cats. The perivascular leptomeningeal cells and their processes restrict the passage of the marker into the arachnoid space in a similar way. These barrier functions of the leptomeningeal cells and the cells that comprise the interface zone between dura mater and the arachnoid are confirmed by experiments where the marker was injected into the arachnoid space.     

Anterior falcate artery in adults: histology of the relation of superior sagittal sinus, dural vein and the arachnoid granulations]

The anterior falcate artery, which is the continuation of the anterior ethmoidal, supplies the dura mater in the region of the superior sagittal sinus as far almost as the coronal suture. Graphic reconstructions show its relationships to the veins, the sinus, and the arachnoid granulations. Histological studies of the artery emphasize its adaptation to longitudinal stretching. The complexity of its relationships suggests a functional significance beyond that of nourishing the dura.     

Localization of lipocaline-type prostaglandin D synthase in rat brain: immunoelectron microscopic study

The distribution of lipocaline-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) in rat brain was investigated by immunoelectron microscopy using a protein A-gold technique. In perivascular cells adjacent to the basement membrane of arterioles in the pia-arachnoid and of blood vessels in the subpial cortex, gold labeling was confined to the lumen of the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and not found in the few lysosomes present in the cytoplasm. The results suggest that the perivascular cells secrete L-PGDS and seem not to degrade lipophilic molecules carried by L-PGDS. Moreover, gold particles representing the antigenic sites of L-PGDS were found in the Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles, and nuclear envelope of arachnoid trabecular cells, arachnoid barrier cells, and arachnoid pia mater cells. The labeling was less detectable in the same organelles of choroid plexus epithelial cells, compared with leptomeningeal cells. In meningeal macrophages and parenchymal microglia, L-PGDS was detected in lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, and endocytic vesicles. The production of L-PGDS in perivascular cells is important to the various functions of this enzyme in brain parenchyma.     

Peptidergic and monoaminergic innervation of the gonads in the holothurian Cucumaria japonica

In the holothurian gonad structure of the peptidergic and monoaminergic systems has been described. Axons of their cells form tissue and hemal terminals. Epithelial cells and smooth myocytes of the gonadal wall get direct innervation, having contacts with the axonal terminals that are separated by the cleft 50-75 nm in the diameter. It is possible that neuropeptides and biogenic monoamines are transported to the germ and follicular cells of the germinative gonadal zone via hemolymph of the hemal sinus.     

Junctions in the central nervous system of the cat

Summary The leptomeningeal tissue of the choroid plexuses and of the brain surfaces have been studied by means of the freeze-etching technique. The pia-arachnoid membrane and the subdural neurothel represent the morphological barrier between the extracerebral tissue and the cerebrospinal compartment. The freeze-etch findings indicate that the arachnoid and neurothelial cells are coupled by extensive zonulae occludentes which seem to represent the structural basis of the barrier mechanism provided by these cell layers. Furthermore, it became evident that gap junctions of considerable structural heterogeneity occur on the pial and arachnoid cells of the interstitial choroidal compartment and of the free brain surfaces. The structural heterogeneity of the nexuses is taken as an indication of the plasticity of the leptomeningeal tissue. The different morphological characteristics of the nexal formations are discussed with respect to their probable functional meaning.This investigation was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB 114 (Bionach).     

Evidence for bulk flow of brain interstitial fluid: significance for physiology and pathology

This review surveys evidence for the flow of brain interstitial fluid (ISF) via preferential pathways through the brain, and its relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Studies over >100 years have raised several controversial points, not all of them resolved. Recent studies have usefully combined a histological and a mathematical approach. Taken together the evidence indicates an ISF bulk flow rate of 0.1-0.3 microl min(-1) g(-1) in rat brain along preferential pathways especially perivascular spaces and axon tracts. The main source of this fluid is likely to be the brain capillary endothelium, which has the necessary ion transporters, channels and water permeability to generate fluid at a low rate, c1/100th of the rate per square centimeter of CSF secretion across choroid plexus epithelium. There is also evidence that a proportion of CSF may recycle from the subarachnoid space into arterial perivascular spaces on the ventral surface of the brain, and join the circulating ISF, draining back via venous perivascular spaces and axon tracts into CSF compartments, and out both through arachnoid granulations and along cranial nerves to the lymphatics of the neck. The bulk flow of ISF has implications for non-synaptic cell:cell communication (volume transmission); for drug delivery, distribution, and clearance; for brain ionic homeostasis and its disturbance in brain edema; for the immune function of the brain; for the clearance of beta-amyloid deposits; and for the migration of cells (malignant cells, stem cells).     

山东古代人群头骨上蛛网膜颗粒压迹的观察与探讨

蛛网膜颗粒是由蛛网膜绒毛成组聚集在一起而形成的,有时会在颅骨内板上形成局限性压迹,当颗粒较大时会造成颅内局部骨质吸收,形成溶蚀状小坑。在以往的病理观察中,蛛网膜颗粒压迹多不作为观察统计对象,然其溶蚀状的形态却容易被误认为是某些病理性改变。本文通过对济南大辛庄、刘家庄、曲阜奥体中心等六个遗址出土的114例人骨标本的观察发现:1)蛛网膜颗粒压迹从古至今均表现出较高的发生率且两性间不存在明显差异。2)蛛网膜颗粒压迹的最大径平均值大致在1-6mm之间,个体间存在较大差异,但总体上呈现出随年龄增长而增大的现象。3)蛛网膜颗粒压迹的出现位置最常见于顶骨和额骨,枕骨部位相对少见,但不同年龄组间的出现位置可能存在一定差异。此外,蛛网膜颗粒在颅内形成的溶蚀状小坑易与一些以骨质侵蚀为特征的疾病相混淆,如颅内感染、颅骨板障表皮样囊肿、嗜酸性肉芽肿、脑膜瘤等,需注意对其特征加以辨别。     

Effects of prolonged treatment with cyanoketone on the zona fasciculata of rat adrenal cortex

Summary We have examined IgG Fc receptor (FcR) activity of human and rabbit arachnoid granulations and leptomeninges using antibody (IgG)-coated erythrocytes (EIgG), covalently crosslinked IgG dimers, trimers and oligomers, immune complexes, aggregated Fc fragments and a monoclonal anti-human neutrophil Fc receptor antibody, 3G8. EIgG bound specifically to cells of the leptomeninges and arachnoid granulations; uncoated erythrocytes, F(ab) ₂-coated, or IgM-coated erythrocytes failed to bind. The specificity of this interaction was demonstrated by inhibition studies. Monomeric IgG and Fc fragments blocked EIgG adherence, whereas bovine serum albumin (BSA), Fab fragments of IgG and the monoclonal anti-neutrophil FcR antibody failed to inhibit EIgG adherence. Monomeric IgG inhibited FcR function in a dose-dependent fashion; maximal inhibition was achieved at 1.7 × 10^-5M IgG, indicating a relatively low avidity receptor. Oligomers of IgG inhibited EIgG adherence more effectively and inhibition was directly related to oligomer size. Additionally, these tissues were positive for specific and non-specific esterases. These studies suggest that the CSF pathway from the perivascular spaces to the arachnoid granulations plays a protective role in the clearance of IgG and IgG immune complexes in infections and immune-mediated disorders.Work partially supported by PHS Grant #Ca 38055, National Cancer InstituteWork primarily supported by the Veterans Administration Merit Program     

Ultrastructural characteristics of the cranial dura mater-arachnoid interface layer

The ultrastructural features of the encephalic dura mater-arachnoid borderline (interface) layer (zone) of rats, rabbits, cats and humans were studied. The rat's interface zone included the electron-lucent epithelium-like arranged fibroblasts of the inner dural layer, the rich in filaments cells of the dural neurothelium, a 20 nm wide intercellular cleft filled with electron-dense material and the dark mitochondria-rich cells of the outer arachnoidal layer; in rabbits and cats, this laminar distinction was less prominent, while in man, it was almost absent.     

The relief of the luminal surface of the sinuses in the mammalian cranial dura mater]

In Mammalia with different types in organization of blood outflow in the dura mater venous sinuses: vertebral (tiger), jugular (fur-seal, cat, rabbit) and mixed (rat, dog, man) the internal surface relief of these sinuses has been studied. The total plan of the relief in all the species studied is principally the same. It is characterized with presence of visually determined macro-relief structures: Pacchionian bodies, trabeculae, bars, eminences and excavations in places, where the sinuses fuse, initial folds (micro-relief) and, at last, formations composed by the nucleus and the external membrane of endotheliocytes (ultra-relief). The micro-relief depends on the type of the venous outflow from the brain. In the animals with the jugular type of the outflow the longitudinal folds are more expressed; in the animals with the vertebral type--there occur folds with transversal orientation. For the representatives with the mixed type--multilayered elastic carcass is specific. At the same time, the development degree of the micro-relief with a similar type of blood outflow is different. The relief of the luminal surface of the longitudinal venous sinus of the mammalian dura mater is supposed to be determined by presence of extravascular formations, by the muscular structures tonus, by construction of the wall elastic carcass and by activity of the luminal part of the external membrane of endotheliocytes.     

High-pressure hydrocephalus: a novel analytical modeling approach

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within ventricles and subarachnoid space (SAS) as a result of disturbances in secretion or absorption procedures. It is believed that arachnoid villi cells, which are microscopic projections of pia-arachnoid mater that extend into venous channels in sagittal sinus, are the main sites for CSF absorption, but it is tempting to speculate that a significant portion of CSF is removed from the SAS by nasal lymphatic vessels around olfactory nerve. Thus, in this paper, we propose an analytical model of CSF-lymphatic-blood circulation, in which these two output pathways for CSF absorption have been considered. Mathematical relations governing the pressures in different interacting compartments of the brain are considered. In addition, for increasing the similarity of our model to the physiological conditions, the bulk flow mechanism, which is supposed to occur during CSF absorption, has been considered in our model. We used our model to simulate hydrocephalus. The results indicate that the lymphatic disorders have more considerable effect in decreasing CSF absorption, compared to the disturbances in arachnoid villi cells. Based on our modeling, we believe that disorders in lymphatic pathway may be a cause of high-pressure hydrocephalus. Surely experimental studies are required to validate our hypothesis.     

Definition of the To Be Named Ligament and Vertebrodural Ligament and Their Possible Effects on the Circulation of CSF

Few studies have been conducted specifically on the dense connective tissue located in the posterior medial part of the cervical epidural space. This study was undertaken to examine the presence of this connection between the cervical dura mater and the posterior wall of spinal canal at the level of C1–C2. 30 head-neck specimens of Chinese adults were used. Gross dissection was performed on the suboccipital regions of the 20 specimens. Having been treated with the P45 plastination method, 10 specimens were sliced (9 sagittal and 1 horizontal sections). As a result, a dense fibrous band was identified in the nuchal ligament of 29 specimens (except for one horizontal section case). This fascial structure arose from the tissue of the posterior border of the nuchal ligament and then projected anteriorly and superiorly to enter the atlantoaxial interspace. It was termed as to be named ligament (TBNL). In all 30 specimens the existence of a fibrous connection was found between the posterior aspect of the cervical dura mater and the posterior wall of the spinal canal at the level of the atlas to the axis. This fibrous connection was identified as vertebrodural ligament (VDL). The VDL was mainly subdivided into three parts, and five variations of VDL were identified. These two structures, TBNL and VDL, firmly link the posterior aspect of cervical dura mater to the rear of the atlas-axis and the nuchal region. According to these findings, the authors speculated that the movements of the head and neck are likely to affect the shape of the cervical dural sleeve via the TBNL and VDL. It is hypothesized that the muscles directly associated with the cervical dural sleeve, in the suboccipital region, may work as a pump providing an important force required to move the CSF in the spinal canal.     

Meningeal calcification of the rat pineal organ. Finestructural localization of calcium-ions

The surface of the pineal organ of the rat is covered by a leptomeningeal tissue, the continuation of the corresponding meningeal layers of the diencephalon. The pineal leptomeninx consists of stratified arachnoid and of pia mater cells which follow the vessels into the pineal nervous tissue. The pineal arachnoid contains electron-lucent and electron dense cells differing from each other in their cytoplasmic components. Corpora arenacea of various size and density occur among these arachnoid cells and can grow into the pineal organ alongside pia mater tissue. Acervuli often form groups in circumscribed meningeal "calcification foci". Concrements are absent or rare in the 1- and 2-month-old animal, while they are usually present in the 4- and 6-month-old rats. The electronmicroscopic localization of Ca-ions was studied in 2- and 4-month-old rats by potassium pyroantimonate cytochemistry. In the 4-month-old animals, arachnoid cells containing a varying amount of Ca-pyroantimonate deposits were found first of all around corpora arenacea, but there were also cells free of deposits in the close vicinity of the acervuli. Deposits were preferentially localized to the cytoplasm of electron dense arachnoid cells and to the cell membrane of electron-lucent cells. Most of the precipitates occurred in locally enlarged intercellular spaces. Here, microacervuli were found in 4-month-old animals suggesting that a calcium-rich environment was responsible for the appearance of the concrements. Intermediate stages between the small acervuli and large concentric corpora arenacea may indicate an appositional growth of the acervuli in the calcification foci.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The functional and structural border between the CSF-and blood-milieu in the circumventricular organs (organum vasculosum laminae terminalis,subfornical organ,area postrema) of the rat

Summary The present study continues a previous investigation on the median eminence (EM) (Krisch et al., 1978). In rats with high levels of neurohormones (LHRH, vasopressin) a limited immunohistochemical labeling of perivascular tanycyte processes can be observed surrounding capillaries in the marginal region of the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) and in the inner part of the subfornical organ (SFO). This labeling extends from the perivascular space a short distance along the tanycyte processes. By conventional electron microscopy and by freeze-etching, tight junctions are demonstrated at a distance from the capillary lumen which corresponds to the borderline of the immunohistochemical labeling of perivascular tanycyte processes in light microscopic preparations. The tight junctions are arranged in several parallel and helical rows and correspond to those found in the median eminence. Consequently, the immunohistochemical labeling in the OVLT and in the SFO marks the intercellular cleft. In the circumventricular organs the immunostaining labels the extension of the perivascular space characterized by the hemal milieu. The perivascular space is separated off by tight junctions from the CSF-milieu of the adjacent neuropil. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates tight junctions in the marginal region of the area postrema (AP) between the perivascular processes of the tanycytes.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Nr. Kr. 569/2) and Stiftung VolkswagenwerkThe skillful technical assistance of Miss K. Bielenberg, Mrs. A. Hinz and Mrs. Helga Prien is thankfully acknowledged     

Über die Feinstruktur der Arachnoidea und Dura mater von Mammalia

Zusammenfassung Die Hirnhäute von jungen und erwachsenen Hunden und Katzen wurden in situ über das Blutgefäßsystem mit Glutaraldehyd fixiert. Auf diese Weise konnte der feinere Aufbau der Arachnoidea und Dura mater ohne Artefakte dargestellt werden.Folgende Befunde wurden erhoben: Der Subarachnoidalraum ist von einem Mesothel ausgekleidet, das gelegentlich kleine Poren enthält. Die Mesothelzellen sind untereinander durch Desmosomen und Nexus verbunden. In der Regel ist unter dem Mesothel keine Basalmembran ausgebildet. Das leptomeningeale Bindegewebe ist auffallend flüssigkeitsreich. Seine geformten Strukturanteile sind Kollagenfibrillen, elastische Fasern, 90–110 Å dicke desmale Mikrofibrillen und feinste Filamente mit Durchmessern zwischen 25 und 40 Å. Die Filamente scheinen zum Teil aus den Mikrofibrillen durch Entspiralisierung hervorzugehen. Die Filamente beteiligen sich am Aufbau der Matrix zwischen den Kollagenfibrillen. Sie bilden dann oft auf der Oberfläche der Kollagenfibrillen einen Stäbchensaum. Die elastischen Fasern haben ihren Ursprung in Bündeln desmaler Mikrofibrillen. Sie sind auch im reifen Zustand von Mikrofibrillen umlagert. Der sog. Subduralraum ist von einem mehrschichtigen flachen Mesothel ausgefüllt, das in Anlehnung an das perineurale Neurothel subdurales Neurothel genannt wird. Die Zellen sind untereinander durch Desmosomen und Nexus verankert, so daß ein virtuelles Cavum subdurale nicht besteht. Es wird angenommen, daß das subdurale Neurothel ähnlich wie die Perineuralscheide eine Diffusionsbarriere bildet. Gegen die Arachnoidea ist das Neurothel durch einen kontrastreichen Interzellularspalt abgegrenzt. Das subdurale Neurothel wird als Duragrenzschicht bei 11 mm langen, menschlichen Keimlingen im Bereich der Sella turcica und des Clivus angelegt. Es hat vermutlich bereits in diesem Stadium die Funktion einer Diffusionsbarriere. Die intensive Membranvesikulation der Endothelien in den Durakapillaren spricht für ihre resorptive Tätigkeit, die durch das subdurale Neurothel gesteuert werden könnte. Die feinfilamentäre Matrix zwischen den Kollagenfibrillen ist in der Dura besonders dicht. Sie repräsentiert möglicherweise die PAS-positive Substanz, die lichtmikroskopisch nachweisbar ist. In der Umgebung von Nerven- oder Nervenwurzelaustritten bestehen kontinuierliche Verbindungen zwischen dem subduralen und perineuralen Neurothel. Die Arachnoidea ist hier nicht scharf gegen das Neurothel abgegrenzt. Die Bindegewebsauflockerung und die topographisch bedingte starke Vaskularisation dieser Zone könnten hier eine Liquorresorption begünstigen.

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Summary Meninges of young and adult dogs and cats were fixed with glutaraldehyde in situ by perfusion technic. Only in this way the fine structure of arachnoidea and dura mater will be fixed without any artifact. The subarachnoid space is lined by a flat mesothelium which shows rarely little pores of 0.25 to 1 nm in diameter. The cells of this mesothelium are fused to each other by small desmosomes or nexus. No distinct basement membrane underlies the subarachnoid mesothelium. The leptomeningeal connective tissue is rich in fluid. Its structure is composed of fine collagen fibrils, elastic fibers, desmal microfibrils with diameters of 90–110 Å and very fine filaments with diameters of 25–40 Å. The filaments seem to derive from desmal microfibrils by decoiling their possible helical structure. The filaments participate on the formation of the matrix between the collagen fibrils. In cross sections the filaments show a corona like arrangement on the surface of the collagen fibrils. The elastic fibers seem to derive from bundless of desmal microfibrils. The mature elastic fiber is still surrounded by corresponding microfibrils. The subdural space is filled up by a flattened squamous mesothelium which is to be called subdural neurothelium. The cells of this neurothelium have desmosomal and nexus like connections with one another. They do not form a subdural space. In 11 mm human embryos the anlage of the neurothelium is represented by the dural border layer separating the endomeninx from the ectomeninx. It is assumed that the subdural neurothelium has a similar function as diffusion barrier like the perineural epithelium. Between the arachnoidea and the subdural neurothelium exists a thin and intercellular space filled with electron dense material. The endothelium of the dura capillaries is bordered by micro pinocytotic vesicles. This structure may represent an active resorption mechanism which is probably controlled by the subdural neurothelium. The collagen fibers of the dura are embedded in a filamentous matrix showing a positive PAS-reaction. The continuity between the subdural neurothelium and the perineural mesothelium is obvious in dura regions surrounding the points of nerve passages. The loose and interlacing fiber arrangement of the dural connective tissue and the special vascularisation between the neurothelial and arachnoideal cell layers seem to favour the resorption of the cerebro spinal fluid in this region.

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.