• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.245-251
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• 2019

Ependymal cells constitute the multi-ciliated epithelium, which lines the brain ventricular lumen. Although ependymal cells originate from radial glial cells in the perinatal rodent brain, the exact mechanisms underlying the full differentiation of ependymal cells are poorly understood. In this report, we present evidence that the Anks1a phosphotyrosine binding domain (PTB) adaptor is required for the proper development of ependymal cells in the rodent postnatal brain. Anks1a gene trap targeted LacZ reporter analysis revealed that Anks1a is expressed prominently in the ventricular region of the early postnatal brain and that its expression is restricted to mature ependymal cells during postnatal brain development. In addition, Anks1a-deficient ependymal cells were shown to possess type B cell characteristics, suggesting that ependymal cells require Anks1a in order to be fully differentiated. Finally, Anks1a overexpression in the lateral wall of the neonatal brain resulted in an increase in the number of ependymal cells during postnatal brain development. Altogether, our results suggest that ependymal cells require Anks1a PTB adaptor for their proper development.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권12호
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• pp.757-763
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• 2023

In this study, we examine whether a change in the protein levels for FOP in Ankyrin repeat and SAM domain-containing protein 1A (ANKS1A)-deficient ependymal cells affects the intraflagellar transport (IFT) protein transport system in the multicilia. Three distinct abnormalities are observed in the multicilia of ANKS1A-deficient ependymal cells. First, there were a greater number of IFT88-positive trains along the cilia from ANKS1A deficiency. The results are similar to each isolated cilium as well. Second, each isolated cilium contains a significant increase in the number of extracellular vesicles (ECVs) due to the lack of ANKS1A. Third, Van Gogh-like 2 (Vangl2), a ciliary membrane protein, is abundantly detected along the cilia and in the ECVs attached to them for ANKS1A-deficient cells. We also use primary ependymal culture systems to obtain the ECVs released from the multicilia. Consequently, we find that ECVs from ANKS1A-deficient cells contain more IFT machinery and Vangl2. These results indicate that ANKS1A deficiency increases the entry of the protein transport machinery into the multicilia and as a result of these abnormal protein transports, excessive ECVs form along the cilia. We conclude that ependymal cells make use of the ECV-based disposal system in order to eliminate excessively transported proteins from basal bodies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.426-431
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• 2015

Odin has been implicated in the downstream signaling pathway of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the epidermal growth factor and Eph receptors. However, the physiologically relevant function of Odin needs to be further determined. In this study, we used Odin heterozygous mice to analyze the Odin expression pattern; the targeted allele contained a ${\beta}$-geo gene trap vector inserted into the 14t intron of the Odin gene. Interestingly, we found that Odin was exclusively expressed in ependymal cells along the brain ventricles. In particular, Odin was highly expressed in the subcommissural organ, a small ependymal glandular tissue. However, we did not observe any morphological abnormalities in the brain ventricles or ependymal cells of Odin null-mutant mice. We also generated BAC transgenic mice that expressed the PTB-deleted Odin (dPTB) after a floxed GFP-STOP cassette was excised by tissue-specific Cre expression. Strikingly, Odin-dPTB expression played a causative role in the development of the hydrocephalic phenotype, primarily in the midbrain. In addition, Odin-dPTB expression disrupted proper development of the subcommissural organ and interfered with ependymal cell maturation in the cerebral aqueduct. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that Odin plays a role in the differentiation of ependymal cells during early postnatal brain development.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.177-187
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• 1997

Hydrocephalus is induced experimentally in prenatal and suckling animals following an injection of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN). The most remarkable characteristic of these animals is aqueduct stenosis caused by swellings of the ependymal cells and subependymal cells in the periaqueductal gray matter and the central canal of the spinal cord. The present study was undertaken to investigate the morphological changes of the ependymal cells in the central canal of the spinal cord of 3.5 months old hamster after treatment with 6-AN. Intraperitoneal administrations of 6-AN (10 mg/kg body weight) every two days gave rise to partial central canal stenosis of the spinal cord after 27-29 days (13-l4th injection), but cilia and microvilli were located in the strictural area of the con#rat canal. The vacuolations in the ependymal cells were not observed and degenerating changes of intracellular organelles of the ependymal cells did not occur, so that the ependymal cells lining the central canal of the hamster spinal cord were not affected by 6-AN. But the present study demonstrate that 6-AN causes to create numerous vacuoles in the subependymal area of the central canal. Although the vacuoles were well developed in the neuroglial cells and the neuropils of the subependymal area, the neurons were not affected by 6-AN. These results strongly suggests that partial central canal stenosis occurred by 6-AN was due to vacuolations and swellings of the neuroglial cells and nueropils in the subependymal area.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.11-23
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• 1999

머리 부분에 많은 양의 방사선을 조사 받은 흰쥐 뇌실막세포의 미세구조에 대하여 연구하였다. 체중 $200\sim250g$의 흰쥐를 실험동물로 사용하였고, 방사선 발생장치로는 Mitsubishi linear accelerator (ML-4MV)를 이용하였다. 실험군의 흰쥐는 sodium thiopental로 마취시킨 후 머리부분이 조사구역 $(30cm\times30cm)$ 안에 들도록 눕힌 후, 조사거리 80cm, 조사 깊이 1.2 cm의 조건에서 200 rad/min의 속도로 연속 조사하였다. 실험군에 따라 3,000 rad 또는 6,000 rad를 조사시킨 후 각각 6시간, 2일, 6일 후에 동물들을 희생시켰다. 희생시에는 마취된 흰쥐의 가슴을 열고 심장을 통한 관류고정을 시행하였고, 관류고정액은 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde액을 사용했다. 고정된 뇌에서 가쪽뇌실벽 일부를 메어 관류고정액과 같은 고정액에 다시 고정한 후, 2% osmium tetroxide 액으로 이차고정 하였고, 이후 통상적인 방법으로 전자현미경 절편제작 및 염색과정을 거친 후 전자현미경으로 관찰한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 방사선조사후 6시간군부터 뇌실막세포는 종창현상을 보였고 섬모의 배열이 흐트러졌으며 부분적으로 세포질이 뇌실공간으로 돌출하였다. 2. 방사선조사후 2일군부터는 뇌실막세포의 종창현상이 심하며 뇌실막밑조직의 부종이 심했다. 3. 뇌실막세포의 돌출부분 세포질에는 섬모바닥체, 사립체, 세포질세망들이 들어 있었다. 4. 방사선조사군에서는 확장된 뇌실막세포사이공간을 통하여 뇌실막밑층의 축삭성분 등이 뇌실속 까지도 돌출하였다. 이와 같은 결과로 보아 방사선조사에 의해 뇌실막세포에는 심각한 형태학적 변화가 초래되며, 이로써 뇌실질과 뇌척수액사이의 대사관문이 교란될 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권12호
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• pp.746-756
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• 2023

A recent study revealed that the loss of Deup1 expression does not affect either centriole amplification or multicilia formation. Therefore, the deuterosome per se is not a platform for amplification of centrioles. In this study, we examine whether gain-of-function of Deup1 affects the development of multiciliated ependymal cells. Our time-lapse study reveals that deuterosomes with an average diameter of 300 nm have two different fates during ependymal differentiation. In the first instance, deuterosomes are scattered and gradually disappear as cells become multiciliated. In the second instance, deuterosomes self-organize into a larger aggregate, called a deuterosome cluster (DC). Unlike scattered deuterosomes, DCs possess centriole components primarily within their large structure. A characteristic of DC-containing cells is that they tend to become primary ciliated rather than multiciliated. Our in utero electroporation study shows that DCs in ependymal tissue are mostly observed at early postnatal stages, but are scarce at late postnatal stages, suggesting the presence of DC antagonists within the differentiating cells. Importantly, from our bead flow assay, ectopic expression of Deup1 significantly impairs cerebrospinal fluid flow. Furthermore, we show that expression of mouse Deup1 in Xenopus embryos has an inhibitory effect on differentiation of multiciliated cells in the epidermis. Taken together, we conclude that the DC formation of Deup1 in multiciliated cells inhibits production of multiple centrioles.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.67-70
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• 2012

We report a rare case of a spinal intramedullary ependymal cyst in a 46-year-old female and review the 17 pathologically proven cases in the literature. The patient presented with a two-week history of gradually increasing tingling in her left posterior thigh and calf. A preoperative magnetic resonance image revealed a well-defined intramedullary cystic lesion on the ventral side of the spinal cord at the T11 to T12 levels. The lesion was hyper intense in T2-weighted images and hypointense in T1-weighted. The patient underwent a right-side hemilaminectomy at the T11 to T12 levels and fenestration of the cyst wall. After having the cyst wall partially removed and communication established between the cyst and the subarachnoid space, the patient improved neurologically. A histological study of the surgical specimens revealed that the cyst wall consisted of glial cells lined by a simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium. An immunohistochemical examination of the cells lining the cyst wall was positive for S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and cytokeratin. We suggest that the optimal treatment of intramedullary ependymal cysts creates adequate communication between the cyst and the subarachnoid space.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.109-124
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• 1993

The prenatal development of thoracic spinal cord was studied by electron microscope in human embryos and fetuses ranging from 9mm to 260mm crown-rump length (5-30 weeks of gestational age). Ependymal cells in all fetal ages had conspicuous junctional complexes close to the lumen of the central canal into which microvilli and cilia projected. The ependymal cells contained numerous longitudinally arranged mitochondria, flattened cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. At 20 mm embryo, the floor and roof plates were composed of ependymoglial cells and undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells. The neuroepithelia of the sacral spinal cord were delineated from central medullary cord. By 100 mm fetus few undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells remained in the floor and roof plates. At 150 mm fetus, the whole central canal was formed by ciliated columnar epithelial cells containing cilia with basal bodies. The microvilli became tangled and club-shaped and formed a matted surface. The canal was filled with areas of dark and pale amorphous materials bounded by membrane-like structure. These two types of material were found throughout the whole central canal from 100 mm fetus onwards. By 260 mm fetus, microfibrils were first observed in the ependymal cells. In conclusion, it seems that early development and differentiation of central canal ependyma are simlar to that in other part of the brain ventricular system although ependymoglial cells are more prominent.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.377-387
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• 2000

뇌실을 감싸는 뇌실막층은 대부분이 일반적인 뇌실막 세포로 이루어졌으나, 이들 세포 사이에 간혹 띠뇌실막 세포(tanycyte)가 분포하고 있다. 띠뇌실막세포는 일반적인 뇌실막세포와는 달리 뇌의 실질로 뻗은 매우 긴 기저돌기를 갖고 있다. 특히 제3뇌실의 뇌실막층에서 주로 연구된 띠뇌실막세포는 뇌실과 뇌실질의 혈관 혹은 신경세포와의 사이에 물질교환을 담당하는 것으로 추측되고 있으며, 띠뇌실막세포는 일반적인 뇌실막세포와는 달리 glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)항체에 대해 양성반응을 보이는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 면역조직화학 및 면역금표지법을 이용하여 박쥐 맨아래구역을 감싸는 뇌실막층에서 GFAP 항체에 대해 양성반응을 보이는 세포의 분포여부 및 이의 미세 구조를 확인하고자 시행하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 세로 절단한 절편을 대상으로 GFAP 항체를 이용하여 면역염색한 후 광학현미경으로 확인한 결과 맨아래구역을 감싸는 뇌실막층에 GFAP 양성반응을 보이는 세포가 관찰되었으며, 특히 맨아래구역의 목부분에서 양성반응 세포가 많이 모여 있었다. GFAP양성반응을 보이는 세포들은 매우 긴 기저돌기를 갖고 있었으며, 기저돌기에서도 매우 강한 GFAP 양성반응을 보였다. 세포체에서는 주변부에서 양성반응을 보였다. 전자현미경하에서 맨아래구역 띠뇌실막세포는 주로 ependymal tanycytes였으며, 자유면에 소수의 미세융모 및 세포질돌기가 관찰되었으나, 섬모는 관찰되지 않았다. 기저부에 특징적으로 긴 기저돌기를 갖고 있었으며 이 돌기에는 중간세사 및 세로로 길게 달리는 사립체가 발달되어 있었고, 세포체와 돌기에 지방방울이 산재되어 있었다. 금입자를 표지한 GFAP항체를 사용하여 면역 염색한 후 전자현미경으로 관찰한 결과 세포체에서 핵을 둘러싸는 중간세사에서 금입자를 관찰할 수 있었으며, 나머지 핵을 비롯한 다른 세포소기관이나 세포질에서는 관찰되지 많았다. 또한 기저돌기에서도 중간세사에서만 금입자를 관찰할 수 있었다. 이와 같은 본 실험의 결과는 박쥐 맨아래구역 뇌실막층에도 띠뇌실막세포가 존재하고 있으며, 이 세포의 발달된 긴 기저돌기는 띠뇌실막세포가 일반적인 뇌실막세포와는 다른 기능을 동면동물인 박쥐의 맨아래구역에서도 수행하고 있음을 암시하고 있으나 이를 확인하기 위해서 더욱 자세한 연구가 필요한 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권5호
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• pp.495-504
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• 1997

Water transport is mediated by two distinct pathways, diffusional and channel-mediated water transport. The first molecular water channel was identified from human erythrocytes in 1992. Genetically-related proteins from other mammalian tissues have subsequently been identified to transport water, and the group is referred to as th "Aquaporins". Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is most abundant in the brain, which may be involved in CSF reabsorption and osmoregulation. However, ontogeny and regulatory mechanisms of AQP4 channels have not been reported. Northern blot analysis showed that AQP4 mRNA began to be expressed in the brain just before birth and that its expression gradually increased by PN7 and then decreased at adult level. AQP4 was expressed predominantly in the ependymal cells of ventricles in newborn rats. And then its expression decreased in ependymal cells and increased gradually in other regions including supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. AQP4 is also expressed in the subfornical organ, in which the expression level is not changed after birth. Cryogenic brain injury did not affect expression of AQP4 mRNA, while ischemic brain injury decreased it. Osmotic water permeability of AQP4 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes was inhibited by the pretreatment of BAPTA/AM and calmidazolium, a $Ca^{2+}/Calmodulin$ kinase inhibitor, in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the expression and the function of AQP4 channel are regulated by developmental processes and various pathophysiological conditions. These results will contribute to the understanding of fluid balance in the central nervous system and the osmoregulatory mechanisms of the body.