Three-dimensional reconstruction of the Meissner corpuscle of man, after silver impregnation and immunofluorescence with PGP 9.5 antibodies using confocal laser scanning microscopy
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
1995
Citazione:
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the Meissner corpuscle of man, after silver impregnation and immunofluorescence with PGP 9.5 antibodies using confocal laser scanning microscopy / P. Castano, C. Rumio, M. Morini, A. Miani, S.M. Castano. - In: JOURNAL OF ANATOMY. - ISSN 0021-8782. - 186:Pt. 2(1995), pp. 261-270.
Abstract:
The 3-dimensional organisation of the neural component of the human Meissner corpuscle was studied after silver impregnation and following immunofluorescence for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) by confocal scanning laser microscopy. The morphology of the Meissner corpuscle was found to show consistent differences depending on the labelling method used. After silver impregnation by the Winkelmann technique the branches of the afferent nerve fibres of the corpuscle showed both thin regions and varicose elements, the latter probably corresponding to the portions rich in mitochondria observed by transmission electron microscopy. The bulkier elements were never more than 5-6 μm in diameter. After immunolabelling for PGP 9.5 the nerve fibre branches in the corpuscle always presented flattened and discoidal expansions with a diameter of up to 30 μm. On the basis of what is known as to the mechanism of action of silver impregnations it is considered that the black precipitate preferentially labels the parts of neurons that are rich in neurofilaments. In any case the precipitate is deposited throughout the neuronal cytoplasm except in the mitochondria and the nucleus. Accordingly, in the varicosities of the Meissner corpuscles that are rich in mitochondria, there is little space for the formation of the precipitate. The use of an antiserum against PGP 9.5, which labels the larger proteinaceous component of the axoplasm, demonstrates the complete architecture of the neural component of the Meissner corpuscle, and visualises the discoidal and flattened expansions which are absent in the impregnated corpuscles. It is concluded that immunostaining provides images of the corpuscles, and of peripheral neural structures that are in general closer to reality.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Elenco autori:
P. Castano, C. Rumio, M. Morini, A. Miani, S.M. Castano
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