14 research outputs found
First study on the peptidergic innervation of the brain superior sagittal sinus in humans.
The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) of the mammalian brain is a pain-sensitive intracranial vessel thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches. Here, we aimed to investigate the presence and the potential co-localization of some neurotransmitters in the human SSS. Immunohistochemical and double-labeling immunofluorescence analyses were applied to paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded, coronal sections of the SSS. Protein extraction and Western blotting technique were performed on the same material to confirm the morphological data. Our results showed nerve fibers clustered mainly in large bundles tracking parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sinus, close in proximity to the vascular endothelium. Smaller fascicles of fibers encircled the vascular lumen in a spiral fashion, extending through the subendothelial connective tissue. Isolated nerve fibers were observed around the openings of bridging veins in the sinus or around small vessels extending into the perisinusal dura. The neurotransmitters calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were found in parietal nerve structures, distributed all along the length of the SSS. Overall, CGRP- and TH-containing nerve fibers were the most abundant. Neurotransmitters co-localized in the same fibers in the following pairs: CGRP/SP, CGRP/NOS, CGRP/VIP, and TH/NPY. Western blotting analysis confirmed the presence of such neurosubstances in the SSS wall. Overall our data provide the first evidence of the presence and co-localization of critical neurotransmitters in the SSS of the human brain, thus contributing to a better understanding of the sinus functional role
First study on the peptidergic innervation of the brain superior sagittal sinus in humans.
The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) of the mammalian brain is a pain-sensitive intracranial vessel thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches. Here, we aimed to investigate the presence and the potential co-localization of some neurotransmitters in the human SSS. Immunohistochemical and double-labeling immunofluorescence analyses were applied to paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded, coronal sections of the SSS. Protein extraction and Western blotting technique were performed on the same material to confirm the morphological data. Our results showed nerve fibers clustered mainly in large bundles tracking parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sinus, close in proximity to the vascular endothelium. Smaller fascicles of fibers encircled the vascular lumen in a spiral fashion, extending through the subendothelial connective tissue. Isolated nerve fibers were observed around the openings of bridging veins in the sinus or around small vessels extending into the perisinusal dura. The neurotransmitters calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were found in parietal nerve structures, distributed all along the length of the SSS. Overall, CGRP- and TH-containing nerve fibers were the most abundant. Neurotransmitters co-localized in the same fibers in the following pairs: CGRP/SP, CGRP/NOS, CGRP/VIP, and TH/NPY. Western blotting analysis confirmed the presence of such neurosubstances in the SSS wall. Overall our data provide the first evidence of the presence and co-localization of critical neurotransmitters in the SSS of the human brain, thus contributing to a better understanding of the sinus functional role
Exposure to ELF-pulse modulated X band microwaves increases in vitro human astrocytoma cell proliferation
Common concern about the biological
effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) is increasing
with the expansion of X-band microwaves (MW). The
purpose of our work was to determine whether exposure
to MW pulses in this range can induce toxic effects on
human astrocytoma cells. Cultured astrocytoma cells
(Clonetics line 1321N1) were submitted to 9.6 GHz
carrier, 90% amplitude modulated by extremely low
frequency (ELF)-EMF pulses inside a Gigahertz
Transversal Electromagnetic Mode cell (GTEM-cell).
Astrocytoma cultures were maintained inside a GTEMincubator
in standard culture conditions at 37±0.1°C,
5% CO2, in a humidified atmosphere. Two experimental
conditions were applied with field parameters
respectively of: PW 100-120 ns; PRF 100-800 Hz; PRI
10-1.25 ms; power 0.34-0.60 mW; electric field strength
1.25-1.64 V/m; magnetic field peak amplitude 41.4-54.6
μ Oe. SAR was calculated to be 4.0x10-4 W/Kg.
Astrocytoma samples were grown in a standard
incubator. Reaching 70-80% confluence, cells were
transferred to a GTEM-incubator. Experimental
procedure included exposed human astrocytoma cells to
MW for 15, 30, 60 min and 24 h and unexposed shamcontrol
samples. Double blind method was applied. Our
results showed that cytoskeleton proteins, cell
morphology and viability were not modified.
Statistically significant results showed increased cell
proliferation rate under 24h MW exposure. Hsp-70 and Bcl-2 antiapoptotic proteins were observed in control
and treated samples, while an increased expression of
connexin 43 proteins was found in exposed samples. The
implication of these results on increased proliferation is
the subject of our current research
Qligodendrogliomas: a clinical, histological, immunocytochemical and lectin-binding study
Lectin histochemistry, ploidy level and proliferation indices in meningioma subtypes
The glycohistochemical expression of binding sites for eight lectins is characterized in a series of 15 meningothelial, 10 fibroblastic and 15 transitional meningiomas. The correlation between lectin staining and either the proliferation index or ploidy level has also been investigated. The data show that the cytochemical binding of some lectins is of value in distinguishing between the different meningioma subgroups. For example, fibroblastic meningiomas express significantly higher amounts of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-I) than the meningothelial sub-type. Diploid tumours express a higher glycine maximus (SBA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (PHA-L) binding than aneuploid tumours. These differences are probably due to the modification of post-transcriptional glycosylation events linked to tumour ageing. The data also reveal that the increased binding of PHA-L is inversely correlated with the proliferation indices of the tumours.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tFLWNAinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe