Immunocytochemical and lectin histochemical study of neuronal lesions in autonomic ganglia of horses with grass sickness.
Abstract: Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a primary dysautonomia characterised pathologically by lesions in autonomic ganglia, enteric plexi and specific nuclei in the CNS. Immunocytochemistry and lectin histochemistry of the autonomic ganglia were used to determine whether abnormalities can be detected in specific proteins or cellular organelles. EGS ganglia contained a mixture of morphologically normal and abnormal neurons, the former appearing identical to cells from control animals. Affected cells showed marked disturbances in neurofilament (NF) proteins and beta-tubulin, major components of the cytoskeleton; in most neurons immunoreactivity was reduced or absent while the distribution was altered in the remainder. Staining for neuron-specific enolase, a pan-neuronal marker, was severely reduced or absent, as was reactivity for the catecholaminergic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. However, affected neurons showed a marked increase in dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), another enzyme associated with noradrenaline synthesis. Wheat germ agglutinin and Griffonia simplicifolia B4 lectin histochemistry was used to label membranes of the Golgi apparatus, which stained as discrete curvilinear perinuclear profiles. All affected neurons showed abnormalities with either complete loss of reaction or amorphous centrally located lectin staining. The results indicate perturbation in a wide variety of cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins. In the majority of instances there is a decrease in stainable protein; the increase in D beta H may indicate a failure to be transported down the axon with resultant accumulation in the perikaryon. Loss of a recognisable Golgi structure appears to be an early event in the neuropathology of EGS.
Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 8223378DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02988.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines the changes in neuronal structures in horses with Equine Grass Sickness (EGS), a disease that affects their nervous system. Using techniques including immunocytochemistry and lectin histochemistry, the researchers found abnormalities in the proteins and cellular organelles of nerve cells, changes in key cytoskeleton components, alterations in enzymes responsible for chemical syntheses, and abnormalities in the cells’ Golgi apparatus.
Introduction to Equine Grass Sickness
- The study aims to understand the neuronal changes in horses suffering from Equine Grass Sickness (EGS), a disease that predominantly affects their nervous system.
- EGS is characterised by lesions in the autonomic ganglia, enteric plexes, and certain nuclei in the central nervous system (CNS).
Observation of Neuronal Cells in Horses with EGS
- By using immunocytochemistry and lectin histochemistry, the researchers observed abnormalities both in specific proteins and cellular organelles of affected neuronal cells.
- The study found that neurons in EGS suffer from severe disturbances in neurofilament (NF) proteins and beta-tubulin, which are essential components of a cell’s cytoskeleton. Most affected neurons displayed reduced or absent immunoreactivity for these proteins.
- Staining for neuron-specific enolase, a pan-neuronal marker, was also severely diminished or entirely missing.
Changes in Enzymes and Proteins
- In EGS affected horses, the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, responsible for the production of certain neurotransmitters, demonstrated decreased reactivity.
- Contrarily, a significant increase was noted in dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), another enzyme associated with noradrenaline synthesis. This might suggest a failure in its transport down the axon leading to accumulation in the cell body.
Golgi Apparatus Abnormalities
- A remarkable finding of this study was the noticeable abnormalities in the Golgi apparatus of affected neurons, as indicated by the wheat germ agglutinin and Griffonia simplicifolia B4 lectin histochemistry.
- These changes ranged from a complete loss of reaction or amorphous centrally located lectin staining, thereby indicating significant perturbations in the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus.
Concluding Remarks
- The research concludes that EGS disease provokes wide-ranging abnormalities in cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins in the neuronal cells of horses.
- A critical early indication of EGS appears to be the loss of a recognisable Golgi structure. This noteworthy finding might help pave the way for early diagnosis and intervention in EGS cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Griffiths IR, Kyriakides E, Smith S, Howie F, Deary AW.
(1993).
Immunocytochemical and lectin histochemical study of neuronal lesions in autonomic ganglia of horses with grass sickness.
Equine Vet J, 25(5), 446-452.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02988.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Applied Neurobiology Group, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / pathology
- Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
- Cytoplasm / chemistry
- Cytoskeletal Proteins / analysis
- Ganglia, Autonomic / chemistry
- Ganglia, Autonomic / pathology
- Histocytochemistry
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lectins
- Membrane Proteins / analysis
- Microscopy, Electron
- Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
- Neurofilament Proteins / analysis
- Neurons / chemistry
- Neurons / pathology
- Neurons / ultrastructure
- Organelles / pathology
- Organelles / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- McGorum BC, Pirie RS, Eaton SL, Keen JA, Cumyn EM, Arnott DM, Chen W, Lamont DJ, Graham LC, Llavero Hurtado M, Pemberton A, Wishart TM. Proteomic Profiling of Cranial (Superior) Cervical Ganglia Reveals Beta-Amyloid and Ubiquitin Proteasome System Perturbations in an Equine Multiple System Neuropathy. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015 Nov;14(11):3072-86.
- Malekinejad H, Alizadeh-Tabrizi N, Ostadi A, Fink-Gremmels J. The role of sera from equine grass sickness on apoptosis induction in PC12 Tet-off p53 cell line. Vet Res Forum 2015 Winter;6(1):9-15.
- Tan Yi Shean L, Milne EM, Shaw DJ, Maxwell S, Del-Pozo J. Lipofuscin accumulates in ganglionic neurons in chronic equine dysautonomia. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024 Nov;36(6):864-869.
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