Lectin and Proteoglycan Histochemistry of Feline Pacinian Corpuscles

Abstract

S U M M A R YWe studied carbohydrate residues of glycoproteins and proteoglycans (PGs) in peritoneal Pacinian corpuscles of five adult cats. Terminal monosaccharides of glycoproteins and related polysaccharides were identified by lectin histochemistry and the PGs and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) by specific antibodies. The most intensive lectin staining reactions indicated an abundance of glycoconjugates with terminal mannose (Man) or sialic acid residues, but no complex-type oligosaccharides were detected within the corpuscles. Terminal fucose (Fuc) and galactose (Gal) residues typical for O -linked mucin-type glycoproteins generally associated with high water binding capacity were also absent. Antibodies against unsulfated chondroitin (C-0-S), chondroitin-4-sulfate (C-4-S), and decorin showed positive reactions in the interfibrillar spaces between the lamellae, around collagen fibers, and around the lamellae of the perineural capsule, especially in the outer parts known to contain Type II collagen. Biglycan showed a preference for the innermost part of the perineural capsule (intermediate layer), known to contain Type V collagen. Collagen V and biglycan are both linked to growth processes. Hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C-6-S) chains, and a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) were colocalized in the terminal glia. The study of carbohydrates with high water binding capacity may contribute to our understanding of the high viscoelasticity of Pacinian corpuscles.

Ultrastructural and carbohydrate histochemical study of the Vater-Pacini corpuscles in the digital pads of the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor), with special regard to basic function

“…The inner-core cells probably regulate the environmental surrounding of the axon through their function as a permeability barrier to ions and molecules (Bell et al 1994). Our histochemical findings, however, are somewhat different from those reported for Vater-Pacini corpuscles in the cat mesentery (Sames et al 2001), indicating that in the very large Vater-Pacini corpuscles of the raccoon forepaws, generally higher viscoelasticity and turgor may be present and have to be maintained. In this way, the whole system is better stabilized, and the large corpuscle remains in shape as a basic prerequisite for normal functioning.…”

“…The localization of all the terminal sugars indicates that O-linked high-molecularweight glycoproteins are present (Campbell 1999). Such type of glycoconjugates, which has the capability of water binding, may be specifically involved by its sialic acid component in the high viscocity of mucus-lining epithelia and, thus, generally in the viscoelastic properties of VaterPacini corpuscles (Sames et al 2001;Schauer 2004). The inner-core cells probably regulate the environmental surrounding of the axon through their function as a permeability barrier to ions and molecules (Bell et al 1994).…”

“…Recently, results presented by Sames et al (2001) have indicated that in the feline mesentery, the carbohydrate components produced in the Vater-Pacini corpuscles may also have an important functional role in this sensitive mechanoreceptive system. Therefore, the present study focuses on the localization of complex glycoconjugates in the extraordinarily large Vater-Pacini corpuscles of raccoon digital pads.…”

The Meissner and Pacinian sensory corpuscles revisited new data from the last decade

“…In the interlamellar spaces of the Pacinian corpuscles, the collagen that predominates in the outer core and external capsule was type II collagen, whereas the intermediate layer contains type V collagen (Pawson et al, 2000), the occurrence of decorin was observed in the same zones that contain type II collagen, and biglycan is restricted to the perineurial lamellae (Sames et al, 2001). The structures equivalent to the interlamellar collagen in Pacinian corpuscles have been analyzed in Meissner corpuscles of Macaca fuscata in which each corpuscle was entirely covered by a connective tissue capsule.…”

“…Since 1996, some reviews have been published that cover only partial aspects of the protein composition (Pawson et al, 2000;Johansson et al, 1999;Sames et al, 2001), and physiology (Johnson, 2002) of sensory corpuscles.…”