The distribution of mast cells in the human area postrema

Porzionato, Andrea; Macchi, Veronica; Parenti, Anna; De, Raffaele

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2004.00256.x

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(70 reference statements)

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“…Previous works reported noteworthy differences between the various medullary nuclei in terms of vascularization (Porzionato et al, 2004a and responses to hypoxic-ischemic injuries (Gilles, 1969;Revesz and Geddes, 1988;De Caro et al, 2000Parenti et al, 2005;Porzionato et al, 2004bPorzionato et al, , 2008a. Our study also revealed statistically significant differences between morphometric parameters of the different medullary nuclei.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…On the contrary, both literature data and our findings showed an increased volume and corresponding decreased neuronal density in adult medullary nuclei with respect to infant ones. Such changes may be ascribed to development of the neuropil and microvascularization (Bourrat and Sotelo, 1984;Porzionato et al, 2004aPorzionato et al, , 2005. To fully evaluate the development of the medullary nuclei regarding synaptogenesis and maturation of the neuropil, also with reference to the different patterns of dendritic arborization (isodendritic, allodendritic, and idiodendritic), further studies…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphometric Analysis of Infant and Adult Medullary Nuclei Through Optical Disector Method

Porzionato

Macchi

Parenti

et al. 2009

The Anatomical Record

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In the literature, comprehensive and comparative morphometric studies of infant and adult medullary nuclei performed with unbiased methods are still lacking. In this study, the unbiased quantitative method of the optical disector was applied to analyze neuronal densities, nuclear volumes, and total neuron numbers of the hypoglossal nucleus (XII), dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNV), nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), medial vestibular nucleus (MedVe), cuneate nucleus (Cu), nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract, principal inferior olivary nucleus (PION), medial inferior olivary nucleus (MION), and dorsal inferior olivary nucleus (DION) in adults (16 male, six female; mean age: 37 years) and infants (five male, five female; mean age: 5 months). In both infants and adults, higher neuronal densities were found in the more ventrally located nuclei of the spinal trigeminal tract (mean values (coefficient of variation): 20,947 (0.29) and 8,990 (0.18) neurons/mm 3 , respectively) and inferior olivary complex (PION: 20,010 (0.15) and 9,076 (0.10); MION: 18,667 (0.20) and 9,989 (0.13); DION: 22,424 (0.17) and 10,986 (0.20), respectively) than in the nuclei of the medullary tegmentum, that is, XII (2,747 (0.39) and 1,026 (0.31)), DMNV (2,876 (0.19) and 1,553 (0.26)), NTS (7,993 (0.17) and 2,877 (0.13)), MedVe (7,010 (0.17) and 2,918 (0.12)), and Cu (2,563 (0.23) and 1,038 (0.16)). All the medullary nuclei showed higher volumes and lower neuronal densities in adults than in infants, without statistically significant differences in total neuron numbers, probably because of postnatal development of the neuropil and microvascularization. Anat Rec, 292:1619Rec, 292: -1629Rec, 292: , 2009. V V C 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: morphometry; optical disector; medulla oblongata; human; infantThe medulla oblongata is involved in many different and complex functions as it contains nuclei involved in cardiac and respiratory control, nervous centers providing sensory and motor innervation of peripheral structures, groups of neurons receiving inputs related to the special senses of hearing, vestibular function and taste, or providing/receiving efferent/afferent cerebellar projections. There have been a few studies in the literature detailing morphometric parameters, such as neuronal density, nuclear volume, and total neuron number, in the medullary nuclei considered in this study (e.g

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphometric Analysis of Infant and Adult Medullary Nuclei Through Optical Disector Method

Porzionato

Macchi

Parenti

et al. 2009

The Anatomical Record

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“…2 The roles played by the AP in cardiovascular regulation, fluid balance, osmoregulation, and immunomodulation are more recent scientific findings. 4,5,17,23,24,28,30,34 Duvernoy and Risold published macroscopic images of The AP has the appearance of arched wings opened on either side of the floor of the fourth ventricle, facing the Magendie foramen and diverging from the central canal upward. The AP seems medially to cover the hypoglossal nucleus and the vagal trigone and laterally to extend far over the nucleus of the solitary tract.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The boundaries of the AP were defined according to those of Paxinos and Huang 21 and Tork 31 et al, as well as from previous studies of our research group. 15,18,22,23 In particular, the delineation of the AP is quite easy on Nisslstained sections because of its particular structural characteristics. It consists of a loose network of neuroglia with high-density vascularization and a few small neurons, which is clearly defined from the near nervous tissue.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human area postrema: clear-cut silhouette and variations shown in vivo

Longatti

Porzionato²,

Basaldella

et al. 2015

JNS

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OBJECT The human area postrema (AP) is a circumventricular organ that has only been described in cadaveric specimens and animals. Because of its position in the calamus scriptorius and the absence of surface markers on the floor of the fourth ventricle, the AP cannot be clearly localized during surgical procedures. METHODS The authors intravenously administered 500 mg fluorescein sodium to 25 patients during neuroendoscopic procedures; in 12 of these patients they explored the fourth ventricle. A flexible endoscope equipped with dual observation modes for both white light and fluorescence was used. The intraoperative fluorescent images were reviewed and compared with anatomical specimens and 3D reconstructions. RESULTS Because the blood-brain barrier does not cover the AP, it was visualized in all cases after fluorescein sodium injection. The AP is seen as 2 coupled leaves on the floor of the fourth ventricle, diverging from the canalis centralis medullaris upward. Although the leaves normally appear short and thick, there can be different morphological patterns. Exploration using the endoscope's fluorescent mode allowed precise localization of the AP in all cases. CONCLUSIONS Fluorescence-enhanced inspection of the fourth ventricle accurately identifies the position of the AP, which is an important landmark during surgical procedures on the brainstem. A better understanding of the AP can also be valuable for neurologists, considering its functional role in the regulation of homeostasis, emesis, and cardiovascular and electrolyte balance. Despite the limited number of cases in this report, evidence indicates that the normal anatomical appearance of the AP is that of 2 short and thick leaves that are joined at the midline. However, there can be great variability in terms of the structure's shape and size.

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“…There is on anatomical evidence for mast cell associations with peripheral myelinated and unmyelinated nerves [46,56,[130][131][132][133]. Close apposition of mast cells and neurons containing substance P, CGRP or both have been described in the rat and human gastrointestinal tract, the rat trachea and peripheral lung, the urinary bladder and several other tissues [6,56,61,134].…”

Section: Communication Between Mast Cells and Nervesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nervous System as a Critical Regulator of Immune Responses Underlying Allergy

Forsythe¹

2012

CPD

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The nervous and immune systems collaborate in the control of homeostasis and host defence. All divisions of the nervous system, sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory, act to regulate immune cell function. Processes under neuronal control include antigen processing and presentation, Th1/Th2 balance, immunoglobulin production and antigen specific responses, while involvement of the central nervous system allows for behavioral changes leading to avoidance of antigen or noxious stimuli. It therefore follows that dysregulation of these complex bidirectional neuroimmune signaling systems may contribute to the aetiology and pathophysiology of immune disorders including atopic disease. A greater understanding on how the brain perceives, processes and responds to immune challenges and how multiple neurotransmitters interact to maintain or skew the balance between tolerance and immunity will undoubtedly provide opportunities for the development of novel therapeutics. Furthermore, the implications for atopic disease of relatively recent developments such as the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and the potential direct antigen-specific activation of the nervous system require further exploration.

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The distribution of mast cells in the human area postrema

Cited by 31 publications

References 33 publications

Morphometric Analysis of Infant and Adult Medullary Nuclei Through Optical Disector Method

Morphometric Analysis of Infant and Adult Medullary Nuclei Through Optical Disector Method

The human area postrema: clear-cut silhouette and variations shown in vivo

The Nervous System as a Critical Regulator of Immune Responses Underlying Allergy

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