ABSTRACT
We studied projections from the interstitial system of the spinal trigeminal tract (InSy-S5T) to the red nucleus of the mouse with retrograde tracers (fluorogold and latex microbeads impregnated with rhodamine and fluorescein). Injections in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus caused labeling of cells in the rostral, intermediate, and caudal paratrigeminal nucleus (Pa5), dorsal paramarginal nucleus (PaMD), insular trigemeo-lateral cuneate nucleus (I5CuL), and the trigeminal extension of the parvocellular reticular formation (5RPC). All projections were bilateral, but contralateral projections were stronger. The number of retrogradely labeled cells in the InSy-S5T in 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old mice was similar. Injections restricted to the parvocellular red nucleus did not label the nuclei of the InSy-S5T. This projection from the InSy-S5T to the red nucleus may mediate modulation of the facial muscles by pain and other sensory information.
Subject(s)
Afferent Pathways/cytology , Red Nucleus/cytology , Spinal Cord/cytology , Trigeminal Nerve/cytology , Afferent Pathways/metabolism , Animals , Biological Transport, Active , Indicators and Reagents/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Nerve Fibers/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Neurons/metabolism , Red Nucleus/metabolism , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Trigeminal Nerve/metabolismABSTRACT
The lack of dystrophin that causes Duchenne muscle disease affects not only the muscles but also the central nervous system. Dystrophin-deficient mdx mice present changes in several brain fiber systems. We compared the projections from the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex to the red nucleus in control and mdx mice using retrograde tracers. Injection of 200 nL 2% fluorogold into the red nucleus caused labeling in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, the principal sensory nucleus and the oral, interpolar, and caudal subnuclei of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in both control and mdx mice. Injection of latex microbeads labeled with rhodamine and fluorescein gave results similar to those seen with fluorogold. The number of labeled neurons in the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex was significantly reduced in mdx mice. In the oral subnucleus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus this reduction was 50%. These results indicate that the trigemino-rubral pathway is reduced in dystrophin-deficient mice.
Subject(s)
Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology , Neural Pathways/pathology , Red Nucleus/pathology , Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus/pathology , Animals , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred mdxABSTRACT
The characteristics of Calomys callosus major palatine nerve were studied employing light, transmission and high resolution scanning electron microscopy methods. For light microscopy, the specimens were fixed in Bouin's fixative solution, processed routinely and the sections were stained with hematoxylineosin and Azo-Carmin to identify nerve fibers. For high resolution scanning electron microscopy the O-D-O method reported by Tanaka (1989) was used to examine nerve fiber components and to measure the myelin sheath. Thin sections were examined by transmission electron microscopy to show axoplasmic elements and adjacent structures. The results revealed nerve fiber bundles in the lamina propria of Calomys callosus palatine mucosa. Nerve fibers were enveloped by cytoplasmic lamellae of perineural cells and adjacent collagen bundles, their diameter ranged from 1 to 6 µm, and the myelin sheath ranged from 0.2 to 0.9 µm. In the nerve fibers axoplasm were seen neurofilaments, mitochondria, neurotubules and few unmyelinated fibers.
Se estudiaron las características del nervio palatino mayor del Calomys callosus, utilizando métodos de microscopía luz y electrónica de transmisión y de barrido de alta resolución. En el caso de microscopía de luz las muestras se fijaron con solución fijadora de Bouin, se trabajaron de la forma habitual y las secciones se tiñeron con hematoxilina-eosina y con azo-carmín para identificar las fibras nerviosas. En el caso de microscopía electrónica de alta resolución se utilizó el método O-D-O indicado por Tanaka (1989) para examinar los componentes de la fibra nerviosa y medir la vaina de mielina. Se examinaron secciones finas usando microscopio electrónico de transmisión para poner en evidencia los elementos axoplásmicos y las estructuras adyacentes. Los resultados demuestran la presencia de uniones de la fibra nerviosa en la lámina palatina de la mucosa de Calomys callosus. Las fibras nerviosas están envueltas en lamelas citoplasmáticas de células perineurales y uniones de colágeno adyacente y su diámetro varía de 1 a 6µm; la vaina de mielina varía de 0.2 a 0.9 µm. En el axoplasma de las fibras nerviosas se observaron neurofilamentos, mitocondrias y neurotúbulos y se encontraron unas pocas fibras sin mielina.
