Brain sexual development in Kallmann syndrome

Prenatal and one-two month postnatal testosterone influences human neural and behavioural development, since the prenatal and one-two month postnatal hormone environment clearly contributes to the development of sex-related variation in human behaviour, and plays a role in the development of the sexual brain and individual differences in behaviour within each sex, as well as differences between the sexes. Olfactory system development, brain sexual maturation and sexual behaviour in man and animals are closely related. Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a genetic disorder which combines hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. Hypogonadism is characterized by the absence or reduced levels of gonadotropinreleasing hormone, and anosmia is due to aplasia of the olfactory bulb. The overlap between the formation of the olfactory system and the migration of neurons that synthesize the gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) is common knowledge. GnRH neurons migrate from the medial portion of the nasal epithelium through the olfactory nerves and the main olfactory bulb to the anterior hypothalamus. Furthermore, the clinical manifestations of KS are: anosmia, the absence of puberty, and modifications in sexual behaviour. The structures responsible for the maturation of the main and accessory olfactory systems, the sexual differentiation of the brain and its relationship with clinical manifestations and sexual behaviour in Kallmann syndrome are analyzed in this review. The importance of the treatment of KS at early ages is suggested in order to improve brain sexual development and its clinical and sexual behaviour manifestations

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The Neuroepithelium Disruption Could Generate Autoantibodies against AQP4 and Cause Neuromyelitis Optica and Hydrocephalus.

Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory disease characterized by neuritis and myelitis of the optic nerve. Its physiopathology is connected with the aquaporin-4 water channel, since antibodies against aquaporin-4 have been found in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of neuromyelitis optica patients. The seropositivity for aquaporin-4 antibodies is used for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease. On the other hand, aquaporin-4 is expressed in astrocyte feet in the brain-blood barrier and subventricular zones of the brain ventricles. Aquaporin-4 expression is high in cerebrospinal fluid in hydrocephalus. Furthermore, neuroepithelial denudation precedes noncommunicating hydrocephalus and this neuroepithelial disruption could allow aquaporin-4 to reach anomalous brain areas where it is unrecognized and induce the generation of aquaporin-4 antibodies which could cause the neuromyelitis optica and certain types of hydrocephalus.

Immunohistochemical profile of human pancreatic pacinian corpuscles.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the immunohistochemical profile of the human pancreatic pacinian corpuscles in comparison with that of the cutaneous pacinian corpuscles. In addition, we studied a Pacinilike corpuscle found in the adventitia of a pancreatic artery. METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to detect specific antigens for corpuscular constituents, specific antibodies for the identification of Adelta- and C-sensory fibers and for the detection of several growth factor receptors, and some members of the degenerin/epithelial Na channel superfamily of proteins. RESULTS: Approximately 62% of pancreatic pacinian corpuscles have 2 to 10 axonic profiles each enclosed by its own inner core: 1 or 2 of these axonic profiles displayed RT-97 immunoreactivity (specific marker of mechanical axons). The cutaneous pacinian corpuscles showed not more than 2 axonic profiles with identical immunohistochemical characteristics. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and tyrosine receptor kinase B was different between pancreatic and cutaneous pacinian corpuscles; the pattern of distribution of degenerin/epithelial Na channel proteins was identical in both cases. The arterial Pacinilike corpuscles displayed a specific immunohistochemical profile. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic pacinian corpuscles slightly differ from the cutaneous ones, and these differences could be related to topography, growth factor requirements, or function of pacinian corpuscles in the pancreas.