[CELL CONTACT PROTEIN BETA-CATENIN IN EPENDYMAL AND EPITHELIAL CELLS OF THE CHOROID PLEXUS OF THE CEREBRAL LATERAL VENTRICLES].

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution pattern of cellular contacts protein beta-catenin in the choroid plexus and ependyma of lateral ventricles of the brain. The study was conducted on frontal sections of the brain of Wistar rats (n = 10) using polyclonal antibodies against beta-catenin. The obtained preparations were analyzed by microscopy in transmitted light and using confocal laser microscopy. To study the distribution of beta-catenin in different projections, three-dimensional reconstruction was performed. The study demonstrated different distribution patterns of this protein in ependyma and choroid plexus. Unlike ependyma, in the cells of the choroid plexus beta-catenin was distributed in the same way as in simple epithelial tissues (on the basal and lateral borders of the cells). This may indicate different tissue attribution of the ependyma and the choroid plexus epithelium, despite their common origin.

[STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE PROCESSES OF EPENDYMO- CYTES LINING THE LATERAL VENTRICLES OF THE RAT BRAIN].

The aim of this study was to examine the structural organization of processes of ependymocytes lining the lateral ventricles of the rat brain using vimentin immunocytochemistry and confocal laser microscopy. The study was performed on adult male rats (n = 3). It was found that most typical ependymocytes had basal processes, while 1/3 of these cells had none. Some vimentin-immunopositive tanycyte-like cells with long processes appoaching blood vessels, were found inside the ependymal lining In some typical ependymocytes, cytroskeleton wa s formed by intermediate filaments of mixed type containing both vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein.

[Three-dimensional visualization of the brain ependyma and tanycytes].

The aim of this investigation was to develop an integrated approach to spatial reconstruction of the cells lining the ventricles of the brain using confocal laser microscopy and immunocytochemical reaction to vimentin. The work was performed on paraffin sections of rat brain of different thickness (5 and 10 microm). To visualize the immunocytochemical reaction the fluorescent dyes in the visible range were selected: SYTOX Green selectively staining the nucleus and indocarbocyanin (Cy-3) conjugated with streptavidin. As a result of testing of various processing conditions, the protocol which allows to receive an intensive staining of the structures was developed. The set of fluorochromes proposed in confocal laser microscopy allows to separate easily the channels, to study the structures independently, if needed, and does not require the use of an expensive ultraviolet laser.