Support and Satellite Cells Within the Rabbit Dorsal Root Ganglion: Ultrastructure of a Perineuronal Support Cell

Study Design. The membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasmic contents of satellite cells were evaluated using a transmission electron microscope. Objective. To delineate satellite cell morphometries. Summary of Background Data. The role of the satellite support cells associated with the neuronal cell bodies remains poorly understood. Previous research has identified one type of satellite support cells. Methods. Dorsal root ganglions were excised from 10 adult New Zealand White rabbits. Sections from L2–L5 ganglions were prepared, cut, and analyzed under a transmission electron microscope. Results. A total of 190 neurons and their associated satellite cells were selected for analysis. Three subgroups of satellite cells were identified. The two predominant subgroups consisted of previously described satellite cells. The third subgroup consisted of highly complex and unusual cells. Nineteen satellite cells (4%) did not conform to any previous description of glial cells. Cells were characterized by larger nuclei, with numerous inclusions, and by extensively convoluted reflections of the cellular membrane. These cells were “perched” or “piggy-backed” on top of a convoluted and multilayered cytoplasmic sheet. Conclusion. A new type of support cell representing a different cell line or a highly adapted cell with specific functional capacities was identified.

[1]  E Pannese,et al.  Age-related quantitative changes in mitochondria of satellite cell sheaths enveloping spinal ganglion neurons in the rabbit , 2003, Brain Research Bulletin.

[2]  J N Weinstein,et al.  Effects of Whole Body Vibration on: Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Changes in Neuronal Nuclei , 1994, Spine.

[3]  J. Weinstein,et al.  Nuclear clefting in dorsal root ganglion neurons: A response to whole body vibration , 1992, The Journal of comparative neurology.

[4]  J. Weinstein,et al.  Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root ganglion associated with whole body vibration. , 1991, Journal of spinal disorders.

[5]  R. Schmidt,et al.  Neuropharmacologic Effects of Vibration on the Dorsal Root Ganglion: An Animal Model , 1988, Spine.

[6]  R. Seroussi,et al.  Effects of low frequency vibration on the dorsal root ganglion , 1987, PAIN.

[7]  H. Hoppeler,et al.  Relationship between mitochondria and oxygen consumption in isolated cat muscles. , 1987, The Journal of physiology.

[8]  J Weinstein,et al.  Report of the 1985 ISSLS Traveling Fellowship: Mechanisms of Spinal Pain: The Dorsal Root Ganglion and Its Role as a Mediator of Low-Back Pain , 1986, Spine.

[9]  P. D. Wall,et al.  Sensory afferent impulses originate from dorsal root ganglia as well as from the periphery in normal and nerve injured rats , 1983, Pain.

[10]  D G Wilder,et al.  Vibration and the Human Spine , 1982, Spine.

[11]  D G Wilder,et al.  Epidemiologic Studies of Low-Back Pain , 1980, Spine.

[12]  William H. Calvin,et al.  Mechanosensitivity of dorsal root ganglia and chronically injured axons: A physiological basis for the radicular pain of nerve root compression , 1977, Pain.

[13]  J. Kelsey.  An epidemiological study of acute herniated lumbar intervertebral discs. , 1975, Rheumatology and rehabilitation.

[14]  J. Kelsey,et al.  Driving of motor vehicles as a risk factor for acute herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. , 1975, American journal of epidemiology.

[15]  E. Pannese.  Electron microscopical study on the development of the satellite cell sheath in spinal ganglia , 1969, The Journal of comparative neurology.

[16]  E. Holtzman,et al.  UPTAKE OF PROTEIN BY MAMMALIAN NEURONS , 1969, The Journal of cell biology.

[17]  R. Villegas,et al.  EXTRACELLULAR PATHWAYS IN THE PERIPHERAL NERVE FIBRES: SCHWANN-CELL-LAYER PERMEABILITY TO THORIUM DIOXIDE. , 1964, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta.

[18]  E. Pannese.  Number and structure of perisomatic satellite cells of spinal ganglia under normal conditions or during axon regeneration and neuronal hypertrophy , 1964, Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie.

[19]  E. Pannese.  Investigations on the ultrastructural changes of the spinal ganglion neurons in the course of axon regeneration and cell hypertrophy , 1963, Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie.

[20]  E. Reynolds.  THE USE OF LEAD CITRATE AT HIGH pH AS AN ELECTRON-OPAQUE STAIN IN ELECTRON MICROSCOPY , 1963, The Journal of cell biology.

[21]  S. Hesse,et al.  Substrate utilization by stimulated nerve, with particular reference to the Schwann cell , 1961 .

[22]  M. L. Watson.  Staining of Tissue Sections for Electron Microscopy with Heavy Metals , 1958, The Journal of biophysical and biochemical cytology.

[23]  G. Palade,et al.  THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM , 1956, The Journal of biophysical and biochemical cytology.

[24]  W I FISHBEIN,et al.  The relationship between truck and tractor driving and disorders of the spine and supporting structures; report of a survey. , 1950, Industrial medicine & surgery.

[25]  B. Rexed,et al.  Spinal nerve injury in dorso-lateral protrusions of lumbar disks. , 1948, Journal of neurosurgery.

[26]  E. Pannese.  Observations on the morphology, submicroscopic structure and biological properties of satellite cells (S.C.) in sensory ganglia of mammals , 2004, Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie.

[27]  N. L. Le Douarin,et al.  Development of the peripheral nervous system from the neural crest. , 1988, Annual review of cell biology.

[28]  L. J. Roth,et al.  Location of radioactively labelled extracellular fluid indicators in nervous tissue by autoradiography. , 1969, Journal of cell science.

[29]  M. Karnovsky,et al.  A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolality for use in electron-microscopy , 1965 .

[30]  C. Pomerat.  Dynamic neurogliology. , 1952, Texas reports on biology and medicine.