Cellular and axonal diversity in molecular layer heterotopia of the rat cerebellar vermis

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:805467. doi: 10.1155/2013/805467. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

Abstract

Molecular layer heterotopia of the cerebellar primary fissure are a characteristic of many rat strains and are hypothesized to result from defect of granule cells exiting the external granule cell layer during cerebellar development. However, the cellular and axonal constituents of these malformations remain poorly understood. In the present report, we use histochemistry and immunocytochemistry to identify neuronal, glial, and axonal classes in molecular layer heterotopia. In particular, we identify parvalbumin-expressing molecular layer interneurons in heterotopia as well as three glial cell types including Bergmann glia, Olig2-expressing oligodendrocytes, and Iba1-expressing microglia. In addition, we document the presence of myelinated, serotonergic, catecholaminergic, and cholinergic axons in heterotopia indicating possible spinal and brainstem afferent projections to heterotopic cells. These findings are relevant toward understanding the mechanisms of normal and abnormal cerebellar development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons* / metabolism
  • Axons* / pathology
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Cerebellum* / growth & development
  • Cerebellum* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neuroglia* / metabolism
  • Neuroglia* / pathology
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia* / metabolism
  • Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia* / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Olig2 protein, rat
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2

Supplementary concepts

  • Periventricular Laminar Heterotopia