SCHWANN-CELL NUCLEAR REMODELING AND FORMATION OF NUCLEAR AND COILED BODIES IN GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

We have examined the reorganization of the cell nucleus in myelin-rela ted Schwann cells (SCs) in a case of acute Guillain-Barre syndrome (GB S). Spinal root samples of the GBS case and human controls were proces sed for light and electron microscopy. The cytochemical EDTA method fo r ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) and a specific silver staining technique f or nucleolar organizer regions were used on ultrathin sections. In SCs of the GBS case, we observed a significant increase in nuclear size ( 64.99 +/- 10.47 mu m(2) in the GBS vs 35.07 +/- 8.74 mu m(2) in the co ntrols, mean +/- SD) accompanying partial decondensation of heterochro matin domains and elaboration of an extensive network of RNP-containin g perichromatin fibrils, In addition, the formation of two types of nu clear structures, celled bodies and nuclear bodies of Bouteille, was i nduced in SCs of the case of acute GBS. Free coiled bodies were observ ed in the nucleoplasm and were characteristically stained with both RN P and silver procedures. Typical ''simple'' and ''complex'' nuclear bo dies were regularly found, sometimes in association with coiled bodies . On the basis of cell nucleus physiology, all of these changes are co nsidered cytological indicators of enhanced transcription and cellular hyperactivity, and they seem to reflect a reactive response of SCs tr iggered by the constellation of cellular and humoral signals associate d with acute GBS.