SYNAPTOPHYSIN AND CHROMOGRANIN-A IMMUNOREACTIVITIES OF LEWY BODIES INPARKINSONS-DISEASE BRAINS

Lewy bodies commonly observed in brains with Parkinson's disease (PD) histochemically contain both protein and lipid as chemical components. Ultrastructurally, they are composed of filamentous, vesicular and gr anular structures. We investigated PD brains with light and electron m icroscopic immunohistochemistry using antibodies against two marker pr oteins for neuronal secretory vesicles, synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Both antibodies immunolabeled the peripheral zones and occasionall y central cores of Lewy bodies of the classical and intraneuritic type s. In addition, the diffuse immunolabeling was observed in Lewy bodies of the cortical type. Furthermore, the ultrastructural immune-decorat ion was found mainly in the vesicular structures, and also in the fila mentous and granular structures of Lewy bodies. Immune-blot analysis o f each antibody showed no difference between PD and normal control bra ins. The present observations suggest that vesicular profiles of Lewy bodies represent presynaptic and dense core secretory vesicles, and th erefore that the lipid elements of Lewy bodies are derived from membra ne lipids of these vesicles.