Vascular pathology in galactosialidosis

This article immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally examines a brain w ith galactosialidosis, focusing on the structure of blood vessel endotheliu m. Lysosomes were observed in the expanded cytoplasm of the endothelial cel ls, which were vacuolated by light microscopy. Immunoreactivity for CD31, o ne of the vascular cell adhesion molecules, was minimal to faint in endothe lial cells with vacuolations. The loss of CD31 immunoreactivity and breakdo wn of vascular cell adhesion molecules in vacuolated endothelial cells seem to promote the development of brain infarctions. Moreover, diffuse and Var ious degrees of axonal damage, most likely caused by vascular disorder in c erebral or cerebellar white matter, was reported using the amyloid precurso r protein (APP) immunohistochemical method.