The involvement of the neuronal Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network inthe human olivary hypertrophy

We studied the Golgi apparatus (GA) and trans-Golgi network (TGN) in the hu man olivary hypertrophy by immunohistological methods with organelle specif ic antibodies against the medial cisternae of the organelle (MG160) and the trans-Golgi network (TGN46). The GA and TGN of enlarged neurons in the inf erior olivary nuclei in the early stages after central tract lesions lost t he normal network-like configuration, and they were reduced to numerous sma ll disconnected granules (fragmentation). In chronic stages after lesions, the GA and TGN of vacuolated or enlarged neurons showed a variety of morpho logical profiles, such as normal-looking patterns, fragmentation, reduction in number, and aggregation around nuclei or at a distance in the cytoplasm . In patients with multiple system atrophy, the GA and TGN of the neurons i n the inferior olivary nuclei showed almost similar findings to those seen in the chronic stages after brainstem lesions. These results suggest that t he GA and TGN are affected in degenerating neurons by anterograde transneur onal mechanisms. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.