Autori: Viorel Pais, Leon Danaila

Editorial: Proceedings of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2009.

Rezumat:

Introduction. This study is to understand the full role of the ICs of the human cerebral arteries, because their function is now scarcely known. Methods. We used light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy to describe distribution, morphology and cell interaction regarding ICs identified in the brain in clinical conditions after surgery. Results. We observed ICs located along the arterial surface as well as on the cortical surface with different morphologies and densities, and their ultrastructure was typical of the ICs of Cajal. There were subtypes of ICs or cell modulations according to each situation. In cases with perivascular hemorrhages, we identified stratified ICs with adherent red blood cells, impeding the bleeding. A single IC was significantly curved around several red blood cells, probable acting as a fine sensor. On the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, ICs surrounding red blood cells were also visualized, suggesting a cortical protection against the hematic invasion. In cases with arteriovenous malformations, ICs were close applied to the neural tissue, suggesting an inhibitory control of the abnormal growth or cell migration. In cases with tumors, the ICs also surrounded very close small groups of tumoral cells, suggesting same inhibitory control of tumoral growth and movement. Conclusion. This study demonstrates multiple and active protective roles of ICs in different intracranial conditions. Based on the above observations, we propose a new cytodynamic theory for ICs involvement in the human brain. The theory emphasizes the multifaceted perivascular and pericortical protection by means of multifunctional ICs reflecting their capabilities for each situation.

Cuvinte cheie: Neuroprotection, interstitial cell, electron microscopy

URL: http://www.aans.org/Media/Article.aspx?ArticleId=53671