Publication
Title
Characterization of ubiquitinated intraneuronal inclusions in a novel Belgian frontotemporal lobar degeneration family
Author
Abstract
The most common histologic feature in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is intracellular brain inclusions of yet uncharacterized proteins that react with antiubiquitin (Ub) antibodies, but not with tau or synuclein (FTLD-U). We identified a four-generation Belgian FTLD family in which 8 patients had dominantly inherited FTLD. In one patient, we showed frontotemporal atrophy with filamentous Ub-positive intracellular inclusions in absence of tau pathology or any alterations in the levels of soluble tau. We characterized the cellular and subcellular localization and morphology of the inclusions. Ub-positive inclusions predominantly occurred within neurons (> 97%), but were also observed within oligodendroglia (approximately 2%) and microglia (< 1%), but not within astroglia. Regarding the subcellular localization, the intranuclear inclusions (INI) were up to approximately four-fold more frequent than the cytoplasmic inclusions, although the latter were more specific to neurons. The INIs frequently appeared spindle-shaped and 3-dimensional confocal reconstructions identified flattened, leaf-like structures. Ultrastructurally, straight 10- to 18-nm-diameter filaments constituted the spindle-shaped inclusions that occurred in close proximity to the nuclear membrane. Staining for HSP40, p62, and valosin/p97 was observed in only a minority of the inclusions. Whereas the precise nature of the protein would be helpful in identifying a common denominator in the pathogenesis of familial and the more prevalent sporadic FTLD-U.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology. - New York, N.Y.
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2006
ISSN
0022-3069
DOI
10.1097/01.JNEN.0000205147.39210.C7
Volume/pages
65 :3 (2006) , p. 289-301
ISI
000238070700010
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2008
Last edited 04.03.2024
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