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Induction of molecular layer ectopias by puncture wounds in newborn rats and mice
G D Rosen1, G F Sherman, J M Richman
1Dyslexia Research Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.
Abstract:
Molecular layer ectopias spontaneously occur in immune-disordered mice, and the accompanying paper demonstrates that these ectopias are associated with a break in the external glial limiting membrane and with distortion of radial glial fibers at birth. It was hypothesized that injury to the developing neocortex is the main etiologic event for molecular layer ectopias. To test this hypothesis, puncture wounds were made on the surface of the cerebral cortex of newborn rats and mice. These wounds produced, in adulthood, molecular layer ectopias similar in appearance to those seen spontaneously in immune-disordered mice. Further, these ectopias show similar distortions of radial glial fibers during development, and of neurofilaments in adulthood. This work supports the notion that injury could be a factor in the production of molecular layer ectopias.
Insights
Neocortical injury in newborns can cause molecular layer ectopias, which are developmental brain abnormalities. This study found that experimentally induced injuries mimic spontaneous ectopias seen in immune-disordered mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Molecular layer ectopias are observed in immune-disordered mice.
- These ectopias correlate with disruptions in the glial limiting membrane and radial glial fibers at birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that injury to the developing neocortex is a primary cause of molecular layer ectopias.
- To determine if experimentally induced cortical injury can replicate spontaneous molecular layer ectopias.
Main Methods:
- Puncture wounds were surgically created on the surface of the cerebral cortex in newborn rats and mice.
- The resulting brain structures were examined in adulthood for the presence and characteristics of molecular layer ectopias.
Main Results:
- Experimentally induced cortical wounds resulted in molecular layer ectopias in adulthood.
- These induced ectopias exhibited similar morphological features to those found spontaneously.
- Distortions in radial glial fibers during development and neurofilaments in adulthood were observed in the experimentally induced ectopias.
Conclusions:
- Cortical injury in early development is a significant factor in the etiology of molecular layer ectopias.
- This finding supports the hypothesis that external injury can lead to these specific cortical malformations.