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Paired twisted filaments in human pinealocytes
A Hasegawa1, H Shimada, N Izumiyama
1Department of Pathology, Odawara Municipal Hospital, Japan.
Acta Pathologica Japonica
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Paired twisted filaments (PTF) were ultrastructurally identified in the human pineal gland for the first time. These structures suggest human pinealocytes
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- The human pineal gland's cellular composition and ultrastructure are not fully elucidated.
- Intermediate filaments are crucial cellular components, but their specific forms in the pineal gland require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ultrastructurally characterize paired twisted filaments (PTF) in the normal human pineal gland.
- To investigate the presence and distribution of PTF in relation to age.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy.
- Examination of pineal gland tissue from autopsied middle-aged to elderly individuals.
Main Results:
- Paired twisted filaments (PTF) with a double helical structure (12-25 nm width, 30-35 nm half-periodicity) were identified in human pinealocytes.
- PTF were observed in 8 out of 12 individuals, primarily in the perikaryotic cytoplasm.
- Presence of PTF correlated with age, suggesting potential age-related changes.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first ultrastructural description of PTF in the normal human pineal gland.
- PTF in human pinealocytes may represent an age-related phenomenon, indicating potential early deterioration of intermediate filaments compared to other neurons.