Porencephaly in a cynomolgus monkey ( macaca fascicularis )

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Primate Pathology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Porencephaly is a severe congenital brain malformation characterized by cystic or شکاف cavities within the cerebral hemispheres.
• While documented in various species, its occurrence and underlying cellular mechanisms in non-human primates like cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of porencephaly in a female cynomolgus monkey.
• To characterize the neuropathological features, including the nature of cells within the lesions.
• To investigate the potential cellular origins of the observed brain abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Gross pathological examination of the brain.
• Histopathological analysis of affected cerebral tissues.
• Immunohistochemical staining for neural and glial markers (Musashi 1, NeuN, GFAP).

Main Results:

• A 5-year, 7-month-old female cynomolgus monkey presented with diffuse cerebral excavation and defects in the hemispheric wall, connecting the ventricles to the arachnoid space.
• Bilateral occipital lobe atrophy was noted.
• Histopathology revealed fibrous gliosis, hemosiderin/lipofuscin deposition in macrophages, and activated astrocytes.
• Small round cells in the cavity roof tissue were positive for Musashi 1 and negative for NeuN and GFAP, suggesting they are neural or glial precursor cells.

Conclusions:

• This case details porencephaly in a cynomolgus monkey, presenting unique neuropathological findings.
• The presence of Musashi 1-positive, NeuN/GFAP-negative cells suggests a role for neural or glial precursor cells in the pathogenesis or repair of the porencephalic cavity.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the etiology and developmental implications of porencephaly in non-human primates.