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Immunoreactivity pattern of calretinin in the developing human cerebellar cortex
Valeria Pibiri1, Clara Gerosa1, Laura Vinci1
1Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Acta Histochemica
|February 9, 2017
Summary
Calretinin expression in the developing human cerebellum changes over gestation. This calcium-binding protein marks Purkinje cells and interneurons, suggesting a role in regulating neuronal excitability during development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Calretinin is a calcium-binding protein crucial for neuronal function.
- Understanding its expression patterns during human cerebellar development is essential for insights into neurodevelopmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of calretinin in the developing human cerebellum.
- To identify cellular targets of calretinin during different intrauterine developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect calretinin expression in human cerebellum samples.
- Samples were obtained from fetuses and newborns aged 11 to 38 weeks of gestation.
Main Results:
- Calretinin expression was absent at 11 weeks gestation.
- From 18-24 weeks, calretinin was detected in migrating Purkinje cells and interneurons.
- By 30-38 weeks, most Purkinje cells, interneurons, and granule cells showed calretinin immunoreactivity.
Conclusions:
- Calretinin serves as a marker for developing Purkinje cells, migrating interneurons, and granule cells.
- The findings suggest calretinin plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability during human cerebellar development.
