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DNA end labeling (TUNEL) in Huntington's disease and other neuropathological conditions

L B Thomas1, D J Gates, E K Richfield

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163, USA.

Experimental Neurology
|June 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

The Tdt-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique identifies DNA fragmentation during cell death. Huntington

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Apoptosis involves DNA cleavage into fragments by calcium-dependent endonuclease.
  • Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) can label these DNA fragments for immunohistochemical visualization.
  • Limited evaluation of DNA fragmentation labeling exists for human central nervous system diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique in human neuropathological conditions.
  • To specifically assess the TUNEL technique's effectiveness in identifying cell death mechanisms in Huntington's disease (HD).

Main Methods:

  • Application of the TUNEL technique to analyze brain tissue from various neuropathological conditions.
  • Comparative analysis of TUNEL labeling in Huntington's disease versus other neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Examination of TUNEL-positive neurons and astrocytes in different grades of Huntington's disease.

Main Results:

  • Huntington's disease exhibited significant and consistent TUNEL labeling, suggesting a unique cell death mechanism.
  • TUNEL-positive neurons were detected across all studied grades (1-4) of Huntington's disease neostriatum.
  • Labeled astrocytes were predominantly observed in lower grades (1-2) of Huntington's disease.
  • TUNEL-positive cells were also identified in glioblastoma multiforme and traumatic brain injury cases.

Conclusions:

  • The TUNEL technique may be valuable for identifying both apoptosis and necrosis in specific neuropathological contexts.
  • The distinct labeling pattern in Huntington's disease warrants further investigation into its cell death pathways.
  • Limitations of the TUNEL technique in neuropathology require consideration for accurate interpretation.

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