LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATION OF SOME LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES IN AMEBOID MICROGLIA IN NEONATAL RAT-BRAIN

Abstract

Amoeboid microglial cells in the corpus callosum of neonatal rats contained acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase and ATPase. EM showed that the activity of acid phosphatase was over the Golgi complex and the closely packed cytoplasmic granules. Long tubular profiles which may be formed by the fusion of secretory granules also exhibited a similar enzyme reaction. The sites of activity of aryl sulfatase corresponded to those of acid phosphatase but preferably over the secretory granules. The cells also demonstrated strong ATPase activity as shown by light microscopy. The amoeboid microglial cells in the neonatal brain are apparently active phagocytes and may play a significant role in the early growth of nervous tissue.