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Multinucleated astrocytes in old demyelinated plaques in a patient with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Nishie Makoto,
Mori Fumiaki,
Ogawa Masaya,
Sannohe Seiya,
Tanno Kouzou,
Kurahashi Kozo,
Kuroda Naohito,
Wakabayashi Koichi
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
neuropathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1440-1789
pISSN - 0919-6544
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2004.00548.x
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , gliosis , pathology , giant cell , microglia , multinucleate , medicine , lymphocytic infiltration , infiltration (hvac) , inflammation , immunology , physics , thermodynamics
A 51‐year‐old woman with MS of 26 years duration is reported. The patient's MS history began at the age of 25 years with an initial relapsing‐remitting course, followed by slow progression without distinct relapses. She became bed‐ridden at the age of 40 years. A post‐mortem examination revealed numerous demyelinated plaques that exhibited fibrillary gliosis with Rosenthal fibers, but without lymphocytic cuffing or foamy macrophages. Activated microglia were found mainly in the marginal portion of the plaques. These plaques were consistent with so‐called ‘slowly expanding plaques’. Interestingly, multinucleated astrocytes were observed within the plaques, being more numerous in the area where microglial infiltration had occurred. These findings suggest that mild persistent inflammatory processes are present even in old plaques and that certain inflammatory stimuli cause multinucleation of astrocytes. This might explain the gradual deterioration without definite relapses observed in the late stage of MS.