Changes in the distribution of anionic sites in brain micro-blood vessels with and without amyloid deposits in scrapie-infected mice

Cationic colloidal gold (CCG) and scrapie-infected mouse brain samples embedded in Lowicryl K4M were used for ultrastructural localization of negatively charged microdomains (anionic sites) in the cerebral microvasculature. The distribution of anionic sites on both fronts (luminal and abluminal) of endothelial cells and in the basement membrane (BM) in the majority of micro-blood vessels (MBVs) located outside the plaque area and in the remaining cerebral cortex was similar to that which has been previously observed in non-infected animals. Some MBVs (especially capillaries), however, located inside the plaque areas and surrounded directly by amyloid fibers contained attenuated endothelium, the luminal surface of which showed a segmental lack or diminution of anionic sites. In these vessels the BM was frequently infiltrated and replaced by the amyloid fibers. In some vessels located mainly in the areas of the neuropil vacuolization deposits of homogenous material causing the thickening of the BM were noted. These changes were accompanied by irregular labeling of the BM with gold particles. At the sites of bifurcation of some MBVs, predominantly in the area of the venular estuary at the mouth of capillary (at capillary-venular connections), a discontinuity in the distribution of anionic sites was noted. The observed disturbances in the distribution of anionic sites can be associated with a previously noted increased permeability of some MBVs in the brains of scrapie-infected mice.