Subsurface cisterna-lined axonal invaginations and double-walled vesicles at the axonal-myelin sheath interface

Neurosci Res. 2005 Nov;53(3):298-303. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2005.07.006. Epub 2005 Aug 29.

Abstract

The axonal-myelin sheath interface of vertebrate myelinated axons possesses special structural complexities, and there may be an intercellular macromolecular traffic transversing the periaxonal cleft that spans the internodal axon. By conventional electron microscopy and serial sectioning, we observed a category of double-walled vesicles at the axonal-myelin sheath interface, which often contained ribosome-like particles or endoplasmic reticulum. Some of them were demonstrated to continue with the subjacent axon with a thin stalk. In addition, we described a special category of axonal invaginations, probably mediated by subsurface cisternae. The functional implications of these specialized structures were discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Axons / ultrastructure*
  • Cell Membrane Structures / physiology
  • Cell Membrane Structures / ultrastructure*
  • Chickens
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / physiology
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / physiology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / ultrastructure*
  • Myelin Sheath / physiology
  • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure*
  • Ribosomes / physiology
  • Ribosomes / ultrastructure
  • Spinal Cord / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / ultrastructure*