INTRODUCTION - In the developing brain neuronal differentiation is associated with permanent exit from the mitotic cycle. Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) is a nuclear protein widely expressed in the mature postmitotic neurons. METHODS - We applied NeuN immunocytochemistry in 65 cases of perinatal death (16 victims of sudden intrauterine unexplained death syndrome/SIUDS, 19 of sudden infant death syndrome/SIDS and 30 Controls) to test the physiological status of the brain neurons. In addition we applied both TUNEL and activated-Caspase 3 immunohistochemical methods in order to highlight neuronal death and evaluate a possible relation between decreased NeuN expression and apoptotic outcome. We also attempted to see whether or not NeuN pathological changes can be related to cigarette smoke absorption in pregnancy. RESULTS - NeuN staining was considerably reduced or lost in SIUDS/SIDS compared to controls. However neurons with decreased NeuN-labeling showed no sign of apoptosis. A significant association was found between NeuN depletion and maternal smoking. CONCLUSION – Altered NeuN expression can be a marker of immature and/or suffering neurons. The exclusive presence of this pattern of expression in SIUDS/SIDS victims, leads us to recommend the NeuN immunohistochemistry as a routine method in neuropathological protocols to convalidate a diagnosis of sudden perinatal death.

Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN): a useful marker of neuronal immaturity in sudden unexplained perinatal death / A.M. Lavezzi, M.F. Corna, L. Matturri. - In: JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. - ISSN 0022-510X. - 329:1-2(2013 Jun 15), pp. 45-50.

Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN): a useful marker of neuronal immaturity in sudden unexplained perinatal death

A.M. Lavezzi
Primo
;
M.F. Corna
Secondo
;
L. Matturri
Ultimo
2013

Abstract

INTRODUCTION - In the developing brain neuronal differentiation is associated with permanent exit from the mitotic cycle. Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) is a nuclear protein widely expressed in the mature postmitotic neurons. METHODS - We applied NeuN immunocytochemistry in 65 cases of perinatal death (16 victims of sudden intrauterine unexplained death syndrome/SIUDS, 19 of sudden infant death syndrome/SIDS and 30 Controls) to test the physiological status of the brain neurons. In addition we applied both TUNEL and activated-Caspase 3 immunohistochemical methods in order to highlight neuronal death and evaluate a possible relation between decreased NeuN expression and apoptotic outcome. We also attempted to see whether or not NeuN pathological changes can be related to cigarette smoke absorption in pregnancy. RESULTS - NeuN staining was considerably reduced or lost in SIUDS/SIDS compared to controls. However neurons with decreased NeuN-labeling showed no sign of apoptosis. A significant association was found between NeuN depletion and maternal smoking. CONCLUSION – Altered NeuN expression can be a marker of immature and/or suffering neurons. The exclusive presence of this pattern of expression in SIUDS/SIDS victims, leads us to recommend the NeuN immunohistochemistry as a routine method in neuropathological protocols to convalidate a diagnosis of sudden perinatal death.
Environmental risk factors; Maternal smoking; NeuN; Neuropathology; SIDS; SIUDS
Settore MED/08 - Anatomia Patologica
15-giu-2013
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/219470
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