The reactive oligodendrocyte. An electron microscopic study of cerebral cortex following alpha particle irradiation

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Abstract
The ultrastructural features of oligodendrocytes have been studied in a zone of cerebral cortex in which all neurons are destroyed and numerous processes damaged by heavy ionizing particles. This type of lesion fails to reveal signs of vascular inflammation and classical “gitter cells” in light microscopy or any signs of debris fragments in electron microscopy. Oligodendrocyte satellites of neurons or their processes display an acute swelling associated with signs of neuronal damage. This is followed by a marked increase in a morphologically rich variety of dense osmiophilic organelles of granular, lamellar, crystalline or amorphous sub‐structure. Acid phosphatase activity has been demonstrated in some of these organelles, thus implying a participation in “lysosomal” intracellular breakdown. Invasion by microgliacytes and phagocytosis was not observed. Present evidence supports the efficacy of intracellular mechanisms in the breakdown of degenerating material and suggests a re‐evaluation of the evidence for identification of microglia on the basis of granular inclusions.

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