Rosalein R de Jonge

Publications (4)20.11 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Frank Baas

  Article: Expression of complement components in the peripheral nervous system.

  Rosalein R de Jonge, Ivo N van Schaik, Jeroen P Vreijling, Dirk Troost, Frank Baas
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  ABSTRACT: We have generated a SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) library of normal sciatic nerve and found tags encoding for mRNAs of the complement system highly represented. RNA (RT-PCR and northern blot hybridization) and protein (western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry) studies confirmed these findings. High expression of classical pathway components, alternative pathway components and inhibitory components was observed in specific regions of the sciatic nerve. The first components of complement were found in axons, whereas the inhibitory components were detected in the perineurium, thereby protecting the nerve from a complement attack. Immunoreactivity towards activated complement factors was noted in post traumatic neuromas and after acute crush injury, which exemplify nerve regeneration and degeneration. We propose that local production of complement in the peripheral nervous system participates in the protection of healthy nerve and is needed for efficient clearance of myelin after injury: a prerequisite for normal regeneration and remyelination of the peripheral nerve.
  Human Molecular Genetics 03/2004; 13(3):295-302. · 7.64 Impact Factor
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  Available from: Frank Baas

  Article: Transcriptional profile of the human peripheral nervous system by serial analysis of gene expression.

  Rosalein R de Jonge, Jeroen P Vreijling, Asker Meintjes, Marcel S G Kwa, A H C van Kampen, Ivo N van Schaik, Frank Baas
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  ABSTRACT: The peripheral nerve contains both nonmyelinating and myelinating Schwann cells. The interactions between axons, surrounding myelin, and Schwann cells are thought to be important for the correct functioning of the nervous system. To get insight into the genes involved in human myelination and maintenance of the myelin sheath and nerve, we performed a serial analysis of gene expression of human sciatic nerve and cultured Schwann cells. In the sciatic nerve library, we found high expression of genes encoding proteins related to lipid metabolism, the complement system, and the cell cycle, while cultured Schwann cells showed mainly high expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins. The results of our study will assist in the identification of genes involved in maintenance of myelin and peripheral nerve and of genes involved in inherited peripheral neuropathies.
  Genomics 09/2003; 82(2):97-108. · 3.02 Impact Factor
• Article: Autoimmunoreactivity to Schwann cells in patients with inflammatory neuropathies.

  Marcel S G Kwa, Ivo N van Schaik, Rosalein R De Jonge, Anneke Brand, Luba Kalaydjieva, Nico van Belzen, Marinus Vermeulen, Frank Baas
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  ABSTRACT: Inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies are characterized by a loss of peripheral nerve myelin. Myelin breakdown is thought to result from an autoimmune reaction towards nerve components. Schwann cells play a crucial role in the synthesis and maintenance of peripheral nerve myelin. An immune attack targeting Schwann cells could therefore affect myelin integrity, leading to disease. We studied the reactivity of sera from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) towards Schwann cells using immunofluorescence microscopy. We found 24% of the GBS (56 out of 233) and 26% of the CIDP (12 out of 46) patients to have circulating immunoglobulin G autoantibodies against proliferating, non-myelinating human Schwann cells. In contrast, healthy donors showed positive staining in only two out of 34 sera. No reaction was found with sera from patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders. Immunofluorescence was localized at the distal tips (leading lamella) of the Schwann cell processes. Distal tips of neurites (nerve-growth-cones) of in vitro differentiated non-myelinated hNT2 neurons also stained strongly. GBS and CIDP serum immunoreactivity was also observed in teased nerve fibre preparations. These data suggest that, at least part of the immunoreactivity is not directed against myelin, but towards non-myelin proteins and epitopes possibly involved in Schwann cell-axon interaction.
  Brain 03/2003; 126(Pt 2):361-75. · 9.46 Impact Factor
• Article: Transcriptional profile of the human peripheral nervous system by serial analysis of gene expression

  Rosalein R de Jonge, Jeroen P Vreijling, Asker Meintjes, Marcel S.G Kwa, A.H.C van Kampen, Ivo.N van Schaik, Frank Baas
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The peripheral nerve contains both nonmyelinating and myelinating Schwann cells. The interactions between axons, surrounding myelin, and Schwann cells are thought to be important for the correct functioning of the nervous system. To get insight into the genes involved in human myelination and maintenance of the myelin sheath and nerve, we performed a serial analysis of gene expression of human sciatic nerve and cultured Schwann cells. In the sciatic nerve library, we found high expression of genes encoding proteins related to lipid metabolism, the complement system, and the cell cycle, while cultured Schwann cells showed mainly high expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins. The results of our study will assist in the identification of genes involved in maintenance of myelin and peripheral nerve and of genes involved in inherited peripheral neuropathies.
  Genomics.