Opalski cells

An Opalski cell is a large (up to 35 μm in diameter) altered glial cell, originated from degenerating astrocytes. They are described by small, eccentric, pyknotic, densely staining nuclei (single or multiple) displaced to the periphery, and fine granular cytoplasm. Opalski cells are typically found in the cortical and subcortical regions (basal ganglia and thalamus) of the brains of individuals with Wilson disease and acquired hepatocerebral degeneration. Opalski cells were first described by Polish neurologist and neuropathologist Adam Opalski in 1930.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

How it looks

In a study, it explains the ultrastructural features of Opalski cells. As seen in the document, Opalski cells have a more reduced organelle. These reduced organelles include a low number of mitochondria, a not so thickly grown endoplasmic reticulum, and reduced Golgi apparatus.^[6] These show the degenerative properties of the Opalski cells when compared regular cells. This also shows what the Opalski cell looks like from electron microscopy.

Location in the brain

In another study, the authors inspect autopsy brain tissues which contain Wilson's disease with three types of abnormal cells. The three abnormal cells that were in the study were Alzheimer's type 1, Alzheimer's type 2, and Opalski cells. As the authors examined which of the three abnormal cells would have more progression in damaging the selected regions of the brain. There was an abundant amount of Alzheimer's type 2 in the putamen area and Alzheimer's type 1 had the least abundant in comparison. Opalski cells mostly preferred the putamen area of the brain.^[7] This shows the where Opalski cells are located in Wilson's disease, and how Opalski cells have a degenerative response in copper toxicity.

History

Between the years of 1928 and 1929, Opalski went to Munich for an internship in Germany. During this internship he would examine altered glial cells occurring in the brain in Wilson's disease. These cells in this disease would then be known as Opalski cells from an out grown giant glial cell. Professors Alzheimer and Spielmayer who did not see these cells which the tissue had the Opalski cells on it.^[8]

Wilson's Disease

Wilson's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that prevents the body from removing the copper out of the body's system. This then leads to the accumulation of copper in the human body. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation in the ATP7B gene which is involved in the transportation of copper within the human body. Also not only is Opalski cell connected to Wilson's disease, but also Alzheimer's type 1 and Alzheimer's type 2.^[9][10]

Pathological and overview of Opalski cells

In a pathologic way of Opalski cells from Wilson's disease show no main changes as seen in the initial reports from S. Wilson. Also this was seen in a gross examination in which the brain show no modification. Although it sometimes shows atrophic in longer lasting cases but no hectic forms of Wilson's disease.^[11] An Opalski cell is a big altered glial cell with small shrunken nucleus.^[12]

References

1. "Jerzy Kulczycki. Professor Adam Opalski (1897-1963) – neurologist and neuropathologist. Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska 2009; 43, 4" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
2. Opalski, A. (1930). "Über eine besondere Art von Gliazellen bei der Wilson-Pseudosklerosegruppe". Zeitschrift für die gesamte Neurologie und Psychiatrie. 124: 420–425. doi:10.1007/BF02865108.
3. Mossakowski, M. J. (1965). "Some remarks on the morphology and histochemistry of the so-called Opalski cells". Acta Neuropathologica. 4 (6): 659–68. doi:10.1007/BF00691216. PMID 5886838.
4. William Pryse-Phillips. Companion to Clinical Neurology. 2003
5. Susan L. Bartolucci, Thomas Lathrop Stedman, Pat Forbis, CMT. Stedman's Medical Eponyms. 2005
6. Mossakowski, M. J.; Borowicz, J. W.; Kraśnicka, Z.; Gajkowska, J. (1971). "Ultrastructure of Opalski cells cultured in vitro: Preliminary report". Acta Neuropathologica. 19 (4): 301–306. doi:10.1007/BF00692150. ISSN 0001-6322.
7. Stępień, Tomasz; Wierzba-Bobrowicz, Teresa; Lewandowska, Eliza; Szpak, Grażyna (2012). "Original article Morphological and quantitative analysis of cerebellar cortical cells in Alzheimer's disease". Folia Neuropathologica. 3: 250–260. doi:10.5114/fn.2012.30525. ISSN 1641-4640.
8. Rytel, Liliana; Lech, Piotr; Szymanska, Kamila; Gonkowski, Slawomir (2018). "Adam Opalski (1897–1963)". Journal of Neurology. 265 (7): 1730–1731. doi:10.1007/s00415-017-8704-8. ISSN 0340-5354. PMC 6022530. PMID 29249056.
9. Pfeiffer, Ronald (2007). "Wilson's Disease". Seminars in Neurology. 27 (2): 123–132. doi:10.1055/s-2007-971173. ISSN 0271-8235.
10. Gromadzka, Grażyna; Czerwińska, Julia; Krzemińska, Elżbieta; Przybyłkowski, Adam; Litwin, Tomasz (2024-08-20). "Wilson's Disease—Crossroads of Genetics, Inflammation and Immunity/Autoimmunity: Clinical and Molecular Issues". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 25 (16): 9034. doi:10.3390/ijms25169034. ISSN 1422-0067. PMC 11354778. PMID 39201720.
11. Poujois, Aurélia; Mikol, Jacqueline; Woimant, France (2017-01-01), Członkowska, Anna; Schilsky, Michael L. (eds.), "Chapter 8 - Wilson disease: brain pathology", Handbook of Clinical Neurology, vol. 142, Elsevier, pp. 77–89, doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-63625-6.00008-2, ISBN 978-0-444-63625-6, retrieved 2025-10-14
12. Stevens, Stevens, A (2018). "The Brain in Wilson's Disease: A Basic Account. Wilson's Disease Support Group UK" (PDF).