Satellite glial cells penetrate neurosecretory cells to perinuclear position in the goldfish preoptic area

Some goldfish neurosecretory cells have plasma membrane invaginations filled by processes of surrounding satellite glial cells (SCs) that produce trophospongium-like multicellular neuron-glial aggregates. Some penetrating SC processes approach the neuronal nucleus, reaching to within ∼40 nm of the outer nuclear membrane. Gap junctions were found in one freeze-fracture replica through an apparent neuronal-glial aggregate, suggesting that neuron-glial gap junctions may be present. The extensive covering and penetration of these neurons by SCs suggests trophic relationships and communication by undetermined modalities between neurons and glia. The common close proximity of invaginated SC processes to the neuronal nucleus may indicate that information is transmitted between SCs and the nucleus. Some SCs abut against the basal lamina of large blood vessels and contain dense vesicles, either secretory or lysosomal.