Abstract
Biochemical studies have indicated that the disialoganglioside, GD3, is a major glycolipid component of the immature vertebrate CNS, but a minor element within the mature CNS. We have investigated its cellular localization in rat CNS by immunofluorescence using a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes GD3. In tissue sections of postnatal CNS, the antibody bound to cells in several areas known to contain immature neuroectodermal populations: the subventricular zone beneath the lateral ventricle, the external germinative layer of the cerebellar cortex, and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. GD3-containing cells were also found in developing white matter of the forebrain and cerebellar folia. Using a double-label immunofluorescence method, we found that the GD3-positive white matter cells did not express the astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein. In adult rat CNS, we could not detect antibody binding to neurons or glia. Scattered GD3-positive cells were apparent in the adult subventricular zone. Our results indicate that GD3 ganglioside is a membrane component characteristically expressed in the rat CNS by neuroectodermal stem cells, both neuronal and glial precursors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 179-192 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | C |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1984 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Central nervous system
- Disialoganglioside
- Neuroectodermal cells
- Rat
- glycolipid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology