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Urokinase plasminogen activator colocalizes with CD25+ cells in atherosclerotic vessels.

Proteolytic activity in vascular tissue is necessary for cellular migration, remodelling of extracellular matrix and the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages, are numerous in atherosclerotic plaques and may synthesize and secrete proteolytic enzymes. The principal activator of plasminogen in tissues is urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA). To determine if an activated phenotype of inflammatory cells colocalizes with local expression of u-PA in atherosclerotic vessels, vascular biopsies from 15 patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on consecutive sections. Anti-CD68 antibodies were used as markers for macrophages and were positive in 14/15 specimens. Anti-CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor-alpha) antibodies were used to identify inflammatory cells with an activated phenotype and were positive in 9/14 CD68+ specimens. The same 9 specimens were positive for u-PA. A positive reaction for u-PA was found only in specimens with CD25+ cells. Specimens with positive reactions for all three antibodies were further analyzed with computer-assisted image analysis. The colocalization with u-PA was higher for CD25 compared to CD68 in all specimens. Mean percentage of the u-PA-positive area in regions positive for cellular markers was 52% (SEM 6%) for CD25 and 19% (SEM 5%) for CD68 (p < 0.01). The results indicated that the activation of macrophages in atherosclerotic vessels may modulate local proteolysis and be of importance in plaque development and stability.

Aged

Colocalization of delta sleep inducing peptide and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in neurosecretory vesicles in rat median eminence.

The colocalization of immunoreactivities similar to delta sleep inducing peptide (DSIP) and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in the rat median eminence. At the light microscopic level, DSIP and LH-RH immunostained fibers, and varicosities exhibited a similar distribution pattern throughout the median eminence. Immunoreactive axons were mainly found in the lateral part of the external layer. Using an elution-restaining technique, the coexistence of LH-RH and DSIP immunoreactivities was observed in most labelled axons. To determine the intracellular localization of DSIP and LH-RH, we used double immunocytochemical labelling with species-specific antibodies and secondary antibodies conjugated to different sizes of gold particles. The two peptides were found colocalized in single axons. Immunoreactive terminals frequently showed direct membrane apposition with tanycyte processes but rare contacts with portal capillaries. No staining was observed in tanycytes and ependymal or glial elements. Moreover, we could demonstrate that LH-RH and DSIP (or a closely related molecular form) are contained not only in the same axons, but also in the same approximately 100-nm dense-core vesicles, suggesting cosecretion of these peptides.

Animals

Calretinin in the rat pituitary: colocalization with thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of calretinin immunoreactivity (CR) in the male rat pituitary gland by immunofluorescence microscopy. CR was found in cells of the anterior pituitary and in granules in the posterior pituitary. In the intermediate lobe, nerve fibers in close proximity to the melanotropes were CR-immunoreactive (CR-ir). Fine CR-ir varicose fibers were also observed in the anterior and posterior pituitary. Colocalization studies revealed that the majority of the CR-containing cells of the anterior pituitary also contained thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These CR/TSH cells represented about 32% of the thyrotrope population. Following thyroidectomy, a massive increase in both the number of CR-ir cells and in the expression of CR mRNA was observed in the anterior pituitary. Thyroxine treatment, however, resulted in a reduction in the number and size of the CR-ir cells in the same lobe. In the intermediate lobe, CR-ir was colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive dopaminergic fibers. These intermediate lobe fibers disappeared following pituitary stalk section, as did the CR/TH fibers and the CR-ir granular material in the posterior pituitary. The findings in the anterior pituitary suggest that consideration be given to the idea that CR might function in the synthesis and/or release mechanism of TSH in thyrotropes and that its expression is modulated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Animals

C-reactive protein frequently colocalizes with the terminal complement complex in the intima of early atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries.

There is increasing evidence that complement activation may play a role in atherogenesis. Complement proteins have been demonstrated to be present in early atherosclerotic lesions of animals and humans, and cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation is reduced in complement-deficient animals. Potential complement activators in atherosclerotic lesions are now a subject matter of debate. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein that is involved in inflammatory processes in numerous ways. It binds to lipoproteins and activates the complement system via the classic pathway. In this study we have investigated early atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries by means of immunohistochemical staining. We demonstrate here that CRP deposits in the arterial wall in early atherosclerotic lesions with 2 predominant manifestations. First, there is a diffuse rather than a focal deposition in the deep fibroelastic layer and in the fibromuscular layer of the intima adjacent to the media. In this location, CRP frequently colocalizes with the terminal complement complex. Second, the majority of foam cells below the endothelium show positive staining for CRP. In this location, no colocalization with the terminal complement proteins can be observed. Our data suggest that CRP may promote atherosclerotic lesion formation by activating the complement system and being involved in foam cell formation.

Animals

Endogenous retinoic acid signaling colocalizes with advanced expression of the adult smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform during development of the ductus arteriosus.

During fetal development, a specialized vessel the ductus arteriosus, shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, thus bypassing the lungs. The ductus differs primarily from the great vessels in that it is a muscular rather than an elastic artery, and the etiology of this differential development remains controversial. We present evidence that retinoic acid (RA) may contribute to the unique muscle phenotype of the ductus arteriosus. Using a transgenic mouse carrying an RA response element-lacZ transgene that expresses beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) in response to endogenous RA signals during embryonic and fetal development, we observe a strong beta-gal signal in the ductus arteriosus. By immunofluorescence, this signal colocalizes with the expression of the adult-specific smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform, SM2. The beta-gal signal is present throughout fetal development and persists in the neonate until the ductus arteriosus is completely closed. beta-Gal-positive cells are first detected by immunofluorescence at 13.5 days postcoitum (dpc) in the mesenchyme surrounding the ductus. By 15.5 dpc, very intense beta-gal staining localizes to the ductus arteriosus but is absent or minimal in the pulmonary trunk and aortic arch; by 17.5 dpc, the smooth muscle layers of the tunica media in the ductus arteriosus exhibit positive beta-gal staining. Immunostaining with antibodies against smooth muscle myosins shows that, while SM1 is expressed in all embryonic vessels, SM2 is precociously expressed in the ductus arteriosus. Furthermore, SM2 expression can be detected in the ductus as early as 15.5 dpc. In the neonate, the beta-gal signal persists in the smooth muscle layer of the ductus and immunostaining colocalizes with SM2 expression. These data suggest that RA may play a role in inducing and maintaining smooth muscle differentiation in the developing ductus arteriosus and may promote precocious expression of the adult vascular phenotype.

Animals

Immunocytochemical localization of protein kinase-C subtypes in anterior pituitary cells: colocalization in hormone-containing cells reveals heterogeneity.

We have examined the distribution and colocalization of protein kinase-C (PKC) in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells by light microscopic immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to group A rat brain PKC subspecies. Type I (PKC gamma) was not detected in the cells, in line with the assertion that the gamma-enzyme is expressed specifically in central nervous tissues. The other subspecies recognized by the antibodies (PKC beta and PKC alpha) were present throughout the cytoplasm in a diffused pattern, while the nuclei were apparently unstained. The number of cells stained with the antibodies in juvenile animals (12 days old) increased rapidly with age and reached a plateau between adult (5-month-old) and older (1-yr-old) rats. Type II (PKC beta) was the predominant subspecies detected in anterior pituitary cells. Double immunofluorescence staining techniques enabled the colocalization of PKC with various anterior pituitary cell types. Surprisingly, not all of the hormone-producing cells were stained with the PKC antibodies. Moreover, within the different pituitary cell types, the percentage of PKC-stained cells varied, revealing heterogeneity among the various cell populations. Thus, among somatrophs, mammotrophs, thyrotrophs, ACTH-containing cells, and gonadotrophs, only 9%, 22%, 13%, 44%, and 26%, respectively, reacted with the PKC antibodies. We suggest that activation of pituitary PKC might mobilize only a fraction of the hormone-containing cells.

Animals

Immunocytochemical colocalization of hypothalamic progestin receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase in steroid-treated monkeys.

Progesterone (P)-induced PRL secretion in estradiol (E)-primed monkeys is not due to direct pituitary stimulation, because lactotropes do not express progestin receptors (PR). However, the hypothalamus, particularly the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system (TIDA), plays a major role in the regulation of PRL secretion. To determine whether hypothalamic dopamine neurons are progestin target cells, the colocalization of PR and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a phenotypic marker of dopaminergic neurons, was examined with double immunocytochemistry. Two methods for visualizing the antigens were applied; the first was a dual peroxidase method, and the second was a peroxidase-alkaline phosphatase method. In addition, the question of whether E induces PR in dopamine neurons was explored. Spayed female monkeys were treated with empty Silastic capsules, E-filled capsules for a period of 28 days, or E capsules supplemented with P capsules for the last 14 days of E treatment. Only the E- plus P-treated monkeys exhibited an increase in serum PRL during the P treatment period. Frontal sections at the level of the optic chiasm and arcuate nucleus were examined for the colocalization of TH and PR. After E treatment, hypothalamic PR-positive cells increased in both intensity and number. Neurons expressing both TH and PR were detected in the rostral hypothalamus, lateral to the third ventricle (A11-rostral) and in a discrete subventricular population (A11-subvent). The lateral population continued caudally (A11-caudal). The A11-subvent population exhibited little steroid regulation. Of the remaining A11 TH neurons, approximately 20% exhibited PR in the spayed and E-treated groups. Addition of P doubled the percentage of PR-containing TH neurons in this group. Although very few TH-positive neurons in the ventral arcuate nucleus contained PR (A12-ventral), many double labeled neurons were observed in the dorsal arcuate region (A12-dorsal). Ventral arcuate TIDA neurons were not regulated by steroids, but E plus P increased PR expression in A12-dorsal. Double labeled cells were rarely seen in the zona incerta (A13) or the emerging ventral tegmental area (A10). In summary, P probably does not act directly on ventral arcuate TIDA neurons to stimulate PRL secretion. However, the frequency of PR-positive dopamine neurons in the A11-rostral, A11-caudal, and A12-dorsal groups increased with E and P treatment. Therefore, the contribution of the PR-positive periventricular dopamine neurons to progestin-stimulated PRL secretion may be important.

Animals

Colocalization of immunoreactive endothelin-1 and neurohypophysial hormones in the axons of the neural lobe of the rat pituitary.

The intracellular localization of immunoreactive endothelin (ET)-1, and its colocalization with vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) in the rat neural lobe were investigated by immunogold techniques using specific antisera raised against ET-1, VP, and OT. There were two types of axons: the first contained VP-immunolabeled neurosecretory granules, and the second contained OT-immunolabeled neurosecretory granules. A considerable number of the neurosecretory granules in both types of axon were immunolabeled with antibodies against ET-1, although the VP-immunolabeled granules were more heavily labeled with anti-ET-1 antiserum than OT-immunolabeled ones. Double immunogold labeling clearly demonstrated the intragranular colocalization of immunoreactions for ET-1 and VP and that of immunoreactions for ET-1 and OT. These results suggest that ET in the neural lobe may be released concomitantly with neurohypophysial hormones. Its biological significance remains to be elucidated.

Animals

Ultrastructural colocalization of growth hormone binding protein and pituitary hormones in adenohypophyseal cells of the rat.

GH receptor immunoreactivity is widely distributed within the rat pituitary gland, although apart from somatotrophs the cell types with GH receptor immunoreactivity have yet to be identified. It is also unknown whether this immunoreactivity reflects the presence of GH binding proteins (GHBPs) or authentic receptors. The possible colocalization of GHBPs and pituitary hormones in somatotrophs, lactotrophs, gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, and corticotrophs was therefore examined using immunogold electron microscopy. Pituitary sections were indirectly immunostained with antibodies for GH, PRL, LH, FSH, TSH, or ACTH using gold-labeled immunoglobulin G. The same grids were also immunostained with a polyclonal antibody raised against rat GHBP using protein A conjugated to gold particles of a different size. Some sections were gold-labeled using a monoclonal antibody (MAb 4.3) raised against the unique hydrophobic tail of the GHBP, using gold-labeled immunoglobulin G. The cellular and ultrastructural distribution of immunoreactivity within the pituitary gland was similar after labeling with either GHBP antiserum. In all immunoreactive cells the labeling was most intense in secretory granules. Specific staining was not, however, demonstrated in the nucleus, in contrast with earlier findings using MAb 263. Moreover, while staining with MAb 263 appeared to be ubiquitous, some pituitary cells were not labeled by the polyclonal GHBP antiserum or by MAb 4.3. GHBP immunoreactivity was, however, colocalized with hormones in all pituitary cell-types, although in some cells GHBP immunoreactivity was not present in all secretory granules. These results clearly demonstrate the presence of GHBPs in adenohypophyseal cells, in which they appear to be stored or secreted with GH, PRL, LH, FSH, TSH, and ACTH. The function of GHBPs in the pituitary gland is, however, uncertain.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Thyroid hormone receptor (alpha) distribution in hamster and sheep brain: colocalization in gonadotropin-releasing hormone and other identified neurons.

Thyroid hormones appear to play an important role in the seasonal reproductive transitions of a number of mammalian and avian species. These seasonal transitions as well as the effects of thyroid hormones on the reproductive neuroendocrine axis are mediated by the GnRH system. How thyroid hormones affect the GnRH system is unclear. Double label immunocytochemistry was used to examine GnRH- and other neurotransmitter/neuropeptide-containing neurons for thyroid hormone receptor (alphaTHR) colocalization in two seasonal breeders, the golden hamster and the sheep. AlphaTHR was identified in hamster and sheep brain by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, alphaTHR immunoreactivity was widely distributed in brain and was colocalized in identified populations: GnRH neurons (hamster, 28%; sheep, 46%); dopaminergic neurons of the A14 (hypothalamic) and A16 (olfactory bulb) cell groups, but not in the hypothalamic A13 cell group; and neurophysin-immunoreactive neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. The finding of alphaTHR in GnRH and A14 dopamine neurons provides an anatomical substrate for direct thyroid hormone action on the reproductive neuroendocrine system of these two seasonally breeding species. It remains to be determined whether the GnRH gene itself or the gene of another constituent within the same GnRH neuron is responsive to thyroid hormones.

Animals

Prolactin (PRL) receptors are colocalized in dopaminergic neurons in fetal hypothalamic cell cultures: effect of PRL on tyrosine hydroxylase activity.

This study examined the responsiveness of dopaminergic neurons to PRL and the expression of PRL receptors in fetal hypothalamic cells. Hypothalamic cells were cultured in medium containing 5 or 25 mM potassium (K+) with or without 5% FBS. Rat PRL (rPRL) treatment (10-1000 ng/ml) for 10 days increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity 1.6- to 1.8-fold in dopaminergic neurons cultured in serum-containing medium with 25 mM K+, but not in defined medium or any medium with 5 mM K+. The rPRL-induced increase in TH activity was observed at 10-1000 ng/ml after both 1 and 10 days of rPRL treatment, whereas 1 ng/ml was not effective. TH activity was not altered after 1-12 h of rPRL treatment (100 ng/ml), but was increased 1.4-fold after 1-3 days and 1.8-fold after 5-10 days. The colocalization of PRL receptors and TH was evaluated by double labeled immunocytochemistry. PRL receptor immunostaining was observed in most TH-immunoreactive cells cultured in either defined or serum-containing medium with or without 10 days of rPRL treatment (100 ng/ml). As assessed by reverse transcriptase-PCR, the long form, but not the short form, of the PRL receptor was expressed in the hypothalamic cells regardless of medium composition, similar to the expression pattern in adult mediobasal hypothalamus from ovariectomized rats. These data indicate that a factor present in FBS imparts PRL responsiveness to hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons in vitro. The effective PRL concentrations and the time course for PRL's action in vitro are within the physiological range in vivo. The colocalization of PRL receptor in dopaminergic neurons provides anatomical evidence for a direct effect of PRL, with the long form of the PRL receptor being the predominant form in the hypothalamic cells.

Animals

PAR-6 is a conserved PDZ domain-containing protein that colocalizes with PAR-3 in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos.

The par genes are required to establish polarity in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. Mutations in two of these genes, par-3 and par-6, exhibit similar phenotypes. A third gene, pkc-3, gives a similar phenotype when the protein is depleted by RNA interference. PAR-3 and PKC-3 protein are colocalized to the anterior periphery of asymmetrically dividing cells of the germline lineage and the peripheral localizations of both proteins depends upon the activity of par-6. Here we report the molecular cloning of par-6 and the immunolocalization of PAR-6 protein. We found that par-6 encodes a PDZ-domain-containing protein and has homologues in mammals and flies. Moreover, we discovered that PAR-6 colocalizes with PAR-3 and that par-3 and pkc-3 activity are required for the peripheral localization of PAR-6. The localization of both PAR-3 and PAR-6 proteins is affected identically by mutations in the par-2, par-4 and par-5 genes. The co-dependence of PAR-3, PAR-6 and PKC-3 for peripheral localization and the overlap in their distributions lead us to propose that they act in a protein complex.

Amino Acid Sequence

Neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor protein colocalizes with ezrin and CD44 and associates with actin-containing cytoskeleton.

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) protein (merlin; schwannomin) is a tumor suppressor involved in tumorigenesis of NF2-associated and sporadic schwannomas and meningiomas. The protein shares the domain structure of three homologous proteins: ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM). ERM proteins function as membrane organizers and may act as linkers between plasma membrane molecules, such as CD44 and ICAM-2, and the cytoskeleton. We analyzed the distribution and effects of transfected NF2 protein in COS-1, CHO and 293 cells, and endogenous NF2 protein in U251 glioma cells. The distribution was compared to ezrin, CD44 and F-actin. Both transfected and endogenous NF2 protein localized underneath the plasma membrane in a pattern typical of an ERM protein. In COS-1 transfectants, NF2 protein typically codistributed with ezrin but, in cells with poorly developed actin cytoskeleton, it replaced ezrin in filopodia and ruffling edges. NF2 protein colocalized with CD44, which in transfected cells accumulated into restructured cell membrane protrusions. The association of CD44 and NF2 protein was further suggested by binding of CD44 from cellular lysates to recombinant NF2 protein. Interaction between NF2 protein and the actin-containing cytoskeleton was indicated by partial colocalization, by cytochalasin B-induced coclustering, and by retention of NF2 protein in the detergent-insoluble fraction. Transfected NF2 protein induced morphogenic changes. The cells contained restructured membrane extensions and blebs, and CHO cells expressing NF2 protein were more elongated than control transfectants. In conclusion, NF2 protein possesses functional properties of an ERM family member.

Actins

Lack of colocalization of HBxAg and insulin like growth factor II in the livers of patients with chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

To evaluate the possibility that HBxAg is related to an enhanced expression of IGF-II, immunohistochemical staining was performed for distribution and colocalization of HBxAg and IGF-II in liver tissues from 40 chronic active hepatitis (CAH-B), 51 cirrhosis and 46 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients using polyclonal rabbit anti HBxAg raised against full length-recombinant HBxAg and monoclonal mouse anti IGF-II. HBxAg in CAH-B, cirrhosis and HCC tissues was detected in 95%, 39% and 17%, whereas IGF-II in the same tissues was seen in 0%, 92% and 100%, respectively. There was a gradual decrease in the prevalence of HBxAg expression in cirrhosis and HCC, as compared to CAH-B tissues. All of the cirrhosis and HCC samples with positive staining for HBxAg expressed IGF-II. However, 55% of cirrhosis and 100% of HCC samples without HBxAg staining also expressed IGF-II. Moreover, colocalization at neighboring sections, even in both HBxAg and IGF-II positive samples, was not regularly observed. It is concluded that HBxAg expression in CAH-B may play a role in the pathogenesis of CAH-B. Although HBxAg may be related to the expression of IGF-II in some cirrhotic and HCC tissues, IGF-II expression in a large majority of these cases may be related to other factor(s) than HBxAg.

Adult

Subcellular distribution of the Rap1A protein in human neutrophils: colocalization and cotranslocation with cytochrome b559.

Rap1A, a low molecular weight guanosine triphosphate-binding protein (LMWG), has been shown previously by us to be associated with purified cytochrome b from stimulated human neutrophils. In the present studies, we show that Rap1A is also associated with affinity-purified cytochrome b from unstimulated neutrophils and use specific anti-Rap1 peptide antibodies to biochemically and immunocytochemically determine the subcellular distribution of Rap1A in resting and activated human neutrophils. Analysis of the subcellular fractionation of unstimulated cells by Western blotting of isopycnic sucrose density gradient fractions with anti-Rap1 peptide antibodies indicated that Rap1A colocalized with cytochrome b in the plasma membrane as well as in the specific granule membranes and that it was translocated, along with cytochrome b, to the plasma membrane when the cells were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). No evidence for a cytosolic localization of Rap1A was found in our studies; however, if the cells were disrupted by sonication, rather than N2 cavitation, a fraction of the Rap1A was released from the membrane. Electron microscopy of thin sections of cryofixed, molecular-distillation dried neutrophils labeled with anti-Rap1 antibody alone or double-labeled with anti-Rap1 and anti-cytochrome b peptide antibodies confirmed our biochemical localization, and quantitation showed that more than half of the specific granule-associated Rap1A was translocated to the plasma membrane in PMA-stimulated cells. Ultrastructural analysis of neutrophils phagocytosing Staphylococcus aureus also demonstrated the translocation of Rap1A with cytochrome b. Approximately 70% of the total Rap1A labeling was associated with the phagolysosomal membrane, the site of assembly of the superoxide-generating system. The colocalization and cotranslocation of Rap1A with cytochrome b in resting and activated neutrophils is consistent with a functional association of these two molecules in the intact cell and provides further evidence for a role of this LMWG in the structure or function of the neutrophil superoxide-generating system.

Biological Transport

Colocalization of a large heterodimeric proteoglycan with basement membrane proteins in cultured cells.

A novel large heterodimeric dermatan sulfate proteoglycan with core proteins of 460 and 300 kDa, respectively, had been described as a secretory product of human fetal skin fibroblasts (Breuer et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266, 13224-13232 (1991)). Pulse-chase experiments showed a preferential association of the proteoglycan with the cell membrane. Immunogold labeling indicated its localization in fibrils on the cell surface as well as in fibrillar extensions from the cell body. Immunofluorescence studies yielded a fibrillar and punctate staining pattern which was also seen in cultured human and porcine endothelial cells. Dot-like structures were observed in transformed human keratinocytes. Various immunocytochemical double-labeling experiments indicated a remarkable colocalization of the proteoglycan with fibronectin, laminin, perlecan, and type IV collagen whereas only occasionally a colocalization with chondroitin-6-sulfate was found. No evidence for an enrichment of the proteoglycan in vinculin-containing structures was obtained. These results suggest that the proteoglycan is a widely distributed macromolecule which can associate with basement membrane components. Preliminary findings in rat cornea supported this conclusion.

Basement Membrane

Substance P- and enkephalin-like immunoreactivities are colocalized in certain neurons of the substantia gelatinosa of the rat spinal cord: an ultrastructural double-labeling study.

The finding that certain cells of the substantia gelatinosa of the rat spinal cord contain both substance P (SP)- and enkephalin (ENK)-like immunoreactive material offers new insights into the mechanisms of action of these peptides in the processing of nociceptive sensory information. The simultaneous detection of these immunoreactivities was obtained in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord at the ultrastructural level using monoclonal antibodies. An internally radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (against SP or ENK) was used to recognize one antigenic site, while the other antigenic site was identified by either a bispecific monoclonal antibody (for SP) or a monoclonal antibody (for ENK). The bispecific anti-SP antibody recognized HRP, whereas a secondary bispecific antibody recognized both the IgG of the anti-ENK monoclonal antibody and HRP. In laminae I-III, SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and ENK-like immunoreactivity (ENK-LI) were colocalized in a significant number of axonal varicosities, which contained round or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. Such double-labeled varicosities, however, were not found to be components of synaptic glomeruli. Most of the immunostained boutons of lamina I were SP-like immunoreactive only. In rats pretreated with colchicine, SP-LI and ENK-LI were colocalized in small perikarya of lamina II and in some lamina I cells. These findings indicate that SP and ENK occur in a significant population of interneurons of the superficial dorsal horn. It is suggested that some of these neurons may correspond to stalked cells and release one or the other substance depending on physiological conditions.

Animals

Immunohistochemical colocalization of amyloid precursor protein with cerebrovascular amyloid of Alzheimer's disease.

Molecular cloning and cDNA sequencing have indicated that the fibril-forming, amyloidogenic beta/A4 peptide of cerebrovasculature and plaque core in AD is encoded as part of a larger precursor, amyloid precursor protein (APP). A panel of antibodies directed against synthetic peptides, which correspond to distinct domains of this putative APP molecule (i.e., amino acid residues 45-62, 587-596, 597-606, 597-638 [beta/A4 peptide], 638-658 and 653-661), were used to probe immunohistochemically serial sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains for the presence of APP and/or its derivatives. Histochemical staining of adjacent sections with Bielschowsky's silver impregnation and with Congo red or thioflavin S-staining techniques was also done to identify the structures with amyloid deposition. All these antibodies exhibited intense immunoreactivity with amyloidotic cerebral vessels, including meningeal and parenchymal. This observation indicates that the amyloidotic vasculature of AD brain contains, in addition to the fibril-forming beta/A4 protein, nonamyloidogenic APP and/or its derivatives. More importantly, this APP immunoreactivity colocalized with angiopathic amyloid, which is characterized by phenol-resistant, birefringent congophilia. Parallel analyses with a dual SABC/silver impregnation procedure further confirmed that APP and/or its derivatives, including the amyloidogenic beta/A4, colocalized with argentophilic amyloid in the cerebrovasculature of AD.

Alzheimer Disease