title: A histochemical study of the microglial cells in the brain of Salamandra salamandra by lectin binding.
abstract: Seven biotinylated lectins were utilized as histochemical markers for the study of microglial cells in the brain of Salamandra salamandra. It has been demonstrated that SBA, BSA-I, BSA-I-B4 and RCA120 label the microglial cells and, on the basis of the binding selectivity of the single lectins for specific carbohydrates, it was found that alpha-galactosyl residues are present in high density on the microglial membrane of S. salamandra. The reaction was localized not only to the ramified microglial cells, but also to other round cells without extensions, interpreted as ameboid microglial cells. The results show that lectin binding is a reliable molecular probe for identifying microglial cells in urodels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D012454:Salamandra / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D001710:Biotin