Enzyme-histochemical method for identification of lymphatic capillaries.
Using 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase)-alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) double staining, lymphatic capillaries and blood capillaries were distinguished histochemically on cold glycol methacrylate (JB-4) sections of monkey intestines, on the basis of both enzyme characteristics. The specificity of the 5'-Nase reaction was obtained by inhibiting nonspecific ALPase in the 5'-Nase incubation medium including L-tetramisole. This double staining method demonstrated satisfactory isolated visualization of 5'-Nase activity in lymphatic capillaries and of ALPase activity in blood capillaries under light microscopy. The intensity and localization of 5'-Nase activity on the walls of lymphatic capillaries were also determined by the lead-based method under transmission electron microscopy. The intense reaction products of 5'-Nase activity were predominantly deposited on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of the lymphatic endothelial cells.
Kato
S
S
Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Oita, Japan.
Yasunaga
A
A
Uchida
U
U
D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D008251:Macaca; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase