title: A monoclonal antibody to a parasympathetic neurotrophic factor causes immunoparasympathectomy in mice.
abstract: A monoclonal antibody capable of blocking the biological activity of the ciliary neurotrophic factor purified from bovine cardiac muscle has been produced. This antibody, when administered perinatally to mice, causes a failure of the normal development of the parasympathetic innervation of the iris as determined by assay for the activity of the cholinergic marker enzyme choline acetyltransferase. The same treatment has no effect on the adrenergic neuronal marker, tyrosine hydroxylase. This immunoparasympathectomy suggests that the ciliary neurotrophic factor has an essential role in regulating the development of the mammalian parasympathetic nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Hendry
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Belford
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Watters
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D005260:Female; D007498:Iris / Q000294:innervation; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase