title: Characterization of rodent pineal astrocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy using a monoclonal antibody (J1-31).
abstract: In previous studies pineal astrocytes have been characterized immunohistochemically mainly by use of antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein. Because of the recent demonstration of this protein in non-astrocytic cells the question of its specificity as an astrocytic marker has been raised. A possible alternative tool for characterizing pineal astrocytes is the J1-31 monoclonal antibody, which is directed against a 30,000 dalton astrocytic protein clearly distinguishable from glial fibrillary acidic protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy of this antibody in the pineal gland of rat and guinea-pig revealed a staining pattern similar to that obtained by glial acidic fibrillary protein antisera. In the rat, J1-31-immunoreactive cells and processes were concentrated in the transitional region between the superficial pineal gland and pineal stalk. Fibrillar J1-31-immunoreactive structures were seen in the most proximal part of the guinea-pig pineal gland. The J1-31 monoclonal antibody therefore appears to be a useful tool for the demonstration of pineal astrocytes; it avoids the specificity problems of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Malhotra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal