Ly-6C is expressed in brain vessels endothelial cells but not in microglia of the mouse.
The Ly-6C antigen is expressed in various cell types of the immune system, including macrophages. Using the monoclonal antibody ER-MP20 which specifically recognises Ly-6C, we have investigated whether brain parenchymatous microglia express Ly-6C in vivo as well as in vitro. In brain sections from developing and adult C57/BI mice, all vessels were strongly immunolabelled. Electron microscopic immunohistochemistry showed that the endothelial cells are the cell type expressing Ly-6C. In contrast, we never observed immunoreactivity on microglia; however, microglial cells proliferating in vitro were strongly ER-MP20 positive. These data show that Ly-6C is not a marker for microglia in vivo.
CNRS UPR 9035 and ER 1783, Faculté de Médecine Broussais-Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France.
F
F
Alliot
J
J
Rutin
B
B
Pessac
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000950:Antigens, Ly