GSLII positivity is not confined to oligodendrocytes in adult mammalian CNS.
The in vivo binding pattern of the lectin Griffonia simplicifolia II (GSLII) was evaluated in sections of adult cat optic nerve following reports that it is a marker for oligodendrocytes in adult rodent CNS and that it may also be an oligodendroglial lineage marker. Following as closely as possible the immunocytochemical methodology employed in these reports, staining for GSLII was incorporated into sets of consecutive one micron thick sections comprising known cell-type specific reference markers backed up by electron microscopy. With this correlative protocol both lectin positive and lectin negative cells could be reliably identified. The material examined included normal control tissue and tissue containing previously studied demyelinating lesions of various ages in which oligodendrocyte progenitors and precursors have been characterized. GSLII was found to stain not only mature oligodendrocytes in adult cat optic nerve but also activated microglia, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and other haematogenous cells. Lectin positivity was not found in oligodendroglial precursors, endothelial cells, astrocytes or ramified microglia. This study emphasises that care needs to be taken before assigning lineage marker status to individual lectins or antibodies.
Jennings
A
A
Departments of Pathology, The Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, University of Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009.
Carroll
W
W
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D019921:Biotinylation; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D002415:Cats; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry*; D017628:Microglia / Q000737:chemistry*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009928:Organ Specificity; D037121:Plant Lectins
D015415:Biomarkers; C045475:Griffonia simplicifolia lectins; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D000117:Acetylglucosamine