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Biomedical subjects

C J Barnstable

Publications and source records attributed to C J Barnstable.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Different rhodopsin monoclonal antibodies reveal different binding patterns on developing and adult rat retina.

We used a battery of 10 monoclonal antibodies directed against different identified peptide sequences within the carboxyl, transmembrane loop, and amino terminal regions of rhodopsin to label retinas from early postnatal and adult rats. Intensity of label, age of initial appearance of staining, and distribution of label varied depending on the antibody. Most antibodies showed detectable labeling at postnatal day 1, and were eventually observed binding to the cell bodies and the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors. One amino terminal and two carboxyl terminal antibodies, however, showed no detectable labeling until postnatal day 5 and were only transiently detectable in the cell body region. These patterns cannot be explained by accessibility of binding site, binding affinity, fixation artifact, or crossreactivity. The results indicate that physiological and experimental parameters can alter the apparent immunocytochemical localization of conformationally active molecules such as rhodopsin. The results also suggest that rhodopsin can undergo light-dependent conformational changes in several different compartments within rat retinal photoreceptors before the time of eye opening.

Aging↗

Molecular markers of neuronal subpopulations in layers 4, 5, and 6 of cat primary visual cortex.

Cat primary visual cortex has been used as an immunogen to produce monoclonal antibodies that detect subpopulations of neurons. When tested by immunofluorescence on tissue sections of areas 17 and 18, 2 of these antibodies, VC1.1 and VC5.1, outlined a rare subpopulation of neurons located mainly in layer 4 but also in layers 5 and 6. Double-labeling immunofluorescence experiments in area 17 revealed that all VC1.1-reactive cells were also VC5.1-reactive and 83% of VC5.1-reactive cells were VC1.1-reactive, suggesting that the antibodies were reacting with the same subpopulation of cells. Both antibodies labeled similar or identical subpopulations of cells in other areas of the cat CNS, including the superior colliculus, parts of hippocampus, cerebellar deep nuclei, and rostral spinal cord. Neither antibody labeled cell bodies in the lateral geniculate nucleus. In the retina, VC1.1 labeled cell bodies and processes of some horizontal and amacrine cells, whereas VC5.1 labeled only ganglion cell axons. In the cerebellar cortex, the most prominent labeling of VC1.1 was of Purkinje cells, whereas that of VC5.1 was of Lugaro cells. Immunoblotting analyses of cat cortical homogenates demonstrated that VC1.1 recognized a major polypeptide band of Mr 95,000-105,000 and additional bands of Mr 145,000 and Mr 170,000. VC5.1 recognized bands of Mr 97,000 and Mr 150,000. Subcellular fractionation and extraction studies showed that the VC1.1 antigens were integral membrane proteins preferentially located in a synaptosomal plasma membrane fraction. The VC5.1 antigens were preferentially located in a soluble cytoplasmic or extracellular fraction. The results indicate that antibodies VC1.1 and VC5.1 recognize unique epitopes in the cat CNS and define a previously unrecognized subpopulation of cells in cat visual cortex.

Animals↗

A phosphorylation-sensitive anti-rhodopsin monoclonal antibody reveals light-induced phosphorylation of rhodopsin in the photoreceptor cell body.

Rho-1C5, a monoclonal antibody sensitive to phosphorylation of rhodopsin, bound to the retinal photoreceptor cell body region of dark-adapted but not light-adapted 8 to 13-day-old-rats. There was no cell body labeling visible either before or after this time, although the photoreceptor outer segments were labeled at all times from postnatal day 5 (PN5) onwards, in both light and dark adapted retinas. However, opsin was detectable in the photoreceptor cell body region from birth onwards using another rhodopsin antibody binding to a site unaffected by phosphorylation. Competitive inhibition radioimmunoassays also indicated light-dependent differences in Rho-1C5 binding at PN8 and adult. Biochemical studies showed light-dependent phosphorylation of rhodopsin at PN8, PN13 (just after eye opening) and adult. These data indicate that rhodopsin can be phosphorylated in a light-regulated manner early in development before eye opening and imply that photoactive chromophores can attach to opsin in the cell body as well as the outer segment.

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of cell types in monolayer cultures of rat retina using monoclonal antibodies.

This study describes the identification and differentiation of neonatal rat retinal cells in monolayer cultures. A panel of monoclonal antibodies was used as a molecular probe of both cell type and developmental stage. Previously described cell-type specific monoclonal antibodies were used to label rod photoreceptors, horizontal cells, amacrine cells or ganglion cells. Two new antibodies that react with rat retina are described. The first, RET-G7, reacts with a cytoplasmic antigen of Muller glia, astrocytes and some horizontal cells. The second, RET-B2, reacts with bipolar cells and photoreceptor inner segments. Two main findings are presented. The first is that each of the major subclasses of retinal neurons have been unambiguously identified in these cultures. The morphology of some subclasses was very characteristic. All photoreceptors, as defined by reactivity with antibody RET-P1, were small spherical cells with one or fewer processes. Horizontal cells, as defined by reactivity with antibody B-1, were large with a characteristic multipolar network of processes. Bipolar and amacrine cells, on the other hand, were of similar size and could only be distinguished on the basis of immunocytochemical labeling. The second finding is that while RET-B2 antigen appeared on bipolar and photoreceptor cells after about 5 days in culture, several Muller cell and photoreceptor antigens were not expressed in monolayer cultures. The results suggest that the expression of some molecules in culture is the result of properties intrinsic to the cells whereas expression of others depends upon extrinsic factors or cell interactions that may not be present in monolayer cultures.

Animals↗

Lectin and antibody labelling of developing rat photoreceptor cells: an electron microscope immunocytochemical study.

Lectin and rhodopsin antibody binding sites were studied in developing and adult rat photoreceptors in order to compare changes in the total carbohydrate pool with the movement of a known glycoprotein rhodopsin. Electron microscope immunocytochemical techniques utilizing modified colloidal gold methods were used. At birth, all three lectins - Concanavalin A (ConA), Ricinus communis agglutinin II (RCA II) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) - showed heavy labelling of the photoreceptor surface scleral to the outer limiting membrane. At the same age, a monoclonal antibody against rhodopsin, RET-P1, revealed sparse labelling of only occasional immature photoreceptor surfaces. At postnatal day 4(P4), all three lectins showed variable binding to the inner segment and along the length of the newly forming connecting cilium. There was generally a region of more intense label at the base of the cilium. RET-P1 binding to P4 retina showed a discontinuous distribution, with heavily labelled inner segments being adjacent to unlabelled inner segments. This pattern indicates that the initial expression of rhodopsin is not a coordinate event but occurs in discrete cells, possibly related to the end of mitosis. RET-P1 binding at this age was reduced or absent from the proximal connecting cilium. AT P7, when the outer segments are beginning to develop, all the lectins and RET-P1 showed reduced binding to the inner segment plasma membrane and heavy labelling of the outer segment surface. In favourable sections, heavy labelling of the photoreceptor cell body plasma membrane by ConA and RCA II was also observed, terminating abruptly at the outer limiting membrane. The variation in ligand binding between different cellular compartments which are all formed from a continuous plasma membrane may indicate the presence of special barriers to diffusion of membrane components. This labelling pattern persisted into maturity. RET-P1 and lectin binding did not always correspond in developing retina, indicating that at least part of the observed lectin label must be due to other glycoproteins or glycolipids. Post-embedding thin section labelling of adult rat retina revealed a uniform binding pattern across the outer segment for ConA, WGA and RET-P1. However, RCA II exhibited labelling only along the basal edge of outer segments. Labelling of isolated, opened discs from bovine rod outer segments revealed binding to a single surface for ConA, WGA and RET-P1, but RCA II only labelled a small amount of membrane. Hence RCA II seems to recognize a determinant present only on the outer segment plasma membrane.

Animals↗

A marker of early amacrine cell development in rat retina.

A monoclonal antibody, HPC-1, labels only amacrine and displaced amacrine cells in adult rat retina. Reactivity with displaced amacrine cells was demonstrated by double-label immunofluorescence with HPC-1 and ganglion cell-specific reagents. HPC-1 antibody reacts with a polypeptide of apparent molecular weight 35,000. HPC-1 antibody labels migrating amacrine cells in late embryonic retinas. The results define cell-specific gene expression in relation to migration of one subclass of CNS neurons.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibody to Thy-1 enhances regeneration of processes by rat retinal ganglion cells in culture.

Ganglion cells were dissociated from postnatal rat retinas, identified by specific fluorescent labels, and maintained in culture on a variety of substrates. Regeneration of processes by retinal ganglion cells was enhanced when the cells were plated on glass coated with a monoclonal antibody against the Thy-1 determinant. Plain glass and glass coated with polylysine, collagen, fibronectin, or other monoclonal antibodies supported the growth of neural processes, but were less effective than antibody to Thy-1.

Animals↗

Thy-1 antigen: a ganglion cell specific marker in rodent retina.

A monoclonal antibody, 2G12 , has been produced against a rat cerebral cortex glycoprotein fraction. It interacts with Thy-1 based on both the tissue distribution of its reactivity and the blocking of its binding by pretreatment with a rabbit anti-Thy-1 serum. In rat retina this antibody labels only cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer, optic nerve fibres and the inner plexiform layer. That the cell-body labelling was confined to ganglion cells was confirmed by double-labelling experiments. Ganglion cells were distinguished by retrograde transport of fluorescent markers injected into the superior colliculi. The retinas were dissociated into single cells and the cell suspension was labelled with 2G12 . There was almost complete coincidence of the two labels. A monoclonal antibody against mouse Thy-1.2 gave an essentially identical pattern of labelling. In both rats and mice Thy-1 was also found on the vitreal surface of the inner limiting membrane in a pattern reminiscent of that formed by the Müller cell endfeet, although these cells do not express Thy-1.

Animals↗

Antibodies against filamentous components in discrete cell types of the mouse retina.

Three monoclonal antibodies have been raised against the ganglion cell layer of the adult mouse retina. The first antibody, R3, labeled optic axons in the inner retina, and with colchicine pretreatment somata and dendrites of large ganglion cells could be seen. A small number of other processes, including fibers projecting to the retina from elsewhere (efferent fibers), were also labeled in the inner retina. In the outer plexiform layer R3 stained the axonless class of horizontal cells. R3 recognized a 185,000- to 200,000-dalton polypeptide which is most probably the heaviest of the neurofilament subunits. Antibodies R4 and R5 labeled filamentous components mainly in glia and cells of mesenchymal origin. The antigens appeared in most but not quite all locations morphologically closely related to the intermediate filament protein vimentin. In the retina both antibodies labeled strongly the regularly spaced Müller glia. The astroglia of the optic fiber layer was stained with R5 but not R4. Although the two antigens were in general not expressed in neurons, they were both present in axonless horizontal cells in the outer plexiform layer, coexisting with neurofilaments in this neuron.

Animals↗

The subcellular localization of rat photoreceptor-specific antigens.

The subcellular localization of three photoreceptor antigens (RET-P1, rhodopsin and RET-P2) has been studied by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry of rat retinas. Localization was also examined by determining the amount of RET-P1 and RET-P2 antigen in various subcellular fractions. RET-P1 and RET-P2 antigens were further characterized by immunoblotting of crude retina membrane proteins which had been separated by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. RET-P1 antigen has been detected with a monoclonal antibody that reacts with the perikarya, inner segments, and outer segments of adult rat photoreceptors by peroxidase immunolabelling of fixed tissue sections. Analysis at the electron microscopic level has shown that RET-P1 antigen is located on the external face of the inner and outer segment plasma membrane. A monoclonal antibody against purified bovine rhodopsin (RHO-C7) labels the outer segments of rat retinas by peroxidase immunocytochemistry. Ultrastructural antibody localization indicates that this particular determinant of rhodopsin is exposed on the external face of the plasma membrane of outer segments and may also be expressed on the surface of the inner segments. RET-P2 antibody labels only the outer segments of adult rat photoreceptors by peroxidase immunocytochemistry. The light microscopic labelling of RET-P2 antibody in the presence, but not in the absence, of detergent suggests that it is an intracellular antigen. The results of both ultrastructural labelling and biochemical fractionation are consistent with the localization of RET-P2 antigen on the internal face of the plasma membrane and/or the cytoplasmic face of the disc membranes. RET-P2 antigen was found to be a protein (or glycoprotein) of apparent molecular weight 38 000 +/- 3000.

Animals↗

Use of a monoclonal antibody as a substrate for mature neurons in vitro.

A mouse monoclonal antibody was produced against salamander retinal membranes. It binds to the retina as well as to a wide variety of other salamander tissues and is called Sal-1. Because retinal neurons dissociated from the mature salamander retina adhere poorly to standard substrates, cells were plated onto coverslips previously treated with Sal-1. This previous treatment resulted in a dramatic increase in cell-substrate adhesion. At low concentrations, the antibody had no detectable effect on the light response and fine structure of freshly dissociated rod cells. After several weeks in culture, retinal neurons continued to be attached to Sal-1-treated coverslips and appeared healthy. Furthermore, many cells had extended elaborate cell processes and achieved morphologies characteristic of mature neurons. These results show that antibodies can be used as substrates for the culture of mature neurons. This technique may also prove useful for in vitro studies of a variety of cell systems.

Ambystoma↗

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize discrete forms of tubulin.

Anti-tubulin antibodies secreted by plasmacytoma NSI-spleen cell hybrids were detected by an indirect binding assay. Different antibodies bound to different combinations of the tubulins as resolved by isoelectric focusing. Two monoclonal antibodies (TUB 2.1 and TUB 2.5) labeled only (i) the tubulin band on a polyacrylamide electropherogram and (ii) beta-tubulins as resolved by isoelectric focusing. The fraction that was specifically bound and eluted from antibody affinity columns was enriched in beta-tubulins as compared with alpha-tubulins, suggesting the possibility of some soluble tubulin homodimers and alpha,beta-heterodimers. Double labeling experiments were used to show that all detectable microtubules contained beta-tubulin.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies which recognize different cell types in the rat retina.

Seven monoclonal antibodies have been produced against a membrane preparation from adult rat retina. Three antibodies reacted with particular regions of rat photoreceptor cell surfaces: RET-P1 labelled the cell bodies, outer and inner segments (rods but not cones), RET-P2 labelled only outer segments and RET-P3 labelled only the cell bodies. Three antibodies reacted with glial cells; RET-G2 and RET-G3 were specific for Müller cells, RET-G1 also labelled glia elsewhere in brain. The seventh antibody (RET-N1) reacted with many types of neuronal cells.

Animals↗

Antisera recognising HLA-A, -B and DRW antigens raised in rhesus monkeys.

Rhesus monkeys were immunized with partially purified HLA-A, -B, -C and DR antigens. The resulting sera were shown to have activity against species-specific determinants on both HLA-A, -B, -C chains and beta 2 microglobulin by the use of somatic cell hybrids. When this was removed by absorption, the sera showed activity against three of the four HLA-A and -B antigens in the immunogen when tested on a panel of peripheral blood lymphocytes and T cells. Antibodies recognizing HLA-DR antigens were detected by testing platelet absorbed sera on a panel of typed lymphoblastoid cell lines. After absorption to remove activity against species-specific determinants on the HLA-DR antigens, two cross reacting specificities were defined. One consisted of a determinant in common between HLA-DRw1, 2 and 6 and the other a putative determinant in common between HLA-DRw4, and 5. The nature and significance of these cross-reacting groups of HLA-DR antigens is discussed in the light of current HLA-DR serology and the nature of HLA antigens in general.

Animals↗