Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry

Pool, C W; Madlener, S; Diegenbach, P C; Sluiter, A A; van der Sluis, P

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6205048pmid: 6205048

Antigens covalently coupled to agarose beads provide a matrix for an economical, sensitive, and quantitative immunocytochemical detection of antiserum bindings potencies. Despite some very powerful features (e.g., the ability to control the outcome of a solid phase adsorption on the same matrix), the use of this technique is not very widespread when compared with the other enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The main reason for this is the necessity for rather laborious measurements of the immunocytochemical tracer on individual beads. A description of two new methods for the batch measurement of the peroxidase activity on immunoperoxidase incubated antigen-coupled beads is presented. The first method involves the measurement of the diaminobenzidine (DAB) extinction from a large number of beads with a scanning microspectrophotometer. In the second method, during the peroxidase reaction, the beads are incubated with o-phenyldiamine (OPD), which is soluble both in the reduced and oxidized form, whereby absorbance measurements of the supernatant of the beads in a normal spectrophotometer are possible. The sensitivity and the quantitative relation between bound first antibody and absorbance are compared for both methods. From the two immunoperoxidase procedures used (the three step peroxidase-antiperoxidase and the two-step peroxidase conjugate procedure) only the latter met the conditions for a quantitative (first) antibody assay.

Dudek, R W; Boyne, A F; Charles, T M

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6379039pmid: 6379039

Protein A-gold immunocytochemistry has been applied to physically fixed beta cells from rat islets of Langerhans. The punctate nature of the gold particles permits improved resolution of the antigenic sites without obscuring the fine ultrastructural preservation obtained by physical fixation. There is a filamentous material within the halo of the secretory granules that is not preserved by aqueous, chemical fixation. When viewed in stereo the filaments appear as an annular cobweb or a series of wheel spokes attached to a centrally located hub (the dense core of the granule). The filaments demonstrate insulin-like immunoreactivity using the protein A-gold technique. The immunoreactivity appears to be restricted to the filaments and the surface of the dense cores. This may be a consequence of the preservation of a solid, insolubilized core state that resists penetration by the antibody and/or the protein A-gold complex. However, the evidence that there is a halo pool of insulin which is separate from the massive core aggregate suggests that i) correspondingly massive exocytotic pits may not be as mandatory for insulin release as has been assumed and ii) the complex kinetics of insulin secretion may be, in part, a reflection of multiple insulin compartments within secretory granules.

Juhl, B R; Nørgaard, T; Bjerrum, O J

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6205049pmid: 6205049

The effect of the nonionic detergent Tween 20 on background staining, sensitivity, and specificity in the indirect immunoperoxidase staining for blood group antigen A was investigated histologically and spectrophotometrically. Pretreatment of dewaxed formalin-fixed Paraplast-embedded tissue sections from human ureters with 2% Tween 20 and dilution of the first and second layer antisera with 0.05 or 2% Tween 20 significantly reduced background staining of the urothelial cell cytoplasm, ureteral stroma, and musculature. Spectrophotometrical analysis of tissue sections from hypernephroma (rich in cytoplasm), cervix (fibrous stroma), and myometrium (musculature) underlined the histological results with a significant reduction of the maximum absorbance of Tween 20-modified indirect immunoperoxidase-stained tissue sections. Sensitivity, evaluated histologically by the endpoint titers of urothelial cell membrane staining, endothelial cell staining, and focal cytoplasmic staining of urothelial cells, was not influenced by the Tween 20 treatment. The specificity was improved as the staining was highly reduced or absent in control sections subjected to Tween 20.

Savino, W; Huang, P C; Corrigan, A; Berrih, S; Dardenne, M

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6379040pmid: 6379040

Using an immunofluorescence (IF) assay, the presence of metallothionein (MT) was investigated in sections of normal and pathologic human thymuses as well as in cultures of thymic epithelial cells. This protein, known to have a high binding affinity for class II B transitional metals, such as zinc, was detected in the epithelial component of the thymus. Moreover, double labeling experiments with the anti-MT and an anti-thymulin monoclonal antibody showed that all cells containing thymulin, a thymic hormone whose active structure is known to contain zinc, also exhibited large amounts of metallothionein. These results, together with the fact that zinc and thymulin have been detected in the same type of cell organelles, lead to the conclusion that the MT present in thymic epithelial cells might be involved in the mechanism of zinc storage in these cells, thus favoring the secretion of thymulin in its biologically active, zinc-containing form.

Cuello, A C; Milstein, C; Couture, R; Wright, B; Priestley, J V; Jarvis, J

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6086744pmid: 6086744

Monoclonal antibodies were produced following immunization of mice with either [Leu5]enkephalin-bovine serum albumin or [Met5]enkephalin-keyhold limpet hemocyanin conjugates. Two monoclonal antibodies coded NOC1 and NOC2, respectively, were derived. These monoclonal antibodies did not discriminate between Leu- and Met-enkephalin in either radioimmunoassay or immunocytochemistry. NOC1 was characterized in detail. In radioimmunoassay NOC1 displayed about 40% crossreactivity with C-terminal extended Met-enkephalin hexapeptides and 7% with the extended heptapeptide (-Arg-Phe-OH), but did not recognize other endogenous peptides. In immunocytochemistry the NOC1 and NOC2 recognized all well-established "enkephalin immunoreactive sites," but they did not bind to areas known to contain beta-endorphin or high levels of pro-enkephalin. NOC1 was shown to be a suitable tool to demonstrate enkephalin immunoreactive sites by radioimmunocytochemistry utilizing both internally and externally labeled monoclonal antibodies.

Sjögren, S

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6747279pmid: 6747279

Histochemical lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) staining methods seem unable to demonstrate the total LDH activity in tissue sections. An analysis was made of LDH tissue staining methods applied on LDH zymograms. The menadione-mediated LDH staining of tissue sections can not possibly reflect true LDH activity. The addition of cyanide also slightly inhibited LDH activity. The cyanide inhibition was confirmed via LDH assay and found to be competitive in character. It is concluded that cyanide and menadione should be replaced by agents suitable from both a histochemical and a biochemical point of view. Based on the findings of this study the presence of LDH in oral epithelium was analyzed. Evidently LDH of the oral epithelium is basically anaerobic in character and located primarily in spinosum/granulosum layers and only sparsely in the basal layer.

Laden, S A; Schulte, B A; Spicer, S S

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6379041pmid: 6379041

Paraffin sections of submandibular, sublingual, minor salivary, and parotid glands from ten human autopsy cases were stained with a battery of ten lectins conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Variable affinity for one or another lectin between mucous cells in a gland evidenced cellular heterogeneity in mucin production. Mucous cells of a given type of gland varied among individuals, but for a single individual appeared markedly but not completely similar from one type of salivary gland to another. The individual variation related, in part, to the ABO blood group and secretor status of the individual. For mucous cells in secretors of blood group A and B all antigens stained strongly for the presence of terminal alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine or alpha-galactose, respectively. Mucous cells in AB secretors contained both antigens, whereas those of O (H) secretors lacked both. Mucous cells of three presumed nonsecretors, two of whom were immature infants and possibly too young to produce ABO antigen, failed to stain. Mucous cells in glands from the presumed nonsecretors, however, revealed a staining pattern consistent with the presence of Lea antigen. Mucous cells of nonsecretors stained with Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin but not with Ulex europeus I agglutinin, whereas mucous cells of ABO secretors stained with both lectins. This difference in lectin binding indicated that sites reactive only with Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin contain 1----4 linked fucosyl residues and sites stained by both lectins contain fucose linked 1----2 to the oligosaccharide. Staining of mucous cells of nonsecretors with Pisum sativum agglutinin indicate that either the lectin binds to internal N-acetylglucosamine of Lea substance or the mucous cells contain an N-glycosidic glycoprotein of the type thought to bind this lectin. Serous cells stained less strongly than mucous cells and differed in lectin affinities from one type of gland to another in an individual. Staining of serous cells of a given gland varied markedly among different subjects. This individual variability did not relate to blood group as terminal sugars demonstrative of A or B blood group antigens were not detected in any serous cells. Serous cells in the submandibular glands from the two immature infants were unreactive with all lectin conjugates. Secretions in parotid and submandibular serous cells generally contained a higher content of fucose than those in sublingual serous cells, which contained higher levels of a terminal galactose-sialic acid dimer. Some but not other cells of striated and interlobular ducts of submandibular glands of one subject stained for alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine.

Lubit, B W

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6379042pmid: 6379042

Previous immunocytochemical studies in which an antibody specific for mammalian cytoplasmic actin was used showed that a high concentration of cytoplasmic actin exists at neuromuscular junctions of rat muscle fibers such that the distribution of actin corresponded exactly to that of the acetylcholine receptors. Although clusters of acetylcholine receptors also are present in noninnervated rat and chick muscle cells grown in vitro, neither the mechanism for the formation and maintenance of these clusters nor the relationship of these clusters to the high density of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction in vivo are known. In the present study, a relationship between beta-cytoplasmic actin and acetylcholine receptors in vitro has been demonstrated immunocytochemically using an antibody specific for the beta-form of cytoplasmic actin. Networks of cytoplasmic actin-containing filaments were found in discrete regions of the myotube membrane that also contained high concentrations of acetylcholine receptors; such high concentrations of acetylcholine receptors have been described in regions of membrane-substrate contact. Moreover, when primary rat myotubes were exposed to human myasthenic serum, gross morphological changes, accompanied by an apparent rearrangement of the cytoplasmic actin-containing cytoskeleton, were produced. Although whether the distribution of cytoplasmic actin-containing structures was influenced by the organization of acetylcholine receptor or vice versa cannot be determined from these studies, these findings suggest that in primary rat muscle cells grown in vitro, acetylcholine receptors and beta-cytoplasmic actin-containing structures may be somehow connected.

Combs, S G; Marder, R J; Minna, J D; Mulshine, J L; Polovina, M R; Rosen, S T

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6379043pmid: 6379043

Monoclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing rats with human small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines. Monoclonal antibodies 600D11 and 624A12 were found to be directed against the ceramide pentasaccharide that contains the lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III) sequence of sugars, an isomer of the Lewis A blood group antigen. LNFP III is an immunodominant antigen whose reactivity is maintained in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections (PS). LNFP III has been recognized in a number of human tumors including: SCLC; adenocarcinomas of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and lung; renal cell carcinoma; neuroblastoma; and myelogenous leukemia. We now report the normal adult and fetal tissue distribution of the LNFP III antigen by immunoperoxidase staining on PS utilizing 600D11 and 624A12. Binding was demonstrated in bronchial epithelium and bronchial glands; squamous epithelium of the esophagus; gastric crypts, duodenal enterocytes and Brunners glands; argentaffin cells; jejunal and colonic goblet cells; pancreatic acinar cells; salivary glands; endocervical and exocervical cells; skin epidermis; myelinated motor fibers; cells of the adrenal medulla and anterior pituitary gland; polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs); tissue macrophages and renal proximal tubules and loops of Henle. Staining was localized to cell membranes and within the cytoplasm, with greatest intensity at the apical and basal portions of the cells. These staining patterns were noted in adult and neonatal tissues, and initial expression could be traced to approximately the second trimester of fetal development. Knowledge of the normal tissue distribution of this immunodominant antigenic determinant may offer insight into its structural and functional role in benign and malignant tissues.

Parsons, S M; Smith, C E

doi: 10.1177/32.9.6086745pmid: 6086745

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) activity was examined in epithelial cells of rat small intestine. Segments of ileum were fixed with glutaraldehyde and tissue chopper sections were incubated for up to 4 hr at pH 5.0 in cytochemical media prepared with NADP as substrate. NADPase activity was found primarily within the Golgi saccules of columnar, goblet, and Paneth cells. Columnar and goblet cells showed most of the NADPase activity within the saccules which were intermediate between the cis and trans faces of the Golgi stack. Paneth cells, however, showed the heaviest staining within saccules between the intermediate and innermost saccule at the trans aspect of the Golgi stack. Both columnar cells and Paneth cells also contained spotty, and sometimes heavy, deposits of reaction product within an occasional focal area of the GERL system and within an occasional lysosome. Control experiments indicated that the Golgi-associated NADPase activity was enhanced if cells were pretreated for about 12 hr with EGTA prior to incubation. No similar enhancement was apparent if the tissues were pretreated with DMSO. Furthermore, NADPase activity within the Golgi saccules could be inhibited completely by incubating intestinal epithelial cells with NADP in the presence of sodium fluoride or L(+)-tartrate.