人食管鳞状上皮癌糖复合物表达的研究

凝集素可与其相对应的糖复合物特异性结合。在癌症形成过程中细胞表面经历着显著的变化,本文用十种生物素化凝集素即ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ、ＤＢＡ、ＰＳＡ、ＰＮＡ、ＢＳＬ、ＬＣＡ、ＷＧＡ、ＣｏｎＡ和ＳＢＡ作为探针,对正常食管上皮和食管鳞状上皮癌进行研究,以确定正常食管上皮和食管鳞状上皮癌中糖复合物的改变,结果发现,ＰＮＡ和ＰＳＡ在正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌中均无反应,ＲＣＡ－Ｉ、ＤＢＡ、ＢＳＬ、ＬＣＡ、ＣｏｎＡ和ＳＢＡ受体在正常和癌组织中有着特征性变化,ＢＳＬ和ＤＢＡ在食管中无反应,ＬＣＡ、ＳＢＡ和ＲＣＡ－１正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌中反应方式不同,ＣｏｎＡ和ＷＧＡ则在同一癌组织的不同部位都显示出不同的反应。尽管ＵＥＡ－Ｉ在正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌均呈阳性反应,但似乎未表现出有意义的变化。上述结果提示食管癌的发生与含α－Ｄ－ＧａｌＮＡｃ（ＤＢＡ和ＳＢＡ）、β－Ｄ－Ｇａｌ／β－Ｎ－ａｃｅｔｙｌ－Ｄ－Ｇａｌａｃｔｏｓａｍｉｎｅ（ＲＣＡ－Ｉ）、α－Ｄ－Ｇｌｃ／α－Ｄ－Ｍａｎ（ＬＣＡ和ＣｏｎＡ）、［β－（１－４）－Ｄ－ＧｌｃＮＡｃ］２／ＮｅｕＮＡｃ（ＷＧＡ）和α－Ｄ－Ｇａｌ（ＢＳＬ）等的糖复合物的改变有较为密切的关系。     

不同年龄大鼠主动脉壁凝集素组织化学的图像分析研究

本文利用凝集素组织化学的方法,结合应用ＩＢＡＳ图像分析系统对不同年龄（１０天,６个月及２年）大鼠主动脉壁的凝集素受体进行研究。在所采用的六种生物素化凝集素中（ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡＩ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＰＮＡ、ＳＢＡ及ＷＧＡ）,ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ及ＷＧＡ在大鼠主动脉壁呈阳性反应,它们在各年龄组大鼠主动脉壁内膜及外膜均表现出强阳性反应,而在中膜反应较弱。ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＰＮＡ和ＳＢＡ表现出无明显反应。此外,三种阳性反应凝集素在主动脉壁的反应产物随增龄而减少,图像分析结果显示其灰度值随增龄的变化趋势是逐渐增加。上述结果提示,大鼠主动脉壁含α－Ｄ－Ｍａｎｎｏｓｅ、β－ＤＧａｌａｃｔｏｓｅ、ｓｉａｌｉｃａｃｉｄ或Ｎ－ａｃｅｔｙｌ－Ｄ－Ｇｌｕｃｏｓａｍｉｎｅ残基的糖复合物含量随增龄而减少,可能使ＬＤＬ易于通透而致脂质在动脉壁沉积,加速脂纹病变的形成,从而易于导致动脉粥样硬化。     

凝集素受体在正常及缺氧—再给氧脑微血管内皮细胞的表达

本文应用凝集素亲和细胞化学的方法,通过荧光标记的麦胚凝集素（ＦＩＴＣ－ＷＧＡ）对培养的大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞进行染色,观察了ＷＧＡ凝集素受体在缺氧－再给氧后脑微血管内皮细胞上的表达。通过图像分析定量细胞表面的荧光强度,发现脑微血管内皮细胞单纯缺氧６小时后凝集素受体表达与正常对照组相比无明显变化;其显著改变发生于再给氧１小时后,ＷＧＡ的结合位点明显增加,荧光强度达峰值;再给氧３小时及６小时后有所下降,但与正常对照组相比仍具有显著性差异。上述结果与我们以往的动物在体实验,即大鼠脑缺血－再灌注后内皮细胞ＷＧＡ受体的表达趋势相吻合。说明脑微血管内皮细胞凝集素受体在细胞损伤后发生改变,并显示了在单纯缺血损伤和再灌注损伤的表达有所不同,它与其它内皮损伤后的变化,如细胞因子及其受体、粘附分子等的关系有待于深入研究     

大鼠左室壁血管内皮凝集素受体的观察

采用生物素化凝集素ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＰＮＡ、ＳＢＡ 和ＷＧＡ, 对大鼠左室壁血管内皮的凝集素受体进行了观察, 结果发现, 大鼠左室壁血管内皮存在有ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ及ＷＧＡ受体, 文中讨论了血管内皮凝集素受体的分布情况及其意义。     

高及低转移潜能小鼠肝癌细胞株糖蛋白凝集素结合特征的研究

为探讨肿瘤转移与细胞表面的糖结构的关系,对小鼠肝癌细胞的高、低淋巴道转移株ＨＣａ－Ｆ和ＨＣａ－Ｐ进行了蛋白质电泳及经蛋白质印迹术后的５种凝集素（ＣｏｎＡ、ＷＧＡ、ＵＥＡ、ＳＢＡ、ＰＮＡ）结合糖蛋白谱的对比分析。结果表明：高、低转移两株细胞的ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ谱基本相同;Ｃｏｎ Ａ特异结合糖蛋白共有５种（￣７２,８０￣９０,￣１０４,￣１５０,￣２００ｋＤ）;其中较明显的差异为￣７２ｋＤ ＣｏｎＡ特异     

动情周期中大鼠输卵管上皮凝集素受体的研究

大鼠动情周期包括动情前期（ＰＥ）、动情期（Ｅ）、动脉后期（ＭＥ）和动情间期（ＤＥ）。采用生物素标记的５种凝集素（ＣｏｎＡ、ＰＮＡ、ＲＣＡ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ以及ＷＧＡ）对大鼠动情周期中输卵管上皮细胞的凝集素受体进行了研究,发现在大鼠动情周期中输卵管粘膜上皮细胞凝集素受体均有不同程度的变化：其中,ＣｏｎＡ的阳性反应以ＰＥ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＰＮＡ的阳性反应以Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组为阴性;ＲＣＡ的阳性反应强度以ＰＥ和Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＵＥＡ－Ⅰ的阳性反应颗粒可见于动情周期各期,但以ＰＥ组为强（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各期间的反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）;ＷＧＡ的阳性反应以ＤＥ组最强,与其它各组比较,差异有高度显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各组之间阳性反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）。说明输卵管上皮细胞的糖组分在动情周期中发生了某些变化。推测这些变化有利于输卵管功能活动的进行     

胃粘膜肠上皮化生与胃癌关系的组织化学和免疫组织化学研究

应用ＡＢ（ｐＨ１．０）ＫＯＨ／ＰＡＳ粘液组织化学和ＡＢＣ法凝集素标记,对１９０例胃粘膜病变标本进行观察。结果表明,结肠不完全型肠上皮化生多见于肠型癌（ＩＴＣ）及其癌旁组织。两型肠化在弥漫型癌（ＤＴＣ）中无显著差异。５种凝集素受体的含量和分布的差异与胃癌的组织学类型和分化程度有关。ＷＧＡ、ＲＣＡ和ＰＮＡ主要标记在ＤＴＣ中,与ＩＴＣ相比,有非常显著的差异（Ｐ＜０．０１）。其染色水平随肿瘤分化程度的降低而升高。ＣｏｎＡ和ＤＢＡ主要标记在ＩＴＣ和伴有肠化的慢性萎缩性胃炎中。凝集素肠化分型与粘液肠化分型基本相符。我们认为结肠不完全肠化与ＩＴＣ的发生关系密切,而小肠型和结肠完全型肠化可能与ＤＴＣ的发生有关。     

子宫-胎盘血管紧张素及其受体

子宫－胎盘中存在局部肾素－血管紧张素系统（ｒｅｎｉｎ－ａｎｇｉｏｔｅｎｓｉｎ ｓｙｓｔｅｍ,ＲＡＳ）。血管紧张素的分布较广泛,胎盘合体滋养层、子宫腺体、肌肉和血管壁均可见ＡｎｇⅡ的免疫阳性染色。胎盘主要表达血管紧张素Ⅰ型受体,子宫至少有两种血管紧张素受体亚型,其分布与数量存在种间差异。血管紧张素Ⅰ型受体与Ｇ蛋白偶联,可以激活三种不同的信号途径,Ⅱ型受体能否与Ｇ蛋白偶联及其信号转导途径仍有不同看法。     

妊娠早期人胎盘绒毛血管紧张素的研究

用生化提取、放射免疫测定及离体培养技术研究了妊娠早期人胎盘绒毛血管紧张素的含量与 变化,观察了血管紧张素Ⅱ对早孕胎盘人绒毛膜促性腺激素（ｈＣＧ）分泌的影响,并用ＡＢＣ法探 讨了血管紧张素Ⅱ的免疫组织化学定位。结果表明：妊娠６～１０周的人胎盘绒毛组织均检测到血管 紧张素,其含量随妊娠周龄增加而升高;离体培养的６～９周人胎盘绒毛亦能分泌血管紧张素,培 液中血管紧张素的水平与妊娠周龄呈平行关系;然而妊娠６～１０周母血中血管紧张素的含量无明 显变化。免疫组织化学结果指出早孕胎盘绒毛有ＡⅡ免疫阳性反应物质．免疫阳性物主要分布在合 体滋养层细胞内;在离体培养条件下,血管紧张素Ⅱ能刺激离体培养的人胎盘绒毛ｈＣＧ的分泌,其 受体阻断剂 ［Ｓａｒ１Ｉｉｅ８］ ＡｎｇⅡ（１０－８～１１－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对 ｈＣＧ分泌无影响,当 ［Ｓａｒ１　Ｉｉｅ８］ ＡｎｇⅡ浓度 达１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,绒毛ｈＣＧ分泌量显著降低。     

高及低转移潜能小鼠肝癌细胞株糖蛋白凝集素结合特征的研究

为探讨肿瘤转移与细胞表面的糖结构的关系,对小鼠肝癌细胞的高、低淋巴道转移株Ｈｃａ－Ｆ和Ｈｃａ－Ｐ进行了蛋白质电泳及经蛋白质印迹术后的５种凝集素（ＣｏｎＡ、ＷＧＡ、ＵＥＡ、ＳＢＡ、ＰＮＡ）结合糖蛋白谱的对比分析．结果表明：高、低转移两株细胞的ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ谱基本相同;ＣｏｎＡ特异结合糖蛋白共有５种（～７２,８０～９０,～１０４,～１５０,～２００ｋＤ）;其中较明显的差异为～７２ｋＤＣｏｎＡ特异结合糖蛋白,它在Ｈｃａ－Ｐ细胞的表达明显高于Ｈｃａ－Ｆ细胞．ＷＧＡ特异结合糖蛋白１种（～１５０ｋＤ）,在Ｈｃａ－Ｐ细胞的表达略高于Ｈｃａ－Ｆ细胞．此外,实验发现两种性质未明的蛋白质（～７９,～１３０ｋＤ）,后者在Ｈｃａ－Ｐ细胞的含量明显高于Ｈｃａ－Ｐ细胞．结果提示Ｈｃａ－Ｆ和Ｈｃａ－Ｐ细胞不同的转移表型可能与其糖蛋白的表达有一定的关联．     

Pregnancy-related changes in the mouse oviduct and uterus revealed by differential binding of fluoresceinated lectins

The binding of 20 fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lectins to various portions of the pregnant and non-pregnant murine oviduct and uterus was studied by fluorescence microscopy. Five lectins (from Ricinus communis (RCA-I), Maclura pomifera (MPA), Triticum vulgare (wheat germ-WGA), Bauhinia purpurea (BPA), and Ulex europeus (UEA-I] reacted differentially with the epithelium of pregnant as compared with the non-pregnant uterus. The binding of RCA-I, MPA and WGA delineated pregnancy-related changes in the distal oviduct and colliculus tubaris. WGA recognized also pregnancy related changes in the proximal oviduct. The reactivity of the remaining 15 lectins did not distinguish the pregnant and non-pregnant oviduct and uterus, although some of them served to identify specific components of the mouse genital tract. Thus, Soybean lectin (SBA) reacted almost exclusively with the colliculus tubaris. UEA-I alone reacted exclusively with the epithelium of the non-pregnant uterus. RCA-II reacted preferentially with the epithelium of the oviduct and uterus as compared with its weak reactivity with the stroma. Two lectins (from Pisum sativum and Lens culinaris) reacted selectively with stromal cells of the uterus and oviduct. Present data indicate that the differential binding properties of these FITC-labeled lectins can be exploited to identify certain components of the mouse oviduct and uterus and to indicate changes in the cell surface and/or cytoplasm in these structures during pregnancy.     

Lectin binding sites as markers of neonatal porcine uterine development.

To identify lectin binding sites and to determine if lectin binding patterns change with age in developing neonatal porcine uterine tissues, gilts (n = 3/day) were hysterectomized on Day 0 (birth), 7, 14, 28, 42, or 56. Lectin binding was visualized in Bouin's-fixed uterine tissues with seven biotinylated lectins (ConA, DBA, PNA, RCA-I, SBA, UEA-I, and WGA) and avidin-peroxidase staining procedures. Lectin specificities were demonstrated by pre-incubating lectins with appropriate inhibitory sugars (0.2 M). Staining intensity was evaluated visually (absent, weak, moderate, or strong) for three endometrial tissues; luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and stroma. Staining intensities for DBA, PNA, SBA, and WGA were not affected by neonatal age. Staining with these lectins was greater in uterine epithelium (moderate or strong) than in stroma (weak). In contrast, binding patterns for ConA, UEA-I, and RCA-I were affected by neonatal age. Strong epithelial staining associated with ConA binding was observed on all days, whereas stromal ConA staining decreased in intensity from moderate to weak after Day 14. Epithelial staining with UEA-I increased from moderate to strong after Day 28, whereas stromal UEA-I staining decreased from moderate to weak after day 28. Staining with RCA-I was homogeneous for luminal epithelium and stroma but variegated for glandular epithelium on and after Day 7. These observations indicate that a variety of lectin binding sites are present in developing neonatal porcine endometrial tissues and that developmentally related alterations in the distribution and/or orientation of glycoconjugates containing alpha-D-mannose, beta-D-galactose, beta-D-acetyl-N-galactosamine, and alpha-L-fucose residues occur between birth and Day 56 as these tissues mature.     

Changes in lectin-binding pattern in the digestive tract of Xenopus laevis during metamorphosis. I. Gastric region.

The distribution of structural and secretory glycoconjugates in the gastric region of metamorphosing Xenopus laevis was studied by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) histochemical staining method using seven lectins (concanavalin A, Con A; Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, DBA; peanut agglutinin, PNA; Ricinus communis agglutinin I, RCA-I; soybean agglutinin, SBA; Ulex europeus agglutinin I, UEA-I; and wheat germ agglutinin, WGA). Throughout the larval period to stage 60, the epithelium consisting of surface cells and gland cells was stained in various patterns with all lectins examined, whereas the thin layer of connective tissue was positive only for RCA-I. At the beginning of metamorphic climax, the connective tissue became stained with Con A, SBA, and WGA, and its staining pattern varied with different lectins. The region just beneath the surface cells was strongly stained only with RCA-I. With the progression of development, both the epithelium and the connective tissue gradually changed their staining patterns. The surface cells, the gland cells, and the connective tissue conspicuously changed their staining patterns, respectively, for Con A and WGA; for Con A, PNA, RCA-I, SBA, and WGA; and for Con A, RCA-I, and WGA. At the completion of metamorphosis (stage 66), mucous neck cells became clearly identifiable in the epithelium, and their cytoplasm was strongly stained with DBA, PNA, RCA-I, and SBA. These results indicate that lectin histochemistry can provide good criteria for distinguishing among three epithelial cell types, namely, surface cells, gland cells, and mucous neck cells, and between adult and larval cells of each type.     

Principal features of the nerve supply to the ovary, oviduct and tubal third of the uterus in the golden hamster

The autonomic outflow and sensory structures in the ovary and accessory reproductive organs of the hamster are described by means of specific fluorescence and enzyme histochemical techniques for the demonstration of catecholamine and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), respectively. Sympathetic nerves accompany branches of the major blood vessels in the mesentery of the ovary, oviduct and tubal uterine horn and invest the vascular bed in each of these organs. Vasomotor fibers predominate in the ovary and oviduct, though occasional adrenergic axons supply thecal and interstitial tissues in the ovary and the longitudinal smooth muscle of the oviduct. Fluorescent myomotor axons run in the suspensory ligament and outer myometrial layer of the uterus, but most of the numerous sympathetic and AChE-fibers in the tubal third of the horn supply the intramural and submucosal vascular plexuses. A limited electron microscopic study of the central spiral (preplacental) arteries of the endometrium indicates that the surrounding terminal AChE-fibers are identical to the fluorescent and granular vesicle-bearing adrenergic axons which form neuromuscular junctions with these vessels. Based on the discovery of specialized sensory endings in the walls of the large collecting veins which drain the hamster uterus, a mechanism is proposed to account for the regulation of blood flow through maternal placental vessels which are devoid of an arteriolar neuromuscular apparatus.     

Distribution of lectin receptors in postimplantation mouse embryos at 6-8 days gestation

We have examined the pattern of binding of eleven lectins--BSL-II, WGA, LPA, Con A, DBA, SBA, LTA, UEA-I, MPA, PNA, and RCA-I, with specificity for a range of saccharides, to postimplantation mouse embryos from 6 to 8 days of gestation. The lectins were used to stain sections of ethanol-fixed paraffin-embedded and formaldehyde-fixed gelatin-embedded embryonic material. Our observations reveal a complex pattern of lectin binding to both cell surfaces and cytoplasm. Many of the lectins bind particularly to the outer surface of visceral endoderm (e.g., DBA, WGA, SBA, and RCA-I) and to the surface of the proamniotic cavity (e.g., RCA-I, PNA, and WGA). In the newly formed mesenchyme of primitive-streak-stage embryos, galactose and N-Ac-neuraminic acid are present but lectins with specificity for other sugars either did not bind to the cells or bound only in small amounts.     

Distribution of lectin-binding glycosidic residues in the hamster follicular oocytes and their modifications in the zona pellucida after ovulation.

In the present study, we have employed a battery of colloidal gold-tagged lectins as probes in conjunction with quantitative analysis to demonstrate the distribution and changes of carbohydrate residues in the hamster zona pellucida (ZP) during ovarian follicular development and during transit of the oocyte through the oviduct after ovulation. High-resolution lectin-gold cytochemistry performed on thin sections of LR White-embedded ovaries revealed a moderate to strong reactivity to WGA, PNA, DSA, AAA, and MAA over the entire thickness of the ZP of ovarian oocytes at different stages of follicular development. Labeling intensity over the ZP progressively increased as follicles matured in the ovary. In parallel, there was an association of labeling by gold particles with cortical granules, stacks of Golgi saccules, and complex structures called vesicular aggregates in the oocyte proper especially during the late stages of follicular growth. In contrary, labeling with each of HPA, DBA, and BSAIB(4) was absent in the ovary but was found to be localized over Golgi complexes and secretory granules in the non-ciliated secretory cells of the oviduct. When ovulated oocytes were labeled with each of HPA, WGA, RCA-I, PNA, DSA, BSAIB(4), AAA, MAA, and DBA, the ZP and several organelles in the oocyte proper presented a differential distribution of lectin-binding sites. Quantitative analysis was also performed on labeling by lectin-gold complexes that bind specifically to the ZP of mature follicular and ovulated oocytes. Quantitative evaluation revealed heterogeneous labeling between the inner and the outer zone of the ZP. A significant increase in the labeling densities in both inner and outer ZP was noted when tissue sections of ovulated oocytes were labeled with RCA-I or AAA. Tissue sections of ovaries labeled with WGA demonstrated a significant increase in the density of labeling in the outer layer of the ZP. Labeling by PNA, DSA, and MAA, however, showed a significant decrease in both the inner and outer portions of the ZP. Together, these results suggest that in the hamster, glycoproteins carrying specific sugar residues are added to the ZP of ovarian follicles during the early stages of folliculogenesis and are processed through a common secretory machinery, and that there is a significant change in both the sugar moieties and distribution of glycoproteins in the ZP following ovulation. Our results also showed that the hamster oviduct plays an important role in contributing certain glycoproteins to the ZP suggesting that the sugar moieties of these oviductal glycoproteins may have functional significance in fertilization.     

Eosinophilic globule cells in mouse MFH-like sarcomas: lectin histochemistry.

Lectin binding patterns in ten mouse malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)-like sarcomas containing eosinophilic globule (EG) cells and in granular metrial gland (GMG) cells of mouse placenta were stained with nine lectins (Con A, LCA, WGA, DBA, SBA, e-PHA, PNA, RCA-I and UEA-I) by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex method. EG cells stained strongly with DBA, SBA and PNA which are specific for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and/or D-galactose. DBA and SBA bound throughout the cytoplasm including the globules; PNA reacted preferentially at the cell surface. There was no evidence that these three lectins were reactive for immature EG cells. WGA, RCA-I and e-PHA also gave a slightly to moderately positive reaction to globules of EG cells. The results indicate that the globules contain abundant O-linked sequences of sugars, but also a few N-linked residues. MFH tumor cells showed a variable degree of binding with Con A, RCA-I, and WGA, but did not react with DBA, SBA and PNA. On the other hand, GMG cells exhibited specific affinities for DBA, SBA and PNA with staining patterns similar to those of EG cells. These findings suggest that EG and GMG cells may be of the same cellular lineage.     

Postnatal development of lectin binding sites in the rat ventral prostate

Summary Five Fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins were used to study the postnatal development of carbohydrate constituents in the rat ventral prostate: Concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA),Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) andRicinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I) With all the lectins, tested, except RCA-I, specific binding sites could be shown for every stage of differentiation in the glandular epithelium. Binding sites for Con A, WGA, PNA and DBA were found from day 10 to 13 post partum onwards. Each lectin showed a characteristic localization. Binding sites for the lectins used changed to different extents during the following two weeks. After the 24th day post partum no further changes in the lectin binding pattern could be found. The development of the lectin binding properties showed that the changes in carbohydrate-containing constituents of the prostate correlate with the beginning of prostatic secretion and to prostatic epithelial differentiation. In the periacinar stroma the development of the lectin binding pattern was similar to that in the glandular epithelium. The changes of stromal binding sites for Con A and WGA during epithelial differentiation may reflect the changes of epithelial-stromal interactions in the prostate.     

Spatial and temporal changes in the pattern of glycosylation of the developing chick limb tissue components as revealed by fluorescent conjugated lectin probes

The changing pattern of expression of glycoconjugates during the differentiation of the chick leg bud between stages 17 to 34 (days 3 to 8 of incubation) was studied using fluorochrome-labelled plant lectins. Limb buds were fixed in cold acetic-alcohol and wax-embedded. Agglutinins of peanut (PNA), soybean (SBA) and succinylated wheat germ (WGAs) revealed a specific binding pattern in the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) between Hamburger and Hamilton stages 19-32. These stages coincide with the period of elevation of the AER. This specific binding pattern was absent from the adjacent dorsal and ventral ectoderm. Prechondrogenic cells were positive for WGA and for PNA, and the PNA-binding capacity was intensified after neuraminidase treatment. Premyogenic cells at stage 23 can be identified as negative to PNA after neuraminidase, while the blood vessels became positive. PNA, SBA, WGA, WGAs and, in addition, Ricinus communis (RCA-I) lectins stained the basal membrane. Strands of extracellular matrix which connect with the basal membrane and cross the limb transversely between dorsal and ventral ectoderm were stained by RCA-I, SBA and PNA after neuraminidase.     

Immunocytochemical localization of catechol-O-methyltransferase in the oviduct and in macrophages in corpora lutea of rat

Summary Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) (EC 2.1.1.6) was localized in rat ovary, oviduct, and uterus using immunocytochemical methods. Immunoreactive deposits were found in the cytoplasm of macrophages in the ovary, epithelial cells of the oviduct, and glandular epithelial cells of the non-pregnant uterus. The pattern of localization observed in the extraneuronal elements suggests that enzyme may function in extraneuronal inactivation of catechols in the ovary, oviduct, and uterus.