Binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated lectins to rat spermatogenic cells in tissue sections. Enhancement of lectin fluorescence obtained by fixation in Bouin's fluid

The testes from three months old Sprague-Dawley rats were fixed in Bouin's fluid or neutral buffered 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and after deparaffination stained with the following fluorescein isothiocyanate coupled lectins: PNA, WGA, Con A, RCA, SBA, DBA and UEA. The results show that there are considerable differences in the staining pattern of various spermatogenic cells between different lectins. The fixation in Bouin's fluid enhanced the staining of all the lectins compared to formalin fixation in which only a weak staining could be seen in the acrosomes of spermatids after WGA or PNA staining. PNA and WGA stained specifically the acrosome of the developing spermatids, which was seen from the beginning of the acrosome formation and lasted up to late spermiogenesis. However, the staining with PNA decreased in the late spermatids whereas the intensity of the staining remained unchanged with WGA. Con A did not stain the acrosome but stained unspecifically the cytoplasm of all spermatogenic cells. RCA stained faintly the acrosome throughout the spermatid differentiation. DBA and UEA stained specifically the chromosomes of B spermatogonia. DBA also faintly stained the cell membranes of early spermatids. SBA did not show any specific staining of the spermatogenic cells. Based on this it is suggested that the carbohydrates and glycoproteins which are known to be present in the acrosome are formed already in the beginning of the acrosome formation. The decrease in the PNA staining in late spermatids possibly reflects the fact that the receptor molecules are not synthesized in late spermatids but are formed in earlier developmental stages and are thereafter preserved in the acrosome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lectin binding to rat spermatogenic cells: Effects of different fixation methods and proteolytic enzyme treatment

Summary The binding of a panel of eight different fluorescein-conjugated lectins to rat spermatogenic cells was investigated. Particular attention was paid to the effects of different fixation methods and proteolytic enzyme digestion on the staining pattern.Concanavalin A (Con A), wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA), succinylated WGA (s-WGA) and agglutinin from gorse (UEA I) stained the cytoplasm of most germ cells as well as the spermatid acrosome. In contrast, peanut agglutinin (PNA), castor bean agglutinin (RCAI) and soy bean agglutinin (SBA) mainly stained the acrosome. The staining pattern varied depending on the fixation method used. PNA was particularly sensitive to formalin fixation, while SBA, DBA and UEA I showed decreased binding and Con A, WGA, s-WGA and RCA I were insensitive to this type of fixation. Pepsin treatment of the sections before lectin staining caused marked changes in the staining pattern; staining with PNA in formalin-fixed tissue sections was particularly improved but there was also enhanced staining with SBA and horse gram agglutinin (DBA). On the other hand, in Bouin- and particularly in acetone-fixed tissue sections, pepsin treatment decreased the staining with several of the lectins, for example WGA and UEA I.     

Lectin histochemistry of human skeletal muscle

Biotinyl derivatives of seven plant lectins-concanavalin A (Con A), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA I), Ulex europeus agglutinin I (UEA I), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-were bound to cryostat sections of biopsied normal human muscle and visualized with avidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. A distinct staining pattern was observed with each lectin. The most general staining was observed with Con A, RCA I, and WGA, which permitted strong visualization of the plasmalemma-basement membrane unit, tubular profiles in the interior of muscle fibers, blood vessels, and connective tissue. PNA gave virtually no intracellular staining, while SBA and UEA I selectively stained blood vessels. DBA was unique in providing good visualization of myonuclei. In each case, lectin staining could be blocked by appropriate sugar inhibitors. Neuraminidase pretreatment of the cryostat sections altered the pattern of staining by all lectins except UEA I and Con A; staining with RCA I became stronger and that with WGA became less intense, while staining with PNA, SBA and DBA became stronger and more generalized, resembling that of RCA I. These effects of neuraminidase pretreatment are in conformity with the known structure of the oligosaccharide chains of membrane glycoproteins and specificities of the lectins involved.     

Different binding to squamous and columnar epithelium of the uterine cervix as a marker of epithelial differentiation

Biotinylated lectins were used to investigate the expression of carbohydrate residues on columnar and squamous epithelium of the uterine cervix. Con A, WGA, RCA I, PNA, UEA I, DBA and SBA were used. In the native exocervical and in metaplastic squamous epithelium of the transformation zone, one group of lectins (Con A, WGA, RCA I and PNA) stained the cell periphery of all epithelial layers. A second group (UEA I, DBA and SBA) colored the cell periphery of the suprabasal cells. The basal layer was always negative. All lectins labeled the apical border and occasionally the cytoplasm of the endocervical columnar epithelium. Lectin-binding of metaplastic and native squamous epithelium could possibly be used as a marker of epithelial differentiation in normal and abnormal conditions.     

Lectin binding to collagen strands in histologic tissue sections

Histologic sections from human skin and uterine ligaments were stained with the following FITC conjugated lectins: Con A, WGA, s-WGA, SBA, DBA, UEA I, PNA, RCA I, BPA, GSA I, GSA II, MPA and LPA. The staining of the connective tissue was similar in the dermis and the uterine ligaments and it was most intense in the extracellular matrix containing collagen strands whereas the fibrocytes remained unstained. The staining was clear with glucose or N-acetylglucosamine binding lectins like Con A, WGA, s-WGA and GSA II, which may be related to the presence of glucose residues in collagenous hydroxylysine. The staining with some of the galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine binding lectins like RCA I, DBA, and BPA was less intense. This may reflect the presence of terminal galactose sugars in the hydroxylysine of collagen. No staining was found with SBA, UEA I, PNA, GSAI, MPA or LPA. The results show that different particularly glucose specific lectins bind to the extracellular matrix and especially to collagenous strands in connective tissue. It is suggested that this might be used in histochemical studies of connective tissue and particularly concerning the changes that may occur in different disease states.     

A comparison of lectin binding in rat and human peripheral nerve

Eleven different fluorescein- or peroxidase-conjugated lectins with different sugar-binding affinities were employed to analyze and compare glycoconjugates of rat and human peripheral nerves at the light microscopic level. A majority of lectins showed a distinct binding pattern in different structures of the nerve. Lectin binding was similar but not identical in rat and human nerves. Limulus polyhemus agglutinin did not stain any structures in rat or human nerves. In both species, all other lectins bound to the perineurium. Perineurial staining was intense with Canavalia ensiformis (Con A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Maclura pomifera (MPA); moderate with Glycine max (SBA), Griffonia simplicifolia-I (GS-I) and GS-II; weak with Ulex europaeus (UEA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), and Ricinus communis (RCA). In the endoneurium of both species, ConA staining was intense, MPA and WGA moderate, SBA, GS-II, PNA, and RCA weak, and UEA and DBA absent. Interestingly, GS-I stained rat but not human endoneurium. Most lectins bound to blood vessels. GS-I bound to rat but not human, whereas UEA bound to human but not rat vessels. The results show that lectins can be used to reveal heterogeneity in sugar residues of glycoconjugates within neural and vascular components of nerves. They may therefore be potentially useful in detecting changes in glycoconjugates during nerve degeneration and subsequent regeneration after trauma or in pathological states.     

Lectin histochemical study on the infraorbital gland of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus)

Histology and lectin histochemistry were performed in the infraorbital gland of the Japanese serow. The gland is composed of glandular tissues and a pouch filled with the secretion. The tissues consist of an inner layer of sebaceous glands and an outer layer of apocrine glands. The male sebaceous layer is made up of the ordinary type, whereas the female's layer consists of the ordinary and modified types. In the apocrine gland stained with Arachis hypogaea (PNA), nine different patterns of glandular tubules were distinguished on the basis of staining of the cytoplasm, the Golgi area of secretory cells and secretion. Secretory modes of apocrine secretion and exocytosis were included in these stainings. Myoepithelial cells stained constantly with Glycine max (SBA) except when only the Golgi area of secretory cells was positive. The modified sebaceous gland was stained with PNA, SBA, Ricinus communis I (RCA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Canavalia ensiformis (Con A) and Ulex europaeus I (UEA), while the ordinary type was positive in PNA, RCA, SBA, WGA and Con A. The secretion in the pouch was stained with PNA, RCA, SBA, Dolichos biflorus (DBA), WGA and Con A. These findings suggest that the modified sebaceous gland contains large amounts of glycoconjugates and the apocrine gland shows a cyclic secretory process of apocrine secretion and exocytosis.     

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.     

Lectin binding to newt epidermis: fluorescent localization and effects on motility

The ability of seven lectins to bind to newt epidermal cells and influence their motility was examined. Of the seven fluoresceinated lectins applied to frozen sections containing intact newt skin and migrating epidermis (wound epithelium), only Con A (concanavalin A), WGA (wheat germ agglutinin), and PNA (peanut agglutinin) produced detectable epidermal fluorescence. Con A and WGA each heavily labeled all layers of intact epidermis, but PNA bound only to the more superficial layers. In contrast to a single population of labeled cells in migrating epidermal sheets after treatment with Con A, there were both labeled and unlabeled cells after exposure to either WGA or PNA. The wound bed was labeled by both Con A and WGA, but not by PNA. DBA (Dolichos bifloris agglutinin), RCA I (Ricinus communis agglutinin), and UEA (Ulex europaeus agglutinin), did not produce significant fluorescence with either migrating or intact epidermis. In general, inhibitory effects on epidermal motility correlated with the binding studies. Thus, Con A, WGA, and PNA, the lectins which clearly bound to the epidermis, all produced a concentration-dependent depression in the rate of epidermal wound closure. RCA was somewhat paradoxical in that it was moderately inhibitory despite showing essentially no binding. The effects of SBA and UEA were equivocal. DBA had no effect. These results indicate that the inhibition of motility produced by Con A that we have described previously is not peculiar to this mannose-binding lectin, but is shared by at least one lectin with an affinity for D-GlcNAc (WGA), and one with an affinity for B-D-Gal(1-3)-D-GalNAc (PNA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cellular heterogeneity in normal human urothelium: Quantitative studies of lectin binding

Summary A panel of 10 FITC-labelled lectins (MPA, PNA, ConA, DBA, SBA, RCA-120, WGA, UEA, GS-I, GS-II) was applied to cryosections of seven specimens of normal urothelium. Seven of the lectins (MPA, ConA, RCA, WGA, UEA, GS-I and GS-II) showed a pattern of increasing fluorescence intensity from basal to superficial cells of the urothelium whereas PNA, DBA and SBA showed more uniform binding throughout the urothelium. Urothelial cell suspensions labelled with FITC-lectins were studied by flow cytometry to quantify the variation in binding to different cells types. Three cellular subpopulations were identified in normal urothelium on the basis of their optical properties. Fluorescence intensity due to specific lectin binding was then measured separately for each subpopulation. Although there was some variation among individual cases, a general pattern emerged in this small series. WGA, RCA, and GS-II bind in large quantities to all urothelial cells while PNA, SBA, ConA and DBA show little binding. MPA, RCA, UEA and GS-I showed the most marked increase in fluorescence intensity from basal to superficial cells as observed microscopically and quantified by flow cytometry.     

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.     

Trypanosoma rhodesiense bloodstream trypomastigote and culture procyclic cell surface carbohydrates

Bloodstream trypomastigote and culture procyclic (insect midgut) forms of a cloned T. rhodesiense variant (WRAT at 1) were tested for agglutination with the lectins concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin P (PP), soybean agglutinin (SBA), fucose binding protein (FBP), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and castor bean lectin (RCA). Fluorescence-microscopic localization of lectin binding to both formalin-fixed trypomastigotes and red cells was determined with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Con A, SBA, FBP, WGA, RCA, PNA (peanut agglutinin), DBA (Dolichos bifloris), and UEA (Ulex europaeus) lectins. Electron microscopic localization of lectin binding sites on bloodstream trypomastigotes was accomplished by the Con A-horseradish peroxidase-diamino-benzidine (HRP-DAB) technique, and by a Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin method. Trypomastigotes, isolated by centrifugation or filtration through DEAE-cellulose or thawed after cryopreservation, were agglutinated by the lectins Con A and PP with agglutination strength scored as Con A greater than PP. No agglutination was observed in control preparations or with the lectins WGA, FBA or SBA. Red cells were agglutinated by all the lectins tested. Formalin-fixed bloodstream trypomastigotes bound FITC-Con A and FITC-RCA but not FITC-WAG, -SBA, -PNA, -UEA or -DBA lectins. All FITC-labeled lectins bound to red cells. Con A receptors, visualized by Con A-HRP-DAB and Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin techniques, were distributed uniformly on T. rhodesiense bloodstream forms. No lectin receptors were visualized on control preparations. Culture procyclics lacked a cell surface coat and were agglutinated by Con A and WGA but not RCA, SBA, PP and FBP. Procyclics were not agglutinated by lectins in the presence of competing sugar at 0.25 M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in lectin-binding pattern in the digestive tract of Xenopus laevis during metamorphosis. II. Small intestine.

The binding of 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, UEA-I; and wheat germ agglutinin, WGA) to the small intestine in metamorphosing Xenopus laevis was studied by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) method. The staining pattern of the epithelium with all lectins except for UEA-I and Con A changed gradually during metamorphic climax; the main component of the epithelium, absorptive cells, gradually became positive for DBA, PNA, and SBA and the scattered goblet cells for RCA-I and WGA. On the other hand, the change of the staining pattern in the connective tissue occurred only for Con A, RCA-I, and WGA, and this change took place rapidly at the beginning of climax (stage 60). Increased staining for Con A and WGA at stage 60 was observed only in a group of connective tissue cells close to the epithelium and in the basement membrane. As metamorphosis progressed, this localization of the staining intensity became less clear. At the completion of metamorphosis (stage 66), the absorptive cells were stained with all lectins except for UEA-I, whereas the goblet cells stained only with RCA-I and WGA. These results indicate that lectin histochemistry can distinguish between larval and adult cells of both two epithelial types (absorptive and goblet cells). The technique may also identify a group of connective tissue cells, close to the epithelium, that possibly induce the metamorphic epithelial changes.     

The lectin binding pattern of normal and pathologically altered synovial tissue

Light-microscopical lectin-binding studies were carried out in healthy and pathologically altered synovial tissue (osteoarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA)). Seven lectins were studied: Con A, DBA, PNA, RCA, SBA, UEA-I, and WGA. Con A and WGA mark all lining cells and the majority of subintimal synovial cells. RCA and SBA stain only a portion of lining cells, regardless of the basic pathology. The lectin PNA reacts only with RA and arthrotic material, and is thus suitable for the diagnosis of inflammatory changes in synovial tissue. UEA-1 is a consistent marker for capillary endothelium and large vessels.     

Trypanosoma rhodesiense Bloodstream Trypomastigote and Culture Procyclic Cell Surface Carbohydrates1, 2, 3

Bloodstream trypomastigote and culture procyclic (insect midgut) forms of a cloned T. rhodesiense variant (WRATat 1) were tested for agglutination with the lectins concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin P (PP), soybean agglutinin (SBA), fucose binding protein (FBP), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and castor bean lectin (RCA). Fluorescence-microscopic localization of lectin binding to both formalin-fixed trypomastigotes and red cells was determined with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Con A, SBA, FBP, WGA, RCA, PNA (peanut agglutinin), DBA (Dolichos bifloris), and UEA (Ulex europaeus) lectins. Electron microscopic localization of lectin binding sites on bloodstream trypomastigotes was accomplished by the Con A-horseradish peroxidase-diaminobenzidine (HRP-DAB) technique, and by a Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin method. Trypomastigotes, isolated by centrifugation or filtration through DEAE-cellulose or thawed after cryopreservation, were agglutinated by the lectins Con A and PP with agglutination strength scored as Con A < PP. No agglutination was observed in control preparations or with the lectins WGA, FBA or SBA. Red cells were agglutinated by all the lectins tested. Formalin-fixed bloodstream trypomastigotes bound FITC-Con A and FITC-RCA but not FITC-WGA, -SBA, -PNA, -UEA or -DBA lectins. All FITC-labeled lectins bound to red cells. Con A receptors, visualized by Con A-HRP-DAB and Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin techniques, were distributed uniformly on T. rhodesiense bloodstream forms. No lectin receptors were visualized on control preparations. Culture procyclics lacked a cell surface coat and were agglutinated by Con A and WGA but not RCA, SBA, PP and FBP. Procyclics were not agglutinated by lectins in the presence of competing sugar at 0.25 M. The expression of lectin binding cell surface saccharides of T. rhodesiense WRATat 1 is related to the parasite stage. Sugars resembling α-D-mannose are on the surface of bloodstream trypomastigotes and culture procyclics; n-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-galactose residues are on bloodstream forms; and n-acetyl-D-glucosamine-like sugars are on procyclic stages.     

Lectin staining of rat testis and epididymis after ligation of excurrent ducts at different levels

Seven rhodamine-conjugated lectins (PNA, RCA I, SBA, Con A, WGA, UEA I, and DBA; see Table 1) were utilized in studying the staining pattern of glycoproteins in rat testis and epididymis after ligation of ductuli efferentes (DE), corpus epididymidis (CE), and vas deferens (VD) for various time periods. Ductuli efferentes ligation caused a widening of seminferous tubules and detachment of spermatids with formation of multinuclear cells. These cells acquired a strong affinity for all lectins. Corpus epididymidis ligation also caused degeneration of spermatids with increased lectin staining in some tubules, but after 7 days another cell population close to the periphery of seminiferous tubules showed an increased nuclear affinity for some lectins followed by a clear degeneration and strong cytoplasmic staining with all lectins. Vas deferens ligation caused no degenerative changes in testicular spermatids. However, the peripheral cell population showed degenerative changes similar to those found after CE ligation. In both cases this was coincident with the formation of spermatic granulomas at the site of ligation. Ductuli efferentes ligation caused a gradual decrease of intratubular content in caput epididymidis, while the contrary was true after CE ligation. The latter was associated with intratubular accumulation of lectin-positive swollen cells and sperm aggregates as well as an increased lectin staining of narrow cells in initial segment and light cells in distal caput. After VD ligation an increased staining of light cells was initially found in distal cauda and distal caput, but, concomitant with distension of the tubules this reaction decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A survey of lectin binding in Paramecium

To better understand the general distribution of glycoproteins and the distribution of specific glycoprotein-bound sugar residues in Paramecium, a survey of the binding pattern of selected lectins was carried out in P. tetraurelia, P. caudatum, and P. multimicronucleatum. Lectins studied were concanavalin A (Con A), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinins I and II (GS I and GS II), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ulex europaeus (UEA I), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinis communis toxin (RCA60) and agglutinin (RCA120), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin (BPA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA). Those giving the most distinctive patterns were Con A, GS II, WGA, UEA I, and PNA. No significant differences were found between the three species. Concanavalin A, a mannose/glucose-binding lectin, diffusely labeled the cell surface and cytoplasm and, unexpectedly, the nuclear envelopes. Events of nuclear division, and nuclear size and number were thus revealed. Both WGA and GS II, which are N-acetylglucosamine-binding lectins, labeled trichocyst tips, the cell surface, and the oral region, revealing stages of stomatogenesis. The lectin WGA, in addition, labeled the compartments of the phagosome-lysosome system. The lectin PNA, an N-acetyl galactosamine/galactose-binding protein, was very specific for digestive vacuoles. Finally, UEA I, a fucose-binding lectin, brightly labeled trichocysts, both their tips and body outlines. We conclude that a judicious choice of lectins can be used to localize glycoproteins and specific sugar residues as well as to study certain events of nuclear division, cellular morphogenesis, trichocyst discharge, and events in the digestive cycle of Paramecium.     

Glycoconjugates in normal human kidney. A histochemical study using 13 biotinylated lectins

The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique was used with 13 lectins to study the glycoconjugates of normal human renal tissue. The evaluated lectins included Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Concanavalin ensiformis (ConA), Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin and erythroagglutinin (PHA-L and PHA-E), Lens culinaris (LCA), Pisum sativum (PSA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Glycine max (SBA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Sophora japonica (SJA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia I (BSL-I), Ulex europaeus I (UEA-I) and Ricinus communis I (RCA-I). Characteristic and reproducible staining patterns were observed. WGA and ConA stained all tubules; PHA-L, PHA-E, LCA, PSA stained predominantly proximal tubules; DBA, SBA, PNA, SJA and BSL-I stained predominantly distal portions of nephrons. In glomeruli, WGA and PHA-L stained predominantly visceral epithelial cells; ConA stained predominantly basement membranes and UEA-I stained exclusively endothelial cells. UEA-I also stained endothelial cells of other blood vessels and medullary collecting ducts. Sialidase treatment before staining caused marked changes of the binding patterns of several lectins including a focal loss of glomerular and tubular staining by WGA; an acquired staining of endothelium by PNA and SBA; and of glomeruli by PNA, SBA, PHA-E, LCA, PSA and RCA-I. The known saccharide specificities and binding patterns of the lectins employed in this study allowed some conclusions about the nature and the distribution of the sugar residues in the oligosaccharide chains of renal glycoconjugates. The technique used in this report may be applicable to other studies such as evaluation of normal renal maturation, classification of renal cysts and pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome. The observations herein reported may serve as a reference for these studies.     

Lectin staining of cultured CNS microglia.

Carbohydrate binding proteins, known as lectins, bind to specific sugar groups on most membranes. We used fluorescent and light microscopy to study the interaction of various lectins with the membranes of microglia cultured from neonatal rat or fetal mouse cerebral cortices. Microglia stained intensely with GS-1, RCA, WGA, and ConA and slightly with DBA, UEA, BPA, and SBA. No staining was seen with GS-2, MPA, or PNA. Staining was specific for microglia in the mixed glial cultures and was dose dependent. In addition, microglial lectin binding could be reduced or blocked by competitive inhibition using specific sugars. Treatment of the microglia with agents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interferon (IFN), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not eliminate lectin staining, although the degree of staining was altered. Positive staining of the microglia was also associated with a functional change for at least one lectin, i.e., ConA. Superoxide anion production by microglia was increased in the presence of ConA. Overall, binding of the lectins GS-1, RCA, WGA, and ConA can be used as an identifying tool for microglia in glial cultures, but intensity of staining varies depending on their functional state.     

Glycoconjugates of human sperm surface. A study with fluorescent lectin conjugates and lens culinaris agglutinin affinity chromatography

Distribution of glycocompounds in human spermatozoa was studied by using fluorescent lectin-conjugates. Con A bound predominantly to acrosomal and posterior head regions whereas RCA I bound to the acrosomal region of intact spermatozoa, stained in suspension. Other lectins used (LCA, WGA, SBA, PNA) stained the the entire sperm surface. In airdried sperm smears binding of both Con A and RCA I were identical with the staining pattern obtained with living cells whereas LCA, WGA, SBA and PNA now bound heavily into acrosomal region. As a similar staining pattern was obtained with permeabilized sperm cells, this staining is apparently due to binding to intracellular structures. The efficiency of Lens culinaris agglutinin affinity chromatography in purification of human sperm glycoproteins was tested after their external radiolabelling with the neuraminidase/galactose oxidase/sodium borohydride method. 22% of applicated radioactivity could be eluted from the column with the specific inhibitory saccharide, and most of the radiolabelled surface glycoproteins of the whole sperm lysate, were also present in the LCA affinity column eluate. LCA affinity chromatography seems thus be an effective method to enrich membrane glycoproteins of human spermatozoa.