Premium
Localization of immunoreactive thymosin α 1 in astrocytes of normal human brain
Author(s) -
Su Yuanliang,
Loon Ho Kang,
Dalakas Marinos C.,
Mutchnick Milton G.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410260216
Subject(s) - antiserum , thymosin , glial fibrillary acidic protein , biotinylation , biology , immunocytochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , astrocyte , horseradish peroxidase , central nervous system , immunohistochemistry , peptide , antigen , biochemistry , immunology , endocrinology , enzyme
We employed an immunocytochemical method to examine human brain for the presence of immunoreactive thymosin α 1 (Tα 1 ), a peptide derivative of thymic tissue, using a well‐characterized antiserum. For cell identification, serial sections were stained with antisera to thymosin β 4 (Tβ 4 ), another thymic peptide that identifies oligodendrocytes, and with anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antiserum that stains astrocytes in a double‐staining technique using avidin‐biotinylated horseradish peroxidase or avidin‐biotinylated alkaline phosphatase complex. Antiserum to Tα 1 stained the cell body, but not the processes, of GFAP‐positive astrocytes, suggesting that Tα 1 is a common antigen shared between thymus and astrocytes. Because Tα 1 and its precursor molecule play a role in cell proliferation and immunomodulation, our findings could explain the role of astrocytes in certain central nervous system diseases.