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Immunocytochemical localization of peroxisomal β‐oxidation enzymes in human fetal liver
Author(s) -
Espeel M.,
Jauniaux E.,
Hashimoto T.,
Roels F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970100602
Subject(s) - thiolase , peroxisome , immunocytochemistry , immunostaining , polyclonal antibodies , fetus , biology , immunohistochemistry , medicine , pathology , biochemistry , endocrinology , antibody , pregnancy , immunology , receptor , genetics
Abstract In the majority of congenital peroxisomal disorders, β‐oxidation of very long chain fatty acids is deficient. We have investigated the appearance and localization of the three peroxisomal β‐oxidation enzymes in normal fetal liver (fertilization age between 5 and 18 weeks) with protein A‐ gold immunocytochemistry and silver enhancement for light microscopic visualization. With specificity‐tested polyclonal antibodies, acyl‐CoA‐oxidase, bifunctiooal enzyme, and 3‐oxoacyl‐CoA thiolase were localized in the peroxisomes of the parenchymal cells, which appear as brown or black granules. In the youngest specimen, no immunopositive reaction was obtained. A weak reaction with anti‐thiolase was obtained at the age of 6–7 weeks. At a fertilization age of 8 weeks, peroxisomes could be distinctly visualized after immunostaining for all three enzymes. From a staining series with anti‐thiolase on simultaneously treated slides, it appears that the amount of antigen per peroxisome and the organelle size increase between the seventh and eighteenth weeks. These data should enable a more specific diagnosis in fetal liver biopsies from pregnancies at risk and after termination of pregnancy.