Premium
Immunocytochemical Localization of Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Intermediate Filaments in the Bovine Ovary during Folliculogenesis
Author(s) -
Wendl J.,
Ebach K.,
Rodler D.,
Kenngott R. A.M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2011.01123.x
Subject(s) - intermediate filament , biology , desmin , vimentin , folliculogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , cytokeratin , immunostaining , microfilament , cytoskeleton , ovary , pathology , immunohistochemistry , endocrinology , immunology , cell , embryo , embryogenesis , medicine , genetics
Summary The cellular cytoskeleton is composed of three fibrillar systems, namely actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments ( IF s). It not only is a structural system, which mediates functional compartmentalization, but also contributes to many cellular processes such as transport, mitosis, secretion, formation of cell extensions, intercellular communication and apoptosis. In this study, we have examined the distribution of four groups of IF s [cytokeratins ( CK s), vimentin, desmin and lamins] in the somatic and germinal cells of the bovine ovary using RT ‐ PCR and immunohistochemical techniques. Using RT ‐ PCR , specific transcripts for all intermediate proteins studied ( CK 8, CK 18, desmin, vimentin, lamin A / C and lamin B 1) were detected. A characteristic immunohistochemical staining pattern was observed for the different IF s within the ovary. In this study, we used antibodies against type I CK (acidic CKs: CK 14, CK 18 and CK 19) and type II CK (basic CKs: CK 5 and CK 8). Among these, only antibodies against CK 18 gave a characteristic pattern of immunostaining in the ovary, which included the surface epithelium, the follicle cells, the endothelium of blood vessels and rete ovarii. Antibodies against all other CK s resulted in a weak staining of a limited number of cellular structures ( CK 5 and CK 19) or were completely negative ( CK 8 and CK 14, apart from the surface epithelium). Vimentin antibodies resulted occasionally in a weak staining of the granulosa cells of primary and secondary follicles. In late secondary follicles, the basal and the most apical follicle cells contacting the zona pellucida usually showed a marked immunostaining for vimentin. In antral follicles, three different immunostaining patterns for vimentin were observed. Desmin immunostaining was confined to the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Although m RNA for lamin A / C and lamin B 1 could be demonstrated using RT ‐ PCR , no immunostaining was found for lamins, neither in the follicle cells nor in the oocytes.