Ultrastructural Localization Of Antigens Research Articles

Immuno-gold replica technique for ultrastructural localization of antigens

We developed a simple method for immunolabelling viral glycoproteins on surface of infected ceil monolayers. Cells 9 hours post-infected with Sendai virus were fixed and treated with polyclonal antibody anti HN glycoprotein (Rabbit IgG), labelled with goat immunoglobulin anti rabbit IgG conjugated with colloidal gold particles. Then, the cells were shadowed with platinum-carbon, covered with nitrocellulose glue, and digested with domestic bleach, washed, and replica fragments were caught with uncovered grid.

Ultrastructural localization of integrin subunits alpha3 and alpha6 in capillarized sinusoids of the human cirrhotic liver.

Normal liver sinusoids are not lined by a basement membrane (BM). In contrast, in the course of development of liver cirrhosis, a structured BM is formed de novo in the space of Disse. This BM contributes to the inhibition of the metabolic function of the liver but the pathogenic background of the formation of this perisinusoidal BM is still unclear. Integrins of the beta1-class are generally essential for BM stability and some of them (such as alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1) appear de novo in the perisinusoidal space of the cirrhotic liver. Their cellular distribution in capillarized sinusoids as well as the correlation between their cellular distribution and the formation of the microvascular BM in the cirrhotic liver has not been shown at the ultrastructural level. In the present work we aimed to clarify this issue. We focused on integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 and localised them ultrastructurally in human cirrhotic liver microvessels using postembedding immunogold which allows the ultrastructural localization of antigens with high resolution in the tissue. The newly formed basement membrane of capillarized sinusoids was visualized by means of fixation with addition of tannic acid, which enables the visualization of structures of the extracellular matrix with the highest resolution. Also, we carried out laminin detection using postembedding immunogold. Our results show that both alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 are expressed on the surface of both hepatocytes and endothelial cells, i.e. on both sides of the newly formed basement membrane. This latter shows zones of higher density both in close proximity to the endothelial and to the hepatocytic surfaces which resemble laminae densae. We propose that hepatocytes and endothelial cells may, therefore, by expressing such integrins, contribute to the formation of this pathological BM in the microvessels of the human cirrhotic liver. On stellate cells, which are major producers of BM components, both integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 were also localized.

Ultrastructural Localization of Antigens in the Mitotic Spindle of Budding Yeast Using High Presure Freezing and Freeze Substitution

Abstract The preservation of S. cerevisiae ultrastructure is not a trivial task, because the cell wall serves as a diffusion barrier during all steps of preparation. In addition, a high density of proteins in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus renders the visualization of cellular details difficult. High pressure freezing in combination with freeze substitution has proven to be an advantageous technique for the preservation of the yeast mitotic spindle (1). However, the composition of the freeze substitution “cocktail” is crucial, when immunolabeling of antigens in the sample is intended. A high concentration of crosslinking agents might improve ultrastructural preservation of the sample, but will possibly destroy the antigenicity of the target proteins. In contrast, under conditions of high labeling efficiency, the ultrastructural detail may be lost. We were interested in a method, which gives a good ultrastructural preservation of the mitotic spindle and maintains the antigenicity of proteins associated with the spindle.

Ultrastructural Localization of Antigens by Capillary Action Immunocytochemistry

Light microscopic immunohistochemistry based on the principle of capillary action staining is a widely used method to localize antigens. Capillary action immunostaining, however, has not been tested or applied to detect antigens at the ultrastructural level. The aim of this work was to establish a capillary action staining method for localization of intracellular antigens, using colloidal gold probes.Post-embedding capillary action immunocytochemistry was used to detect maternal IgG in the small intestine of newborn suckling piglets. Pieces of the jejunum of newborn piglets suckled for 12 h were fixed and embedded into LR White resin. Sections on nickel grids were secured on a capillary action glass slide (100 μm wide capillary gap, Bio-Tek Solutions, Santa Barbara CA, distributed by CMS, Houston, TX) by double sided adhesive tape. Immunolabeling was performed by applying reagents over the grids using capillary action and removing reagents by blotting on filter paper. Reagents for capillary action staining were from Biomeda (Foster City, CA). The following steps were performed: 1) wet the surface of the sections with automation buffer twice, 5 min each; 2) block non-specific binding sites with tissue conditioner, 10 min; 3) apply first antibody (affinity-purified rabbit anti-porcine IgG, Sigma Chem. Co., St. Louis, MO), diluted in probe diluent, 1 hour; 4) wash with automation buffer three times, 5 min each; 5) apply gold probe (goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to 10 nm colloidal gold, Zymed Laboratories, South San Francisco, CA) diluted in probe diluent, 30 min; 6) wash with automation buffer three times, 5 min each; 7) post-fix with 5% glutaraldehyde in PBS for 10 min; 8) wash with PBS twice, 5 min each; 9) contrast with 1% OSO4 in PBS for 15 min; 10) wash with PBS followed by distilled water for5 min each; 11) stain with 2% uranyl acetate for 10 min; 12) stain with lead citrate for 2 min; 13) wash with distilled water three times, 1 min each. The glass slides were separated, and the grids were air-dried, then removed from the adhesive tape. The following controls were used to ensure the specificity of labeling: i) omission of the first antibody; ii) normal rabbit IgG in lieu of first antibody; iii) rabbit anti-porcine IgG absorbed with porcine IgG.

Immunocytochemical localization of a specific antigen in cell walls of Penicillium islandicum

Immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling methods at the light and electron microscope levels respectively, were employed in order to determine the site(s) of binding of a monoclonal antibody PI01, specific for Penicillium islandicum , and raised in a previous study to soluble surface molecules of that fungus. By immunofluorescence labelling the PI01 antibody was localized at the walls of the vegetative hyphae but was not present in sporulating hyphae. By immunogold labelling the PI01 antibody was observed to bind to the outer wall layers in young actively-growing hyphae and at the interface between the outer pigmented and inner translucent wall layers in older hyphae and conidiophores. In conidiophores, the PI01-antigen appeared to diminish towards the distal ends of the metulae and the antigen was completely absent from phialides and conidia. We postulate that the specific antigen is an exoenzyme, possibly an autolysin and emphasise the importance of ultrastructural localization of antigens over immunofluorescence labelling techniques.

Monoclonal antibodies to rat renal tissue: an approach to the immunohistological analysis of the nephron-collecting duct system, and ultra-structural localization of antigens

To obtain more accurate information on the nephron-collecting duct system, monoclonal antibodies against renal tissue were prepared. BALB/c mice were immunized every two weeks with rat renal tissue, either cortex or medulla. Spleen cells were collected and fused with myeloma cells sensitive to hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine medium. Hybrids were selected for production of antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and cloned by the limiting dilution method. Tissue reactivity of the antibodies obtained was defined by immunofluorescence. The intracellular localization of antigenic determinants was ascertained by immunoelectron microscopy. The antibodies were classified into four major groups: (1) antibodies against proximal tubules; (2) antibodies against distal tubules and the loop of Henle; (3) antibodies against collecting duct system; and (4) antibodies against glomeruli. Using immunoelectron microscopy, various intracellular antigenic determinants were recognized, such as brush border, apical canaliculi, vacuolar apparatus, luminal and basolateral plasma membranes. The results obtained indicated that electron microscopy is indispensable for the immunohistological study of the nephron-collecting duct system. The observations help to understand morphological and functional diversity of the nephron-collecting duct system.

Comparative strengths and weaknesses of peroxidase and colloidal gold in pre- and post-embedding immunolabeling techniques

Antibodies coupled to tracers for electron microscopy have been instrumental in the ultrastructural localization of antigens within cells and tissues. Among the most popular tracers are horseradish peroxidase (HRP), an enzyme that yields an osmiophilic reaction product, and colloidal gold, an electron dense suspension of particles. Some advantages of IgG-HRP conjugates are that they are readily synthesized, relatively small, and the immunolabeling obtained in a given experiment can be evaluated in the light microscope. In contrast, colloidal gold conjugates are available in different size ranges and multiple labeling as well as quantitative studies can therefore be undertaken through particle counting. On the other hand, gold conjugates are generally larger than those of HRP but usually can not be visualized with light microscopy. Concern has been raised, however, that HRP reaction product, which is exquisitely sensitive when generated properly, may in some cases distribute to sites distant from the original binding of the conjugate and therefore result in spurious antigen localization.

Immunohistochemical Techniques and Their Applications in the Histopathology of the Respiratory System

Subsequent to the first report in the 1940s on incubation of tissue sections with fluorescein-conjugated antibodies for localization of antigens, a great number of modifications were introduced to improve the validity of immunohistochemistry which has become a growingly popular tool. The use of immunoenzymatic techniques eliminates the need for expensive fluorescence microscopy equipment, the lack of permanency of preparations and the lack of electron density required in ultrastructural localization of antigens. Regardless of the technique, it is also important to choose a correct fixation which allows the proper preservation of antigens and morphology and the penetration of antibodies through the entire thickness of the preparation. A variety of immunohistochemical techniques have been applied to study several components of the lung, such as collagen, surface active material, lung specific antigens, and enzymes and the detection of tumor markers, immunoglobulins and infectious agents in the respiratory system which is reviewed. The large surface area and the multiplicity of cell types provided by the respiratory tract epithelium of humans for exposure to microbial as well as toxic substances in the environment make this organ system very vulnerable but a good early indicator of adverse health effects. Immunohistochemistry provides valuable information complementary to the immunochemical and biochemical characterization of this barrier.

Immunohistochemical techniques and their applications in the histopathology of the respiratory system.

Subsequent to the first report in the 1940s on incubation of tissue sections with fluorescein-conjugated antibodies for localization of antigens, a great number of modifications were introduced to improve the validity of immunohistochemistry which has become a growingly popular tool. The use of immunoenzymatic techniques eliminates the need for expensive fluorescence microscopy equipment, the lack of permanency of preparations and the lack of electron density required in ultrastructural localization of antigens. Regardless of the technique, it is also important to choose a correct fixation which allows the proper preservation of antigens and morphology and the penetration of antibodies through the entire thickness of the preparation. A variety of immunohistochemical techniques have been applied to study several components of the lung, such as collagen, surface active material, lung specific antigens, and enzymes and the detection of tumor markers, immunoglobulins and infectious agents in the respiratory system which is reviewed. The large surface area and the multiplicity of cell types provided by the respiratory tract epithelium of humans for exposure to microbial as well as toxic substances in the environment make this organ system very vulnerable but a good early indicator of adverse health effects. Immunohistochemistry provides valuable information complementary to the immunochemical and biochemical characterization of this barrier.

The ultrastructural localization of antigens in ehrlich ascites tumor cells against antinuclear factors in lupus erytematosus sera by peroxidase-labelled antibody method

Nach indirekter, peroxidasekonjugierter Antikorpermethode wurden elektronenmikorskopisch Ehrlich-Aszitestumorzellen gepruft und am Chromatin solcher Zellen das Antigen gegen den antinuklearen Faktor in Seren einiger systemisch Lupus-erythematosus-Erkrankter gezeigt.