Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 9, 1179-1198, Copyright © 1989 by Society for Neuroscience
Developmental expression of reactivity to monoclonal antibodies generated against olfactory epithelia
VM Carr, AI Farbman, MS Lidow, LM Colletti, JL Hempstead and JI Morgan
Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208.
The developmental expression of immunocytochemical reactivity to 3
monoclonal antibodies (Mabs Neu 4, Neu 5, and Neu 9) that were generated
against adult rat olfactory epithelium was examined in olfactory tissues of
embryonic rats. Tissues examined included the nasal olfactory epithelium,
nerve, and olfactory bulb, as well as vomeronasal epithelium and nerve.
Reactivity patterns of these Mabs in adult rats have been described
previously (Hempstead and Morgan, 1985a). All 3 Mabs show reactivity on the
cell surfaces of neurons, axons, and dendrites of the olfactory epithelium
proper. Neu 5 alone shows reactivity on the dendritic knobs, site of
transduction of the olfactory stimuli. These reactivities appear early,
suggesting developmentally significant roles for the antigens to these
Mabs. For Neu 5 and Neu 9 initial reactivity occurs on outgrowing olfactory
axons at E13. Dendritic and perikaryal reactivities begin appearing at E14.
For Neu 4 initial reactivity occurs simultaneously on olfactory neuronal
perikarya, axons, and dendrites at E14. Reactivity also occurs on cells
that migrate from the olfactory epithelium and are associated with the
olfactory nerves. Within the developing olfactory bulb, Neu 5 behaves as a
general cell-surface marker. Neu 4 and Neu 9, however, show enhanced
reactivity in the glomerular layer after the onset of synaptogenesis.
Reactivity is also seen in the nasal respiratory epithelium and in the
vomeronasal epithelia and nerve. Neu 5 and several antibodies to rat neural
cell adhesion molecules (N-CAMs) show similar, although not identical,
immunohistochemical staining patterns. They also react with the same bands
in Western blots of brain membrane preparations. Western blots of Neu
5-reactive material also show developmental and spatial correlations of
apparent molecular-weight distributions expected of N-CAM-like components
as well.