Digoxigenylated primary antibodies for sensitive dual-peroxidase labelling of neural markers

Histochem Cell Biol. 1995 Dec;104(6):467-72. doi: 10.1007/BF01464337.

Abstract

This study extends the application of the digoxigenin-anti-digoxigenin (DIG) technique to immunocytochemistry by using digoxigenin-tagged primary antibodies. Certain features of this technique when applied to non-radioactive in situ hybridization, such as the absence of endogeneous digoxigenin immunoreactivity in animal tissues, seem to be advantageous also for its application to immunocytochemistry. Thus, the present work is focused on dual-peroxidase staining experiments based on digoxigenylated antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein, parvalbumin, and calbindin, in a straightforward combination with conventional cytochemical methods. The protocols include the concomitant detection of two antigens, for which only primary antibodies from one animal species are available, with differently haptenized antibodies (e.g., biotinylated anti-calbindin and digoxigenylated anti-parvalbumin). The versatility of the DIG technique is exemplified by the combination of lectin and immunocytochemical procedures for the detection of astrocytes and microglia, and the simultaneous visualization of perineuronal nets and parvalbumin-containing neurons in the rat brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibody Formation
  • Astrocytes / chemistry
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Calbindins
  • Digoxigenin / immunology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Mice
  • Microglia / chemistry
  • Neurons / chemistry*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / immunology
  • Parvalbumins / analysis
  • Parvalbumins / immunology
  • Rabbits
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / analysis
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biomarkers
  • Calbindins
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Parvalbumins
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • Digoxigenin