DETECTION OF HEPARAN-SULFATE IN SPINAL SPHEROIDS OF BETA,BETA'-IMINODIPROPIONITRILE (IDPN)-TREATED RATS

beta,beta'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) is known to produce a massive a ccumulation of neurofilaments in the proximal portion of axons of spin al anterior horn cells. The spinal cords of 20 Wistar rats treated wit h IDPN were examined immunohistochemically with a monoclonal antibody against heparan sulfate (HepSS-1). Virtually all axonal swellings were intensely labeled with HepSS-1. This immunoreactivity was almost comp letely absorbed by the presence of CDSNS-HS (completely desulfated, N- sulfated heparan sulfate). Western blot study revealed that HepSS-1 re cognized four distinct bands at the positions of similar to 17 kDa, si milar to 20 kDa, similar to 21 kDa, and similar to 25 kDa. The present study suggests that the deposit of heparan sulfate in spheroids is re lated to the pathomechanism for the formation of axonal swelling.