IDENTIFICATION OF PARIETAL-CELLS IN GASTRIC BODY MUCOSA WITH HMFG-2 MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY

Aims-To identify parietal cells in the upper gastrointestinal tract by an immunoperoxidase method, using commercially available monoclonal a ntibodies. Methods-Routine surgical biopsy specimens of gastric body m ucosa were examined using the avidin-biotin peroxidase method with the monoclonal antibodies HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 to identify parietal cells. D ouble immunoperoxidase labelling with HK12.18, a well characterised mo noclonal antibody directed against an epitope on the alpha (catalytic) subunit of H+ translocating, K+ stimulated adenosine triphosphatase ( H,K-ATPase), was used to confirm that HMFG-1 and -2 stained parietal c ells. Results-HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 showed consistent parietal cell staini ng patterns in the gastric body mucosa. HMFG-2 gave a more intense sta ining pattern of the secretory canaliculi. This was confirmed by doubl e immunolabelling with HK12.18. Conclusions-HMFG monoclonal antibodies are recommended as highly specific markers of human gastric parietal cells.