THE EXPRESSION OF A NEURONAL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (RI) RECOGNIZED BY THE HUMAN ANTI-RI AUTOANTIBODY IN THE DEVELOPING RAT NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Anti-Ri is a human autoantibody that recognizes a neuronal nuclear ant igen (Ri) of unknown function. To ascertain the possible role of the R i antigen in neuronal development, we analysed the pattern of the anti -Ri immunoreactivity in the developing rat nervous system. Neurons of the retina, except the photoreceptors, and central but not peripheral nervous system were anti-Ri-positive. The intensity of the immunoreact ivity followed the sequence of neuronal maturation. Germinal cells of the periventricular layer and migrating neuroblasts in the intermediat e zone were Ri-negative. These data suggest Ri antigen may play a role in the postmigratory maturation of neurons of the CNS.