OCCURRENCE OF GD3 GANGLIOSIDE IN REACTIVE ASTROCYTES - AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY IN THE RAT-BRAIN

Immunocytochemical study of ganglioside GD3 (II3 alpha(NeuAc alpha 2-8 NeuAc)-LacCer) was performed in the cold lesions produced in the cereb ral cortex of the rat brain, using mouse IgM anti-GD3 monoclonal antib ody (DSG-1). Seven and 15 days after cold lesioning, GD3-like immunore activity was observed in reactive astrocytes. Thirty and 50 days after cold lesioning, GD3-like immunoreactivity was observed in the cells t hat formed glial scars. Normal astrocytes were not immunoreactive. The refore, it is possible that GD3 may play an important role in the astr ocytic functions required for the process of repair of edematous lesio ns in the central nervous system.