IN-VIVO CNS REMYELINATION - HNK-1 LABELS NEWLY DIFFERENTIATED OLIGODENDROCYTES BUT NOT PRECURSORS

The possibility that HNK-1 antibody might identify oligodendrocyte pre cursors in vivo was investigated using a combined immunocytochemical a nd ultrastructural analysis of remyelination in the cat optic nerve af ter demyelination induced by local injection of antiserum against gala ctocerebroside. HNK-1 antibody, in addition to antisera to galactocere broside, glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin and myelin basic pr otein, was applied to early and late premyelinative lesions within whi ch we have recently identified a putative precursor for the remyelinat ing oligodendrocyte termed the small glial cell. HNK-1 labelled oligod endrocytes in normal optic nerve and newly differentiated oligodendroc ytes within lesions but did not label the small glial cells.