IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE FOR A MACROPHAGE SCAVENGER RECEPTOR IN MATE CELLS AND REACTIVE MICROGLIA OF ISCHEMIA AND ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Macrophage scavenger receptors (MSR) are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and amyloid b-protein deposition in Alzheimer's di sease. However, histopathological studies of MSR expression in human t issues have been hampered by a lack of specific antibodies. Using MSR- deficient mice, we successfully raised a novel monoclonal antibody aga inst human MSR together with high-titer antisera. These antibodies spe cifically recognized human tissue macrophages and human MSR protein pu rified from differentiated THP1 cells. In normal brain, MSR staining w as mainly distributed to the perivascular cells, which correspond to M ate's fluorescent granular perithelial cells (Mato cells). In the lesi ons of ischemia and Alzheimer's disease, a subset of microglia stained positive for MSR. These novel antibodies are useful tools for analysi s of MSR expression in human tissues. (C) 1998 Academic Press.