V. Jancsik et F. Hajos, The demonstration of immunoreactive dystrophin and its developmental expression in perivascular astrocytes, BRAIN RES, 831(1-2), 1999, pp. 200-205
Immunoreactivity of dystrophin family proteins was observed in the astrocyt
es of the adult and immature rat hjppocampus and cerebral cortex by using D
ys2, a monoclonal antibody recognizing both 427 kDa and short dystrophin is
oforms. As revealed by light and electron microscopy, immunostaining of the
ribosomal apparatus and of pericapillary endfeet was particularly pronounc
ed in the adult. In the pericapillary astrocyte processes immunostaining ap
peared between postnatal days 10 and 20, and reached the intensity seen in
the adult by postnatal day 30. In the pericapillary astrocyte process, the
membrane facing the endothelial basal lamina was the earliest structure to
show the immunoreaction. At later stages, the pericapillary astrocyte proce
ss was gradually filled up with immunoprecipitate. Findings suggest that dy
strophins are expressed coinciding with the development of the blood-brain
barrier, and it is assumed that they contribute to the formation of this sy
stem. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.