Expression of the beta-trace protein in human pachymeninx as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry

In the pachymeninx (dura mater) from human spinal cord and brain, expressio n of mRNA for the betatrace protein (beta-trace) was studied by in situ hyb ridization with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes. The localization of the pr otein was investigated using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, respecti vely, Very strong hybridization signals were observed in the fibroblasts of the pachymeninx, The results obtained by in situ hybridization were essent ially confirmed by immunocytochemistry, By immunoblotting of proteins solub ilized from the dura mater, strong immunoreactions were found with a polycl onal beta-trace antibody. Furthermore, beta-trace was quantified in human v entricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by use of an immunonephelom etric assay. The beta-trace concentration in human lumbar CSF was elevated II-fold as compared with ventricular CSF, Beta-trace determined in lumbar C SF most probably originates from fibroblasts of the pachymeniux. According to the bi- or probably multifunctional features of beta-trace, various site s of mRNA expression and protein synthesis exist in the human central nervo us system (CNS), The major ones are the fibroblasts of the pachymeninx, and as previously shown, the epithelial layer of the choroid plexus, (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss,Inc.