Expression of glial, neurospecific, and extracellular antigens during retina regeneration in adult newts

Spatial localization and time of expression of glial, neurospecific, and ex tracellular antigens were studied during retina regeneration in adult newts using antibodies against the glial acidic fibrillar protein (GFAP), neuros pecific molecules (N-CAM and PSA-N-CAM), acid tenascin (Tn). At the early s tages of regeneration (5th day after the operation), slightly differentiate d cells in the retina growth area, which are not cellular sources of regene ration, were brightly stained by the antibodies. The one two-layered retina rudiment formed from the pig ment epithelium layer a week later was also i ntensely stained by the antibodies to GFAP. The retina rudiment cells belon g to slightly differentiated precursors of the regenerating retina. It was first shown that the antibodies to GFAP were not only markers of the glial cells, but also markers of slightly differentiated precursors of the regene rating retina. Expression of neurospecific antigens was found in depigmente d cells of the retina rudiment. It appeared to have been initiated by cell interactions in the regenerate. An expression of tenascin was found in the cells migrating in the eye cavity and contacting with the retina rudiment c ells. The role of tenascin in interaction with the retina rudiment is unkno wn.