IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF SEVERAL LAMININ CHAINS IN THE NORMAL HUMAN CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Using specific monoclonal antibodies against different subunits of lam inin, we studied the differential distribution pattern of several lami nin chains in the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system. L aminin chains alpha 1, beta 1 and gamma 1, were found in the basement membrane (BM) of blood vessels in both CNS and PNS. In contrast, lamin in alpha 2 though present in the BM of capillaries in the CNS, was com pletely absent from PNS capillaries. Laminins alpha 2, beta 1, gamma 1 could be detected in peripheral nerve, in the BM of Schwann cells, wh ich did not contain laminin alpha 1. The possible importance of lamini n alpha 2 for myelination in the PNS as well as in the function of the blood-brain barrier in the CNS, and its potential relevance to the pa thology of congenital muscular dystrophy associated with deficiency of this laminin chain, is discussed.