Characterization of rodent pineal astrocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy using a monoclonal antibody (J1-31).

In previous studies pineal astrocytes have been characterized immunohistochemically mainly by use of antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein. Because of the recent demonstration of this protein in non-astrocytic cells the question of its specificity as an astrocytic marker has been raised. A possible alternative tool for characterizing pineal astrocytes is the J1-31 monoclonal antibody, which is directed against a 30 000 dalton astrocytic protein clearly distinguishable from glial fibrillary acidic protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy of this antibody in the pineal gland of rat and guinea-pig revealed a staining pattern similar to that obtained by glial acidic fibrillary protein antis…