Transferrin receptors in rat central nervous system. An immunocytochemical study.

Using an immunocytochemical method we demonstrated the presence of TfR on adult rat neurons, particularly in the cerebral cortex and brain stem. The monoclonal antibody (mab) against rat TfR (clone OX 26) stained neurons of all cortical layers and in the brain stem where the reaction was most evident. Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and scattered neurons in the gray matter of the cervical spinal cord were weakly stained. Choroid plexus cells also reacted with the mab against TfR whereas oligodendrocytes in the cerebral white matter were faintly outlined by the mab. The presence of TfR on endothelial cells of brain capillaries was here confirmed.