Demonstration of a keratan sulfate proteoglycan and a mannose-rich glycoconjugate in corpora amylacea of the brain by immunocytochemical and lectin-binding methods.

The aim of the present report is to call attention to the fact that corpora amylacea (CA) of the brain have similar biochemical and immunological characteristics as the connective tissue matrix. We have demonstrated that CA reacted positively toward a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognized the polysaccharide determinant on cartilage proteoglycans. Material strongly bound to concanavalin A was demonstrated in CA, blood vessel wall and cartilage and suggested high levels of mannose in these structures. These findings are in agreement with the known fact that both brain and cartilage contain keratan sulfate and high mannose glycoproteins. We propose that CA may result from accumulation of glycoconjugates normally present in the brain tissue matrix as the result of aging.