Anterograde neuroanatomical tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin combined with immunocytochemistry of gamma-amino butyric acid, choline acetyltransferase or serotonin.

In order to associate specific fiber projections in the central nervous system with specific target neurons, procedures were developed in which the anterograde neuroanatomical tracing technique utilizing Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) is combined with immunocytochemistry of three (different) neuronal markers: gamma-amino butyric acid, choline acetyltransferase, and serotonin. A double, indirect, peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining method is used on free-floating brain sections. The primary antiserum against the PHA-L (first primary antiserum) is mixed with the primary antiserum against the neuronal marker (second primary antiserum). These primary antisera are raised in different animal species. Following the incubation in the cocktail of two secondary antisera. The transported PHA-L is then visualized by incubation in a peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex and subsequent reaction with nickel-enhanced diaminobenzidine/H2O2 (blue reaction product in PHA-L-labeled neurons and fibers). Incubation is continued with peroxidase-antiperoxidase antibodies raised in the animal species in which the second primary antiserum is developed, and the staining is completed by treatment with diaminobenzidine/H2O2 (brown reaction product in target neurons). The present results suggest that PHA-L-tracing can be combined with immunocytochemistry of a variety of target neuron-related antigens.