A Mab to a unique cerebellar neuron generated by immunosuppression and rapid immunization.

The cerebellar cortex is perhaps the best characterized structure in the mammalian central nervous system. Although the major cerebellar cell classes are well known, a new class of cerebellar cortical neuron has now been identified with a monoclonal antibody (Mab) generated by a procedure for rapid immunization and selective immunosuppression of antibody responses. This procedure generates a high frequency of immunoglobulin G-class antibodies of desired specificity, and has allowed the generation of two antibodies that recognize subsets of cerebellar cortical neurons. One of these antibodies defines a previously unrecognized class of cerebellar neuron. The distribution and antigenic characteristics of this neuron suggest that it has a distinct role in cerebellar circuitry.