Ultrastructural studies of concanavalin A receptors and 5'-nucleotidase localization in normal and injured mouse cerebral microvasculature.

Plant lectin concanavalin A conjugated with ferritin (Con A-F) injected i.v. was used for the detection of the specific monosaccharide residues (alpha-D-mannosyl and alpha-D-glucosyl) on the luminal surface of endothelial cells (ECs) in brain micro-blood vessels (MBVs). Both normal mice and animals with mechanically damaged blood-brain barrier (BBB) were used in this study. In addition, the activity of 5'-nucleotidase (5'N), the putative receptor for Con A, was studied cytochemically. Various methodologic experiments indicated that the reaction product formed on the luminal plasmalemma of ECs after incubation of samples in the cytochemical medium for the detection of 5'N activity results from the action of unspecific phosphatase hydrolyzing both specific and nonspecific substrates. The abluminal side of the wall of MBVs seems to be a major location of 5'N activity. Thus, no correlation between cytochemically demonstrable 5'N activity and Con A receptor sites on the luminal surface of ECs was noted. After damage of the BBB, extensive internalization of the luminal plasmalemma forming the limiting membranes of pinocytotic vesicles, vacuoles, and endothelial channel-like structures was observed. This process was represented by a relatively rapid translocation of Con A receptors from luminal surface into the interior of the ECs and to the abluminal side of the vessel wall.