Immunohistochemical localization of galactosyl and sulfogalactosyl ceramide in the brain of the 30-day-old mouse.

We have used purified antibodies against galactosylceramide (galCb) and sulfogalactosylceramide (sulf) to study the topographical distribution of these two lipid haptens in the brain of the 30-day-old mouse. This study has been conducted, using the indirect immunofluorescence method, on cerebellum, brain stem and hemispherical tissue sections. Both haptens are present in the myelin sheaths and in the oligodendrocytes within the myelinated bundles. Cortical oligodendrocytes as well as some of the subependymal cells are also galCb-positive but sulf-negative. On the contrary, ciliated ependymal cells and subpial astrocytic processes (especially the Bergmann glia fibers in the cerebellum) are sulf-positive and galCb-negative. Astrocyte cell bodies and other astrocytic cell processes are devoid of both haptens. Lastly, some-sulf positive galCb-negative processes, as yet unidentified, were also found in the periaqueductal gray matter and in the nucleus interpeduncularis.