A monoclonal antibody identifies vimentin filaments in Sertoli cells and in a subset of epithelial cells in the rat epididymis, urinary bladder, and prostate.

PURPOSE

We describe a monoclonal antibody (Mab B2) against vimentin filaments in rat Sertoli cells and in a subset of epithelial cells in the rat epididymis, prostate and urinary bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The immunoreactivity of Mab B2 was examined on cryostat sections and immunoblots and compared with the reactivity of a previously characterized monoclonal antibody against vimentin.

RESULTS

While both antibodies recognized vimentin in Sertoli cells, only Mab B2 recognized vimentin in urogenital tract epithelia.

CONCLUSIONS

Vimentin is expressed in the urogenital tract, and differential reactivities of antibodies may be responsible for conflicting results reported elsewhere for vimentin expression.