Differential expression of an endothelial barrier antigen between the CNS and the PNS.

A monoclonal antibody to an antigen (EBA) expressed by neural endothelial cells (EC) was used to investigate any difference in the distribution of EBA between the CNS and PNS. Pre-embedding ultrastructural cytochemistry of rat sciatic and optic nerves was undertaken using anti-EBA, detected with a silver-enhanced gold-conjugated secondary antibody. LM immunocytochemical localisation of EBA was also performed using an HRP-conjugated secondary antibody. EC of pial and parenchymal optic nerve vessels were strongly immunopositive for EBA. Vessels of the dura were negative. At the EM level EBA was observed on the EC luminal surface. In contrast, EC of sciatic nerve were either negative or only weakly immunopositive. The molecular characteristics and function of EBA are largely unknown. Therefore the functional significance of the present findings remains to be determined.