Summary
The IgM fraction of normal swine serum (NSS) was found to adhere to human peripheral nerve myelin sheaths from randomly selected neuropathies and control nerves in electron microscopic immunocytochemical assays. The reaction could be blocked by preincubation with undiluted fetal calf serum (FCS), whereas endoneurial background staining was already abolished by preincubation with 10% FCS. Only the IgM, but not the IgG or the IgA fraction of NSS adhered to peripheral nerve tissue. Such strong adherence of one of the components in an immunocytochemical assay may be a source of misinterpretation. Binding of swine IgM to human peripheral nerve myelin has not been described before and is of interest in the discussion about IgM binding to myelin-associated glycoprotein in IgM gammopathies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aarli JA, Aparicio SR, Lumsden CE, Tondor O (1975) Binding of normal human IgG to myelin sheaths, glia and neurons. Immunology 28:171–185
Allerand CD, Yahr MD (1964) Gamma-globulin affinity for normal human tissue of the central nervous system. Science 144:1141–1142
De Mey J, Moeremans M, Gevens G, Nuyden R, De Brabander M (1981) High resolution light and electron microscopic localization of tubulin with the IGS (immunogold staining) method. Cell Biol Int Rep 5:889–899
Edgington TS, Dalessio DY (1970) The assessment by immunofluorescence methods of humoral anti-myelin antibodies in man. J Immunol 105:248–255
Kelly JJ (1985) Peripheral neuropathies associated with monoclonal proteins: a clinical review. Muscle Nerve 8:138–150
Mata M, Kahn SN, Fink DJ (1988) A direct electron microscopic immunocytochemical study of IgM paraproteinemia. Arch Neurol (Chic) 45:693–697
Paasivuo R, Saksela E (1983) Non-specific binding of mouse imnunoglobulins by swollen-bodied astrocytes — a potential source of confusion in human brain immunohistochemistry. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 59:103–108
Perentes E, Rubinstein LJ (1986) Non-specific binding of mouse myeloma IgM immunoglobulins by human myelin sheaths and astrocytes. A potential complication for nervous system immunoperoxidase histochemistry. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 70:284–288
Steck AJ, Murray N, Dellagi K, Brouet JC, Seligman M (1987) Peripheral neuropathy associated with monoclonal IgM autoantibody. Ann Neurol 22:764–767
Sternberger LA (1986) Immunocytochemistry, 2nd edn. J Wiley & Sons, New York, p 115
Viale G, Dell'Orto P, Colombi R, Coggi G (1986) Ultrastructural localization of extracellular immunoglobulins in immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Histochemistry 84:1–4
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (CS)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sommer, C., Schröder, J.M. Binding of swine IgM immunoglobulins to peripheral nerve myelin sheaths in electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Acta Neuropathol 77, 100–103 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688249
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688249