IMMUNOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION OF ELASTIN BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 96  (2) , 439-+
Abstract
The distribution of and destruction of elastin in the alveolar interstitium was studied. The ill-defined organization of elastin in the albeolar interstitium makes it difficult to identify the elastin specifically by staining procedures ordinarily used for EM. This problem becomes more significant when the elastic tissue is fragmented during emphysema development and localization of the elastin fragments is essential. A specific technique using high-titer antibodies [Ab] against purified canine lung elastin was developed. The primary Ab was used on pre-embedded or etched post-embedded sections. Localization of the anti-elastin Ig[immunoglobulin]G was accomplished with ferritin-labeled rabbit anti-sheep IgG as the secondary Ab. Treatment with the pre-immune serum gave negligible ferritin background staining. The anti-elastin Ab did not react with lung connective tissue proteins such as the microfibrillar component of elastin or collagen or proteoglycan. The anti-elastin Ab appeared to be species specific. The method may be useful for studies of experimental emphysema.