Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1999, 189 (4)

Strong Immunoreactivity of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Its Receptor at Human and Mouse Neuromuscular Junctions

YAJUAN ZHAO,1,2 KAZUHIRO HAGINOYA1 and KAZUIE IINUMA1

1Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, and 2Department of Pediatrics, Second Clinical College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China

  • Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its a-receptor were localized at human and mouse neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) using specific polyclonal antibodies against each, anti-PDGF-A and anti-PDGF a-receptor, respectively. By applying double fluorescence labeling, immunoreactivity for PDGF and its receptor was closely co-localized with acetylcholine receptors, which were identified with a-bungarotoxin. PDGF might be involved in the interaction between the presynaptic and postsynaptic components. This is the first demonstration of PDGF and its receptor concentrated at human and mouse NMJs.
    Key words--- platelet-derived growth factor; platelet-derived growth factor receptor; neuromuscular junction; immunohistochemistry
    © 1999 Tohoku University Medical Press

    Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1999, 189, 239-244
    Address for reprints: Kazuhiro Haginoya, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan.
    e-mail: khaginoya@ped.med.tohoku.ac.jp

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