Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: September 7, 2018
Accumulation of circulating endogenous and exogenous immunoglobulins by hypothalamic magnocellular neurons
M L Meeker1, R B Meeker, J N Hayward
1Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27514.
Abstract:
Rat monoclonal antibodies, used in immunocytochemistry of normal rat brain, result in a granular reaction product within neurons innervating areas lacking a blood-brain barrier. Immunocytochemical characterization shows that the staining is independent of the primary antibody and exclusively dependent on the presence of anti-rat immunoglobulin. This granular staining could be selectively eliminated by pre-adsorption of the anti-rat immunoglobulin with purified rat immunoglobulin or disruption of microtubule retrograde transport systems by intraventricular injection of colchicine. A dependence on retrograde transport and complete independence from local synthesis was further substantiated by the rapid uptake and accumulation of intravenously administered rabbit or rat [125I]immunoglobulins by the supraoptic-neurohypophysial system. Immunoelectron microscopy was used to identify the endogenous rat immunoglobulin within lysosome-like organelles in the cytoplasm of magnocellular neuroendocrine cells. The uptake and incorporation of plasma macromolecules into the lysosomal system of magnocellular and other neurons projecting to regions with a weak blood-brain barrier may represent a novel mode of blood-central nervous system interactions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Humoral Immune Responses
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Immunological Memory
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

