Use of a species-specific antibody for demonstrating mouse neurons transplanted to rat brains

A cell surface monoclonal antibody specific for mouse central nervous system neurons was used to identify mouse tissue transplanted to neonatal rat brains. Neuronal cell bodies and processes were stained in the transplants. Immature axons were stained growing out of the transplants into the host brain; and in mature brains unmyelinated axons and terminal plexuses were demonstrated. The technique allows a variety of studies to be performed on transplant-host interactions, especially in circumstances where the two are closely apposed.