Immunohistochemical identification of cholinergic cells in non-cloned tumor cells

The objective of this investigation was to characterize non-cloned neuroblastoma cells immunohistochemically. In this study, the cholinergic cells in three mouse tumors were identified by using a choline acetyltransferase (CAT) antibody. Different cholinergic cell distribution patterns were found in the three tumors by using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). An antibody to CAT was prepared by immunization of guinea pigs with CAT-antigen from bovine brain. The specificity of the antibody obtained was examined with mouse cervical spinal cord. Identification of the cholinergic cells was performed in three types of non-cloned tumor culture cells, neuroblastoma C-1300 in A/J mice, glioblastoma 203GL in C57BL6 mice and lymphosarcoma 6C3HED in CBA mice. The CAT content and distribution were determined by radiochemical assay, immunohistochemical staining, and individual cell counting with a FACS. The results of radiochemical assay and immunohistochemical staining were in agreement with the CAT distribution pattern determined by cell counting with FACS IV.