Lectin binding sites in glia of birds and mammals

Concanavalin A binding sites are studied in sections of nervous tissue from Central Nervous System of birds and mammals, paying special attention to the glial cells. The Con A-PO-DAB sequence for glycoproteins demonstration described by Bernhard and Avrameas (1971) was used. The highest concentration of Con A binding sites is demonstrated in the cells of the interfascicular oligodendroglia. Positivity resulting with the use of the Con A-PO-DAB serquence is much intenser in the oligodendroglia cells than in neurons. Ependymal cells also showed positivity specially at level of the perinuclear region. The intercellular space also presented Con A binding sites. All the cells of the interfascicular oligodendroglia presented the same characteristics, both in diverse localizations of the Nervous System of a certain species and in the different species studied.