[Immunohistochemistry using antibody to the glucose transporter 3 in human brainstem and cerebellar tissues]

The localization of the glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) was examined immunohistochemically, using a newly developed polyclonal antibody, in human brainstem and cerebellar tissues from neurologically normal, lacunar stroke and Alzheimer disease cases. In the brainstem, GLUT3 immunoreactivity was limited to the melanized neurons of the paranigral nucleus and substantia nigra, and to neurons in dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, and in the oculomotor, pontine, ambigius and hypoglossal nuclei. In the cerebellum, only the dentate nucleus had positive immunoreactivity. Glial cells and endothelial cells were not immunopositive. The results suggest a preferential expression of GLUT3 in particular neurons with a differential glucose need.