heparitin-sulfate and 3-3--iminodipropionitrile

Beta,beta'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) is known to produce a massive accumulation of neurofilaments in the proximal portion of axons of spinal anterior horn cells. The spinal cords of 20 Wistar rats treated with IDPN were examined immunohistochemically with a monoclonal antibody against heparan sulfate (HepSS-1). Virtually all axonal swellings were intensely labeled with HepSS-1. This immunoreactivity was almost completely absorbed by the presence of CDSNS-HS (completely desulfated, N-sulfated heparan sulfate). Western blot study revealed that HepSS-1 recognized four distinct bands at the positions of approximately 17 kDa, approximately 20 kDa, approximately 21 kDa, and approximately 25 kDa. The present study suggests that the deposit of heparan sulfate in spheroids is related to the pathomechanism for the formation of axonal swelling.

Topics: Animals; Axons; Blotting, Western; Heparitin Sulfate; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Neurotoxins; Nitriles; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spheroids, Cellular; Spinal Cord