The ontogenesis of Fcγ receptors and complement receptors CR1 in human peripheral nerve

• Published in: Acta neuropathologica 1990, Vol.80 (1), p.35-40
• Main Authors: VEDELER, C. A, SCARPINI, E, BERETTA, S, DORONZO, R, MATRE, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Differentiation - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Complement C4b - metabolism; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Fetus - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestational Age; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Molecular embryology; Peripheral Nerves - embryology; Peripheral Nerves - immunology; Receptors, Complement - metabolism; Receptors, Complement 3b; Receptors, Fc - metabolism; Receptors, IgG
• ISSN: 0001-6322; 1432-0533
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00294219

The ontogenesis of Fc gamma receptors (FcR) and C3b/C4b receptors (CR1) was studied in peripheral nerves from ten fetuses aged from 20 to 38 weeks using immunohistochemical and functional assays. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against FcR and CR1 stained nerve fibers at 10 weeks of gestation and the staining intensity increased during nerve maturation. FcR and CR1 are probably expressed on Schwann cells and are early markers during the development of peripheral nerves. Functional FcR activity was detected in nerve sections before initiation of myelination, which occurs at approximately 18-19 weeks, whereas functional CR1 activity was found in the sections after myelination. Functional CR1 activity may, therefore, be related to myelin. The ontogenesis of FcR and CR1 was also studied on Schwann cells in culture from three fetuses aged 14, 16 and 19 weeks, using immunofluorescence technique with mAbs. The FcR and CR1 are lost on cultured Schwann cells. This suggests that the receptors are not intrinsic to the cells or that Schwann cells require axonal contact for the expression of FcR and CR1.