Immunohistological demonstration of adult lens antigens in the embryonic chick lens (II)

γ-Globulins against total-chick-lens-homogenate were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and chromatographically fractioned on DEAE cellulose. The specific fractions obtained, were applied to histological sections of acetone-fixed and -dehydrated embryos. The earliest stage at which lens antigens could be demonstrated in the retinal wall of the lens vesicle, was just before fibre formation at an age of 66–68 hr (about 32 somites). The γ-globulins used carried a high content of antibodies against the so-called First Important Soluble Component (FISC). This suggests that FISC is the first antigen to appear. It is assumed that the antigens are not present during lens induction and do not take part in this process. They apparently do so in the differentiation of the lens under the influence of the retina

Study of the soluble lens proteins from different amphibian species

Soluble lens proteins from five species of amphibia have been studied by zone electrophoresis and other immunochemical methods. Their patterns, as revealed by electrophoresis, do not differ markedly though the numbers of bands and subunits vary. The γ-crystallin appears to be the predominant lens protein in all the species. Immunodiffusion tests showed a reaction of complete identity of lens antigens of different species with respect to Xenopus laevis lens antiserum; while X. laevis, Triturus crislatus, Ambystoma mexicanum lens antigens revealed partial identity when tested against Rana esculenta and Bufo bufo lens antisera

Immunochemical studies of chick iris

Immunochemical properties of chick iris were investigated by various methods. It appears from these studies that chick iris contains antigens which are immunologically identical to all the antigens of the adult lens

Ontogeny and localization of γ-crystallin antigen in the developing pigeon (Columba livia) lens

Ontogeny and localization of the lens γ-crystallin antigen were investigated in the embryonic and post-embryonic pigeon lenses by the indirect immunofluorescence with antiserum from rabbit immunized with isolated pigeon lens γ-crystallin. The results show that γ-crystallin appears for the first time in a 4-day embryonic lens and is distributed uniformly over the entire fibre cells. In a late and also post-embryonic lens γ-crystallin was also detected in the epithelium and annular pad areas and the intensities of immunofluorescent reaction gradually increased from embryonic to post-embryonic lens