PREPARATION OF A SPECIFIC ANTISERUM TOWARDS MICROFIBRILLAR PROTEIN OF ELASTIC TISSUES

Abstract

The microfibrillar protein (MFP) of bovine fetal ligamentum nuchae was prepared and used to induce an antiserum (I) in rabbit. Antibody (I), reacted with a dispersion of MFP in Ouchterlony plates, produced one major precipitin band (A) and two minor bands (B and C). The major band (A) was used to prepare antiserum (II) in a 2nd rabbit. Antibody (II) was monospecific for precipitin band (A) and was selectively directed against MFP of bovine and chick elastic fibers by immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase techniques. Immunoperoxidase-labeling techniques demonstrated the regular organization of microfibrillar protein on the surface of elastic fibers and suggested the ability of MFP to assemble into a framework defining the 3 dimensional polymerization of elastin monomers during the formation of elastin fibers. Collagen fibrils, which were in close association with the microfibrillar protein on the surface of elastic fibers, also possessed a protein which was immunologically related to MFP.