Lectin histochemistry of gangliosidosis. I. Neural tissue in four mammalian species.

Lectin histochemical studies were performed on paraffin-embedded brain, spinal cord and eye sections of 16 animals from four different species affected with GM1- and GM2-gangliosidosis to identify specific carbohydrate residues in the perikaryon of neurons. We examined tissues from cats, cattle and dogs with GM1-gangliosidosis and from cats, dogs, and swine with GM2-gangliosidosis and compared them to corresponding normal animals. In all but two cases, the neurons stained intensely with Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin (Con A); in 12 cases they stained with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin; in 10 cases with Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I; in 9 cases with Griffonia simplicifolia-I; and 8 with soybean agglutinin. Neurons from control tissues stained weakly with Con A, but not with any of the other lectins used. Similar staining patterns of neurons were noted in animals affected with the same disorder originating from the same mutant line. These findings highlight the fact that in gangliosidosis, the lectin staining patterns of neurons may be influenced by the deficiency in enzyme activity and by additional unknown but inherited factors.