Molecular differentiation of the otic vesicle and neural tube in the chick embryo demonstrated by monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against membrane fractions of the chick neural tube and somite. These MAbs selectively stained the neural tube and neural crest cells; the antigens for some of these MAbs were identified as cell adhesion molecules or glycolipids. Histochemistry of the otic vesicle and its progeny in the chick embryo was performed with these MAbs and other MAbs obtained previously in our laboratory. It was demonstrated that differentiation of the otic placode and vesicle from the ectoderm, and development of the acoustic ganglion from the otic vesicle were accompanied by the appearance and disappearance of various molecules.