The use of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled lectins for immunohistochemical demonstration of saccharides.

Cryostat sections of various tissues from man, rat, mice, hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, sparrow and carp were examined by fluorescence microscopy after incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin. In the same tissue of various species no basic differences in the pattern of fluorescence were observed. In general, connective tissue structures were stained by both lectins in the same degree, whereas by fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A additionally a varying staining of the cell surface and of cytoplasmic structures occurred. The results show the general presence of Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin receptors in normal animal tissues.