ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of two monoclonal antibodies to obtain a more detailed understanding of the anatomy of adult and embryonic axons. It shows that the antigenic differences associated with the surface of subsets of axons in the leech connective are carried on glycosylated, protease sensitive molecules. Electron microscopy of connectives stained with each of the monoclonal antibodies shows that antibody-positive axons travel together in fascicles. The processes of the peripheral cell groups elongate toward the central nervous system forming distinct fiber bundles with the processes of more centrally located groups of neurons. One of the technical advantages in using monoclonal antibodies to study complex tissues is that the same reagents can be used for both immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. In invertebrates, cellular studies on the axonal development of identified cells in many different species shows that specific neurons recognize specific central axon tracts and regions of the neuropil.
