Complement proteins are localized in neurons and
oligodendrocytes after spinal cord injury.
C5b-9 immunoreactivity is present in C57Bl/10 mouse spinal cord neurons and oligodendrocytes 1d post-SCI. Staining shown used rabbit anti-C5b-9 (Calbiochem, 1:500); secondary antibody was pre-adsorbed against human, rat, and mouse IgG (Jackson Immunoresearch, 1:500). A. Neuronal labeling in the gray matter, including both ventral motor neurons (lower left, and extending to include dorsal sensory-motor neurons (upper right, note decrease in cell size). Inset shows higher power of C5b-9-positive neurons. B. Glial labeling in white matter, including cells morphologically consistent with oligodendrocytes. Inset shows higher power of C5b-9-positive oligodendrocytes. C. Omission of primary antibody abolishes staining.