Nestin is an intermediate filament protein found in the subventricular zone (SVZ), immature cells, and neuroendothelium of the brain. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies were compared to determine their specificity to nestin in humans. Newly developed rabbit anti-human nestin (331B) was compared to previously used rabbit anti-rat nestin (130) by immunohistochemical staining of human brain sections of the SVZ. As predicted, rabbit anti-human nestin (331B) was shown to be more specific for the human nestin protein in all regions tested. This is important because nestin is a marker for proliferating cells, leading to future studies that are aimed at an early detection system for brain tumors.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lemire, Kerri Lynn
• Lemire, Charles Romeo

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02D216M

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright