Lectin histochemistry applied to human nerves.

Histologic sections of normal and pathologically altered human peripheral nerves were stained with a battery of 20 fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectins to determine whether these histochemical reagents could be used to identify peripheral nerve injury. Eight plant lectins--from Canavalia ensiformis, Lens culinaris, Triticum vulgare (wheat germ), types E4 and L4 from Phaseolus vulgaris, types I and II from Ricinus communis, and Wistaria floribunda--were found to bind to normal and pathologically altered nerves. Only two lectins, from Helix pomatia and Maclura pomifera, were found to bind selectively to pathologically altered nerves. The changes recognized by lectin histochemistry were not pathognomonic of any specific type of nerve injury. This study provides baseline data on the reaction pattern of human peripheral nerve with a series of lectins and shows that lectin histochemistry could provide means for the study of peripheral nerve pathology.