Intraventricular injection of 192-IgG-SAP (192-Saporin) results in almost complete elimination of LNGFR (p75^NTR)-positive cells in rat. 192-IgG-SAP is directed to a cell-surface antigen that is only expressed at high levels on neurons in the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF). The antigen, p75^NTR, is not expressed on the neighboring, non-cholinergic neurons. This immunotoxin provides researchers with a powerful lesioning tool - more specific and effective than chemical, surgical or electrolytic lesioning.

To eliminate p75^NTR-expressing cells in mouse, use mu p75-SAP. To eliminate p75^NTR-expressing cells in other mammals, use ME20.4-SAP.

Elimination of Specific Cell Type

• 192-IgG-SAP recognizes p75^NTR-expressing cells in rat.
• 192-IgG-SAP specifically eliminates the following:
  • Cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain
  • Medial septum
  • Diagonal band of Broca
  • Nucleus basalis of Meynert
  • Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum

Effective Tool to Study Behavior

Permanent and selective removal of cholinergic forebrain neurons makes an important animal model for the study of the following:

• Behavior (cholinergic forebrain function)
• Neuronal loss (e.g. Alzheimer's disease)
• Plasticity of other systems in response to loss
• Replacement therapy
• Drug effects and dependence

Check out these articles in Targeting Trends for more information. Apr-May-Jun 2006 - Targeted Toxins in Pain, continued Jul-Aug-Sep 2004 - Targeting Talk: Eliminating CBF Neurons Apr-May-Jun 2004 - 192 IgG-Saporin-Induced Lesions Identify an Inhibitory Role in Cocaine Reward for Cholinergic Neuronal Systems in the Diagonal Band and Ventral Pallidum, continued Jan-Feb-Mar 2004 - Cholinergic Deafferentation of the Entorhinal Cortex Impairs Working Memory for Novel, but not Familiar Stimuli in a Delayed Non-Match to Sample (DNMS) Task., continued Jan-Feb-Mar 2004 - Targeting Talk: Not the Right Stuff Oct-Nov-Dec 2002 - Does 192-IgG-Saporin or 5,7-DHT kill cognitive functions in the rat?, continued