Expression of link protein during mouse follicular development.

To gain insight into the role of link protein in ovarian follicle development, we used immunohistochemistry to determine the patterns of link protein expression in mouse ovary in response to gonadotropin stimulation. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against link protein purified from bovine cartilage. Stimulation of immature mice with gonadotropins increased link protein expression in the granulosa layer of large preovulatory follicles. The number and intensity of immunostained cells increased over 2 hr after hCG injection. Cumulus cells stained link protein mainly in the extracellular matrix, whereas mural granulosa cells showed marked deposits of link protein in the cytoplasm. Link protein expression persisted in luteinized granulosa cells after ovulation and in corpora lutea. Link protein staining was also present in the theca cells and oocytes, which was a consistent finding regardless of gonadotropin treatment. The staining intensity was negated by treatment with hyaluronidase, suggesting that the link protein is bound to hyaluronic acid. On Western blotting, a reacting protein species of about 42 kD was seen in the gonadotropin-treated ovarian extract. The precise cellular distribution of link protein in mouse ovary was determined for the first time by an immunohistochemical method in this study. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:1433-1442, 1999)