Fig. 2. Colocalization of CD151 with laminin receptors 3ß1 and dystroglycan in the glomerulus and with 6ß1, dystroglycan and the Lutheran molecule in tubular epithelial cells. Cryostat sections of human kidney were processed for double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy using P48 against CD151 (A,B), polyclonal antibodies against 3 (A,C,E,F), polyclonal (AP83) and monoclonal antibodies against dystroglycan (DG) (B,C, respectively), LU4F2 against the Lutheran blood group molecule (LU) (D), GoH3 against 6 (D), 6H1 against CD63 (E) and M38 against CD81 (F). Composite images were generated by superimposition of the green and red signals, with areas of overlap appearing as yellow. In the glomerulus, CD151 is co-distributed with laminin-receptors 3ß1 and DG but not with LU. The distribution pattern of 3ß1 is mainly restricted to the GBM side, where it completely overlaps with that of CD151 and partly with that of DG. CD151 is also present in the cytoplasm of cells and at cell surfaces other than the GBM side. Although prominently present in the cytoplasm of glomerular cells, CD63 and CD81 show hardly any overlap with 3ß1 at the GBM side. In tubular epithelial cells, CD151 is colocalized with 6ß1, DG (arrow) and LU. CD81 is only present at a low level, and CD63 is mainly present throughout the cytoplasm. Note the prominent staining with anti-LU in the subendothelial matrix and with 6ß1 present on the endothelial lining. Bar, 10 µm.

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