Fig. 7. Expression and distribution of trichoplein in various tissues. (A) Homogenates of various tissues from rats were immunoblotted with trichoplein antibody. Each lane contained 30 µg of protein from selected tissues. Trichoplein seemed to be expressed ubiquitously. (B) Double-staining of various tissues with trichoplein antibody and markers. In liver (a-c), trichoplein was exclusively concentrated and merged with K8/18 filaments in tubular structures (bile canaliculi). On the other hand, in brain (g,h) or skeletal muscle (i,j), trichoplein was not concentrated at NF or desmin-positive IFs. In addition, we found that the blood vessels are trichoplein-positive (d-f). (C) Vertical view (k) and horizontal view (l) of hair follicle stained with trichoplein antibody. Trichoplein localized at the outer root sheath (arrowheads in k,l), where K6/16 is found. (D) Double staining of the brain with trichoplein and PECAM-1 antibodies (m-o). Trichoplein localized to the blood vessels where PECAM-1 was also positive. Bar, 10 µm.