Immunocytochemical phenotype of differentiating neurons

Immunohistochemistry techniques have been extensively used to identify and colocalize several proteins in neuronal specimens. A challenging task is the specific labeling of neuroepithelial-deriving cells in the course of neurogenesis. On the basis of the time-dependent expression of several molecular signals named as early, intermediate, or late markers, neuroscientists can compose a coherent frame of sequential or overlapping neuronal phenotypes. Starting from brain sections or brain-derived culture systems, this chapter describes an immunofluorescence multi-labeling protocol which, by exploiting the concurrent labeling of antigens of interest by means of an appropriate panel of antibodies, can help define several classes of neuronal cells which appear during the course of neuronal development.