ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Key words: Microglia
;
Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system
;
Antigen-presenting cells
;
Blood-brain barrier
;
Phagocytosis
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Rat (Long Evans)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract. The morphology, distribution and immunophenotype of microglia throughout the adult rat hypo- thalamo-neurohypophysial system was examined. Four macrophage-associated antibodies (OX-42, F4/80, ED1 and ED2) were used; the expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens was investigated by use of antibodies against OX-6, OX-17 (MHC class II) and OX-18 (MHC class I). Three distinct types of microglia were identified. The first was located in the magnocellular nuclei; these ’radially branched’ (’ramified’) microglia had round cell bodies and long branched processes, and were strongly immunoreactive only for OX-42. The second was located outside the blood-brain barrier in the median eminence, pituitary stalk and neurohypophysis often close to blood vessels; these ’compact’ microglia had irregular cell bodies and shorter processes, and were strongly labelled by OX-42 and F4/80, weakly labelled by OX-18, and generally unlabelled by ED1, ED2, OX-6 and OX-17. The third type was found in small numbers throughout the system at the surface of the nervous tissue or around blood vessels; these ’perivascular’ microglia were elongated cells with no branching processes, and were strongly labelled by ED1, ED2, OX-18, OX-6, OX-17 and F4/80 antibodies but showed variable OX-42 immunoreactivity. Cells in a perivascular location were heterogeneous with respect to their immunophenotype. The presence in the normal adult rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system of MHC class-II molecules (OX-6 and OX-17) on a sub-set of perivascular microglia suggests that these cells are capable of presenting antigen to T lymphocytes. The microglia, which lie on either side of the blood-brain barrier, are well placed to facilitate interaction between the immune and neuroendocrine systems.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00318369
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