Microglial phagocytosis is modulated by pro-and... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)

Neuroimmunology

Microglial phagocytosis is modulated by pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines

von Zahn, Joachim1; Möller, Thomas2,3; Kettenmann, Helmut2; Nolte, Christiane2,4

1University Hospital Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany

2Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Cellular Neurosciences, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13122 Berlin

3University of Washington School of Medicine, Neurology, 1959 NE Pacific, Seattle, WA 98195-6465, USA

4Corresponding Author: Christiane Nolte

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors wish to acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Regina Krauss and Gerda Müller. This work was supported by grant 329/8-3 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (to H.K.).

Received 9 September 1997; accepted 5 October 1997

Abstract

ACTIVATION of microglial cells in neurological diseases involves proliferation and the induction of phagocytic and cytotoxic properties. We studied the effects of four different cytokines on microglial phagocytosis of latex beads to gain further insights into the signals modulating different aspects of microglial activity. Granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced microglial phagocytic activity as measured by flow cytometry. A phagocytosis inhibiting effect was observed after preincubation with transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-4. In conclusion, the activating and deactivating cytokines differentially regulate microglial phagocytic activity in vitro and might also play an important role in vivo in modulating microglial activation to keep the balance between the protective, defensive and destructive, chronic inflammatory properties of microglia.