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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 22, 2017
The relative number of macrophages/microglia expressing macrophage colony-stimulating factor and its receptor
Katrin Werner1, Andreas Bitsch, Stephanie Bunkowski
1Department of Neuropathology, Charité, Humboldt-Universität, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
The activation of macrophages/microglia in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions plays a central role in the effector phase of myelin breakdown. The precise patterns of macrophage/microglia activation during demyelination have not yet been defined. The growth and activating factor macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and its specific receptor (M-CSFR) may be involved in this process. The present study investigated the expression of M-CSF and M-CSFR mRNA by in situ hybridization in 60 lesions from 32 MS patients. In the control and periplaque white matter, microglia was almost completely M-CSFR positive. Irrespective of the demyelinating activity, an increased number of cells expressed M-CSF or M-CSFR mRNA within the lesions. However, despite the tremendous increase in macrophages/microglia within the lesions, the relative number of these cells expressing M-CSF or M-CSFR decreased. There was no correlation of M-CSF or M-CSFR expression with active myelin breakdown. The correlation between the clinical course and the expression of M-CSF or M-CSFR mRNA revealed significant differences with the lowest expression in primary progressive MS. These results suggest a downregulation of M-CSF and M-CSFR inside the MS plaque probably due to the high amount of macrophage-derived cytokines or mediators. Nevertheless, the differences in the relative number of cells expressing the M-CSF/M-CSFR pathway implicate that this pathway may be an important contributory factor in different forms of MS pathology.
Insights
Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and its receptor (M-CSFR) expression is altered in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. This pathway
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Demyelinating Diseases
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Macrophage and microglia activation is key in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion pathogenesis and myelin breakdown.
- The precise roles and patterns of macrophage/microglia activation during demyelination remain incompletely understood.
- Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and its receptor (M-CSFR) are potential mediators in these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of M-CSF and M-CSFR mRNA within multiple sclerosis lesions.
- To correlate M-CSF/M-CSFR expression with demyelinating activity and clinical disease course in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ hybridization to examine M-CSF and M-CSFR mRNA expression.
- Analyzed 60 lesions from 32 patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Compared expression in active lesions, chronic lesions, and control white matter.
Main Results:
- Microglia showed high M-CSFR positivity in control and periplaque white matter.
- Lesions exhibited increased cellular expression of M-CSF or M-CSFR mRNA, but a decreased relative number of expressing cells.
- No direct correlation was found between M-CSF/M-CSFR expression and active myelin breakdown; lowest expression seen in primary progressive MS.
Conclusions:
- Suggests a downregulation of M-CSF and M-CSFR within MS plaques, potentially due to high cytokine levels.
- The M-CSF/M-CSFR pathway's differential expression implies its involvement in the distinct pathologies of various MS forms.
- Highlights the complex role of M-CSF and M-CSFR in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.
