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Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Detection of HLA-DR on microglia in the human brain is a function of both clinical and technical factors
L A Mattiace1, P Davies, D W Dickson
1Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx 10461.
Abstract:
Detection of HLA-DR, a class II major histocompatibility antigen, on glial cells is dependent not only on duration and type of tissue fixation and processing, but also on clinical factors. Glial cells labeled by anti-HLA-DR were consistent with microglia by light microscopic and ultrastructural criteria, and were colabeled with other microglial markers, including LN-1, Leu-M5, and leukocyte common antigen (LCA). In young and elderly subjects who died suddenly, anti-HLA-DR labeled microglia in the white matter, but far fewer cells in the gray matter. In subjects who died of chronic debilitating illness, such as Alzheimer's disease and carcinomatosis, anti-HLA-DR labeled numerous microglia throughout both the gray and white matter. In Alzheimer's disease, microglia were aggregated in compact senile plaques, but loosely associated with diffuse amyloid deposits. These results suggest that HLA-DR may be constitutively expressed in white matter, but induced in gray matter microglia in chronic disease states or in association with amyloid deposits.
Insights
Human leukocyte antigen - DR (HLA-DR) is detected on microglia, the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Detection of Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR (HLA-DR), a class II major histocompatibility antigen, on glial cells is influenced by tissue processing and clinical factors.
- Glial cells expressing HLA-DR exhibit characteristics of microglia, confirmed by co-labeling with microglial markers like LN-1, Leu-M5, and leukocyte common antigen (LCA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of HLA-DR on microglia in different brain regions and in relation to various clinical conditions.
- To determine if HLA-DR expression on microglia is constitutive or induced under specific pathological circumstances.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for HLA-DR on glial cells in post-mortem brain tissue.
- Microscopic and ultrastructural analysis to identify and characterize HLA-DR-positive glial cells.
- Co-labeling studies with established microglial markers (LN-1, Leu-M5, LCA).
- Comparison of HLA-DR expression in subjects with sudden death versus those with chronic debilitating illnesses (Alzheimer's disease, carcinomatosis).
Main Results:
- HLA-DR-positive microglia were consistently found in white matter across all subjects, irrespective of clinical status.
- In sudden death cases, HLA-DR-positive microglia were scarce in gray matter compared to white matter.
- Subjects with chronic illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease and carcinomatosis, showed significantly increased HLA-DR-positive microglia in both gray and white matter.
- In Alzheimer's disease, microglia aggregated around compact senile plaques and were loosely associated with diffuse amyloid deposits.
Conclusions:
- HLA-DR expression appears to be constitutive in white matter microglia.
- HLA-DR expression is induced in gray matter microglia during chronic disease states, particularly in association with amyloid deposits.
- These findings suggest a role for microglia and HLA-DR in the pathogenesis of chronic neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
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