Lymphocyte migration into brain modelled in vitro: control by lymphocyte activation, cytokines, and antigen

Factors controlling lymphocyte adhesion to brain endothelium were investigated in vitro. Mitogen activation of lymphocytes causes increased adhesion to endothelium, which is maximal at 7-24 hr, declines to normal levels after the cells divide, and requires protein synthesis. Rat brain endothelium can be stimulated with IFN-gamma to increase its adhesion to either normal or activated lymphocytes. The endothelium is sensitive to low levels of cytokine: adhesion develops rapidly after stimulation and requires new protein synthesis. Antigen-specific line cells also adhere more effectively to endothelium than normal lymph node cells. This is enhanced by IFN-gamma treatment of the endothelium and is further increased marginally in the presence of the cognate antigen. The results suggest that either local stimulation of endothelium with cytokines or lymphocyte activation in the periphery will modulate lymphocyte traffic into brain.