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Complement mediated serum cytotoxicity against oligodendrocytes: a comparison with other cells of the
N J Scolding1, B P Morgan, A K Campbell
1Section of Neurology, University of Cambridge Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, U.K.
Abstract:
Rat oligodendrocytes are known to be susceptible to complement attack when exposed to homologous serum as a consequence of anti-myelin antibody independent classical pathway complement activation and attack. We have now compared this susceptibility with that of other cells of the oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte (O-2A) lineage, and show that while type 2 astrocytes are not sensitive, O-2A progenitors are only relatively resistant to serum cytotoxicity, higher concentrations of complement resulting in cell damage. The implications of these findings for the pathogenesis of demyelinating disease are discussed.