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Intravital Imaging of Axonal Interactions with Microglia and Macrophages in a Mouse Dorsal Column Crush Injury
Published on: November 23, 2014
[Macrophages in central nervous canine distemper: friends or foes?]
Abstract:
Brain macrophages play an important role in the CNS. We review some biological aspects of brain macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The criteria and methods used for the identification of these cells are considered. They include some morphological features such as the use of histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques for internal and surface components. In the second part of this review, we describe the role of brain macrophages in canine distemper encephalitis as proposed earlier by us. Studies in cultured dog glial cells infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) have shown that brain macrophages stimulated by anti-CDV antibodies will release reactive oxygen species as measured by chemiluminescence. This response depends on the presence of viral antigens on the surfaces of infected cells and is mediated by the interaction of antigen-bound antibodies with Fc receptors on brain macrophages. These observations support the hypotheses that brain macrophages may contribute to the damage of the white matter observed in canine distemper encephalitis.
Insights
Brain macrophages are key in the central nervous system (CNS). In canine distemper encephalitis, these cells release damaging reactive oxygen species when stimulated by antibodies targeting the canine distemper virus (CDV).
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cell Biology
- Virology
Context:
- Brain macrophages are critical immune cells within the central nervous system (CNS).
- Understanding their function is vital for neuroinflammatory diseases.
- Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes encephalitis, leading to white matter damage.
Purpose:
- To review the biological characteristics and identification methods of brain macrophages.
- To elucidate the role of brain macrophages in canine distemper encephalitis.
- To explore the mechanisms by which brain macrophages contribute to CNS pathology.
Summary:
- This review covers the biological aspects of brain macrophages, including in vivo and in vitro identification techniques using morphological, histochemical, and immunocytochemical methods.
- Studies show that in canine distemper encephalitis, brain macrophages stimulated by anti-CDV antibodies release reactive oxygen species.
- This release is triggered by viral antigens on infected cells interacting with Fc receptors on macrophages, suggesting a role in white matter damage.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the cellular mechanisms of viral encephalitis.
- Highlights the pathogenic role of brain macrophages in CNS inflammation.
- Informs potential therapeutic strategies targeting neuroinflammation.
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