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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo
Published on: March 26, 2019
[The concept of the immunologic barrier of the brain]
Abstract:
Using the technique of a two-layer agar system, the authors cultivated cerebrospinal fluid cells from 9 patients with aseptic lymphocytic meningitis and from 6 clinically healthy subjects. On the 7th-15th day of culturing growth of colonies (cellular aggregates) was detected. Morphologic analysis of the colonies demonstrated that they consisted only of lymphoid and mixed (macrophagal-granulocytic) cells. To study the immunologic function of microglia, the cerebral tissue obtained from 11 patients with cerebral gliomas was cultivated. Antigenic stimulation resulted in activation of microglia cells and in their transformation into macrophages. The precursor cells, T- and B-lymphocytes, their subpopulations, monocytes, macrophages and cells of central nervous system microglia form an immunologic barrier of the brain ensuring the immunologic surveillance in the extra-barrier organ--the central nervous system.
Insights
Cerebrospinal fluid cells from meningitis patients and healthy subjects were cultured, revealing lymphoid and mixed cell colonies. Microglia in brain tissue activated into macrophages when stimulated, forming the brain's immunologic barrier.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Context:
- Investigating the cellular components and immune functions within the central nervous system (CNS).
- Understanding the role of microglia and other immune cells in CNS health and disease, specifically aseptic lymphocytic meningitis and cerebral gliomas.
Purpose:
- To cultivate and analyze cerebrospinal fluid cells from patients and healthy individuals.
- To examine the immunologic function of microglia through antigenic stimulation of cultivated cerebral tissue.
Summary:
- A two-layer agar system was used to culture cerebrospinal fluid cells from 9 aseptic lymphocytic meningitis patients and 6 healthy subjects, observing colony growth between days 7-15.
- Morphologic analysis revealed colonies composed of lymphoid and mixed (macrophagal-granulocytic) cells.
- Cultivated cerebral tissue from 11 glioma patients showed microglia activation and transformation into macrophages upon antigenic stimulation, highlighting their immunologic potential.
Impact:
- Demonstrates that microglia can be activated into macrophages, contributing to the brain's immune surveillance.
- Identifies precursor cells, lymphocytes (T- and B-), monocytes, macrophages, and microglia as key components of the brain's immunologic barrier.
- Provides insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying immune responses within the central nervous system.
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