Expression of Ia molecules by astrocytes during acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat

One question in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is whether antigen-presenting cells exist in the central nervous system which help induce the development of the disease. Since EAE is a delayed-type hypersensitivity condition, and since T cells require major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigen presentation, it is presumed that if antigen presentation occurs in CNS tissue, the presenting cell should express surface Ia molecules. Using immunofluorescent double labeling, the possibility that astrocytes express surface Ia during EAE evolution in the Lewis rat was examined. Very rare Ia-positive astrocytes were found (less than 0.1% of the astrocytes), but only in the spinal cords of clinically ill animals. In addition, endothelial cell Ia positivity was noted prior to the onset of clinical disease. The immunological significance of such low numbers of astrocytes expressing Ia during EAE is uncertain.