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Lymphocyte emperipolesis in human glial cells
M Furer1, V Hartloper, J Wilkins
1Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Cell Adhesion and Communication
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Astrocytes engulf viable lymphocytes via emperipolesis, a process distinct from microglial phagocytosis. This interaction is temperature- and cation-dependent, involving CD8 and MHC Class I antigens.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are known to internalize lymphocytes within their cytoplasm, a process termed emperipolesis.
- This phenomenon has been observed in pathological conditions like multiple sclerosis plaques and brain tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the adhesive, emperipoleic, and phagocytic properties of human astrocytes and microglia in culture.
- To differentiate emperipolesis from phagocytosis and identify factors influencing emperipolesis.
Main Methods:
- Primary human fetal and adult astrocyte and microglia cultures were established.
- Lymphocyte-glial cell interactions were analyzed, focusing on adhesion, emperipolesis, and phagocytosis.
- The effects of temperature, cations, CD8, and MHC Class I antigens on emperipolesis were investigated.
Main Results:
- Astrocytes exhibited both adhesion and emperipolesis of lymphocytes.
- Emperipolesis, unlike adhesion, was dependent on temperature and cations.
- CD8 and MHC Class I antigens were implicated in the emperipolesis process.
- Lymphocytes generally remained viable within astrocytes, though occasional lysis or astrocyte damage occurred.
- Microglia demonstrated significant phagocytosis but not emperipolesis, while astrocytes were efficient emperipolites with limited phagocytic activity.
Conclusions:
- Emperipolesis is a distinct cellular process mediated by astrocytes, separate from microglial phagocytosis.
- The study elucidates key characteristics and molecular players involved in astrocyte-lymphocyte emperipolesis.