A role for complement in phagocytosis of myelin

The mechanisms for phagocytosis of myelin in cell-mediated demyelinating diseases have not been clarified. We have previously shown with cultured phagocytic cells that myelin opsonized with antiserum to myelin constituents is phagocytized in much higher amounts than untreated myelin, indicating that Fc receptors may be involved in the demyelinating process. Using various treatments of antisera, such as heating to destroy complement, and purification of IgG, we show here that complement is a necessary factor for maximal myelin phagocytosis by cultured macrophages. If myelin is sonicated to decrease its particle size, however, complement is not an active factor. Cultured microglia, on the other hand, required complement for maximal phagocytosis of both unsonicated and sonicated myelin. Addition of serum complement greatly increased phagocytosis of untreated CNS and PNS myelin, both unsonicated and sonicated, by macrophages and microglia. From these results it appears that the most important effect of complement is to fragment the myelin, making it more easily phagocytized. Prefragmentation of myelin by sonication can substitute for complement. Complement receptors may, in addition, be important for maximal myelin phagocytosis by microglia.