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Production of interleukin-12 and expression of its receptors by murine microglia

A Suzumura1, M Sawada, T Takayanagi

  • 1Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634, Japan.

Brain Research
|June 6, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Murine microglia, but not astrocytes, produce interleukin-12 (IL-12) when stimulated. This suggests microglia may drive T cell responses in the central nervous system (CNS).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cellular immunology

Background:

  • Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine in immune responses.
  • Microglia and astrocytes are the primary immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the production of IL-12 by murine microglia and astrocytes.
  • To determine the specific subunits (p35 and p40) involved in IL-12 production by these cells.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect heterodimeric p70.
  • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to analyze mRNA expression of p35 and p40 subunits.

Main Results:

  • Microglia, unlike astrocytes, produced IL-12 p70 in response to lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.
  • The microglial cell line Ra2 produced the p40 subunit but not the p35 subunit.
  • Microglia expressed mRNA for IL-12 receptors, which are typically found on activated T and NK cells.

Conclusions:

  • Certain microglia populations may induce helper 1 (Th1) type T cell responses through IL-12 production within the CNS.
  • The findings highlight a potential role for microglia in modulating adaptive immunity within the brain.

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