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Published on: January 29, 2015
Activated natural killer cells adhere to cultured hippocampal neurons and affect the dendritic morphology
Sanae Hasegawa1, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Nagao
1Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Insights
Immune cells, specifically lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, interact directly with central nervous system (CNS) neurons. These interactions can alter neuronal structure, impacting dendritic morphology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The central nervous system (CNS) was traditionally considered immune-privileged.
- Increasing evidence suggests immune cells can infiltrate and influence CNS function.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct interactions between immune cells and central nervous system (CNS) neurons.
- To characterize the effects of immune cell contact on neuronal morphology.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of mouse hippocampal neurons with lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells.
- Immunocytochemical staining.
- Time-lapse microscopy for dynamic observation.
Main Results:
- LAK cells were observed migrating along and forming adhesive contacts with neuronal processes.
- LAK cells released glutamate, a neurotransmitter.
- Approximately 14% of hippocampal neurons exhibited dendritic beading, and dendritic protrusions were reduced.
Conclusions:
- Infiltrating immune cells can establish direct physical connections with CNS neurons.
- Immune cell interactions can significantly alter neuronal dendritic morphology.
- These findings highlight a direct mechanism by which immune cells may modulate neuronal function in the CNS.
Abstract:
To examine the manner of interactions between immune cells and central nervous system (CNS) neurons, mouse hippocampal neurons were co-cultured with lymphokine (IL-2)-activated killer (LAK) cells. Immunocytochemical and time-lapse observations indicated that LAK cells migrated along neuronal processes and made adhesive contacts with them. In addition to the direct physical effects, LAK cells released glutamate, induced the formation of beads-like structure in the dendrites of about 14% of hippocampal neurons and caused the reduction of dendritic protrusions. These results suggest that infiltrating immune cells can form direct adhesive connections with CNS neurons and affect their dendritic morphology.
