GENERATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MOUSE MICROGLIAL CELL-LINES

A murine cell line (MMGT1) has been established after transfection of primary microglial cell cultures with a v-myc-containing plasmid. This cell line was comparable with primary microglial cells with respect t o morphology, presence of acetylated low density lipoprotein receptor, non-specific esterase, CD63, major histocompatibility complex antigen s and CD11, and binding for Ricinus communis agglutinin. Primary micro glia as well as MMGT1 cells were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Different MMGT1 strains were obtained after subcloning, two o f which resembled histiocytes (F4/80 and BM-8). These cell strains, MM GT12 and 16, were able to opsonize latex beads, and could be induced b y endotoxins (LPS) to secrete TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, TGF-beta, and EGF . The other subclones had intermediate (MCA519, ER-MP20) or mixed macr ophage characteristics and did not react to endotoxin by an increase i n TNF-alpha, IL-1, and TGF-beta. Our newly established murine microgli a lines may prove to be useful models to study inflammation and repair in the brain.