K. Toku et al., Distinctions between microglial cells and peripheral macrophages with regard to adhesive activities and morphology, J NEUROSC R, 57(6), 1999, pp. 855-865
Activated microglial cells and peripheral macrophages are hardly distinguis
hable from the viewpoints of morphology and function, There are various imm
unological markers common to both microglial cells and peripheral macrophag
es. In the present study, however, we found that microglial cells have dist
inct characters in terms of adhesion and morphology, By using a "rheoscope,
" that is an apparatus to theologically measure the strength of cell adhesi
on to substrates, rat microglial cells were found to attach to polystyrene
dishes much more weakly than alveolar and peritoneal macrophages. Interfero
n-gamma (IFN gamma) strengthened the adhesion of alveolar and peritoneal ma
crophages, whereas it weakened that of microglial cells. Morphological chan
ges of microglial cells induced by IFN gamma were also different from those
of peripheral macrophages. Furthermore, alveolar and peritoneal macrophage
s produced NO in response to IFN gamma, while microglial cells did not. Whe
n cultured on astrocyte-derived extracellular matrix (AsECM) in serum-free
medium, only microglial cells extended multiple ramified processes. Convers
ely, alveolar and peritoneal macrophages on AsECM shrunk their ruffling mem
brane and rounded up, These distinctions between microglial cells and macro
phages may reflect differences in cell lineages as well as environments in
which individual cells reside. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.