ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 24, Number 3

Exposure of cultured microglial cells to interferon-gamma.

ATLA 24, 377-385, May/June 1996

Inger K. Grundt and Harald Nyland

Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Haukeland Sykehus, 5021 Bergen, Norway

SUMMARY

The reactions of a microglial cell population to exposure to interferon-gamma (IFN-y) were studied in primary cultures of mixed glial cells from the brains of newborn rats. One week after seeding, the cells were exposed to 200 U/ml of IFN-y for 24 and 48 hours. After exposure to IFN-y for 48 hours, a third of the cultures were exposed to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 90 minutes. Transformation of the microglial cells in response to this treatment was observed by using a light microscope. On time-lapse film, an increase in the mobility of the cells and an increase in the number of amoeba-like microglia were among the most evident changes induced by IFN-y. These changes became more pronounced when the exposure time was increased. The addition of PMA significantly enhanced this process After exposure to IFN-y for 48 hours, expression of the MHC class II antigen was observed. The interleukin-1f content of the cells was increased in the cultures after 24 hours, but declined after further exposure.

Keywords: mixed glial cell cultures, microglial morphology, interferon-gamma, time-lapse film, MHC class II, interleukin-1β