Microglia/monocytes with NG2 expression have no phagocytic function in the cortex after LPS focal injection into the rat brain

Glia. 2012 Sep;60(9):1417-26. doi: 10.1002/glia.22362. Epub 2012 May 30.

Abstract

While OX42(+) microglia/macrophages have been considered as a scavenger in the brain, NG2(+) cells are generally considered as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells or function-unknown glial cells. Recent evidence showed that under some pathological conditions, certain cells have become positive for both anti-NG2 and anti-OX42 antibodies. Our results suggested that some OX42(+) microglia or macrophages were induced to express NG2 proteins 3 and 5 days later after focal injection of lipopolysaccharide into the brain cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats. In consideration of the induction of NG2 expression may associate with gaining or losing functions of microglia/macrophages, we further showed that, while OX42(+) or ED1(+) microglia/macrophages presented active phagocytic function, NG2(+) /OX42(+) cells failed to engulf latex beads. The induced expression of NG2 protein may possibly indicate the functional diversity of activated microglia/macrophages in the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / metabolism*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / immunology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Microglia / immunology*
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / immunology*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Phagocytosis / physiology*
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Proteoglycans
  • chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4