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Identification and functional characterization of the mannose receptor in astrocytes
Author(s) -
Burudi E.M.E.,
Riese Sigrid,
Stahl Philip D.,
RégnierVigouroux Anne
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-1136(19990101)25:1<44::aid-glia5>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - mannose receptor , biology , microglia , internalization , mannose , innate immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , endocytic cycle , receptor , immune system , immunology , downregulation and upregulation , scavenger receptor , neuroglia , in vitro , inflammation , neuroscience , central nervous system , macrophage , biochemistry , endocytosis , lipoprotein , cholesterol , gene
The immune competence of astrocytes is still ill defined, especially their endocytic capacity, a prerequisite for efficient antigen presentation. We show that mannose receptor, a very important conduit for internalization of infectious agents and self antigens, is functionally expressed in the murine CNS. By in vitro assays, astrocytes and microglia were shown to be the prime cells expressing this receptor. Studies on astrocytes demonstrate that its expression and function are inversely regulated by anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory compounds. Downregulation of the mannose receptor by IFN‐γ is concomitant with the induction of the invariant chain, which is also induced by GM‐CSF + IL‐4. Mannose receptor‐expressing astrocytes may thus act as scavenger not only in CNS development but also in defense, against soluble and particulate mannosylated pathogens, presenting fragments thereof at strategic locations in the CNS. These findings unravel a new and putatively very important role of astrocytes in innate immunity and possibly development. GLIA 25:44–55, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.