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Thapsigargin induces microglial transformation from amoeboid to ramified type in vitro
Author(s) -
Yagi Ryoji,
Tanaka Shuuitsu,
Koike Tatsuro
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(199910)28:1<49::aid-glia6>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - microglia , phagocytosis , biology , thapsigargin , endoplasmic reticulum , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , transformation (genetics) , neuroglia , immunology , neuroscience , central nervous system , biochemistry , inflammation , gene
Microglia generally display amoeboid morphology under prevalent culture conditions. We found that cultured microglia derived from rat cerebral cortex undergo a morphological transformation from amoeboid to process‐bearing microglia upon treatment with thapsigargin (TG), a specific Ca 2+ ‐ATPase inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum. Microglial transformation was further enhanced by exposure of amoeboid microglia to serum‐free (N2) medium containing TG (TG/N2 treatment). TG/N2‐treated microglia showed a marked reduction in the activity of phagocytosis and showed down‐regulated expression of MRF‐1 or F4/80, which are markers for activated microglia. Thus, both morphological and physiological criteria suggest that TG promotes the ramification of amoeboid microglia in vitro. This method would be helpful in characterization of ramified microglia in vitro. GLIA 28:49–52, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.