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A homologous form of human interleukin 16 is implicated in microglia recruitment following nervous system injury in leech Hirudo medicinalis
Author(s) -
Croq Françoise,
Vizioli Jacopo,
Tuzova Marina,
Tahtouh Muriel,
Sautiere PierreEric,
Van Camp Christelle,
Salzet Michel,
Cruikshank William W.,
Pestel Joel,
Lefebvre Christophe
Publication year - 2010
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/glia.21036
Subject(s) - leech , hirudo medicinalis , biology , microglia , central nervous system , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , nervous system , immunology , inflammation , world wide web , computer science
In contrast to mammals, the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis can completely repair its central nervous system (CNS) after injury. This invertebrate model offers unique opportunities to study the molecular and cellular basis of the CNS repair processes. When the leech CNS is injured, microglial cells migrate and accumulate at the site of lesion, a phenomenon known to be essential for the usual sprouting of injured axons. In the present study, we demonstrate that a new molecule, designated Hm IL‐16, having functional homologies with human interleukin‐16 (IL‐16), has chemotactic activity on leech microglial cells as observed using a gradient of human IL‐16. Preincubation of microglial cells either with an anti‐human IL‐16 antibody or with anti‐ Hm IL‐16 antibody significantly reduced microglia migration induced by leech‐conditioned medium. Functional homology was demonstrated further by the ability of Hm IL‐16 to promote human CD4+ T cell migration which was inhibited by antibody against human IL‐16, an IL‐16 antagonist peptide or soluble CD4. Immunohistochemistry of leech CNS indicates that Hm IL‐16 protein present in the neurons is rapidly transported and stored along the axonal processes to promote the recruitment of microglial cells to the injured axons. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a functional interleukin‐16 homologue in invertebrate CNS. The ability of Hm IL‐16 to recruit microglial cells to sites of CNS injury suggests a role for Hm IL‐16 in the crosstalk between neurons and microglia in the leech CNS repair. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.