Stromal macrophages of the choroid plexus situated at an interface between the brain and peripheral immune system constitutively express major histocompatibility class II antigens.
Using immunocytochemistry we have shown that there is a population of macrophages within the stroma of the choroid plexus of rats and mice which expresses high levels of major histocompatibility complex Class II antigens. In whole mount preparations of the choroid plexus, the morphology and regular distribution of these cells is similar to the Langerhans cells of the skin. These cells reside at an important interface between the central nervous system and the peripheral immune system and their possible role in immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system is discussed.
Matyszak
M K
MK
Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, UK.
Lawson
L J
LJ
Perry
V H
VH
Gordon
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D001798:Blood Proteins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase