Astrocyte expression of major histocompatibility complex gene products in multiple sclerosis brain tissue obtained by stereotactic biopsy.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II antigens were characterized by immunocytochemistry in two chronic-active multiple sclerosis lesions in tissue obtained from two patients by stereotactic biopsy. We examined in particular astrocytic MHC-positive cells in relation to lesion architecture. The MHC class I (HLA-A,B,C)-positive astrocytic cells were widely dispersed, being present at the lesion edge, in the gliotic lesion center, and in normal-appearing white matter as well. Morphologically astrocytic MHC class II (HLA-DR)-positive cells were confined exclusively to the lesion edge. By staining serial sections with antisera to glial-fibrillary acidic protein and HLA-DR, we confirmed the lineage of several MHC class II-positive astrocytes. The demonstration of MHC antigen-positive astrocytes in multiple sclerosis tissue obtained by stereotactic biopsy is novel; the differential distribution of MHC class I- and class II-positive astrocytes in the multiple sclerosis lesion may provide suggestive clues about the regulation of MHC expression on these cells in vivo.
Ransohoff
R M
RM
Department of Molecular Biology, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195-5178.
Estes
M L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II