Myelin phagocytosis in Wallerian degeneration. Properties of millipore diffusion chambers and immunohistochemical identification of cell populations.
Myelin phagocytosis in Wallerian degeneration was studied using a model of murine sciatic nerve degeneration in millipore diffusion chambers in the peritoneal cavity of host mice. Immunocytological investigations showed the dependence of myelin digestion on the invasion of Fc-positive, Mac-1-positive and partly Ia-positive monocytes. Lymphocytes did not play a prominent role. Compared to Wallerian degeneration in situ, phagocytosis was decreased in nerves enclosed by millipore membranes on both sides of the chamber. The membrane acted as a trap for invading monocytes/macrophages. Neither tissue integrity nor genetic strain influenced the degree of phagocytosis. A modification of the experimental technique is introduced which permits myelin phagocytosis in the peritoneal cavity in a degree comparable to that in Wallerian degeneration in situ.
Abteilungen für Neurologie, Universität Göttingen, Federal Republicof Germany.
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D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D004058:Diffusion; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration
D000954:Antigens, Surface