Amoeboid microglial response following X-ray-induced apoptosis in the neonatal rat brain.
The phagocytic response following X-ray-induced apoptosis in the neonatal rat brain was examined by immunohistochemistry with the antibodies OX-6 and OX-42 which recognize MHC class II antigens and the CR3 complement receptor, respectively. Few OX-6-immunoreactive cells were observed in control rats, and in rats irradiated at postnatal day 2 and examined during the first 2 postnatal weeks. However, a transient increase in the number of OX-42-immunoreactive amoeboid microglia, containing large numbers of apoptotic cells, occurred at 6, 24 and 48 h after irradiation when compared with age-matched controls. These results show that X-ray-induced apoptosis promotes a short-lasting phagocytic response.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley