Macrophages and endothelial cells express intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in immune-mediated demyelination but not in Wallerian degeneration of the rat peripheral nervous system.
BACKGROUND
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in immune responses, especially in T cell/endothelial cell and T cell/macrophage interactions. This study reports the cellular localization of ICAM-1 during immune-mediated demyelination of the peripheral nervous system induced by adoptive transfer of P2 specific T cells.


METHODS
Cryosections 1 micron thick of ventral roots of rats with experimental autoimmune neuritis were labeled with a monoclonal antibody against rat ICAM-1.


RESULTS
Numerous ICAM-1 positive cells were present before and shortly after the onset of clinical disease from days 4 to 6 after cell transfer. By day 8, their number had greatly decreased. ICAM-1 positive infiltrating cells could be identified as ED1 positive macrophages. Moreover, endothelial cells expressed ICAM-1. Schwann cells and T cells were ICAM-1 negative. While at early stages of experimental autoimmune neuritis, ICAM-1 and Ia colocalized on macrophages but not endothelial cells, Ia persisted for a longer period in nerve roots than ICAM-1. After nerve transection, macrophages entering the distal stump and endothelial cells did not express ICAM-1.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of ICAM-1 immunoreactivity in peripheral nerve indicates an underlying immune-mediated process. Among other cytokines interferon-gamma, which is transiently expressed in nerves during immune-mediated demyelination but not after nerve transection, could be one mediator that induces ICAM-1 in immune-mediated demyelination of the peripheral nervous system.
Stoll
G
G
Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Jander
S
S
Jung
S
S
Archelos
J
J
Tamatani
T
T
Miyasaka
M
M
Toyka
K V
KV
Hartung
H P
HP
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004727:Endothelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration / Q000276:immunology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1