Production of interleukin-12 and expression of its receptors by murine microglia.
Production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) by cultured murine microglia and astrocytes was examined, by means of ELISA to detect heterodimeric p70 and RT-PCR to analyze the expression of mRNA encoding p35 and p40. Microglia, but not astrocytes, produced IL-12 p70 in response to lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. The microglial cell line, Ra2, produced only p40, but not p35, upon above stimulation. Thus, it is possible that some population of microglia induce helper 1 type T cell response via producing IL-12 in the CNS. Microglia were induced to express mRNA encoding IL-12 receptors which were exclusively expressed in activated T and NK cells.
Suzumura
A
A
Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634, Japan.
Sawada
M
M
Takayanagi
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000032:analysis*; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D018664:Interleukin-12