title: Allograft-inflammatory factor-1 in rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, neuritis, and uveitis: expression by activated macrophages and microglial cells.
abstract: Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a Ca2+ binding peptide expressed predominantly by activated monocytes. In order to investigate the role of AIF-1 in autoimmune lesions of the rat nervous system, we have used a synthetic gene to express AIF-1 in E. coli and have produced monoclonal antibodies against AIF-1. AIF-1 was localized to monocytes/macrophages with rather selective staining of a minor rat monocyte subpopulation of lymphoid tissue. We then investigated expression of AIF-1 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), neuritis (EAN), and uveitis (EAU). Within the local inflammatory lesions, infiltrating macrophages are prominently stained. In the diseased brain, AIF-1-positive microglial cells are not only found in the direct vicinity of the infiltrate, but widespread activation is seen in the parenchyma. This is the first demonstration that AIF-1 is present in autoimmune lesions. Immunostaining of microglial cells is noteworthy, as these cells are strategically placed regulatory elements of CNS immunosurveillance. Thus, AIF-1 might be a valuable marker to dissect the local monocyte heterogeneity in autoimmune disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schluesener
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seid
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kretzschmar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meyermann
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009443:Neuritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014605:Uveitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: C112986:AIF1 protein, human; C100745:Aif1 protein, rat; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C077219:small inducible cytokine subfamily E, member 1