Microglia in retinae transplanted to the central nervous system

Perry, V.H. and Lund, R.D. (1989) Microglia in retinae transplanted to the central nervous system. Neuroscience, 31 (2), 453-462. (doi:10.1016/0306-4522(89)90387-4).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Retinae from fetal rats and mice were transplanted to the brains of neonatal rats: retinae from fetal rats were transplanted to the brains of adult immunodeficient nude mice. Using immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibodies directed against cell surface antigens on macrophages and lymphocytes, we examined the leukocyte populations in transplants. We have shown that the transplants become populated by macrophages which have the morphology and phenotype of microglia. Furthermore, we have shown that in xenogeneic transplants most, if not all, of these cells are derived from the host. The microglia in the transplant retinae are more numerous and less precisely distributed when compared to normal retinae. Some microglia. particularly those associated with large blood vessels, express antigens typical of reactive microglia. including Class II antigens. We find that large numbers of macrophages and microglia are associated with the outer segments of the photoreceptors. In the absence of the retinal epithelium the macrophages may phagocytose discs shed from the outer segments of rods. We suggest that microglia derived from the host may be an important component of the instability of xenogeneic grafts.

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