Axotomy of the rat facial nerve leads to increased CR3 complement receptor expression by activated microglial cells.

Axotomy of the rat facial nerve leads to mitotic divisions of microglial cells without developing into phagocytes. In order to study the functional characteristics of those activated, i.e., proliferating but nonphagocytic, microglia we investigated the expression of monocyte/macrophage antigens by these cells. Our results show that activated microglia lack monocyte/macrophage antigens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies Ox-41, ED1, ED2, and Ki-M2R but express high levels of CR3 complement receptors in situ.