Induction of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen on amoeboid microglial cells in early postnatal rats following intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide or interferon-gamma.

The induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen on amoeboid microglia cells (AMC) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) in early postnatal rat brain was studied by immunohistochemistry. In newborn rats given successive intraperitoneal injections of LPS or INF-gamma and killed at the age of 7 days, MHC class II antigen expressing AMC were consistently present in specific areas throughout the entire brain, notably in the subcortical white matter and circumventricular region. It is concluded from this study that the induction of MHC class II antigen on AMC by LPS or INF-gamma is a widespread phenomenon in the developing brain. Since MHC class II antigen is essential for the initiation of immune response, it is suggested that besides their phagocytic nature, AMC may also be involved in immunological processes in the developing brain.