Transcriptional response of human microglial cells to interferon-γ

R. B. Rock, S. Hu, A. Deshpande, S. Munir, B. J. May, C. A. Baker, P. K. Peterson, V. Kapur

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microglia, the resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS), play a pivotal role in innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain. The immune functions of microglia are regulated by cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, which is a major mediator of macrophage activation. We describe the transcriptional profile of human fetal microglial cells at 1, 6, and 24h after IFN-γ treatment. The results show a change in the expression of 405 genes including transcriptionally induced chemokines, IFN-γ signaling factors, and major histocompatibility complex genes. Our results demonstrate that activation of microglia by IFN-γ induces proinflammatory T-lymphocyte-related chemokine genes as well as genes involved in antigen presentation. As a result, signals for T-cell infiltration and antigen presentation are produced to allow for microglia-T-cell interactions that likely contribute to defense against invading pathogens. In sum, our results provide a foundation for the molecular mechanisms of the microglial response to IFN-γ - a key to understanding cell-mediated immunity of the CNS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)712-719
Number of pages8
JournalGenes and Immunity
Volume6
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

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