Poly(I:C) promotes TNFa/TNFR1-dependent oligodendrocyte death in mixed glial cultures

Steelman, Andrew J; Li, Jianrong

Poly(I:C) activates microglia and induces preoligodendrocyte cell death in mixed glial cultures Treatment of mixed glial cultures with poly(I:C) caused robust microglial activation as indicated by marked changes in morphology ( Figure 1A ), TNFα secretion ( Figure 1B ) and increased cell death as determined by LDH release 48 h after the treatment ( Figure 1C ). Processes of poly(I:C)-activated microglia were frequently found to be in close proximity to preOLs, suggesting an increase in their surveillance properties ( Figure 1A , arrow). Immunocytochemical analysis revealed an approximate 28% loss of preOLs in the poly(I:C) stimulated cultures when compared to control cultures (Figure 1D) . Furthermore, poly(I:C) reduced preOL viability in a dose-dependent manner that appeared to correlate with TNF production (Figure 2A-D) . These data indicate that poly(I:C) stimulation in mixed glial cultures is toxic to preOLs.