Differential tumor necrosis factor alpha expression by astrocytes from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis-susceptible and -resistant rat strains

Several studies have examined what might contribute to the immunopathological reaction seen in the CNS of Lewis rats. Massa et al. (27, 28) demonstrated that astrocytes derived from Lewis rats express higher levels of class II MHC antigens upon treatment with either IFN-y or virus compared with astrocytes obtained from BN rats. This hyperinduction of class II in EAE-susceptible Lewis rats was astrocyte specific, as both peritoneal macrophages and microglial cells of susceptible and resistant strains showed identical patterns for class II induction . Astrocyte class II MHC expression can contribute to antigen presentation in thebrain, which is thought to enhance intracerebral immune responses.