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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Functional consequences of phagocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes by microglia cells

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

• Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Gold ,Tel: 201 23755,Fax: 201 23488,Mail: r.gold@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de

Participating scientists:

• Dr. med. Andrew Chan
• Dr. med. Tim Magnus
• Wolfgang Graf , Arzt

Abstract:
Termination of inflammation in the central nervous system goes along with a high level of lymphocyte apoptosis. In the first part of this project, it could already been shown that microglial cells of the Lewis rat have a high capacity to specifically phagocytose apoptotic cellular fragments. In the subsequent projects, a focus is put on the modulation of phagocytosis by pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and pharmacological substances. In addition, immunobiological properties of microglia will be characterised which includes secretion of chemokines, expression of metalloproteinases, and migration of microglia. Experiments in the human system will be conducted in cooperation with the group of Prof. Antel.

Key words:
    Microglial cells
    apoptosis
    EAE
    phagocytosis

Projekt period: from 01.2000 to 12.2003

Funding institution:
DFG ,Granting date: 21.06.2001

Preceding project:
8421182, Genehmigungsdatum: 01.07.1999

Publications:

• A. Chan, T. Magnus, R. Gold. (2001). Phagocytosis of apoptotic inflammatory cells by microglia and modulation by different cytokines: a mechanism for removal of apoptotic cells in the inflamed nervous system. GLIA, 4,193. (scientific article)
• T. Magnus, A. Chan, K:V. Toyka, R. Gold.. (2001). Microglial phagocytosis of apoptotic inflammatory T-cells leads to downregulation of microglial immune activation. Journal of Immunology, 7,065. (scientific article)
• T. Magnus, A. Chan, K:V. Toyka, R. Gold. (2002). Astrocytes are less efficient in the remvoal of apoptotic lymphocytes than microglia cells: implications for the role of glial cells in the inflamed central nervous system. JOURNAL OF NEUROPA-THOLOGY AND EXPERI-MENTAL NEUROLOGY, 5,533. (scientific article)