Potential effects of microglia-vascular interactions during chronic systemic inflammation in the central nervous system of mice with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Microglia are brain specific macrophages and the only immune cells in the brain. Microglia sense the systemic immune status and contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders. We previously showed that systemic immune activation induces microglial migration on vessels that regulate the blood brain barrier permeability. In this study, using Toll like receptor 7 induced systemic lupus erythematosus model mice, we found microglia migration on vessels and significant T cell infiltration in the brain. Additionally, microglia interacting with T cell expressed MHC class II molecules in some cases, suggesting the antigen presentation of microglia in systemic lupus erythematosus model mice. This research provides insights on the autoimmune antibody expression in the brain.