Expression and induction of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens on cultured murine oligodendrocytes and astrocytes

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-2-like molecule (Lgp55), and class I/II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens (H-2 and Ia) was investigated in cultures of murine oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Under unstimulated conditions, low levels of ICAM-1 expression were observed on astrocytes (less than 20%), but not on oligodendrocytes. Lgp55 was expressed intensely on oligodendrocytes (greater than 90%) and to a lesser degree on astrocytes (greater than 70%). A weak class I MHC (H-2) immunoreactivity was identified on both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (50-70%). Class II MHC (Ia) antigen was undetectable on both cell types. After 48-hr exposure to immune mediators that include interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), 500 U/ml, and supernatant from concanavalin A (Con A)-activated spleen cells, ICAM-1 expression was markedly increased on astrocytes (greater than 80%), but not on oligodendrocytes. Lgp55 expression on both cell types was not altered. Induction of H-2 antigen expression by immune mediators was quite high on both cell types (greater than 95%), while Ia antigen induction was low on astrocytes (less than 50%) and did not occur on oligodendrocytes. Cell type-specific expression and induction of ICAMs and MHC antigens by immune mediators may play roles in lymphocyte-glial cell interactions at the sites of inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS).