The perivascular phagocyte of the mouse pineal gland: An antigen-presenting cell

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

The perivascular space of the rat pineal gland is known to contain phagocytic cells that are immunoreactive for leukocyte antigens, and thus they appear to belong to the macrophage/microglial cell line. These cells also contain MHC class II proteins. We investigated this cell type in the pineal gland of mice. Actively phagocytosing cells with a prominent lysosomal system were found in the pericapillary spaces of the mouse pineal gland following intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase. The cells also exhibited strong acid phosphatase activity. Perivascular cells were immunopositive for MHC class II protein and for CD68, a marker of monocytes/phagocytes. This study verifies that perivascular phagocytes with antigen-presenting properties are present in the mouse pineal gland.
Original languageEnglish
JournalChronobiology International
Volume23
Issue number1-2
Pages (from-to)393-401
Number of pages9
ISSN0742-0528
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

    Research areas

  • Acid Phosphatase, Animals, Antigen-Presenting Cells, Antigens, CD, Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic, Immunohistochemistry, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microscopy, Electron, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Monocytes, Phagocytes, Phagocytosis, Pineal Gland

ID: 1204390