Neuronal apoptotic bodies: phagocytosis and degradation by primary microglial cells

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Abstract
SPECIFIC AIMSNeuronal loss via apoptotsis is a key element in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. It has been suggested that microglial cells are phagocytosing and degrading apoptotic material. In this study we investigated the ability of microglial cells to take up and degrade neuronal apoptotic material, demonstrated a CD36 receptor mediated pathway of the uptake, and a lysosome and proteasomal mediated degradation of proteins from apoptotic material.PRINCIPIAL FINDINGS1. Proteins from apoptotic material are degraded within microglial cellsTo investigate whether apoptotic bodies from neuronal cells are phagocytosed by microglia, we used a common apoptosis model of PC12 cells. These cells were brought into an apoptotic state by growth factor depletion. To investigate the fate of proteins originated from PC12 cells, we grew them in a medium containing [35S]-methionine, induced apoptosis, and isolated apoptotic bodies. Apoptotic bodies were added to cultures of rat primary microglial cells and liberation ...