Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its binding partner HTRA1 are expressed by olfactory ensheathing cells

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2020 Jan:102:103450. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.103450. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important regulator of innate immunity with key roles in neural regeneration and responses to pathogens, amongst a multitude of other functions. The expression of MIF and its binding partners has been characterised throughout the nervous system, with one key exception: the primary olfactory nervous system. Here, we showed in young mice (postnatal day 10) that MIF is expressed in the olfactory nerve by olfactory ensheathing glial cells (OECs) and by olfactory nerve fibroblasts. We also examined the expression of potential binding partners for MIF, and found that the serine protease HTRA1, known to be inhibited by MIF, was also expressed at high levels by OECs and olfactory fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. We also demonstrated that MIF mediated segregation between OECs and J774a.1 cells (a monocyte/macrophage cell line) in co-culture, which suggests that MIF contributes to the fact that macrophages are largely absent from olfactory nerve fascicles. Phagocytosis assays of axonal debris demonstrated that MIF strongly stimulates phagocytosis by OECs, which indicates that MIF may play a role in the response of OECs to the continual turnover of olfactory axons that occurs throughout life.

Keywords: Glia; MIF; OEC; Olfactory bulb; Regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1 / metabolism*
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / genetics
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Neuroglia / metabolism*
  • Olfactory Nerve / cytology
  • Olfactory Nerve / metabolism*
  • Olfactory Nerve / physiology
  • Phagocytosis
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors
  • High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1
  • HtrA1 protein, mouse
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • Mif protein, mouse