Expression of the anaphylatoxin C5a receptor in the oligodendrocyte lineage.

Expression of the C5a receptor in the central nervous system has been demonstrated on microglia, astrocytes and neurons. In the present study, we demonstrate C5aR expression in vitro by rat and murine O2-A progenitor cells and oligodendrocytes. We also observed that in vitro differentiation of O2-A progenitors into mature oligodendrocytes is accompanied by down-regulation of C5aR mRNA expression. These results suggest that the C5aR may be a marker for oligodendroglial differentiation and play a role in oligodendrocyte function.