Phagocytic activity of human adult astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in culture.

The phagocytic activity of human glial cells was examined in primary cultures obtained from normal human brain obtained at autopsy. Highly enriched cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were established using an enzyme digestion-Percoll density gradient method. These cultures were exposed to medium containing carbon particles (indian ink) for one-24 hours. Under phase contrast and immunofluorescence microscopy, carbon particles were demonstrated in the cytoplasm and processes of both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Electron microscopic examination revealed carbon particles phagocytized and segregated in these cells. These findings may support a view that both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes participate in phagocytosis in certain neurological diseases.