Attachment of myelin to coated pits on macrophages in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

In experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) invading macrophages appear to destroy the antigen-containing region of the plasma membrane of the myelinating cell, leaving the cell body intact. We report here that during myelin destruction and phagocytosis, myelin lamellae are attached to coated pits on the macrophage surface. As coated pits are sites where receptor-ligand complexes concentrate prior to endocytosis, we conclude that ligand-mediated phagocytosis may explain the targeted activity of macrophages in autoimmune demyelination.