Conclusions
Thus, MECs are highly active facultative phagocytes likely important for the maintenance of CSF homeostasis and host defence in the central nervous system especially against Gram-positive bacteria.
Results
In this study, we analysed the uptake of latex beads as well as bacteria by human MECs using flow cytometric analyses. We found that MECs are highly active phagocytes able of ingesting large amounts of latex beads, as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Phagocytic activity of MECs was sensitive to nocodazole and cytochalasin D treatment to a varying degree depending on particle composition. Interestingly, Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus are more readily taken up compared with Gram-negative Escherichia coli. In addition, pre-treatment of MECs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) enhanced S. aureus uptake, whereas PMA but not LPS was effective in enhancing E. coli uptake. Conclusions: Thus, MECs are highly active facultative phagocytes likely important for the maintenance of CSF homeostasis and host defence in the central nervous system especially against Gram-positive bacteria.