Established cell line of microglia

Abstract

A subcultivatable, established microglia having the following properties. (a) Form: Both or either of a macrophage-like or spherical form in the presence of a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulation factor and a branched form similar to branched microglia present in the brain in the absence of the factor. (b) Functional characteristics: specific affinity for the brain highly poor phagocytic action. (c) Cell proliferation: proliferative depending upon a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulation factor. Preparation, separation, and screening methods of the microglia, a pharmaceutical composition using the microglia, and a method for treatment of cerebral diseases using the composition.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A method for the production of established microglia cell lines having specific affinity for the brain, which comprises the steps of: 
 a) separating and purifying type-II microglia cells from microglia cells isolated from animals, and    b) incubating the type II microglia cells with cytokines.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the type II microglia cells are separated and isolated by incubating microglia cells isolated from animals in an incubation vessel having no surface charge.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the incubation vessel having no surface charge is a non-coated plastic vessel.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the cytokines are selected from colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyto-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the cytokines consist of colony-stimulating factor (CSF).  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the cytokines are granulocyto-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the cytokines are recombinant cytokines.