Gene expression profiling of myelin-phagocytosing macrophages

Here we demonstrate, by using genome wide gene expression analysis, that myelin-phagocytosing macrophages have an enhanced expression of genes in pathways involved in migration, phagocytosis and inflammation. More interestingly, we show that myelin internalization induces the expression of genes involved in liver X receptor signaling and cholesterol efflux. In vitro validation shows that myelin-phagocytosing macrophages indeed have an increased capacity to dispose intracellular cholesterol. Additionally, myelin suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, like nitric oxide and IL-6, by macrophages in a similar manner as a liver X receptor agonist. Our data show that myelin modulates the phenotype of macrophages by nuclear receptor activation, which may subsequently affect lesion progression in multiple sclerosis.