Cited by 357Multiple Sclerosis Research StudiesNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsMesenchymal stem cell research

Myelin-laden macrophages are anti-inflammatory, consistent with foam cells in multiple sclerosis

Boven, Leonie A., Van Meurs, Marjan, Van Zwam, Marloes, Wierenga-Wolf, Annet, Hintzen, Rogier Q., Boot, Rolf G., Aerts, Johannes M., Amor, Sandra +2 more·2006·Brain

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis lesion activity concurs with the extent of inflammation, demyelination and axonal suffering. Pro-inflammatory myeloid cells contribute to lesion development, but the self-limiting nature of lesions implies as yet unidentified anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We addressed the hypothesis that myelin ingestion by myeloid cells induces a foamy appearance and confers anti-inflammatory function. First, we show that myelin-containing foam cells in multiple sclerosis lesions consistently express a series of anti-inflammatory molecules while lacking pro-inflammatory cytokines. Second, unique location-dependent cytokine and membrane receptor expression profiles imply functional specialization allowing for differential responses to micro-environmental cues. A novel human in vitro model of foamy macrophages functionally confirmed that myelin ingestion induces an anti-inflammatory programme. Foamy macrophages are unable to respond to prototypical inflammatory stimuli but do express molecules involved in suppression of inflammation. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of lesion control and may open new roads to intervention.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1093/brain/awh707

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48 of 48 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • TREM2 is highly expressed within active MS lesions by lipid-laden microglia/macrophages known to display an alternatively activated M2 profile and to promote the resolution of inflammation and clearance of myelin debris.

    “Here we show that TREM2 was highly expressed within active MS lesions by lipid-laden microglia/macrophages known to display an alternatively activated M2 profile and to promote the resolution of inflammation and clearance of myelin debris [5].”

    From TREM2 activation on microglia promotes myelin debris clearance and remyelination in a model of multiple sclerosis (2020) · cites this paper as [5]

    The Introduction describes foamy macrophages in MS lesions as myelin-scavenging cells derived from microglia or monocytes, and the results say they resemble anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. The Discussion says they are *likely* to contribute to resolution of inflammation; it does not establish that they promote resolution as a demonstrated function. The TREM2-expression finding is introduced as the citing authors’ own result, not one attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Lesions with foamy microglia exhibited increased cholesterol esters and triacylglycerols, consistent with their lipid-laden phenotype, confirmed by Oil Red O staining.

    “Lesions with foamy microglia exhibited increased cholesterol esters (CEs) and triacylglycerols (TAG), consistent with their lipid-laden phenotype, which was confirmed by the neutral lipid staining Oil Red O (ORO)14,16”

    From Foamy microglia link oxylipins to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (2026) · cites this paper as [14]

    The foamy-macrophage phenotype section and Fig. 1 caption (page not provided) report abundant neutral lipids in foamy macrophages in multiple sclerosis lesions, demonstrated by Oil Red O staining. They do not identify those lipids as cholesterol esters or triacylglycerols, or report increased levels of either. The paper also describes the foamy cells as arising from both microglia and infiltrating monocytes, rather than identifying them all as microglia. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Lack of classical pro-inflammatory signaling has been previously found in MS lesions by mass cytometry of microglia and matches the lipid-induced lysosomal phenotype described in other diseases.

    “This lack of classical pro-inflammatory signaling has been previously found in MS lesions by mass cytometry of microglia49 and matches the lipid-induced lysosomal phenotype described in other diseases14,18,50,51.”

    From Foamy microglia link oxylipins to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (2026) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Results section ('Foamy macrophages express antiinflammatory markers') reports that lipid-laden macrophages in MS lesions lacked several pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the Discussion proposes that accumulated myelin lipids contribute to their anti-inflammatory phenotype. This supports a resemblance to a lipid-associated phenotype, but the paper does not describe a lysosomal phenotype in other diseases. The mass-cytometry finding is attached to citation 49, not to this source. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The molecular profile of foamy microglia may reflect metabolic reprogramming associated with the chronic nature of the lesion.

    “which may potentially reflect metabolic reprogramming associated with the chronic nature of the lesion14,18,50.”

    From Foamy microglia link oxylipins to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (2026) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that foamy macrophages have location-dependent molecular profiles that may reflect lipid degradation and local cues; the Introduction says some originate from microglia. The paper studies active lesions, however, and does not attribute those profiles to metabolic reprogramming associated with chronic lesions. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Foamy microglia/macrophages have also been described as anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressed.

    “However, foamy microglia/macrophages have also been described as anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressed14,18.”

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Cites

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2 of the 50 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Becher B, Prat A, Antel JP. Brain-immune connection: immuno-regulatory properties of CNS-resident cells. Glia 2000; 29: 293-304.
  2. Chayen J, Bitensky L. Analysis of chemical components of cells and tissues; reactions for lipids. In: Practical histochemistry. Chichester: Wiley; 1991. p.

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Authors
Boven, L. A., Van Meurs, M., Van Zwam, M., Wierenga-Wolf, A., Hintzen, R. Q., Boot, R. G., Aerts, J. M., Amor, S., Nieuwenhuis, E. E., & Laman, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Erasmus MC (NL)
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Biomedical Primate Research Centre (NL)
Corresponding author
Boven, Leonie A.
Venue
Brain
Published
2005-12-19
Volume
129
Issue
2
Pages
517-526
ISSN
  • 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2156
OpenAlex
W2166298859
Cited by
353
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 11
FWCI
6.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
  • EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Mesenchymal stem cell research
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, foam cells, anti-inflammatory macrophages, myeloid cells, demyelination, cytokine expression, cell surface receptors, in vitro macrophage model, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Brain, Cells, Cultured, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Macrophages, Myelin Sheath, RNA, Messenger, Sialoglycoproteins, Biomarkers, Interleukin-4, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Interleukin-10, Chemokines, CC, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein

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