An immortalized cell line expresses properties of activated microglial cells

Murine cultured microglial cells were immortalized after infection with a v‐raf/v‐myc recombinant retro‐virus. This immortalized cell line (BV‐2) shares properties with body macrophages with respect to the antigen profile, their phagocytic capacity and antimicrobial activity. BV‐2 cells are not constitu‐tively able to kill tumor cells in vitro, but acquire antitumor activity following an increase in [Ca++]i. BV‐2 cells, like microglial cells, are however, distinct from peripheral macrophages by their expression of inwardly rectifying K+ cannels in concert with a Jack in outwardly rectifying K+ channels and the formation of spineous processes. The BV‐2 cell line thus represents a suitable model for in vitro studies of activated microglial cells. Copyright © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.