Inflammatory processes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Primary Cultures of Rat Astrocytes and Microglia and Their Use in the Study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: June 23, 2022
1Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Abstract:
Neuroinflammation is a characteristic of pathologically affected tissue in several neurodegenerative disorders. These changes can be observed in the brainstem and spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases and in mouse models of the disease. They include an accumulation of large numbers of activated microglia and astrocytes, as well as small numbers of T cells, mostly adhering to postcapillary venules. Accompanying biochemical alterations include the appearance of numerous molecules characteristic of free-radical attack, the occurrence of proteins associated with activation of the complement cascade, and a sharp upregulation of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Anti-inflammatory agents may have a role to play in treating ALS. COX-2 is a particularly attractive target because of its marked increase in ALS spinal cord.
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