Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026
Intrastriatal Injection of Autologous Blood or Clostridial Collagenase as Murine Models of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Published on: July 3, 2014
Intracerebroventricular injection of microglia protects against focal brain ischemia
Yoshihisa Kitamura1, Kazuyuki Takata, Masatoshi Inden
1Department of Neurobiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan. yo-kita@mb.kyoto-phu.ac.jp
Abstract:
Microglia are macrophage-like phagocytic cells in the brain parenchyma. However, microglial function after neurodegeneration is not fully understood. In this study, occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and reperfusion caused massive neuronal loss in the rat cerebral cortex and striatum after 3 days. When exogenous microglia were microinjected into the intracerebroventricle during MCA occlusion, neurodegenerative areas significantly decreased. At that time, migrated microglia were detected in the ischemic lesion. These results suggest that exogenous microglia can migrate into brain parenchyma and then protect against neurodegeneration induced by MCA occlusion and reperfusion.
Insights
Transplanted microglia migrate to damaged brain areas and reduce neuronal loss after stroke. This study shows exogenous microglia protect against neurodegeneration in a rat stroke model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a role in neurodegeneration, but their precise function remains unclear.
- Neurodegenerative processes, such as those induced by stroke, lead to significant neuronal loss.
- The potential therapeutic benefits of exogenous microglia in neurodegenerative conditions require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of exogenous microglia in mitigating neurodegeneration.
- To determine if transplanted microglia can migrate to and survive within the injured brain parenchyma.
- To assess the neuroprotective effects of exogenous microglia following ischemic stroke.
Main Methods:
- Induction of ischemic stroke via middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and reperfusion in a rat model.
- Microinjection of exogenous microglia into the intracerebroventricular space during MCA occlusion.
- Assessment of neurodegeneration using histological analysis and neuronal loss quantification.
- Detection and characterization of migrated microglia within the ischemic lesion.
Main Results:
- MCA occlusion and reperfusion resulted in substantial neuronal loss in the rat cerebral cortex and striatum.
- Microinjection of exogenous microglia significantly reduced the extent of neurodegenerative areas.
- Migrated microglia were successfully detected within the ischemic lesion following transplantation.
- Exogenous microglia demonstrated neuroprotective effects in the context of ischemic stroke.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous microglia possess the capacity to migrate into the brain parenchyma after stroke.
- Transplanted microglia can migrate to and exert protective effects within ischemic lesions.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy using exogenous microglia to combat neurodegeneration induced by stroke.
