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Related Experiment Videos

Mitochondria in activated microglia in vitro.

Richard B Banati1, Rupert Egensperger, Alexander Maassen

  • 1School of Medical Radiation Sciences, and Ramaciotti Centre for Brain Imaging (Brain-Mind Research Institute), University of Sydney, East Street PO Box 170, Lidcombe NSW 1825, Australia.

Journal of Neurocytology
|May 21, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Activated microglia exhibit altered mitochondria, indicated by increased mitochondrial profiles and unique morphologies. This finding supports using [11C] (R)-PK11195 PET imaging to visualize neuroinflammation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), activate in response to pathological stimuli.
  • Activated microglia display a distinct phenotype, including the upregulation of the peripheral benzodiazepine binding site (mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor).
  • This receptor's expression suggests potential changes in mitochondrial function during microglial activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mitochondrial alterations associated with microglial activation.
  • To correlate these morphological changes with the expression of the peripheral benzodiazepine binding site.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured rat microglia were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Confocal light microscopy using JC-1 dye assessed mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology.
  • Electron microscopy examined ultrastructural changes in microglial mitochondria.

    • Main Results:

    • Microglial activation led to an increased number of mitochondrial profiles.
    • Activated microglia displayed characteristic elongated, "needle-like" mitochondria in vitro.
    • Electron microscopy revealed abnormal mitochondrial structures, including circular cristae and ring-shaped membranes.

    Conclusions:

    • Microglial activation is associated with significant mitochondrial morphological changes.
    • These mitochondrial alterations may contribute to the increased binding of PK11195 observed in activated microglia.
    • The findings support the use of [11C] (R)-PK11195 positron emission tomography (PET) for in vivo imaging of neuroinflammation.