Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Chromogranin A activates diverse pathways mediating inducible nitric oxide expression and apoptosis in primary
Claudie Hooper1, Jennifer M Pocock
1King's College London, MRC Centre for Neurodegenerative Research, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK. c.hooper@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Chromogranin A (CgA) is associated with microglial activation cascades implicated in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's, Pick's and Parkinson's diseases. In primary rat microglia, CgA-mediated inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) production, mitochondrial depolarisation and apoptosis were inhibited by PP2 (Src kinase inhibitor). CgA-mediated iNOS expression and NO production were also inhibited by U0126 (MEK inhibitor), but mitochondrial depolarisation and apoptosis were not. PP2 inhibited ERK phosphorylation; therefore, Src mediates CgA-induced ERK phosphorylation leading to iNOS expression and NO production. Glutamate release induced by CgA was independent of both pathways. These findings provide insights into the way microglia are activated by CgA and the microglial signalling mechanisms associated with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Related Concept Videos
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Caspases

