Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
Notch signaling modulates the activation of microglial cells
Luc Grandbarbe1, Alessandro Michelucci, Tony Heurtaux
1Department of Life Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Abstract:
The Notch signaling pathway plays a crucial role in specifying cellular fate in metazoan development by regulating communication between adjacent cells. Correlative studies suggested an involvement of Notch in hematopoietic cell development. Here, we report that the Notch pathway is expressed and active in microglial cells. During inflammatory activation, the transcription of the Notch down-stream effector Hes1 is downregulated. When Notch1 transcription in microglia is inhibited, an upregulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines is observed. Notch stimulation in activated microglia, using a soluble form of its ligand Jagged1, induces a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and nitric oxide production as well as an increase in phagocytic activity. Notch-stimulation is accompanied by an increase in the rate of STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Our results show that the Notch pathway plays an important role in the control of inflammatory reactions in the CNS.
Related Concept Videos
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

