Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Development of an Insert Co-culture System of Two Cellular Types in the Absence of Cell-Cell Contact
Published on: July 17, 2016
Analysis of glial secretome: the long pentraxin PTX3 modulates phagocytic activity of microglia
Hyejin Jeon1, Shinrye Lee, Won-Ha Lee
1Department of Pharmacology, Brain Science and Engineering Institute, CMRI, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Joong-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Microglia, as the phagocytes of the central nervous system, play an important role in the recognition, engulfment, and clearance of apoptotic cells and invading microbes. Proteins secreted from activated glial cells may affect microglial phagocytic activity. Secreted proteins of mixed glial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) for 24h were identified for the first time by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Several proteins were newly identified as a glia-secreted protein. Among the proteins identified by the mixed glia secretome analysis, pentraxin 3 (PTX3) secretion was most highly induced by LPS/IFN-γ stimulation. Expression of PTX3 mRNA was detected in primary microglia and astrocyte cultures as well as glial cell lines. Glial secretion of PTX3 and its inflammatory induction was confirmed by Western blot analysis of conditioned media of mixed glial cultures. PTX3 did not influence LPS-induced nitric oxide production or neurotoxicity of BV-2 microglial cells. Most importantly, PTX3 selectively modulated microglial phagocytosis activity; it promoted engulfment of zymosan particles, while it inhibited uptake of apoptotic cells. Our results indicate that glia-derived PTX3 may modulate phagocytic functions of microglia, and this may have important implications in the regulation of microglial activity in health and disease.
Insights
Glia-secreted pentraxin 3 (PTX3) influences microglial phagocytosis, promoting particle engulfment while inhibiting apoptotic cell uptake. This finding is crucial for understanding microglial function in health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are key phagocytes in the central nervous system, clearing cellular debris and pathogens.
- Secreted proteins from activated glial cells can modulate microglial phagocytic functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify glia-secreted proteins and investigate their effect on microglial phagocytosis.
- To characterize the role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in microglial activity.
Main Methods:
- Liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to analyze glial secretome.
- Western blot analysis to confirm PTX3 secretion and inflammatory induction.
- Assays to evaluate PTX3's effect on nitric oxide production, neurotoxicity, and phagocytosis of zymosan particles and apoptotic cells.
Main Results:
- Identified novel glia-secreted proteins, with pentraxin 3 (PTX3) showing the highest induction by LPS/IFN-γ stimulation.
- Confirmed PTX3 expression in primary microglia, astrocytes, and glial cell lines.
- PTX3 selectively modulated microglial phagocytosis, enhancing zymosan particle uptake and inhibiting apoptotic cell clearance.
Conclusions:
- Glia-derived PTX3 plays a significant role in modulating microglial phagocytic functions.
- PTX3's differential effects on phagocytosis have implications for regulating microglial activity in neurological health and disease.
