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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
[Relationship between activation of microglia and Jaks phosphorylation induced by microwave irradiation]
Xue-sen Yang1, Yu-tong Hao, Gen-lin He
1Key Laboratory for EMR Medical Protection of Ministry of Education, Department of Occupation Hygiene, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
Objective:
To explore the relationship between microglial proinflammatory and electromagnetic radiation and unveil the role of microglia in microwave radiation induced central nervous system injury.
Methods:
N9 microglia cells cultured in vitro were exposed to microwave at 90 mW/cm2. Cell flow cytometry was used to observe the expression of CD11b at different time points after exposure; ELISA was used to detect the concentration of TNF-alpha in N9 cell culture supernatant; RT-PCR analysis confirmed iNOS mRNA expression in N9 microglia cells; and Nitrate Reductase Method was used to test NO amount in culture supernatant.
Results:
The CD11b positive microglial cells increased significantly at 3 h after microwave exposure (P < 0.05), continued to increase until 24 h and peaked at 6 h after exposure. The amount of TNF-alpha rose dramatically from 1 h to 24 h after exposure (P < 0.01) and peaked at 3 h [(762.1 +/- 61.5) pg/ml] after exposure (P < 0.01). The level of NO started to increase at 1 h [(4.48-0.59) micromol/L] and lasted for 24 h after exposure. The expression of iNOS mRNA increased significantly at 1 h (P < 0.05), and tripled the original expression at 6 h after exposure, hereafter, it decreased slightly, but all were higher than the control group within 24 h after exposure.
Conclusion:
Microwave radiation could induce the activation of microglia cells. The activated microglia cells could induce microglial proinflammatory by producing large amounts of TNF-alpha, NO, etc.
Insights
Microwave radiation activates microglia, leading to central nervous system inflammation. Activated microglia release tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide, contributing to injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Context:
- Microglia play a crucial role in central nervous system (CNS) immune responses.
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation, including microwaves, is increasingly prevalent.
- Understanding the interaction between microwave radiation and microglial cells is vital for assessing potential CNS injury.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between microglial proinflammatory responses and electromagnetic radiation.
- To elucidate the role of microglia in microwave radiation-induced CNS injury.
Summary:
- In vitro studies exposed N9 microglia cells to microwave radiation (90 mW/cm2).
- Flow cytometry, ELISA, RT-PCR, and biochemical assays measured microglial activation markers (CD11b), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression.
- Results showed significant increases in CD11b, TNF-alpha, NO, and iNOS mRNA following microwave exposure, indicating microglial activation and inflammation.
Impact:
- Microwave radiation can induce microglial activation.
- Activated microglia contribute to neuroinflammation through the production of TNF-alpha and NO.
- This research highlights a potential mechanism for microwave-induced CNS damage.
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