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Primary Microglia Isolation from Mixed Glial Cell Cultures of Neonatal Rat Brain Tissue
Published on: August 15, 2012
Glutamate receptors in microglia.
Madhuvika Murugan1, Eng-Ang Ling, Charanjit Kaur
1Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore. antkaurc@nus.edu.sg.
CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|September 20, 2013
Summary
Glutamate receptors (GluR) on microglia regulate immune responses in the brain. Understanding these GluR pathways is crucial for developing therapies for neuropathologies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Glutamate receptors (GluR) are expressed on glial cells in the brain.
- Evidence suggests GluR are present on microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system.
- The functional significance of GluR activation in microglia is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the expression of GluR on microglia.
- To discuss the effects of GluR activation on microglial function.
- To highlight the role of microglial GluR in neuropathologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physiological, molecular, and biochemical evidence.
- Discussion of the immunological response regulated by microglial GluR.
- Analysis of molecular events following microglial activation.
Main Results:
- GluR activation in microglia modulates their immunological response, potentially leading to neuroprotection or neurotoxicity.
- Microglial activation involves nitric oxide production, free radical generation, calcium dysregulation, and release of inflammatory mediators.
- Microglial activation is implicated in various neuropathologies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding microglial GluR pathways is essential for therapeutic interventions.
- Targeting microglial GluR may help ameliorate microglia-mediated damage in neuropathologies.
- Further research into microglial GluR function is warranted.
