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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
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Microglial priming in neurodegenerative disease
1Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
Nature Reviews. Neurology
|March 19, 2014
Summary
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, become primed during neurodegeneration. This priming makes them overreact to secondary inflammation, offering new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroinflammation
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the central nervous system (CNS) resident macrophages, normally maintain a controlled state.
- Neurodegeneration and protein misfolding trigger microglial proliferation and activation, a process termed priming.
- Primed microglia exhibit heightened susceptibility to secondary inflammatory stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of microglial priming in the context of neurodegeneration.
- To investigate the mechanisms driving microglial priming and their exaggerated response to inflammation.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting microglial priming and systemic inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical animal models investigating microglial responses to neurodegenerative conditions.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying microglial priming and activation.
- Examination of the role of the microenvironment and systemic factors in modulating microglial inflammatory responses.
Main Results:
- Microglial priming is driven by microenvironmental changes and molecular signals associated with neurodegeneration.
- Primed microglia mount an exaggerated inflammatory response upon secondary stimulation, particularly from systemic inflammation in elderly individuals.
- This priming phenomenon provides a mechanistic link between systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- Microglial priming is a critical factor in the neuroinflammatory response to neurodegeneration.
- Targeting systemic inflammation or the CNS signaling pathways involved in microglial priming offers promising therapeutic avenues.
- Lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions hold potential for slowing or halting neurodegeneration by modulating microglial activity.
