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Characterization and Isolation of Mouse Primary Microglia by Density Gradient Centrifugation
Published on: February 16, 2018
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Intermittent hypoxia reduces microglia proliferation and induces DNA damage in vitro
Song Liu1, Zhonghua Wang2, Bo Xu3
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 200092.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|July 13, 2016
Summary
Intermittent hypoxia (IH) from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impairs microglia cell proliferation and DNA, activating inflammation. IH affects P53 pathways, altering cell cycle genes and providing insights into OSA-related neurological damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to neurological damage via intermittent hypoxia (IH).
- The precise mechanisms by which IH affects microglia, key immune cells in the brain, remain largely unknown.
- Understanding microglia's response to IH is crucial for developing therapies for OSA-related cognitive impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the biological functions of microglia cells.
- To elucidate the molecular pathways involved in IH-induced changes in microglia.
- To explore the potential role of P53 signaling in mediating IH effects on microglia.
Main Methods:
- BV2 microglia cells were exposed to IH conditions.
- Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay.
- DNA damage was evaluated by comet assay.
- RNA sequencing identified differentially expressed genes, with validation by RT-PCR and Western blot.
- Inflammatory markers were quantified.
Main Results:
- IH significantly inhibited BV2 cell proliferation and induced DNA damage.
- RNA sequencing revealed differential expression of P53 pathway genes: p21 and Gadd45α were upregulated, while Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E2 were downregulated.
- IH exposure led to a significant increase in inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS).
Conclusions:
- IH inhibits microglia proliferation by downregulating Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E2 via P53 pathways, impeding cell cycle progression.
- IH activates inflammatory responses in microglia.
- These findings offer a theoretical basis for novel therapeutic strategies targeting microglia in OSA.

