Microglia support ATF3-positive neurons following hypoglossal nerve axotomy

Microglia are essential in developmental processes and maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. Experimental axotomy of motor neurons results in neurodegeneration, and microglia in motor nuclei become activated and migrate towards injured neurons. However, whether these activated microglia are protective or destructive to neurons remains controversial. In the present study, we transected the hypoglossal nerve in BALB/c mice, causing activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) induction, and partial neuronal death. Inhibition of microglial accumulation by minocycline administration impaired microglial accumulation, decreased GAP43 mRNA expression, and reduced motor neuron survival. Expression of ATF3 contributed to nerve regeneration, and increased within 6 h after axotomy, prior to microglial migration. Further, microglial contact with neuronal cell bodies was associated with neuronal ATF3 expression. Colchicine administration blocked lesion-induced ATF3 transcription in axotomized neurons and microglial accumulation. In addition, perineuronal microglia-derived ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) increased, indicating that perineuronal microglia in the hypoglossal nucleus protect axotomized motor neurons by releasing trophic factors. We also observed that microglia secrete CNTF and that neurons have CNTFRα and can respond to it in vitro. CNTF promote neurite elongation and neuronal survival of primary cultured neurons. Microglia make contact through unknown neuronal signals that are possibly regulated by ATF3 in hypoglossal nucleus. Moreover, they play important roles in regenerating motor neurons and are potential new therapeutic targets for motor neuron diseases.