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Isolation and Culture of Rodent Microglia to Promote a Dynamic Ramified Morphology in Serum-free Medium
Published on: March 9, 2018
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Glucocorticoid-mediated modulation of morphological changes associated with aging in microglia
Lynn van Olst1, Pascal Bielefeld2, Carlos P Fitzsimons2
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Aging Cell
|June 9, 2018
Summary
Aging alters microglia complexity, potentially linked to rising glucocorticoid (GC) levels. Manipulating GC levels in mice affected microglial structure, suggesting GCs influence age-related microglial changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, change morphology and function with age.
- The underlying mechanisms of age-related microglial changes are not well understood.
- Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known for immunomodulation, and their levels change with aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that elevated glucocorticoid (GC) levels contribute to age-associated alterations in microglial morphology and function.
- To explore the role of GCs in modulating microglial complexity and ramification during aging.
Main Methods:
- Examined microglial complexity and GC levels in aging mice.
- Experimentally enhanced GC levels in young mice.
- Reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression in aged mice.
Main Results:
- Observed decreased microglial complexity alongside increased GC levels in aging mice.
- Found that elevated GC levels in young mice increased microglial ramification.
- Demonstrated that reduced glucocorticoid receptor in old mice worsened age-associated microglial amoebification.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticoids (GCs) appear to promote microglial ramification in the hippocampus.
- GCs may play a significant role in modulating age-associated changes in microglial morphology.
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