Silencing the Cytoskeleton Protein Iba1 (Ionized Calcium Binding Adapter Protein 1) Interferes with BV2 Microglia
Roxana-Olimpia Gheorghe1, Alexandru Deftu1, Alexandru Filippi2
1Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, Sector 5, 050095, Bucharest, Romania.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
|January 18, 2020
Summary
Ionized calcium binding adapter protein 1 (Iba1) is a novel microglia target. Silencing Iba1 modulates microglia function, impacting migration, adhesion, and phagocytosis, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ionized calcium binding adapter protein 1 (Iba1) is a cytoskeleton protein primarily found in microglia and macrophages.
- While often considered an activation marker, Iba1's role extends to cell migration, membrane ruffling, phagocytosis, and microglia remodeling during brain immune surveillance, suggesting it functions as a signaling molecule.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Iba1 can serve as a drug target.
- To test the hypothesis that specific silencing of Iba1 using Iba1-siRNA can modulate microglia functioning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized customized Iba1-small interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene silencing in BV2 microglia cells.
- Assessed changes in microglia migration, proliferation, cell adhesion, phagocytic activity, and P2x7 receptor functioning post-Iba1 silencing.
Main Results:
- Iba1-silenced BV2 microglia exhibited reduced migration, proliferation, and cell adhesion.
- Phagocytic activity and P2x7 receptor functioning were significantly increased in Iba1-silenced microglia.
- Demonstrated that Iba1 plays a crucial role in regulating these specific microglia functions.
Conclusions:
- Iba1 protein represents a new and viable therapeutic target for modulating microglia behavior.
- Specific silencing of Iba1 opens novel therapeutic avenues for conditions involving microglia dysfunction.
