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Caspases

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Cathepsin regulation on microglial function.

Hiroshi Nakanishi¹

¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yasuda Women's University, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Proteins and Proteomics

|June 12, 2020

Summary

Activated microglia, crucial for brain health, shift between inflammatory and protective roles. Cathepsins, enzymes secreted by microglia, are key to neuroinflammation, brain aging, and neuronal circuit maintenance, offering therapeutic targets.

Keywords:

Brain aging Cathepsin Microglia Neuroinflammation Phenotypic change

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Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

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Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Published on: August 9, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Cell Biology

Background:

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are increasingly recognized for their dual roles in both neurodegeneration and maintaining brain homeostasis.
Activated microglia can adopt different phenotypes, influencing inflammatory and protective responses in the central nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the multifaceted roles of cathepsins, enzymes produced by microglia, in brain health and disease.
To explore how cathepsins contribute to microglial functions in both physiological and pathological conditions.
To discuss the potential of targeting cathepsins for therapeutic interventions in neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on microglial function, cathepsin expression, and neuroinflammation.
Analysis of studies investigating the impact of cathepsins on microglial polarization and neuronal health.
Synthesis of evidence linking microglial cathepsins to brain aging and synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

Increased cathepsin expression in activated microglia correlates with chronic neuroinflammation, M1-like polarization, and neuronal death.
Cathepsin B dysregulation contributes to accelerated brain aging.
Microglial cathepsin S influences synaptic plasticity and neuronal circuit maintenance.

Conclusions:

Cathepsins play critical, diverse roles in microglia-mediated processes within both healthy and diseased brains.
Modulating cathepsin activity presents a promising therapeutic strategy for various brain disorders.
Understanding cathepsin functions is essential for developing targeted treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and aging.