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Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration via microbial infections
Van Thi Ai Tran1, Luke P Lee1,2, Hansang Cho1,3
1Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea.
Abstract:
Recent epidemiological studies show a noticeable correlation between chronic microbial infections and neurological disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear due to the biological complexity of multicellular and multiorgan interactions upon microbial infections. In this review, we show the infection leading to neurodegeneration mediated by multiorgan interconnections and neuroinflammation. Firstly, we highlight three inter-organ communications as possible routes from infection sites to the brain: nose-brain axis, lung-brain axis, and gut-brain axis. Next, we described the biological crosstalk between microglia and astrocytes upon pathogenic infection. Finally, our study indicates how neuroinflammation is a critical player in pathogen-mediated neurodegeneration. Taken together, we envision that antibiotics targeting neuro-pathogens could be a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegeneration.
Insights
Chronic microbial infections are linked to neurological disorders. This review explores how infections trigger neurodegeneration via multiorgan pathways and neuroinflammation, suggesting antibiotics as a potential therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies reveal a correlation between chronic microbial infections and neurological disorders.
- The precise mechanisms linking infection to neurodegeneration remain unclear due to complex multiorgan interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which microbial infections lead to neurodegeneration.
- To highlight the roles of inter-organ communication and neuroinflammation in infection-induced neurodegeneration.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on infection, neurodegeneration, and inter-organ axes.
- Analysis of pathways involving the nose-brain, lung-brain, and gut-brain axes.
- Examination of microglia-astrocyte crosstalk in response to pathogens.
Main Results:
- Identified three key inter-organ axes (nose-brain, lung-brain, gut-brain) as conduits for infection to affect the brain.
- Described the cellular interactions between microglia and astrocytes during pathogenic infections.
- Highlighted neuroinflammation as a central mechanism in pathogen-mediated neurodegeneration.
Conclusions:
- Multiorgan interconnections and neuroinflammation are critical mediators of infection-induced neurodegeneration.
- Targeting neuro-pathogens with antibiotics may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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