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In Vivo Chronic Two-Photon Imaging of Microglia in the Mouse Hippocampus
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Imaging of microglia in post-stroke inflammation
Ze Wang1, Yaying Song1, Shuwei Bai1
1Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Nuclear Medicine and Biology
|April 7, 2023
Summary
Microglia play a key role in brain homeostasis and stroke pathophysiology. Understanding microglia activation via imaging targets like Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is crucial for stroke research and therapy assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial for maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis.
- Microglia activation, polarization, and inflammatory responses are central to ischemic stroke pathophysiology.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful in vivo imaging tool for biochemical processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microglia and Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in ischemic stroke.
- To discuss alternative biological targets for imaging microglia activation.
- To evaluate the potential of microglia imaging in assessing stroke therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on microglia, neuroinflammation, and PET imaging.
- Analysis of TSPO as a neuroinflammatory biomarker in CNS pathologies.
- Exploration of emerging targets for microglia activation imaging.
Main Results:
- TSPO levels increase with peripheral inflammatory cell infiltration and glial activation.
- Understanding microglia-TSPO dynamics is critical for interpreting PET studies in stroke.
- Several alternative targets for microglia imaging show promise.
Conclusions:
- TSPO is a validated biomarker for neuroinflammation, but its interpretation requires understanding microglia dynamics.
- Imaging microglia activation offers potential for evaluating stroke progression and therapeutic efficacy.
- Further research into novel imaging targets is warranted for improved stroke management.
