Galectin-1 as a marker for microglia activation in the aging brain
Tamas Kiss1, Yaqub Mir2, Gergely Stefancsik3
1Pediatric Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Galectin-1 is identified as a key marker for microglia activation in the aging brain. This anti-inflammatory protein
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, influence age-related brain changes through immune regulatory molecules.
- Galectin-1, an anti-inflammatory lectin, is hypothesized to regulate microglia and neuroinflammation in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of galectin-1 in microglia activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.
- To determine if galectin-1 expression correlates with microglial activation states and aging.
Main Methods:
- In-silico analysis of microglial subclusters in aged mouse brains.
- Western blotting and flow cytometry on rat primary cortical cultures.
- Transcriptome analysis of microglial subpopulations in an aging animal model.
Main Results:
- Increased galectin-1 mRNA in aged mouse microglia; decreased protein in long-term rat cultures.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increased galectin-1 protein expression on microglial surfaces.
- Galectin-1 expression correlated with amoeboid morphology and activation state, disappearing upon microglial ramification and exhaustion.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-1 expression is linked to microglial activation and specific morphological states in the aging brain.
- Galectin-1 serves as a potential marker for activated microglia in aging contexts.
- Findings highlight galectin-1's role in the neuroinflammatory response during brain aging.
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