Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
09:12
Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
15.9K
Proton therapy induces a local microglial neuroimmune response
Daniëlle C Voshart1, Myrthe Klaver1, Yuting Jiang1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen 9700 AD, The Netherlands.
Summary
Proton and photon radiation affect brain microglia similarly, causing neuroinflammation. This study clarifies proton therapy
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiation Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Proton therapy is gaining traction for brain tumors, but its effects on normal brain tissue, particularly microglia, are not fully understood.
- Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are implicated in radiation-induced neurotoxicity.
- The molecular response of microglia to proton irradiation remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular and functional response of microglia to proton irradiation.
- To compare the effects of protons versus photons on microglia.
- To assess the influence of age and irradiated brain volume on microglial response.
Main Methods:
- Rats were whole-brain irradiated with photons (X-rays), plateau protons, or spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) protons, or received partial brain irradiation with plateau protons.
- RNA sequencing, qPCR, and high-content imaging were used to analyze microglial gene expression and morphology 12 weeks post-irradiation.
Main Results:
- Both photons and plateau protons induced similar transcriptomic changes related to neuroinflammation and microglial priming.
- Microglial priming was less pronounced in juvenile rats compared to adults.
- Spread-out Bragg peak protons showed a slightly increased priming response, while partial brain proton irradiation induced a localized microglial response.
Conclusions:
- The brain exhibits a comparable response to photons and plateau protons, characterized by localized upregulation of microglial priming genes.
- This microglial priming may enhance the brain's immune response to future inflammatory stimuli.
- Findings contribute to understanding the biological effects of proton therapy on the brain.
