Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

An Engulfment Assay: A Protocol to Assess Interactions Between CNS Phagocytes and Neurons
Published on: June 8, 2014
Microglial SWELL1 Deficiency Drives Male-Specific Seizure Vulnerability but Paradoxical Neuroprotection through
Abhijeet S Barath1,2,3, Aastha Dheer1, Emily Dale1
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Abstract:
The discovery of genes encoding the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) has enabled detailed exploration of its cell type-specific roles in the brain. LRRC8A (SWELL1) is the essential VRAC subunit. We observed seizure-induced, subunit-specific changes in microglial VRAC expression and investigated its function using conditional knockout (cKO) of LRRC8A in microglia. SWELL1 cKO mice exhibited a male-specific increase in kainate-induced seizure severity yet showed paradoxical neuroprotection against seizure-associated neuronal loss. Mechanistically, SWELL1 deletion led to a cell-autonomous reduction in microglial density and decreased release of VRAC-permeable neuroactive metabolites, including taurine, GABA, and glutamate in culture. Additionally, impaired phagocytic kinetics and reduced lysosomal biogenesis contributed to the observed neuroprotection. These findings reveal novel roles for microglial VRAC in regulating seizure outcomes and microglia-neuron interactions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Sex-linked Disorders
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Sex Linked Disorders
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...
Chemical Synapses
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...

