Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
09:38

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination

Published on: September 12, 2016

12.9K

Metabolic control of neuroinflammation: focus on itaconate and its derivatives in CNS disorders

Ying Wang1,2, Shihui Liu1, Weijie Zhu1,2,3

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, the 960th Hospital of PLA (General Hospital of Jinan Military Command), Jinan, Shandong, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|February 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Itaconate, a metabolite produced by microglia (immune cells in the brain), offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This compound shows therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases by regulating microglial activation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Metabolic pathways in the central nervous system (CNS)

Background:

  • Microglial activation is central to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
  • Metabolic reprogramming critically regulates microglial activation states and functions.
  • Itaconate is an endogenous metabolite produced by microglia with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of itaconate and its derivatives in regulating microglial function.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of itaconate-based interventions for CNS disorders.
  • To outline future research directions in metabolic targeting of microglia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microglial metabolism, itaconate, and neurological diseases.
  • Analysis of mechanistic insights into how itaconate influences microglial signaling pathways (NF-κB, Nrf2, NLRP3).
  • Evaluation of the protective effects of itaconate and its derivatives in preclinical models of CNS disorders.

Main Results:

  • Itaconate production by microglia is linked to the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
  • Itaconate modulates microglial metabolism by inhibiting succinate dehydrogenase and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
  • Itaconate and its derivatives demonstrate neuroprotective effects in models of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cerebral hemorrhage.
  • Optimized itaconate derivatives show improved pharmacokinetic profiles and bioactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Itaconate plays a crucial role in regulating microglial activation and function.
  • Itaconate and its derivatives represent promising therapeutic agents for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Targeting microglial metabolism via itaconate offers a novel strategy for treating CNS disorders.
Keywords:
central nervous system diseasesitaconatemetabolic controlmicroglianeuroinflammation

More Related Videos

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation09:19

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Published on: December 8, 2017

15.7K
Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function11:47

Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function

Published on: January 22, 2017

11.2K

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
837
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route01:29

Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route

The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.9K
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
4.3K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
1.0K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
591
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
3.7K