Physical activity-associated extracellular vesicles inhibit inflammagen-induced microglial activation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Microglial activation and neuroinflammation drive neurodegenerative diseases.
• Physical activity exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, but mechanisms are unclear.
• Exerkines, induced by exercise, modulate anti-inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the effects of plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from physically active animals on microglial activation.
• Determine if EVs from treadmill-exercised rats can suppress inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Used a rodent model of long-term treadmill-induced physical activity (TMPA).
• Administered plasma-derived EVs from TMPA-treated rats to BV2 microglia cells and LPS-treated mice.
• Tracked EV distribution in vivo using labeled EVs and assessed microglial activation.

Main Results:

• EVs from TMPA-treated rats suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory signaling in BV2 microglia.
• BV2 microglia internalized EVs within 2 hours.
• In vivo, EVs from TMPA-treated rats reduced microglial activation in the substantia nigra of LPS-treated mice.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity-derived EVs effectively suppress inflammagen-induced microglial activation.
• EVs demonstrate anti-neuroinflammatory properties.
• These findings highlight EVs as potential therapeutic agents for neuroinflammation.