Characterisation of K<sup>+</sup> Currents in the C8-B4 Microglial Cell Line and their Regulation by Microglia Activating Stimuli

2009

Microglia are the intrinsic immune cells of the brain. As such, they are crucially involved in neuro-protection as well as neuro-degeneration. Their activation leads to the induction of cytokine and chemokine release, the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide and an increased outward potassium conductance. In this study, we focus our interest on potassium currents and channels in the C8-B4 murine microglial cell line and compare them with those of primary cultured microglia from neo-natal mice. Using the whole cell patch-clamp technique, we have recorded prominent inward and outward rectifying voltage-dependent potassium currents but no calcium-activated potassium currents.…