Search results for "Microglia"
showing 10 items of 164 documents
Host microbiota constantly control maturation and function of microglia in the CNS.
2015
As the tissue macrophages of the CNS, microglia are critically involved in diseases of the CNS. However, it remains unknown what controls their maturation and activation under homeostatic conditions. We observed substantial contributions of the host microbiota to microglia homeostasis, as germ-free (GF) mice displayed global defects in microglia with altered cell proportions and an immature phenotype, leading to impaired innate immune responses. Temporal eradication of host microbiota severely changed microglia properties. Limited microbiota complexity also resulted in defective microglia. In contrast, recolonization with a complex microbiota partially restored microglia features. We determ…
Single administration of tripeptide α-MSH(11-13) attenuates brain damage by reduced inflammation and apoptosis after experimental traumatic brain inj…
2013
Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) neuroinflammatory processes promote neuronal cell loss. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide with immunomodulatory properties, which may offer neuroprotection. Due to short half-life and pigmentary side-effects of α-MSH, the C-terminal tripeptide α-MSH(11-13) may be an anti-inflammatory alternative. The present study investigated the mRNA concentrations of the precursor hormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and of melanocortin receptors 1 and 4 (MC1R/MC4R) in naive mice and 15 min, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after controlled cortical impact (CCI). Regulation of POMC and MC4R expression did not change after trauma, while MC1R levels incr…
Mammalian glial cells in culture synthesize acetylcholine.
1997
In the present study we demonstrate that acetylcholine is synthesized by cultured mammalian glial cells identified by cell-type specific markers. Primary cultures of rat brain astrocytes or microglia contained 2.0 and 1.6 pmol acetylcholine/10(6) cells on average respectively. Astrocyte cultures established from neonatal mouse brain contained even more acetylcholine (about 80 pmol acetylcholine/10(6) cells). Primary cultures of rat brain astrocytes showed choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme activity of 3 nmol/mg protein/h; ChAT activity was blocked by 10 microM bromoacetylcholine. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the synthesis of the "neurotransmitter" acetylcholine in cultured gli…
A systematic comparison of kinetic modelling methods generating parametric maps for [11C]-(R)-PK11195
2006
[(11)C]-(R)-PK11195 is presently the most widely used radiotracer for the monitoring of microglia activity in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play a critical role in acute and chronic diseases of the central nervous system and in host defence against neoplasia. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of five kinetic modelling methods for the formation of parametric maps from dynamic [(11)C]-(R)-PK11195 studies. The methods we tested were the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM), basis pursuit, a simple target-to-reference ratio, the Logan plot and a wavelet based Logan plot. For the reliabilit…
Brain erythropoietin fine-tunes a counterbalance between neurodifferentiation and microglia in the adult hippocampus
2021
In adult cornu ammonis hippocampi, erythropoietin (EPO) expression drives the differentiation of new neurons,independent of DNA synthesis, and increases dendritic spine density. This substantial brain hardwareupgrade is part of a regulatory circle: during motor-cognitive challenge, neurons experience ‘‘functional’’hypoxia, triggering neuronal EPO production, which in turn promotes improved performance. Here, weshow an unexpected involvement of resident microglia. During EPO upregulation and stimulated neurodifferentiation,either by functional or inspiratory hypoxia, microglia numbers decrease. Treating mice with recombinanthuman (rh)EPO or exposure to hypoxia recapitulates these changes and…
Highlighting the divertsity of cactus populations (Opuntia spp.) in Morocco and modulation of lipid metabolism by natural extracts and phytosterols f…
2015
The objective of this PhD thesis is to characterize the Moroccan germplasm of the cactus Opuntia collected from different regions in Morocco, by studying the phenologic behavior, the genetic features and physicochemical composition, along with the molecules of high therapeutic potential which may have beneficial effects on the central nervous system cells from cactus extracts (fruit, flower, seed, oil, cladodes and spine) and compared to Argan oil. This work has been conducted in fours different laboratories sharing complementary analyses skills at agronomic, biochemistry, molecular levels. Our results are presented in three parts : (i) cactus agronomic characteristics, (ii) purification an…
Reversible neural stem cell niche dysfunction in a model of multiple sclerosis
2011
Objective The subventricular zone (SVZ) of the brain constitutes a niche for neural stem and progenitor cells that can initiate repair after central nervous system (CNS) injury. In a relapsing-remitting model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the neural stem cells (NSCs) become activated and initiate regeneration during acute disease, but lose this ability during the chronic phases of disease. We hypothesized that chronic microglia activation contributes to the failure of the NSC repair potential in the SVZ. Methods Using bromodeoxyuridine injections at different time points during EAE, we quantified the number of proliferating and differentiating progenitors, and evaluate…
Microglial activation milieu controls regulatory T cell responses.
2013
Abstract Although mechanisms leading to brain-specific inflammation and T cell activation have been widely investigated, regulatory mechanisms of local innate immune cells in the brain are only poorly understood. In this study, to our knowledge we show for the first time that MHC class II+CD40dimCD86dimIL-10+ microglia are potent inducers of Ag-specific CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. Microglia differentially regulated MHC class II expression, costimulatory molecules, and IL-10 depending on the amount of IFN-γ challenge and Ag dose, promoting either effector T cell or Treg induction. Microglia-induced Tregs were functionally active in vitro by inhibiting Ag-specific prolifer…
Glutathione peroxidase 1 activity dictates the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to oxidative stress.
2012
The high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity of glioblastoma (GBM) leads to resistance to different therapies, and hence, selecting an effective therapy is very challenging. We hypothesized that the antioxidant enzyme status is a significant feature of GBM heterogeneity. The most important reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) detoxification mechanisms include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Expression and activity of these enzymes and the cellular response to induced oxidative stress were systematically analyzed and compared between GBM cells and nontransformed glial cells of both human and murine origin. Regardless of cell type or speci…
ALS monocyte-derived microglia-like cells reveal cytoplasmic TDP-43 accumulation, DNA damage, and cell-specific impairment of phagocytosis associated…
2022
Abstract Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease characterised by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Increasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation mediated by microglia contributes to ALS pathogenesis. This microglial activation is evident in post-mortem brain tissues and neuroimaging data from patients with ALS. However, the role of microglia in the pathogenesis and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains unclear, partly due to the lack of a model system that is able to faithfully recapitulate the clinical pathology of ALS. To address this shortcoming, we describe an approach that generates monocyte-derived mi…