Necrotic neurons enhance microglial neurotoxicity through induction of glutaminase by a MyD88-dependent pathway
2008

Necrotic Neurons Increase Microglial Toxicity

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Teresa F. Pais, Catarina Figueiredo, Rui Peixoto, Maria H. Braz, Sukalyan Chatterjee

Primary Institution: Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência

Hypothesis

Necrotic neurons activate microglia through a MyD88-dependent pathway, leading to increased neurotoxicity.

Conclusion

Necrotic neurons activate microglia via a MyD88-dependent pathway, resulting in increased neurotoxic activity through glutaminase induction.

Supporting Evidence

  • Necrotic neurons induced a pro-inflammatory phenotype in microglia.
  • Microglial activation was dependent on the MyD88 signaling pathway.
  • Increased neurotoxicity was linked to up-regulation of glutaminase.

Takeaway

When brain cells die, they can make other brain cells act in a harmful way, which can make things worse for the brain.

Methodology

Primary cultures of microglia were used to study the effects of necrotic neurons on microglial inflammatory responses and toxicity.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.005

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1742-2094-5-43

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