Microglial depletion exacerbates motor impairment and dopaminergic neuron loss in a 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease

6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a common neurotoxin used to induce Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice, exerting neurotoxic effects through the production of reactive oxygen species and microglial activation. However, the role of microglia in PD is still not clear, with contradictory reports showing neuroprotection or exacerbation of neuronal death. Microglial depletion aggravates motor coordination impairments and reduces tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Moreover, MeCP2 and Adora1 genes expression were downregulated, suggesting they may be involved in the neurodegenerative process.

Source: Journal of Neuroimmunology - January 13, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Carolina Parga Martins Pereira, Jos é Francis-Oliveira, Monique Patricio Singulani, Ana Flávia Fernandes Ferreira, Luiz Roberto G. Britto Source Type: research