α-Gal Nanoparticles in CNS Trauma: I. In Vitro Activation of Microglia Towards a Pro-Healing State

Conclusion:This study is the first to show that resting human microglia exposed to a complex of α-gal nanoparticles and anti-Gal (from human serum) can be activated and polarized toward a putative M2 state. The data suggests that α-gal nanoparticles may have therapeutic relevance to the CNS microenvironment, in both recruiting and polarizing macrophages/microglia at the application site. T he immunomodulatory activity of these α-gal nanoparticles post-SCI is further described in the companion work (Part II).Graphical abstractResting microglia subjected to α-gal nanoparticle treatment in the presence of anti-Gal (found in serum) become activated and exhibit pro-healing phenotypic markers (Arginase-1, CD206) and secrete VEGF. Expression of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) was concomitantly reduced.
Source: Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research