CD22 Inhibition Improves Microglia Function in Old Mice

Microglia are innate immune cells of the central nervous system, responsible for clearing harmful molecular waste, tracking down pathogens, and a range of other supporting roles in the function and tissue maintenance of the brain. Unfortunately microglia are known to become dysfunctional with age: notable more inflammatory, and less capable when it comes to clearing protein aggregates such as the amyloid-β associated with Alzheimer's disease. This is thought to be an important contribution to the age-related nature of neurodegenerative conditions. Targeted clearance of senescent microglia has been shown to produce meaningful benefits in mouse models of neurodegeneration, reducing chronic inflammation. Here researchers look at one specific aspect of age-related microglial incapacity, and find that they can override it to improve performance. Microglia, the innate immune cells of the brain, are essential for maintaining homeostasis and for orchestrating the immune response to pathological stimuli. They are implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. One commonality of these diseases is their strong correlation with aging as the highest risk factor and studying age-related alterations in microglia physiology and associated signaling mechanism is indispensable for a better understanding of age-related pathological mechanisms. CD22 has been identified as a modifier of microglia phagocytosis in a recent study, but not ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs