Abstract
An inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) is believed to play an important role in the pathway leading to neuronal cell death in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, prion diseases, multiple sclerosis and HIV-dementia. The inflammatory response is mediated by the activated microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, which normally respond to neuronal damage and remove the damaged cells by phagocytosis. Activation of microglia is a hallmark of brain pathology. However, it remains controversial whether microglial cells have beneficial or detrimental functions in various neuropathological conditions. The chronic activation of microglia may in turn cause neuronal damage through the release of potentially cytotoxic molecules such as proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen intermediates, proteinases and complement proteins. Therefore, suppression of microglia-mediated inflammation has been considered as an important strategy in neurodegenerative disease therapy. Several anti-inflammatory drugs of various chemical ingredients have been shown to repress the microglial activation and to exert neuroprotective effects in the CNS following different types of injuries. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these effects occur remain unclear. In recent years, several research groups including ours have attempted to explain the potential mechanisms and signaling pathways for the repressive effect of various drugs, on activation of microglial cells in CNS injury. We provide here a comprehensive review of recent findings of mechanisms and signaling pathways by which microglial cells are activated in CNS inflammatory diseases. This review article further summarizes the role of microglial cells in neurodegenerative diseases and various forms of potential therapeutic options to inhibit the microglial activation which amplifies the inflammation-related neuronal injury in neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords: Microglia, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Microglial Activation and its Implications in the Brain Diseases
Volume: 14 Issue: 11
Author(s): S. Thameem Dheen, Charanjit Kaur and Eng-Ang Ling
Affiliation:
Keywords: Microglia, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation
Abstract: An inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) is believed to play an important role in the pathway leading to neuronal cell death in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, prion diseases, multiple sclerosis and HIV-dementia. The inflammatory response is mediated by the activated microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, which normally respond to neuronal damage and remove the damaged cells by phagocytosis. Activation of microglia is a hallmark of brain pathology. However, it remains controversial whether microglial cells have beneficial or detrimental functions in various neuropathological conditions. The chronic activation of microglia may in turn cause neuronal damage through the release of potentially cytotoxic molecules such as proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen intermediates, proteinases and complement proteins. Therefore, suppression of microglia-mediated inflammation has been considered as an important strategy in neurodegenerative disease therapy. Several anti-inflammatory drugs of various chemical ingredients have been shown to repress the microglial activation and to exert neuroprotective effects in the CNS following different types of injuries. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these effects occur remain unclear. In recent years, several research groups including ours have attempted to explain the potential mechanisms and signaling pathways for the repressive effect of various drugs, on activation of microglial cells in CNS injury. We provide here a comprehensive review of recent findings of mechanisms and signaling pathways by which microglial cells are activated in CNS inflammatory diseases. This review article further summarizes the role of microglial cells in neurodegenerative diseases and various forms of potential therapeutic options to inhibit the microglial activation which amplifies the inflammation-related neuronal injury in neurodegenerative diseases.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Thameem Dheen S., Kaur Charanjit and Ling Eng-Ang, Microglial Activation and its Implications in the Brain Diseases, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 14 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707780597961
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707780597961 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Meet the Editorial Board
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Polyphenols and Neuroprotection against Ischemia and Neurodegeneration
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Development of Cancer Vaccine Targeting WT1 Product which is Expressed in Various Kinds of Malignant Neoplasms
Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) Predicting Targeted Polypharmacology for Drug Repositioning and Multi- Target Drug Discovery
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Multiple Roles of Vitamin D in Human Health. A Mini-Review
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Neural Progenitors and HIV-1- Associated Central Nervous System Disease in Adults and Children
Current HIV Research PPAR-γ Agonists in Polycystic Kidney Disease with Frequent Development of Cardiovascular Disorders
Current Molecular Pharmacology Cancer Chemoprevention by Targeting the Epigenome
Current Drug Targets Brain-Delivery of Zinc-Ions as Potential Treatment for Neurological Diseases: Mini Review
Drug Delivery Letters Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel 4-Chloro-3-Arylmaleimide Derivatives
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Related Interstitial Lung Disease
Current Rheumatology Reviews Meet Our Editor
Current Gene Therapy Virus-Like Particles as Particulate Vaccines
Current HIV Research Cardiac Imaging in Heart Failure with Comorbidities
Current Cardiology Reviews The Role of the ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter P-Glycoprotein in the Transport of β-Amyloid Across the Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Pharmaceutical Design Multidrug-Resistance (MDR) Proteins Develops Refractory Epilepsy Phenotype:Clinical and Experimental Evidences
Current Drug Therapy Role of Cytokines in Regulating Feeding Behaviour
Current Drug Targets Methods of Preparation of Multifunctional Microbubbles and their In Vitro / In Vivo Assessment of Stability, Functional and Structural Properties
Current Pharmaceutical Design Peripheral and Central Glutamate Dyshomeostasis in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology Calreticulin in the Heart: From Embryological Development to Cardiac Pathology.
Current Molecular Medicine