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Expression of functional NK‐1 receptors in murine microglia
Author(s) -
Rasley Amy,
Bost Kenneth L.,
Olson Julie K.,
Miller Stephen D.,
Marriott Ian
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.10034
Subject(s) - microglia , biology , receptor , proinflammatory cytokine , flow cytometry , microbiology and biotechnology , western blot , immunology , inflammation , biochemistry , gene
Cells of myeloid origin such as microglia have the potential to contribute significantly to the development of inflammatory responses in the CNS. The ability of the neuropeptide substance P to augment proinflammatory responses by other myeloid cell types such as macrophages and dendritic cells is well recognized. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence of mRNA encoding NK‐1 (substance P) receptors in murine microglia cell lines. Importantly, we have utilized specific antibodies developed by our laboratory to detect the expression of the NK‐1 receptor protein in murine microglia cell lines by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we have investigated the presence of this receptor on primary murine microglia and report the presence of authentic NK‐1 receptors as determined by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. In addition, we demonstrate that NK‐1 receptors expressed on microglia are functional as demonstrated by the ability of nanomolar concentrations of substance P to initiate activation of the transcriptional activator, NF‐κB. Given the weight of evidence supporting the role of substance P–substance P receptor interactions in the initiation of optimal proinflammatory responses by myeloid cells, the demonstration of authentic and functional NK‐1 receptors in microglia identifies this neuropeptide as a potentially important contributor to CNS inflammatory responses during disease states. GLIA 37:258–267, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.