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Alpha‐tocopherol (vitamin E) induces rapid, nonsustained proliferation in cultured rat microglia
Author(s) -
Flanary Barry E.,
Streit Wolfgang J.
Publication year - 2006
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.20313
Subject(s) - microglia , biology , in vivo , telomerase , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroglia , telomere , cell growth , in vitro , immunology , endocrinology , biochemistry , inflammation , central nervous system , dna , gene
Microglial cells undergo cell division in vitro, as well as in vivo after brain injury. Mitotic activity of microglia suggests that they have limited life spans and rely on self‐renewal to replace senescent cells. In the current study we examined long‐term effects of antioxidants vitamin E and alpha‐lipoic acid on cultured rat microglia with respect to proliferative ability, telomere length, telomerase activity, and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) production. We report that vitamin E induces dramatic microglial proliferation, as measured by MTT assay and BrdU incorporation, surpassing that of the well‐known microglial mitogen granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor, and therefore establishing vitamin E as the most potent, known mitogen for microglia in vitro. The high rate of microglial proliferation resulted in a concomitant decrease in telomere length and telomerase activity. Production of IL‐1β was significantly decreased in vitamin E–treated microglia in vitro. Our findings provide an impetus to investigate potential benefits of vitamin E supplementation on microglial renewal capacity in vivo during aging or after brain injury. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.