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Neurotoxicity by microglia: Mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategy
Author(s) -
Takeuchi Hideyuki
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
clinical and experimental neuroimmunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 1759-1961
DOI - 10.1111/j.1759-1961.2009.00001.x
Subject(s) - microglia , neurotoxicity , neurodegeneration , neuroscience , medicine , glutamate receptor , blockade , inflammation , receptor , biology , immunology , pathology , disease , toxicity
Microgliosis (accumulation of activated microglia) around degenerative neurons is a common pathological feature of various neurological disorders. Glutamate released by activated microglia induces excito‐neurotoxicity and most likely contributes to neurodegeneration in numerous neurological diseases including ischemia, inflammation, epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. Although both blockade of glutamate receptors and inhibition of microglial activation are the therapeutic candidates for activated microglia‐mediated neurodegenerative diseases, clinical trials have been failed because of adverse effects. In the present review, the neurotoxic factors from activated microglia are examined, and how these factors disturb neuronal functions is discussed. The efforts to suppress neurotoxic mechanisms by microglia are also introduced. (Clin. Exp. Neuroimmunol. doi: 10.1111/j.1759‐1961.2009.00001.x, January 2010)