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
-
Recent Advances in the Imaging of Programmed Cell Death
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumors
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Lipoprotein (a) and Cardiovascular Risk: The Show Must go on
Current Medicinal Chemistry Connection between JAK/STAT and PPARγ Signaling During the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis: Insights into the Modulation of T-Cells and Immune Responses in the Brain
Current Molecular Pharmacology Editorial [Hot Topic: Membrane Channels as Therapeutic Targets (Executive Editor: Jean-Claude Herve)]
Current Pharmaceutical Design In Vitro Investigation Demonstrates IGFR/VEGFR Receptor Cross Talk and Potential of Combined Inhibition in Pediatric Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors
Current Cancer Drug Targets Phosphoregulation of Twist1 Provides a Mechanism of Cell Fate Control
Current Medicinal Chemistry Current Approaches in Antiviral Drug Discovery Against the Flaviviridae Family
Current Pharmaceutical Design Epidemiology of NHP-Drug Interactions: Identification and Evaluation
Current Drug Metabolism Antileukotriene Drugs: Clinical Application, Effectiveness and Safety
Current Medicinal Chemistry Drug Delivery Nanosystems in Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment: Current State of the Art
Current Neuropharmacology The Current State of Potential Therapeutic Modalities for Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Clinical Review
Current Drug Metabolism Applications of Lentiviral Vectors for shRNA Delivery and Transgenesis
Current Gene Therapy Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Chest Pain in Children
Current Pediatric Reviews Infection and Anemia
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Patent Selections:
Recent Patents on Materials Science Characterization of Cancer Stem Cells and Primary Cilia in Medulloblastoma
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery