Microglia activation studies (Alzheimer, Parkinson, MS, stroke)

Microglia play an important role in pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases such as in Alzheimer’s disease in which they become activated, displaying both innate immune response and increased phagocytic activity.

A robust innate immune response occurs in association with Abeta containing plaques in brain of AD patients. This immune response is characterized by activation of various inflammatory parameters such as complement, increased secretion of several cytokines and chemokines, increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and increased production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 (Cooper et al., 2000; El Khoury et al., 1996; Husemann et al., 2001; Lue et al., 2001, Shie et al., 2005), some combinations of which can be neurotoxic.

VivaCell offers in vitro assays studying the effects of drugs, compounds etc. on the activation of microglia:

- Primary microglia of rat and mouse

- Effects on microglia phagocytosis (Abeta phagocytosis)

- Effects on inflammatory parameters in microglia (cytokines, NO, prostaglandins, MMPs, ROS etc.)

- Chemotaxis/migration

- Proliferation

- Kinase pathways and transcription factors

- Organotypic cultures (neurons, astrocytes, microglia) with microglia knock down to study the role of microglia in neuroprotection

- Morphology and 3D Anaylsis of microglia in brain tissues (mouse, wildtpye or transgenics)

References: Publications on microglia activation see http://www.vivacell.de/CNS1.htm or contact fiebich@vivacell.de for pdf files.

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