Microglia activation plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases. There are at least two distinct ways of microglia activation, the classical lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pathway leading to secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation as well as the alternative interleukin-4 (IL-4) induced pathway resulting in increased wound healing and tissue repair (Figure 1). It is known that the anti-inflammatory alternative pathway is competent to dampen the inflammatory effects of the classical microglia activation, as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels of LPS-stimulated microglia were remarkably reduced after additional excitation of the alternative activation of microglia. This effect could be achieved by the use of particular RNA binding proteins. An example for such RNA binding proteins would be tristetraprolin (TTP). TTP is binding to AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3’ untranslated region of mRNA molecules and promotes decay of ARE-containing transcripts by directing them to the exosome for rapid mRNA degradation. The aim of the practical research course was to ascertain a possible participation of TTP in the IL-4 induced alternative activation of microglia, thereby potentially explaining the dampening effect on the inflammatory pathway.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Classical and alternative activation pathways in microglia
- Post-transcriptional control of cytokine production by TTP
- Aim of the research
- AMPK and TTP
- Methods
- Western Blot Analysis (WB)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of microglia in neurodegenerative diseases?
Microglia activation is a key factor in these diseases, involving pathways that can either promote inflammation or support tissue repair.
What are the two distinct microglia activation pathways?
The classical pathway (LPS-induced) leads to pro-inflammatory cytokines, while the alternative pathway (IL-4 induced) supports wound healing.
What is Tristetraprolin (TTP)?
TTP is an RNA-binding protein that promotes the degradation of specific mRNA molecules, thereby controlling the production of inflammatory cytokines.
How does TTP affect the inflammatory pathway?
TTP binds to AU-rich elements in mRNA transcripts and directs them for rapid degradation, potentially dampening inflammatory effects.
What was the aim of this research course?
The research aimed to ascertain if TTP participates in the IL-4 induced alternative activation of microglia and helps explain its anti-inflammatory effects.
- Quote paper
- Simon Schwörer (Author), 2012, Microglia in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/190962
