Per2 deficiency in microglia alleviates motor dysfunction by inhibiting ferroptosis in spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACT: Microglia play significant roles in spinal cord injury (SCI) progression. Previous studies have suggested that ferroptosis plays a crucial role in exacerbating neuronal death following SCI; however, the role of microglial ferroptosis in SCI and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we elucidate that lipid droplets accumulate in microglia to facilitate microglial ferroptosis after SCI. Notably, microglial ferroptosis peaks at 3 days post-injury, after which it decreases. Microglial Period 2 (Per2) expression is elevated after SCI in vivo; this change is highly synchronized with the changes in microglial ferroptosis. Microglia-specific Per2 knockout promoted neurological function recovery by suppressing microglial ferroptosis. In vitro, Per2 overexpression and deficiency amplified

SUBMITTER: Bie P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12357938 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature