Gene expression changes in aging retinal microglia: relationship to microglial support functions and regulation of activation.

ABSTRACT: Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative disorders. It has been hypothesized that microglia undergo age-related changes in gene expression patterns that give rise to pathogenic phenotypes. We compared the gene expression profiles in microglia isolated ex vivo from the retinas of mice ranging from early adulthood to late senescence. We discovered that microglial gene expression demonstrated progressive change with increasing age, and involved genes that regulate microglial supportive functions and immune activation. Molecular pathways involving immune function and regulation, angiogenesis, and neurotrophin signaling demonstrated age-related change. In particular, expression levels

SUBMITTER: Ma W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3706521 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature