Microglial depletion alters the brain neuroimmune response to acute binge ethanol withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent studies have implicated microglia-the resident immune cells of the brain-in the pathophysiology of alcoholism. Indeed, post-mortem alcoholic brains show increased microglial markers and increased immune gene expression; however, the effects of ethanol on microglial functioning and how this impacts the brain remain unclear. In this present study, we investigate the effects of acute binge ethanol on microglia and how microglial depletion changes the brain neuroimmune response to acute binge ethanol withdrawal.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were treated intragastrically with acute binge ethanol for time course and dose-response studies. Cultured mouse BV2 microglia-like cells were treated with ethanol in vitro for time course studies. Mice were also administered the c

SUBMITTER: Walter TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5439231 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature