Loss of Par1b/MARK2 primes microglia during brain development and enhances their sensitivity to injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, exhibit various morphologies that correlate with their functions under physiological and pathological conditions. In conditions such as aging and stress, microglia priming occurs, which leads to altered morphology and lower threshold for activation upon further insult. However, the molecular mechanisms that lead to microglia priming are unclear.

Methods

To understand the role of Par1b/MARK2 in microglia, we first expressed shRNA targeting luciferase or Par1b/MARK2 in primary microglial cells and imaged the cells using fluorescent microscopy to analyze for morphological changes. A phagocytosis assay was then used to assess functional changes. We then moved in vivo and used a Par1b/MARK2 knockout mouse model to asse

SUBMITTER: DiBona VL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6335724 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature