Partial microglial depletion is associated with impaired hippocampal synaptic and cognitive function in young and aged rats.

ABSTRACT: The role of microglia in mediating age-related changes in cognition and hippocampal synaptic function was examined by microglial depletion and replenishment using PLX3397. We observed age-related differences in microglial number and morphology, as well as increased Iba-1 expression, indicating microglial activation. PLX3397 treatment decreased microglial number, with aged rats exhibiting the lowest density. Young rats exhibited increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines during depletion and repopulation and maintenance of Iba-1 levels despite reduced microglial number. For aged rats, several cytokines increased with depletion and recovered during repopulation; however, aged rats did not fully recover microglial cell number or Iba-1 expression during repopulation, with a recovery co

SUBMITTER: Yegla B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8278544 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature