Microglia-specific knock-down of Bmal1 improves memory and protects mice from high fat diet-induced obesity.

ABSTRACT: Microglia play a critical role in maintaining neural function. While microglial activity follows a circadian rhythm, it is not clear how this intrinsic clock relates to their function, especially in stimulated conditions such as in the control of systemic energy homeostasis or memory formation. In this study, we found that microglia-specific knock-down of the core clock gene, Bmal1, resulted in increased microglial phagocytosis in mice subjected to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic stress and likewise among mice engaged in critical cognitive processes. Enhanced microglial phagocytosis was associated with significant retention of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-immunoreactivity in the mediobasal hypothalamus in mice on a HFD as well as the formation of mature spines in the hippocampus durin

SUBMITTER: Wang XL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8760060 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature