• Country: TAIWAN
  • Official Title: 研究員
  • Department: 臺中榮民總醫院 醫學研究部

Speech Title

Role of Neuroinflammation in Disease Progression 神經發炎的疾病進展角色

Neuroinflammation is a key component of neurodegenerative disorders. Brain resident microglia and astrocytes together with peripheral infiltrated leukocytes coordinate a complicated process resulting in neuroinflammation. Among the cell components distributed within the central nervous system, microglia are well-known cell types surrounding immunity. As with macrophages, microglia can be differentiated into classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) phenotypes. Although neuroinflammation has dual roles, progressive and sustained neuroinflammation and microglia activation are deteriorating components of neurodegenerative pathogenesis, and any interventions are found to have beneficial outcomes in neuronal survival and neurobehavioral functions. Using rodent models of stroke, depression, and obesity, rodent primary microglia, and microglia cell line, we revealed a strong association between microglia-directed neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction/destruction. The neuroinflammation was characterized by microglia M1 polarization preference and microglia M2 polarization reduction. Interventions towards suppression of microglia M1 polarization and/or activation of microglia M2 polarization downregulate neuroinflammation and associated neuronal dysfunction/destruction. Specifically, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor had a crucial role in regulating microglia polarization, including virus-triggered neuroinflammation. Study findings further highlight a crucial role of the glutamate/NMDA receptor axis in linking excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation during the progression of neurodegenerative pathogenesis, and proposes the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential of NMDA receptor blockade.