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Cui Y, Rolova T, Fagerholm SC. The role of integrins in brain health and neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151441. [PMID: 39002282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrins are heterodimeric membrane proteins expressed on the surface of most cells. They mediate adhesion and signaling processes relevant for a wealth of physiological processes, including nervous system development and function. Interestingly, integrins are also recognized therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Here, we discuss the role of integrins in brain development and function, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain (Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke). Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic targeting of these adhesion receptors in inflammatory diseases of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Cui
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Taisia Rolova
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Susanna C Fagerholm
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland.
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Procès A, Alpizar YA, Halliez S, Brône B, Saudou F, Ris L, Gabriele S. Stretch-injury promotes microglia activation with enhanced phagocytic and synaptic stripping activities. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122426. [PMID: 38134473 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Microglial cells, as the primary defense line in the central nervous system, play a crucial role in responding to various mechanical signals that can trigger their activation. Despite extensive research on the impact of chemical signaling on brain cells, the understanding of mechanical signaling in microglia remains limited. To bridge this gap, we subjected microglial cells to a singular mechanical stretch and compared their responses with those induced by lipopolysaccharide treatment, a well-established chemical activator. Here we show that stretching microglial cells leads to their activation, highlighting their significant mechanosensitivity. Stretched microglial cells exhibited distinct features, including elevated levels of Iba1 protein, a denser actin cytoskeleton, and increased persistence in migration. Unlike LPS-treated microglial cells, the secretory profile of chemokines and cytokines remained largely unchanged in response to stretching, except for TNF-α. Intriguingly, a single stretch injury resulted in more compacted chromatin and DNA damage, suggesting potential long-term genomic instabilities in stretched microglia. Using compartmentalized microfluidic chambers with neuronal networks, we observed that stretched microglial cells exhibited enhanced phagocytic and synaptic stripping activities. These findings collectively suggest that stretching events can unlock the immune potential of microglial cells, contributing to the maintenance of brain tissue homeostasis following mechanical injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Procès
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, CIRMAP, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, B-7000, Mons, Belgium; Neuroscience Laboratory, Neuroscience Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, B-7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Yeranddy A Alpizar
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, BIOMED Research Institute, UHasselt, B-3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sophie Halliez
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Bert Brône
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, BIOMED Research Institute, UHasselt, B-3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Saudou
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut Neuroscience, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Ris
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Neuroscience Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, B-7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, CIRMAP, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, B-7000, Mons, Belgium.
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