Chronic exposure to IL-6 induces a desensitized phenotype of the microglia

Background: When the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS) is altered, microglial cells become activated displaying a wide range of phenotypes that depend on the specific site, the nature of the activator, and particularly the microenvironment generated by the lesion. Cytokines are importa...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Recasens, Mireia, Almolda, Beatriz, Pérez Clausell, Jeús, Campbell, Ian L., González, Berta, Castellano, Bernardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/185930
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/185930
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cèl·lules T
Micròglia
T cells
Microglia
Descripción
Sumario:Background: When the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS) is altered, microglial cells become activated displaying a wide range of phenotypes that depend on the specific site, the nature of the activator, and particularly the microenvironment generated by the lesion. Cytokines are important signals involved in the modulation of the molecular microenvironment and hence play a pivotal role in orchestrating microglial activation. Among them, interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine described in a wide range of pathological conditions as a potent inducer and modulator of microglial activation, but with contradictory results regarding its detrimental or beneficial functions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chronic IL-6 production on the immune response associated with CNS-axonal anterograde degeneration. Methods: The perforant pathway transection (PPT) paradigm was used in transgenic mice with astrocyte-targeted IL6-production (GFAP-IL6Tg). At 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days post-lesion, the hippocampal areas were processed for immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and protein microarray. Results: An increase in the microglia/macrophage density was observed in GFAP-IL6Tg animals in non-lesion conditions and at later time-points after PPT, associated with higher microglial proliferation and a major monocyte/macrophage cell infiltration. Besides, in homeostasis, GFAP-IL6Tg showed an environment usually linked with an innate immune response, with more perivascular CD11b+/CD45high/MHCII+/CD86+ macrophages, higher T cell infiltration, and higher IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, and IL-6 production. After PPT, WT animals show a change in microglia phenotype expressing MHCII and co-stimulatory molecules, whereas transgenic mice lack this shift. This lack of response in the GFAP-IL6Tg was associated with lower axonal sprouting. Conclusions: Chronic exposure to IL-6 induces a desensitized phenotype of the microglia.