Microglial activation in multiple system atrophy: a potential role for NF-kappaB/rel proteins

Neuroreport. 1998 Sep 14;9(13):3029-32. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199809140-00020.

Abstract

Microglial activation is a prominent feature of affected brain areas in multiple system atrophy. Microglia express proinflammatory peptides, which may be a result of activation of nuclear factor-KB. We investigated the nuclear presence of RelA, the 65 kDa subunit of the NF-KB/RelA family in striatum and brain stem of patients with multiple system atrophy. Affected brain areas of patients with multiple system atrophy showed a marked immunoreactivity for nuclear Rel A p65, which was almost exclusively localized in activated microglia. Interestingly nuclear translocation of Rel A was not detected in striatal tissue of controls and Parkinson disease patients. Thus, NF-kappaB/Rel A complexes may play a role in mediating microglial activation in multiple system atrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Stem / chemistry
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Corpus Striatum / chemistry
  • Corpus Striatum / pathology
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen / analysis
  • Microglia / chemistry
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Microglia / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple System Atrophy / metabolism*
  • Multiple System Atrophy / pathology
  • NF-kappa B / analysis
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Transcription Factor RelA

Substances

  • Macrophage-1 Antigen
  • NF-kappa B
  • Transcription Factor RelA