The human inner ear, which is segregated by a blood/labyrinth barrier, contains resident macrophages [CD163, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1)-, and CD68-positive cells] within the connective tissue, neurons, and supporting cells. In the lateral wall of the cochlea, these cells frequently lie close to blood vessels as perivascular macrophages. Macrophages are also shown to be re...

Recent studies have indicated that type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) agonists reduce neurodegeneration after brain injury through anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the time-dependent interaction of CB2R and inflammation in stroke brain. Adult male rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). CB2R mRNA expression was significantly elev...

To study the inflammatory hyperplasia induced by an acute noxious stimulation of oral mucosa with 5% formalin (5%FOR), we performed an immunohistochemical study on the expression of TNFá in the intermolar region of the dorsal lingual eminence (IDLE), and Iba1 and phosphorylated (phospho)- p38 MAPK involved with central nervous system microglial activation in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. Although anxiety is a common major psychiatric condition in ASD, the underlying mechanisms of the anxiety are poorly understood. In individuals with ASD, evidence indicates a structural abnormality in the amygdala, a key component involved in anxiety and social behavior. Microglia...

Under physiological conditions, lymphatic vessels are thought to be absent from the central nervous system (CNS), although they are widely distributed within the rest of the body. Recent work in the eye, i.e., another organ regarded as alymphatic, revealed numerous cells expressing lymphatic markers. As the latter can be involved in the response to pathological conditions, we addressed the pres...

PURPOSE The complement system is involved in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because activated microglia are also associated with AMD, we studied the relationship between complement anaphylatoxin receptors and microglial recruitment. METHODS We assessed the effect of anaphylatoxin C3a receptor (C3aR) and C5a receptor (C5aR) knockout (KO) on light damage-induced mig...

Introduction: Several studies have reported the involvement of age-related changes in the development of neuropathic pain behaviors. However, limited data are available on the role of age in establishing and maintaining chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury. Methods: In the present study, we examined age-related neuropathic behavior among rats in 4 age groups: pups (4 weeks old...

INTRODUCTION Several studies have reported the involvement of age-related changes in the development of neuropathic pain behaviors. However, limited data are available on the role of age in establishing and maintaining chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury. METHODS In the present study, we examined age-related neuropathic behavior among rats in 4 age groups: pups (4 weeks old...

Activation of CNS resident microglia and invasion of external macrophages plays a central role in spinal cord injuries and diseases. Multiphoton microscopy based on intrinsic tissue properties offers the possibility of label-free imaging and has the potential to be applied in vivo. In this work, we analyzed cellular structures displaying endogenous two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) in the ...

PURPOSE Peroxynitrite generated during the early phase of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) causes peroxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6), a principal unsaturated fatty acid of the photoreceptor membrane, to its hydroperoxide (22:6HP). During this phase, microglia migrate to the site of photoreceptors. The effect of 22:6HP on the migration of isolated retinal microglia was invest...