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Journal of Neuroinflammation
Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Microglia activation in a model of retinal degeneration and TUDCA neuroprotective effects

Authors: Agustina Noailles, Laura Fernández-Sánchez, Pedro Lax, Nicolás Cuenca

Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Retinitis pigmentosa is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative retinal disorders characterized by a progressive peripheral vision loss and night vision difficulties, subsequently leading to central vision impairment. Chronic microglia activation is associated with various neurodegenerative diseases including retinitis pigmentosa. The objective of this study was to quantify microglia activation in the retina of P23H rats, an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid), which has been described as a neuroprotective compound.

Methods

For this study, homozygous P23H line 3 and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected weekly with TUDCA (500 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle (saline) from 20 days to 4 months old. Vertical retinal sections and whole-mount retinas were immunostained for specific markers of microglial cells (anti-CD11b, anti-Iba1 and anti-MHC-II). Microglial cell morphology was analyzed and the number of retinal microglial was quantified.

Results

Microglial cells in the SD rat retinas were arranged in regular mosaics homogenously distributed within the plexiform and ganglion cell layers. In the P23H rat retina, microglial cells increased in number in all layers compared with control SD rat retinas, preserving the regular mosaic distribution. In addition, a large number of amoeboid CD11b-positive cells were observed in the P23H rat retina, even in the subretinal space. Retinas of TUDCA-treated P23H animals exhibited lower microglial cell number in all layers and absence of microglial cells in the subretinal space.

Conclusions

These results report novel TUDCA anti-inflammatory actions, with potential therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Microglia activation in a model of retinal degeneration and TUDCA neuroprotective effects
Authors
Agustina Noailles
Laura Fernández-Sánchez
Pedro Lax
Nicolás Cuenca
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Neuroinflammation / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1742-2094
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-014-0186-3

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