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Journal of Neuroinflammation
Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Activin A increases phagocytosis of Escherichia coli K1 by primary murine microglial cells activated by toll-like receptor agonists

Authors: Catharina Diesselberg, Sandra Ribes, Jana Seele, Annika Kaufmann, Sandra Redlich, Stephanie Bunkowski, Uwe-Karsten Hanisch, Uwe Michel, Roland Nau, Sandra Schütze

Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Bacterial meningitis is associated with high mortality and long-term neurological sequelae. Increasing the phagocytic activity of microglia could improve the resistance of the CNS against infections. We studied the influence of activin A, a member of the TGF-β family with known immunoregulatory and neuroprotective effects, on the functions of microglial cells in vitro.

Methods

Primary murine microglial cells were treated with activin A (0.13 ng/ml–13 μg/ml) alone or in combination with agonists of TLR2, 4, and 9. Phagocytosis of Escherichia coli K1 as well as release of TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL1, and NO was assessed.

Results

Activin A dose-dependently enhanced the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli K1 by microglial cells activated by agonists of TLR2, 4, and 9 without further increasing NO and proinflammatory cytokine release. Cell viability of microglial cells was not affected by activin A.

Conclusions

Priming of microglial cells with activin A could increase the elimination of bacteria in bacterial CNS infections. This preventive strategy could improve the resistance of the brain to infections, particularly in elderly and immunocompromised patients.
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Metadata
Title
Activin A increases phagocytosis of Escherichia coli K1 by primary murine microglial cells activated by toll-like receptor agonists
Authors
Catharina Diesselberg
Sandra Ribes
Jana Seele
Annika Kaufmann
Sandra Redlich
Stephanie Bunkowski
Uwe-Karsten Hanisch
Uwe Michel
Roland Nau
Sandra Schütze
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Neuroinflammation / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1742-2094
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1209-2

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