Microglia in motor neuron disease: Signaling evidence from last 10 years

Dev Neurobiol. 2022 Oct;82(7-8):625-638. doi: 10.1002/dneu.22905. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Abstract

Motor neuron disease (MND), including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and others, involved the upper or lower motor neurons selective loss, is characterized by neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, in conjunction with microglia. We summarized that pathways and key mediators are associated with microglia, such as fractalkine signaling, purinergic signaling, NF-κB signaling, p38 MAPK signaling, TREM2-APOE signaling, ROCK signaling, C1q signaling, and Ion channel, which are involved in the activation, proliferation, and inflammation of microglia. This review aims to identify the microglia-related molecular target and explore potential treatment strategies for MND based on that target.

Keywords: ALS; MND; microglia; neuroinflammation; signaling.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Motor Neuron Disease* / metabolism
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Superoxide Dismutase