Alerted microglia and the sympathetic nervous system: A novel form of microglia in the development of hypertension

Komal Kapoor; Amol M Bhandare; Melissa M J Farnham; Paul M Pilowsky

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2015.11.015

Alerted microglia and the sympathetic nervous system: A novel form of microglia in the development of hypertension

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2016 Jun:226:51-62. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.11.015. Epub 2015 Nov 28.

Authors

Komal Kapoor¹, Amol M Bhandare¹, Melissa M J Farnham², Paul M Pilowsky³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia; The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia.
² The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia; Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
³ The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia; Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. Electronic address: paul.pilowsky@hri.org.au.

PMID: 26644079
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.11.015

Abstract

Microglia, commonly known as the tissue resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), are ubiquitously expressed in the CNS. Microglia, in their resting, or surveilling, stage, play a critical role in the maintenance of normal neuronal physiology and homeostasis. On activation, microglia can acquire either a neurotoxic (M1) or a neuroprotective (M2) phenotype. Prior to development of the M1 or M2 phenotype, little was known about changes in microglial activity, when subjected to stimuli. It is postulated, that an inability of microglia to maintain neuronal physiology within a normal working range can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) such as hypertension, but clear evidence supporting this hypothesis is missing. Even though our understanding of microglial function in a state of CNS injury/inflammation is extensive, the literature concerning role of microglia in the healthy CNS, is limited. Involvement of microglia in the pathophysiology of CVDs, in a neuroprotective/neurotoxic manner, is a key area that requires further investigation.

Keywords: Blood pressure; CVLM; Microglia; RVLM; Sympathetic nervous system.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Hypertension / physiopathology*
Microglia / physiology*
Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*