Research Project
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
Nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite, which are produced by activated microglia are responsible for accelerated neurodegeneration in cathepsin D-deficient (CD-/-) mice. To elucidate the mechanisms by which microglia are initially activated in CD-/- mice, we analyzed the possible relationship between lysosomal storage and microglial activation. In CD-/- mice, the microglial NO-generating activity that was closely associated with the induction of inducible NO synthase and the cationic amino acid transporter-2 (CAT-2) coincided well with the lysosomal storage of subunit c of mitochondrial FOF1ATPase and the formation of ceroid/lipofuscin. Furthermore, activated microglia, which are often accumulating subunit c and ceroid/lipofuscin, showed proliferation activity and an activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. In the primary cultured microglia, pepstatin A was found to enhance the generation of NO and superoxide anion radicals. In these pepstatin A-treated microglia, both an increased generation of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an activation of p38 MAP kinase were observed. These results suggest that the ceroid/lipofuscin which form in microglia activate the p38 MAP kinase cascade through the increased intracellular generation of ROS in CD-/- mice. The activated p38 MAP kinase cascade then promotes the expression of iNOS and CAT-2, thereby inducing the overproduction of NO.
All 2008 2007 2006 2005
All Journal Article (40 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 17 results) Presentation (17 results) Book (6 results)
Neurochemistry International 50
Pages: 499-506
Free Radical Biology and Medicine 42
Pages: 945-954
Journal of Neuroscience Research 85
Pages: 2196-2206
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 35
Pages: 573-584
J. Neurosci. Res 85
Pages: 184-192
Neurochem. Int 50
Free Rad. Biol. Med 42
Mol. Cell. Neurosci 35
J.Neurosci.Res. 85・1
Neurochem.Int. 50・3
Free Radic.Biol.Med. 42・7
Journal of Neuroimmunology 172
Pages: 112-120
Glia 53
Pages: 660-668
Neuroscience 142
Pages: 87-96
Biochem Biophys Res Comun 142
Journal of Neuroscience Research 349
Pages: 913-919
J. Neuroimmunol 172
Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun 349
Neuroscience 142・1
Biochem.Biophys.Res.Commun. 349・3
J.Neuroimmunol. 172・1-2
Glia 53・6
Neurochemistry International 47
Pages: 369-376
Journal of Neurochemistry 94
Pages: 680-690
Journal of Neuroimmunology 167
Pages: 90-98
Biology and Disease.Vol.3, (Eds:Lendeckel, U.and Hooper, N.), Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
Neurochem. Int 47
J. Neurochem 94
J. Neuroimmunol 167
Neurochem.Int. 47・5
J.Neurochem.et al. 94・3
J.Neuroimmunol. 167・1-2