Work

Supportive care or exhausted neglect: the role of microglia at the end stage of prion disease

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The transmissible nature of prion diseases enables reproduction of neurodegeneration in small animal models that faithfully follows the disease process observed in the natural disease of animals and humans. This allows the temporal development of disease to be investigated and correlated with pathology in a complex brain environment. In this issue of the JCI, Makarava et al. describe a shift in microglia morphology from an active phagocytic phenotype to a passive association with neuronal cell bodies. Whether this morphological change reflects a supportive action of microglia in response to neuronal impairment or exhaustion of PrPSc-laden microglia remains to be determined. However, if microglial populations effectively contain PrPSc propagation early in the infection process, as the current study suggests, identifying ways to maintain or enhance the function of this cell population could be the key to prolonging patient survival.

Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation

DOI: 10.1172/jci186940

Author: Victoria A. Lawson

Institutions: The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute

Language: English

Topic: Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,200