Work

Microglia alter autonomic nucleus neuronal activation after peripheral cytokine challenge

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates how peripheral tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) affects neuronal activity in autonomic nuclei of the brain stem and how microglia contribute to this response. Peripheral TNFα increased neuronal activation (c-Fos expression) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) and ventrolateral medulla (VLM), particularly near the area postrema. Inhibiting microglia with intracerebroventricular minocycline reduced both microglial markers and TNFα-induced neuronal activity, suggesting that microglia play a key role in modulating cytokine-driven autonomic signaling in the brain stem.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00810.2025

Authors: Emily A. Castellanos, Luke A. Schwerdtfeger, Bret N. Smith, Stuart A. Tobet

Institutions: Colorado State University, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Office of Research on Women's Health