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Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Neurotrophic Factor-Induced Protection in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease-Lessons from Transgenic Mice

Research Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by histopathological and biochemical manifestations such as loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons and decrease in dopamine levels accompanied by a concomitant neuroinflammatory response in the affected brain regions. Over the past decades, the use of toxin-based animal models has been crucial to elucidate disease pathophysiology, and to develop therapeutic approaches aimed to alleviate its motor symptoms. Analyses of transgenic mice deficient for cytokines, chemokine as well as neurotrophic factors and their respective receptors in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD have broadened the current knowledge of neuroinflammation and neurotrophic support. Here, we provide a comprehensive review that summarises the contribution of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in MPTP-induced neurodegeneration. Moreover, we highlight the contribution of neurotrophic factors as endogenous and/or exogenous molecules to slow the progression of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons and further discuss the potential of combined therapeutic approaches employing neuroinflammation modifying agents and neurotrophic factors.
Research Authors
Venissa Machado

Tanja Zoeller

Abdelraheim Attaai

Björn Spittau

Research Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Research Pages
151 - 174
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
17 (2)
Research Website
http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/2/151/htm
Research Year
2016