Chromogranin A-activated microglial cells induce neuronal apoptosis

Abstract

Chromogranin (CgA), a protein upregulated in many neuropathologies, can induce an activated phenotype in microglial cells that leads to neuronal apoptosis. The death-signaling pathways mobilized in neurons involve the death receptor Fas, p38 MAP kinase, and mitochondrial cytochrome c. We propose that CgA represents a potent endogenous inflammatory factor responsible for neuronal degeneration.