Toll-like receptor 4 is required for α-synuclein dependent activation of microglia and astroglia

Glia. 2013 Mar;61(3):349-60. doi: 10.1002/glia.22437. Epub 2012 Oct 25.

Abstract

Alpha-synucleinopathies (ASP) are neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein, selective neuronal loss, and extensive gliosis. It is accepted that microgliosis and astrogliosis contribute to the disease progression in ASP. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on cells of the innate immune system, including glia, and TLR4 dysregulation may play a role in ASP pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to define the involvement of TLR4 in microglial and astroglial activation induced by different forms of α-synuclein (full length soluble, fibrillized, and C-terminally truncated). Purified primary wild type (TLR4(+/+)) and TLR4 deficient (TLR4(-/-)) murine microglial and astroglial cell cultures were treated with recombinant α-synuclein and phagocytic activity, NFκB nuclear translocation, cytokine release, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured. We show that TLR4 mediates α-synuclein-induced microglial phagocytic activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and ROS production. TLR4(-/-) astroglia present a suppressed pro-inflammatory response and decreased ROS production triggered by α-synuclein treatment. However, the uptake of α-synuclein by primary astroglia is not dependent on TLR4 expression. Our results indicate the C-terminally truncated form as the most potent inductor of TLR4-dependent glial activation. The current findings suggest that TLR4 plays a modulatory role on glial pro-inflammatory responses and ROS production triggered by α-synuclein. In contrast to microglia, the uptake of alpha-synuclein by astroglia is not dependent on TLR4. Our data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of α-synuclein-induced microglial and astroglial activation which may have an impact on understanding the pathogenesis of ASP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL1 / metabolism
  • Gliosis / metabolism
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • alpha-Synuclein / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • alpha-Synuclein