Exploring the Connectivity of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Microglia as the Center

• Published in: Journal of Inflammation Research
• Main Authors: Wang Y, Cui L, Zhao H, He H, Chen L, Song X, Liu D, Qiu J, Sun Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2023-12-01
• Subjects: microglia; neurodegenerative diseases; neuroinflammation
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/exploring-the-connectivity-of-neurodegenerative-diseases-microglia-as--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIR

Yan Wang,1– 4,* Limei Cui,2– 4,* He Zhao,1– 4,* Huhuifen He,1– 4 Liang Chen,2– 4 Xicheng Song,2– 4 Dawei Liu,2– 4 Jingjing Qiu,2– 4 Yan Sun2– 4 1The Second Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4Yantai Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yan Sun, Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, No. 20 East, Yuhuangding Road, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, People’s Republic of China, Email [e-mail]: Degenerative diseases affect people’s life and health and cause a severe social burden. Relevant mechanisms of microglia have been studied, aiming to control and reduce degenerative disease occurrence effectively. This review discussed the specific mechanisms underlying microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, age-related hearing loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral nervous system (PNS) degenerative diseases. It also reviewed the studies of microglia inhibitors (PLX3397/PLX5622) and activators (lipopolysaccharide), and suggested that reducing microglia can effectively curb the genesis and progression of degenerative diseases. Finally, microglial cells’ anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory dual role was considered the critical communication point in central and peripheral degenerative diseases. Although it is difficult to describe the complex morphological structure of microglia in a unified manner, this does not prevent them from being a target for future treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Keywords: microglia, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation