Projects per year
Abstract
Microglia are the immune cells in the central nervous system and can produce cytokines when they are
activated by an insult or injury. In the present study, we investigated in detail the time frame of the activation
of microglia in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) following myocardial infarction in rats. Morphological
changes and immunohistochemistry to detect CD11b (clone OX-42) were used to identify activated
microglia. Compared to rats that had undergone sham surgical procedures, there was a significant increase
of between 40 and 50 in the proportion of activated microglia in the PVN 4?16 weeks following myocardial
infarction (Pb0.001, One way ANOVA). At 24 h or 1 week post myocardial infarction, however, there was no
significant increase in the proportion of activated microglia. Echocardiography and haemodynamic parameters
after myocardial infarction indicated significantly reduced left ventricular function. In conclusion, following
myocardial infarction, activation of microglia in the PVN does not occur immediately but once manifested,
activation is sustained. Thus, activated microglia may contribute to the chronic elevation in cytokine levels
observed following myocardial infarction. Since cytokines elicit sympatho-excitatory effects when locally
microinjected into the PVN, activated microglia may contribute to the mechanisms mediating the chronic
increase in sympathetic nerve activity in animals with reduced left ventricular function induced following
myocardial infarction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 70 - 76 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical |
Volume | 169 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Projects
- 1 Finished
-
NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship
Krum, H. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/12 → 31/12/16
Project: Research