Love and death: microglia, NLRP3 and the Alzheimer's brain

Cell Res. 2013 May;23(5):595-6. doi: 10.1038/cr.2013.24. Epub 2013 Feb 12.

Abstract

Microglia were previously attributed to be vital brain guardians for neuronal survival and synaptic pruning during development as well as for the brain's fight against environmental pathogens. A new report in Nature by the Heneka, Latz and Golenbock groups, however, sheds new light on these distinct myeloid cells by revealing their deadly nature for mature neurons during neurodegeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microglia / cytology
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Presenilins / genetics
  • Presenilins / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Presenilins
  • Caspase 1