Rapid Changes in the Expression of Active Caspase-3 and Glucocorticoid Receptors in Striatum Cells Induced by Neuroinflammation

Abstract

Activation of microglia, resident immune cells of the central nervous system, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders induced by infections, as well as traumatic and ischemic events. Understanding the responses of brain cells, primarily microglial cells, to damaging effects can help overcome their pathological consequences. In this work, we analyzed the cellular effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is widely used as a pro-inflammatory stimulus. The injection of LPS into the area of right striatum of rats caused a pronounced neurological deficit in a day, which was accompanied by an increase in the number of microglial cells, an increase in the density of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and their translocation into the nuclei of cells co-expressing the executive protease of apoptosis, active caspase-3 and GR, in the area of LPS injection. The results indicate acute changes in the activity of microglial cells, as well as in the expression and functional activity of GR in response to bacterial endotoxin. Further elucidation of the functional role of active caspase-3 and GR in microglial cells under conditions of pro-inflammatory activation may help identify targets for alleviating the symptoms of a neurological disorder.