Abstract
The actual role of prion protein-induced glial activation and subsequent cytokine secretion during prion diseases is still incompletely understood. The overall aim of this study is to assess the effect of an anti-inflammatory treatment with dexamethasone on different cytokines released by neuroglial cells that are potentially related to neuroinflammation in natural scrapie. This study emphasizes the complex interactions existent among several pleiotropic neuromodulator peptides and provides a global approach to clarify neuroinflammatory processes in prion diseases. Additionally, an impairment of communication between microglial and astroglial populations mediated by cytokines, mainly IL-1, is suggested. The main novelty of this study is that it is the first one assessing in situ neuroinflammatory activity in relation to chronic anti-inflammatory therapy, gaining relevance because it is based on a natural model. The cytokine profile data would suggest the activation of some neurotoxicity-associated route. Consequently, targeting such a pathway might be a new approach to modify the damaging effects of neuroinflammation.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
This is the first study using a glial-directed strategy in a natural ovine model of scrapie to investigate the contribution of inflammatory responses mediated by cytokines
An impaired communication between microglia and astroglia, which is mediated by cytokines, with IL-1 as one of the main actors, is suggested here
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Scrapie is considered the prototype of prion diseases, which are a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by the conversion of a cellular protein into a pathological isoform called prion. Neuroinflammation is currently a widely accepted concept in neurodegeneration, in prion diseases [1,2,3,4]. The neuroinflammatory process is defined as the prolonged activation of neuroglial cells with the corresponding production of inflammatory cytokines [5]. There is a particular interest in investigating the roles of the innate and adaptive immune systems in several neurodegenerative disorders, with neuroglia as a key element in the neuropathological process [6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
