Gene Expression by Brain Immune Cells

A resent study by the Massachusetts General hospital, using a sequencing method has identified a group of genes used by brain immune cells called microgilia which sense pathogenic organisms toxins and damaged cells that require their response. The study has found that these genes activity appears to be protective in respect to aging. Investigators hope that understand these genes will lead to better understanding their role in neurodegenerative disorders like alzheimers and parkinsons disease.

Joesph El Khoury M.D. of the MGH center for immunology and inflammatory diseases and division of infectious diseases stated “for the first time a set of microglia that can sense their environment have been found" and  "identifying these gene will allow us to specifically target them in diseases of the center nervousness system by developing way or unregulated or down regulate their expression." Depending on the situation they encounter microglia may react in a protective manner or releasing toxic substances substances that directly microbes or infected brain cells. However neurotoxic responses can also damage healthy cells contributing to damage caused by neurodegenerative disorders.  "Establishing the sensome of microglia allows us to clearly understand how they interact with and respond to their environment" with nest steps defining the sensome of microglia and other brain cells identifying how they sensome changes in central nervous system disorders to safely manipulate the sensome pharmacologically.

This article was interesting and details how our understanding of human physiology is not only changing but improving. Information from future studies can provide knowledge for therapies and pharmacological treatment.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131114193432.htm
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124713002969
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277080/