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In Vivo Indomethacin Treatment Causes Microgial Activation in Adult Mice

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Abstract

The current study was undertaken to study the role of prostaglandins in regulating microglial activation. Mice were treated with indomethacin (2 μg/ml) in their drinking water to selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase activity. After 4–8 days, the effect of inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis on microglial activity was evaluated. This was accomplished by analyzing microglial expression of Mac-1 (C3 complement receptor) as an indicator of activation. Mac-1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry of fixed brain cryosections, and by flow cytometric analysis of immunostained single cell suspensions. Both methods demonstrated that compared to age-matched, untreated controls, brains of indomethacin-treated mice had increased levels of Mac-1 expression, suggesting an increase in the state of microglial activation. These results demonstrate the importance of prostaglandins in down regulating microglial activity, and that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin may act to increase the reactivity of the brain's immune system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL

    M. Margaret Prechel

  2. Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL

    Charley Ding, Remy L. Washington & M. Rita Young

  3. Department of Pathology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL

    Meghan S. Kolodziej & M. Rita Young

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  1. M. Margaret Prechel
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Prechel, M.M., Ding, C., Washington, R.L. et al. In Vivo Indomethacin Treatment Causes Microgial Activation in Adult Mice. Neurochem Res 25, 357–362 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007588903897

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