Characterization of Microglia Transcriptional Profile in Fmr1 KO Mice Model
Antonella Borreca, PhD
Principal Investigator
Zaira Boussadia, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
CNR – Institute of Neuroscience
Italy
2021-2023 Grant Funding: $90,000
Summary
The brain is much more than just neurons. Another key kind of cell is microglia, which serve as the brain’s immune defense. When hyper-activated, as is the case with Fragile X mice, inflammation can occur in the brain tissue. This occurs in a variety of other disorders too, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and ALS.
With this Fragile X research grant, the team will identify the pathways responsible for this excessive activation and attempt to reverse the excess. If they can correct this using drugs, they will be able to identify a new potential treatment for Fragile X syndrome solving one more piece of the Fragile X brain puzzle.
The Science
By Antonella Borreca, PhD
Almost all research on the Fragile X protein FMRP is in neurons. But what about the other key cells of the brain, astrocytes and microglia?
We have found hyperactivated microglia in Fragile X mice. Interestingly, activated microglia are found in other disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and likely also Alzheimer’s.
With this grant, we will identify molecular pathways responsible for the activated state of microglia in Fragile X mice and then reduce this excess activation, using either drugs or genetic engineering. If we see improvements at the molecular, behavioral and morphological levels in mice, then we will have found a new approach to treatment of Fragile X syndrome.
