Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) Is Released by Microglial Cells and Confers Neuroprotection against 6-OHDA Neurotoxicity

Microglial-neuronal interactions are essential for brain physiopathology. In this framework, recent data have changed the concept of microglia from essentially macrophagic cells to crucial elements in maintaining neuronal homeostasis and function through the release of neuroprotective molecules. Using proteomic analysis, here we identify copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) as a protein produced and released by cultured rat primary microglia. Evidence for a neuroprotective role of microglia-derived SOD1 resulted from experiments in which primary cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) were exposed to the dopaminergic toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Microglial conditioned medium, in which SOD1 had accumulated,…

• UD
  Università di Bologna