Microglial galectin-3 increases with aging in the mouse hippocampus

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-rel...

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Published inThe Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 215 - 225
Main Authors Shin, Hyun Joo, Lee, So Jeong, An, Hyeong Seok, Choi, Ha Nyeoung, Jeong, Eun Ae, Lee, Jaewoong, Kim, Kyung Eun, Choi, Bong-Hoi, Yun, Seung Pil, Kang, Dawon, Kang, Sang Soo, Roh, Gu Seob
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Korea (South) The Korean Physiological Society and The Korean Society of Pharmacology 01.03.2025
대한약리학회
Subjects
Original
약리학
Aging
Neuroinflammation
Galectin-3
Hippocampus
Microglia
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ISSN1226-4512
2093-3827
DOI10.4196/kjpp.24.196

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Summary:Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.
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These authors contributed equally to this work.
Author contributions: G.S.R. supervised and coordinated the study. H.J.S. and S.J.L. performed animal experiments and determined all protein works and histological analysis. E.A.J. quantified Sholl analysis. J.L. and K.E.K. perforemd qRT-PCR. H.S.A. and H.N.C. performed in vitro experiments. B.H.C., S.P.Y., D.K., and S.S.K. critically revised the manusctipt. S.H.J., S.J.L., and G.S.R. wrote the manuscript.
ISSN:1226-4512
2093-3827
DOI:10.4196/kjpp.24.196