Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Tıbbi Biyoloji ve Genetik Anabilim Dalı, İzmir
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fizyoloji Anabilim Dalı - İzmir Recent studies showed that microglial cells which are macrophages of central nervous system, contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease. Microglia activated in chronic neurodegeneration process result in neuronal injury by secreted neurotoxic factors. In addition to these soluble factors. celldeath!i1gands such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) from TNF superfamily might mediate microglia-induced neurotoxicity. It has been found that monocyte lineage cells express basal and inflammatory stimuli-induced TRAIL and this molecule mediates their cytotoxic effect. In this study, basal and iflammatory stimuli [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Interferon gamma (IFN gamma)]-induced TRAIL expression has been investigated in N9 murine microglial cell line in vitro. Immunoprecipitation - Immunoblotting for protein expression and Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT -PCR) for mRNA expression have been used. Results of study showed that basal TRAIL and mRNA expression exist and tl1ese expression levels increase by LPS and IFN gamma stimulation in N9cells. It has been found that both, agents have synergistic inducing effect on TRAIL protein and mRNA expression. These results point the presence of basal and inducible TRAIL protein and mRNA expression in N9 microglial cell line. TRAIL that is increased on microglial cells activated in inflammatory conditions might be involved in cytotoxic effect of these cells on target cells and play role in neurodegenerative process. Keywords : Alzheimer's Disease, Neurotoxicity, Microglia, TRAIL, N9 cell line