Rapid Alterations of the Expression of Active Caspase-3 and Glucocorticoid Receptors in the Cells of the Striatum during Neuroinflammation

Abstract—Activation of microglia, as resident immune cells of the central nervous system, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders induced by infections and traumatic or ischemic insults. Understanding of responses of brain cells, first of all microglial cells, to the lesion may help to prevent pathological consequences. Here, we studied the cellular effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is widely used as a proinflammatory stimulus. Administration of LPS into the right striatum of rats resulted in substantial neurological deficit 1 day later. This was associated with an increased number of microglial cells, elevated density of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and their translocation into the nuclei of cells, which co-expressed the executory apoptotic protease caspase-3 and GRs. These data show acute modification of activity of microglial cells and expression and functional activity of GRs in response to bacterial endotoxin. Additional studies on the functional role of active caspase-3 and GRs in microglial cells during proinflammatory activation will help to determine the targets for attenuation of neurological symptoms.