Glial cells have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis, but the mechanisms through which they act have remained elusive. Now, researchers have found that the microglial prostanoid receptor DP1 mediates microglial toxicity to motor neurons. Genetic ablation of DP1 suppressed microglial activation, reduced motor neuron loss and extended lifespan in a mouse model of ALS. Inhibition of DP1 could, thus, be a novel therapeutic approach for ALS.
References
de Boer, A. S. et al. A genetic validation of a therapeutic target in a mouse model of ALS. Sci. Transl. Med. 10.1126/scitranslmed.3009351
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Suppression of microglial activation ameliorates symptoms in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 10, 486 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2014.155
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2014.155
