TY - JOUR AU - Pabon, Mibel M. AU - Bachstetter, Adam D. AU - Hudson, Charles E. AU - Gemma, Carmelina AU - Bickford, Paula C. PY - 2011 DA - 2011/01/25 TI - CX3CL1 reduces neurotoxicity and microglial activation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease JO - Journal of Neuroinflammation SP - 9 VL - 8 IS - 1 AB - Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The cause of the neurodegeneration is unknown. Neuroinflammation has been clearly shown in Parkinson's disease and may be involved in the progressive nature of the disease. Microglia are capable of producing neuronal damage through the production of bioactive molecules such as cytokines, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). The inflammatory response in the brain is tightly regulated at multiple levels. One form of immune regulation occurs via neurons. Fractalkine (CX3CL1), produced by neurons, suppresses the activation of microglia. CX3CL1 is constitutively expressed. It is not known if addition of exogenous CX3CL1 beyond otherwise physiologically normal levels could decrease microglia activation and thereby minimize the secondary neurodegeration following a neurotoxic insult. SN - 1742-2094 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-8-9 DO - 10.1186/1742-2094-8-9 ID - Pabon2011 ER -