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Figure 4 | Journal of Neuroinflammation

Figure 4

From: LRRK2 kinase inhibition prevents pathological microglial phagocytosis in response to HIV-1 Tat protein

Figure 4

LRRK2 kinase inhibition protects primary axons from Tat-induced microglial phagocytosis. We co-cultured BV-2 cells along with various experimental conditions in the axonal compartment of established rat hippocampal primary neuron microfluidic chambers for 18 hours. We imaged the axonal field before and after treatment to determine the effects of the experimentally treated microglia on the neuronal structures. The figure shows representative images of axons before and after co-culture with experimentally treated BV-2 cells. Axons exposed to saline or LRRK2i treated BV-2 cells remain wholly intact, while axons exposed to Tat-treated BV-2 cells are largely destroyed. The lack of axonal debris indicates the presence of microglial phagocytosis. The addition of LRRK2i partially protects the axon field from the Tat treated BV-2 cells. LRRK2i, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 inhibitor; Tat, trans activator of transcription.

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