Fig. 2

Participation of glial cells in AD. 1 Aβ is secreted by the action of BACE1 and γ-secretase, thus forming aggregates of Aβ (oligomers, insoluble fibrillary aggregates and plaques), 2 microglia (M2- like phenotype) and astrocytes capture and degrade Aβ peptides, 3 Aβ aggregates can activate or harm microglia and astrocytes, promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, 4 dysfunction of microglia and astrocytes allows Aβ deposition, increasing cellular damage and inflammation, BACE1 β site cleavage enzyme 1, Aβ amyloid β peptide, M1 pro-inflammatory microglia, M2 anti-inflammatory microglia, green arrows anti-inflammatory and clearing action, red arrows pro-inflammatory actions, black arrows interaction