Brain-derived microparticles activate microglia/macrophages and induce neuroinflammation.

Microparticles are cell fragments derived from damaged cells that are able to present an antigen from the parent cells to other cells to activate intracellular signaling pathways. Microparticles are closely related to the inflammatory response. Brain-derived microparticles (BDMPs) play an important role in brain injury. However, the inflammatory effect of BDMPs on microglia/macrophages remains unclear. The BDMPs were consumed by microglia/macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The BDMPs activated microglia/macrophages and changed their morphology in vitro. The BDMPs dysregulate the production of pro-inflammatory factors, suggesting that the effect of the BDMPs on microglia/macrophages is pro-inflammatory. In this study, we used flow cytometry, hopping probe ion conductance microscopy, immunofluorescence and other techniques to study the effect of brain-derived microparticle activation on microglia/macrophages that leads to neuroinflammation. BDMPs might be possible targets for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) changes after secondary nerve inflammation.