Neuroinflammation and microglial expression in brains of social-isolation rearing model of schizophrenia

• Published in: IBRO neuroscience reports 2023-12, Vol.15, p.31-41
• Main Authors: Ayilara, Gideon Opeyemi, Owoyele, Bamidele Victor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CX3CR1; Microglia; Neuroinflammation; Research Paper; Schizophrenia; Social isolation
• ISSN: 2667-2421; 2667-2421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.05.010

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with a global prevalence of approximately 0.45%. It is considered a mental illness, with negative symptoms, positive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction. The outcomes of studies on the role of microglia and neuroinflammation have been conflicting. In addition, there is a poor understanding of the sex differences in microglial expression and neuroinflammation markers in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens. Understanding the exact roles of neuroinflammation may guide the development of efficient therapeutic drugs that can address the negative, positive, and cognitive symptoms of the disease. We examined the effect of social isolation rearing on schizophrenia-related behaviours in male and female BALB/c mice. The social-isolation rearing protocol started on post-natal day (PND) 21, lasting for 35 days. Animals were assigned to four cohorts, consisting of five animals per group. On PND 56, animals were assessed for behavioural changes. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to investigate the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of microglia in the three brain regions. Our study showed that isolation rearing led to increasing locomotion, heightened anxiety, depression, and a reduced percentage of prepulse inhibition. There was a significant increase (p