Fig. 2. Microglia may contribute to non-cell autonomous motor neuronal damage in ALS. Under ALS condition, cellular stresses elevate c-Ret gene expression in microglia but not in motor neurons. The increased level of c-Ret in microglia interacts with neurotrophic factors (NFs) such as glia derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The c-Ret and GDNF interaction in microglia improves their survival under ALS condition, whereas the deprivation of NFs in the niche of spinal cord by activated microglia may result in motor neuronal damage.
© Exp Neurobiol
