Agathisflavone Modulates Reactive Gliosis After Trauma and Increases the Neuroblast Population at the Subventricular Zone.

backgroundReactive astrogliosis and microgliosis are coordinated responses to CNS insults and are pathological hallmarks of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In these conditions, persistent reactive gliosis can impede tissue repopulation and limit neurogenesis. Thus, modulating this phenomenon has been increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic approach.

methodsIn this study, we investigated the potential of the flavonoid agathisflavone to modulate astroglial and microglial injury responses and promote neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenic niche. Agathisflavone, or the vehicle in controls, was administered directly into the lateral ventricles in postnatal day (P)8-10 mice by twice daily intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections for 3 days, and brains were examined at P11.

resultsIn the controls, ICV injection caused glial reactivity along the needle track, characterised immunohistochemically by increased astrocyte expression of glial fibrillary protein (GFAP) and the number of Iba-1+ microglia at the lesion site. Treatment with agathisflavone decreased GFAP expression, reduced both astrocyte reactivity and the number of Iba-1

conclusionsAlthough future studies should investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms driving agathisflavone effects on microglial polarization and neurogenesis at different timepoints, these data indicate that agathisflavone could be a potential adjuvant treatment for TBI or central nervous system disorders that have reactive gliosis as a common feature.