Inflammation Immunity & Tumour Biology Lab
Understanding Dopamine-induced Microglia Extracellular Traps (MiETs)
Primary adult human microglia and Astrocytes (Microglia stained with RCA (Green) and Astrocytes stained with GFAP (Red). Nuclei are stained with DAPI.
Dopamine-induced extracellular traps stained with DAPI (Blue) and Myeloperoxidase (Red).
Our immune system consists of various immune cells, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and macrophages. These cells play multiple roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, these cells release Extracellular traps (ETs) in response to stress conditions. ETs are web-like structures composed of nucleic acid and proteins. ETs can trap and kill microorganisms(bacteria and fungi) while inactivating them.
Microglia is another such immune cell present in the central nervous system (CNS). Our lab discovered that Microglia release extracellular traps when stimulated by dopamine(DA). As microglia plays important role in CNS, these ETs can play a significant role in sterile neuro-inflammation as they are present in primary human tissue. While we know so little about Microglia Extracellular Traps (MiETs), Neutrophils ETs (NETs) have been reported to play an essential role in various diseases such as cancer, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, COVID-19, vascular occlusion, contributing to their progression or regression. Hence, our lab aims to understand MiETs, their signaling pathways, and their roles in health and diseases.