Microglial galectin-3 increases with aging in the mouse hippocampus
- Author:
Hyun Joo SHIN
1
;
So Jeong LEE
;
Hyeong Seok AN
;
Ha Nyeoung CHOI
;
Eun Ae JEONG
;
Jaewoong LEE
;
Kyung Eun KIM
;
Bong-Hoi CHOI
;
Seung Pil YUN
;
Dawon KANG
;
Sang Soo KANG
;
Gu Seob ROH
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(2):215-225
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.
