Influence of Microglia and Innate Immune Memory on CNS Prion Disease

Prion diseases are a group of chronic and progressive neurodegenerative diseases and are characterised by the deposition of infectious misfolded prions and reactive gliosis across the central nervous system (CNS). The glial responses provide an essential role in orchestrating immune responses during chronic neurodegeneration.
The mononuclear phagocyte subset of glia, the microglia, phagocytose prions and facilitate neuroprotection during disease [1]. However, a unique property of the microglia is adopting innate immune memory against pathogenic stimulants including bacterial LPS to alter their long-term responsiveness and phenotype. Microglial innate immune
memory can modify certain neuropathological disorders including mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and Stroke [2]. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the effects of innate immune memory on microglia might also modify the progression of CNS prion disease