Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2018, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (4): 677-683.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.230294

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The Rho-associated kinase inhibitors Y27632 and fasudil promote microglial migration in the spinal cord via the ERK signaling pathway

Pei-Cai Fu1, Rong-Hua Tang1, Zhi-Yuan Yu1, 2, Min-Jie Xie1, 2, Wei Wang1, 2, Xiang Luo1   

  1. 1 Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province,China
    2 Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2018-02-05 Online:2018-04-15 Published:2018-04-15
  • Contact: Xiang Luo, M.D.,tjhfile@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81471200, 81771341.

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Abstract:

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) is a key regulatory protein involved in inflammatory secretion in microglia in the central nervous system. Our previous studies showed that ROCK inhibition enhances phagocytic activity in microglia through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, but its effect on microglial migration was unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of the ROCK inhibitors Y27632 and fasudil on the migratory activity of primary cultured microglia isolated from the spinal cord, and we examined the underlying mechanisms. The microglia were treated with Y27632, fasudil and/or the ERK inhibitor U0126. Cellular morphology was observed by immunofluorescence. Transwell chambers were used to assess cell migration. ERK levels were measured by incell western blot assay. Y27632 and fasudil increased microglial migration, and the microglia were irregularly shaped and had many small processes. These inhibitors also upregulated the levels of phosphorylated ERK protein. The ERK inhibitor U0126 suppressed these effects of Y27632 and fasudil. These findings suggest that the ROCK inhibitors Y27632 and fasudil promote microglial migration in the spinal cord through the ERK signaling pathway.