Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (1): 29-40.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-00805

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Microglia lactylation in relation to central nervous system diseases

Hui Yang1, Nan Mo2, Le Tong3, Jianhong Dong1, Ziwei Fan4, Mengxian Jia4, Juanqing Yue5, *, Ying Wang6, *   

  1. 1School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hangzhou First People’s Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; 3College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; 4Department of Orthopedics (Spine Surgery), the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; 5Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; 6Department of Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Online:2025-01-15 Published:1900-01-01
  • Contact: Ying Wang, PhD, nancywangying@163.com; Juanqing Yue, MS, lolayue@foxmail.com.

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Abstract: The development of neurodegenerative diseases is closely related to the disruption of central nervous system homeostasis. Microglia, as innate immune cells, play important roles in the maintenance of central nervous system homeostasis, injury response, and neurodegenerative diseases. Lactate has been considered a metabolic waste product, but recent studies are revealing ever more of the physiological functions of lactate. Lactylation is an important pathway in lactate function and is involved in glycolysis-related functions, macrophage polarization, neuromodulation, and angiogenesis and has also been implicated in the development of various diseases. This review provides an overview of the lactate metabolic and homeostatic regulatory processes involved in microglia lactylation, histone versus non-histone lactylation, and therapeutic approaches targeting lactate. Finally, we summarize the current research on microglia lactylation in central nervous system diseases. A deeper understanding of the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of microglia lactylation will provide more options for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Key words: brain, central nervous system, glycolysis, immune response, inflammation, lactate metabolism, lactate, lactylation, microglia, neurodegenerative diseases