Microglial and astrocytic involvement in a murine model of Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

We have studied the reaction of glial cells in mice treated with an intraperitoneal administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a selective neurotoxin of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. Signs of injury to the dopaminergic neurons started on the 1st day after MPTP administration and progressed up to the end of the observation time (21st day). A transient microglial reaction was demonstrated from the 1st until the 14th day in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum. The cells showed an increase in number and changes in morphology. At the ultrastructural level, signs of phagocytosis and features indicating the secretion of biologically active substances were observed. Astrocytosis followed the microglial reaction by one day and was noticed until the end of the observation time. Interleukin-6 immunoreactivity was observed within microglia and astrocytes in the SN on days 2 and 3. There were no signs of depletion of dopaminergic cells or glial activation after the administration of MPTP simultaneously with pargyline, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-B that prevents MPTP neurotoxicity. Our study indicates that microglia and astrocytes are involved in the pathological process in the nigrostriatal system following MPTP administration. MPTP alone is not responsible for glial cell activation but its metabolite MPP+ and/or agents released by injured neurons may participate in this process.