Objective: To observe the effects of sodium metavanadate (NaVO3·2H2O) exposure on the inflammatory response and migration of microglia, and to explore the related mechanism of vanadium neurotoxicity.
Methods: The primary cultured SD rat microglia were incubated with sodium metavanadate. Immunofluorescence technique showed the changes of microglia morphology and the expression of its specific marker Iba1. Western blot technique was used to detect iNOS, COX-2, ERK and p-ERK protein expression, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the release levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β; a scratch migration model was constructed, and the effect of sodium metavanadate on the migration of microglia was recorded by immunofluorescence technique.
Results: After incubating microglia with sodium metavanadate, the morphology of neuronal microglia changed from quiescent branch-like to phagocytic-like morphology, and the expression of its specific marker Iba1 was significantly increased; the proteins of iNOS and COX-2 were significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the expression and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased; sodium metavanadate promoted the migration of microglia.
Conclusion: Sodium metavanadate significantly promotes the inflammatory response and migration of microglia.