Effects of malonate C₆₀ derivatives on activated microglia

Activated microglia in acute and chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) can produce large amounts of free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which subsequently contribute to neuropathogenesis. Thus, it is believed that the induction of microglial deactivation can reduce neuronal injury. Buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀) derivatives that possess free radical scavenging properties have been demonstrated to prevent neuronal cell death caused by excitotoxic insult. In this study, we investigated the biological role of two malonic acid C₆₀ derivatives referred as trans-2 and trans-3 on microglia in the presence of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment of LPS-activated microglia with trans-2 and trans-3 induced a significant degree of transformation of amoeboid microglia to the ramified phenotype. To understand the mechanism underlying this C₆₀ mediated microglial morphological transformation, we examined the production of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as the final NO products (nitrate and nitrite) in the microglial culture supernatant. Although inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) mRNA and protein expression in LPS-activated microglia were slightly decreased by trans-2 and trans-3, levels of nitrate and nitrite were unaffected. Paradoxically, trans-2 and trans-3 were found to increase the release of IL-1β in the activated microglial culture. However, trans-2 and trans-3 improved the activity of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in LPS-treated microglia. Therefore, our results suggest that the C₆₀ derivatives might increase microglial SOD enzymatic activity which causes microglial morphological transformation from the activated amoeboid phenotype to the resting ramified form.