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

Microglia, the main immune cells in the central nervous system, gather at injury sites and can both worsen and improve tissue damage after spinal cord injury. The study explores how inhibiting Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), an enzyme involved in inflammation, affects microglial migration, which is important for tissue repair. The research focuses on the impact of ROCK inhibitors Y27632 and fasudil on microglial movement and the mechanisms behind it. The researchers found that Y27632 and fasudil increased microglial migration and altered their shape, making them irregular with many small processes. These drugs also increased levels of phosphorylated ERK protein, a key component of a signaling pathway involved in cell growth and migration. Blocking the ERK pathway with U0126 reversed the effects of Y27632 and fasudil. The findings suggest that ROCK inhibitors Y27632 and fasudil promote microglial migration in the spinal cord through the ERK signaling pathway. By enhancing microglial migration, these inhibitors could potentially improve tissue remodeling and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

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  Y27632 and fasudil increased microglial migration, suggesting ROCK inhibition promotes microglial motility.
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  ROCK inhibitors altered microglial morphology, leading to larger, irregularly shaped cells with more processes.
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  The ERK signaling pathway mediates the effects of Y27632 and fasudil on microglial migration and morphology, as blocking ERK with U0126 reversed these effects.