Alpha1-antichymotrypsin induces TNF-α production and NF-κB activation in the murine N9 microglial cell line

Microglia are known to accumulate in senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease (AD) together with a set of proteins including α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). To investigate the biological effects of the interaction between ACT and microglia, we examined cytokine production by the murine N9 microglial cell line after ACT treatment. Real-time PCR analysis and specific immunoassays demonstrate that ACT triggers mRNA expression and release of TNF-α by N9 microglial cells. Furthermore, we show that ACT induces a significant increase in NF-κB nuclear translocation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ACT might contribute to the inflammatory mechanisms present in AD senile plaques.