1-Oleyl-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promotes polarization of BV-2 and primary murine microglia towards an M1-like phenotype.

Background: Microglia, the immunocompetent cells of the CNS, rapidly respond to brain injury and disease by altering their morphology and phenotype to adopt an activated state. Microglia can exist broadly between two different states, namely the classical (M1) and the alternative (M2) phenotype. The first is characterized by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species.