Glia
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In response to traumatic brain injury (TBI) microglia/macrophages and astrocytes release inflammatory mediators with dual effects on secondary brain damage progression. The neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory glycoprotein progranulin (PGRN) attenuates neuronal damage and microglia/macrophage activation in brain injury but mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we studied histopathology, neurology and gene expression of inflammatory markers in PGRN-deficient mice (Grn-/- ) 24 h and 5 days after experimental TBI. ⋯ Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of rPGRN immediately before trauma reduced brain damage and neurological deficits, and restored normal levels of cytokine transcription, axonal injury and astrogliosis 5 days after TBI in Grn-/- mice. Our results show that endogenous and recombinant PGRN limit axonal injury and astrogliosis and suggest therapeutic potential of PGRN in TBI. GLIA 2017;65:278-292.