Irradiation-induced loss of microglia in the young brain.

Irradiation-induced loss of neural stem and progenitor cells may contribute to cognitive deficits. Furthermore, subsequent inflammation inhibits neural progenitor cell differentiation. Here we have characterized the microglia response after a single dose of 8 Gy to the brains of postnatal day 9 or 21 rats. The number of Iba-1-positive microglia increased 6 h after IR but had decreased 7 days later, below control levels, and this decrease was more pronounced in P9 rats. Active caspase-3 and TUNEL staining revealed irradiation-induced microglia death. This age-dependent IR-induced loss of microglia likely affects both the response to IR and further brain development.