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Neurodegeneration

Neurofilament light chain induces neuroinflammation

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 21, page 233 (2025)Cite this article

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Neurofilament light chain (NfL) released from damaged neurons induces neuroinflammation, according to new research. NfL is used as a biomarker for many neurodegenerative diseases, but was not previously known to contribute to disease processes.

Glutamate-induced stress in primary neuronal cultures resulted in a twofold increase in NfL release from baseline, which was dependent on calpain proteolysis and correlated with neuronal degradation. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse hippocampal cells showed activation of microglia following NfL injection. Moreover, NfL knockout in the SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) reduced microgliosis and motor neuron loss, and delayed symptom onset.

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References

Original article

  • Kahn, O. I. et al. Secreted neurofilament light chain after neuronal damage induces myeloid cell activation and neuroinflammation. Cell Rep. 44, 115382 (2025)

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  1. Nature Reviews Neurology http://www.nature.com/nrneurol/

    Lisa Kiani

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  1. Lisa Kiani
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Correspondence to Lisa Kiani.

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Kiani, L. Neurofilament light chain induces neuroinflammation. Nat Rev Neurol 21, 233 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-025-01085-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-025-01085-8

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