Neuroinflammation and oxidative injury in developmental neurotoxicity

Neuroinflammation is a complex response to brain injury involving the activation of glia, release of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, and generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Inflammatory responses in the brain also are associated with increased levels of prostaglandins (PGs), particularly PGE₂. PGE₂ signaling is mediated by interactions with four distinct G protein-coupled receptors, EP₁, EP₂, EP₃, and EP₄, which are differentially expressed on neuronal and glial cells throughout the central nervous system. Elevated PGE₂ and inflammatory mediators are also inherent to the aging brain. An increased state of neuroinflammation renders the aged brain more vulnerable to the disruptive effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as disease, infection, toxicants, or stress. This chapter characterizes processes of neuroinflammation and related oxidative injury and discusses neuroinflammatory changes associated with aging.