RT Journal Article T1 Sex differences in the phagocytic and migratory activityof microglia and their impairment by palmitic acid A1 Yanguas Casás, Natalia A1 Crespo Castrillo, Andrea A1 Ceballos, María L. de A1 Chowen, Julie A. A1 Azcoitia Elías, Iñigo A1 Arévalo, María Ángeles A1 García Segura, Luis Miguel AB Sex differences in the incidence, clinical manifestation, disease course, and prognosis of neurological diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders or Alzheimer’s disease, have been reported. Obesity has been postulated as a risk factor for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease and, during pregnancy, increases the risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring. Obesity is associated with increased serum and brain levels of free fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, which activate microglial cells triggering a potent inflammatory cascade. In this study, we have determined the effect of palmitic acid in the inflammatory profile, motility, and phagocytosis of primary male and female microglia, both in basal conditions and in the presence of a pro-inflammatory stimulus (interferon-g). Male microglia in vitro showed higher migration than female microglia under basal and stimulated conditions. In contrast, female microglia had higher basal and stimulated phagocytic activity than male microglia. Palmitic acid did not affect basal migration or phagocytosis, but abolished the migration and phagocytic activity of male and female microglia in response to interferon-g. These findings extend previous observations of sex differences in microglia and suggest that palmitic acid impairs the protective responses of these cells. PB Wiley SN 0894-1491, ESSN: 1098-1136 YR 2018 FD 2018-03 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12138 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12138 LA eng NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) NO CIBER de Investigacion Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)(España) NO CIBER de Investigacion Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN)(España) NO CIBER de Investigacion Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) (España) NO Instituto de Salud Carlos III NO Fondos Feder DS Docta Complutense RD 13 abr 2025