Fig. 1

Schematic depicting glial cell Aβ clearance. AD is characterized by Aβ accumulation, which can cause reactive gliosis in the brain. Nilotinib has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and to protect neurons from reactive microglia-induced inflammatory damage. (A) To protect neurons from injury by Aβ, microglia form a physical barrier around the Aβ plaque. (B) Microglial proteases cause Aβ degradation and increase Aβ clearance. (C) Microglial phagocytosis is enhanced by targeting the receptors and pathways involved in this response. (D) Anti-inflammatory cytokines promote microglial phagocytosis and Aβ clearance, whereas proinflammatory cytokines inhibit phagocytosis. (E) Astrocytes can be activated by cytokines secreted by microglia. (F) Aβ can cause microglia to become reactive and impair synaptic function. Reprinted from https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/2/313. Available under Creative Commons BY 4.0 license