Research activities

Our main scientific scope is to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal death induction and prevention in experimental models and human degenerative pathologies. We have described that KATP channel plays a central role in the control of the microglial reaction and it is a potent regulator of neuronal survival in the first stages of cerebral ictus. It is also neuroprotective in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

We conducted a genetic study in a cohort of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We found an association between two polymorphisms of the CX3CR1 gene, expressed in microglia, and the rate of disease progression.

Recent results

Recently we have demonstrated that microglia express the L-type VGCC and that this channel has a role in the control of the microglial release of citokines during neuroinflammation.

We have also found that diazoxide, a KATP channel opener, enhances excitotoxicity-induced neurogenesis and attenuates neurodegeneration in the rat non-neurogenic hippocampus. These results indicate a role for KATP channel activation in regulating excitotoxicity-induced neurogenesis in brain injury.

Finally we found an association between some polymorphisms of genes encoding for the KATP channel and the rate of ALS progression and survival in a Spanish cohort, which may be related with the neuroinflammatory process described for the condition.

Latests publications

Vidal-Taboada JM, Pugliese M, Salvadó M, Gámez J, Mahy N, Rodríguez MJ. (2018) “KATP Channel Expression and Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Progression and Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”. Mol Neurobiol [Ahead of print].

Rodriguez MJ, Mahy N. (2016) “Neuron-microglia interactions in motor neuron degeneration. The inflammatory hypothesis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revisited” Curr Med Chem 23:4753-4772. (Download)

Martinez-Moreno M, Vidal-Taboada JM, Ortega FJ, Batlle M, Mahy N, Rodriguez MJ. (2016) “Diazoxide enhances excitotoxicity-induced neurogenesis and attenuates neurodegeneration in the rat non-neurogenic hippocampus” Neuroscience 333:229-243. (Download)

Espinosa-Parrilla J, Pugliese M, Mahy N, Rodríguez MJ. (2016) “Neuroprotection: A new therapeutic approach of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis” cap 13 in Trending topics in Multiple sclerosis; p. 307-328. Ed. González-Quevedo A. (2016) InTech, Rijeka. (Download)

Vidal-Taboada JM, López-López A, Salvado M, Lorenzo L, García C, Mahy N, Rodriguez MJ, Gámez J. (2015) “UNC13A confers risk for sporadic ALS and influences survival in a Spanish cohort” J Neurol 262:2285-2292. (Download)

Batlle M, Ferri L, Andrade C, Ortega J, Vidal-Taboada JM, Pugliese M, Mahy N, and Rodríguez MJ. (2015) “Astroglia-microglia crosstalk during neurodegeneration in the rat hippocampus” BioMed Res Int 2015 (ID 102419): 1-15. (Baixar-ho)

Espinosa-Parrilla JF, Martínez-Moreno M, Gasull X, Mahy N, and Rodríguez MJ. (2015) “The L-type voltage-gated calcium channel modulates microglial pro-inflammatory activity” Mol Cell Neurosci 64:104-115. (Download)

Bosch MN, Pugliese M, Andrade C, Gimeno-Bayón J, Mahy N, and Rodríguez MJ. (2015) “Aβ immunotherapy reduces amyloid plaques and astroglial reaction in aged domestic dogs” Neurodeg Dis 15:24-37. (Download)

Ortega FJ, Vukovic J, Rodríguez MJ, and Bartlett PF (2014) "Blockade of microglial KATP-channel abrogates suppression of inflammatory-mediated inhibition of neural precursor cells" Glia 62:247-258. (Download)

Gimeno-Bayón J, López-López A, Rodríguez MJ, and Mahy N. (2014) "Glucose pathways adaptation supports acquisition of activated microglia phenotype" J Neurosci Res 92:723-731. (Download)

López-López A, Gámez J, Syriani E, Morales M, Salvado M, Rodríguez MJ, Mahy N, and Vidal-Taboada JM (2014) "CX3CR1 is a modifying gene of survival and progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" PLoS ONE 9:e96528. (Download)

Virgili N, Mancera P, Chanvillard C, Wegner A, Wappenhans B, Rodríguez MJ, Infante-Duarte C, Espinosa-Parrilla JF, Pugliese M. (2014) "Diazoxide attenuates autoimmune encephalomyelitis and modulates lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell functionality" J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 9:558–568. (Download)

Rodríguez MJ, Martínez-Moreno, M, Ortega FJ, and Mahy N (2013) “Targeting microglial KATP channels to treat neurodegenerative diseases: a mitochondrial issue" Oxid Med Cell Long 2013:194546. (Download)

Virgili N, Mancera P, Wappenhans B, Sorrosal G, Biber K, Pugliese M, Espinosa-Parrilla JF. (2013) “KATP channel opener diazoxide prevents neurodegeneration: A new mechanism of action via antioxidative pathway activation" PLoS ONE 8(9): e75189 (Download)

Bosch MN, Gimeno-Bayón J, Rodríguez MJ, Pugliese M, and Mahy N (2013) “Rapid improvement of canine cognitive dysfunction with immunotherapy designed for Alzheimer's disease" Curr Alzeim Dis 10:482-493. (Download)

Ortega FJ, Jolkkonen J, and Rodríguez MJ (2013) “Microglia is an active player in how glibenclamide improves stroke outcome" J Cereb Blood Flow Met33:1138-1139. (Download)

Ortega FJ, Jolkkonen J, Mahy N, and Rodríguez MJ (2013) “Glibenclamide enhances neurogenesis and improves long-term functional recovery after transient focal cerebral ischemia" J Cereb Blood Flow Met 33:356-364. (Download)