ROCK mediates the inflammatory response in thrombin induced microglia

•Increased expression of ROCK, NO and TNF-α in thrombin induced microglia was found.•Enhanced phagocytosis in thrombin induced microglia was also found.•Argatroban or Y-27632 pretreatment decreased ROCK, NO and TNF-α expression.•Argatroban or Y-27632 pretreatment reduced phagocytosis in thrombin induced microglia.•ROCK may regulate the inflammatory response in thrombin induced microglia. To investigate whether the ROCK pathway is involved in thrombin-induced microglial inflammatory response, thrombin-induced microglia were pretreated with the thrombin inhibitor argatroban or a ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. Microglial inflammatory response was evaluated by phagocytosis of fluorescein labeled latex beads analyses and inflammatory mediators’ expression such as nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-а). Compared to non-induced microglia, thrombin-induced microglia show significantly enhanced phagocytotic capacity and increased ROCK, NO and TNF-а expression. Pretreatment of thrombin-induced microglia with argatroban or Y-27632 significantly decreased phagocytotic capacity and reduced ROCK, NO and TNF-α expression. Therefore, the ROCK pathway may play a vital role in the mechanisms by which thrombin induces microglia in the inflammatory response.