Manganese potentiates LPS-induced heme-oxygenase 1 in microglia but not dopaminergic cells: Role in controlling microglial hydrogen peroxide and inflammatory cytokine output

► Manganese (Mn) does not induce heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), but potentiates LPS-induction of HO-1 in microglia. ► HO-1 activity is important for regulating Mn-induced microglial hydrogen peroxide release. ► Pharmacological inhibition of HO-1, decreases Mn-enhanced microglial cytokine release. ► Small Maf proteins appear to be transcriptional regulators targeted by Mn for potentiation of HO-1. ► Mn does not affect HO-1 in N27 neuronal cells; rather, the effects of Mn appear to be glia-specific.