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The ultrastructure of normal and reactive microglia
Acta Neuropathologica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Microglia morphology changes in pathological conditions, making their origin indistinguishable from invading monocytes. This highlights microglia
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, possess a distinct morphology when in a resting state.
- Pathological conditions, both rapid and slow, can alter microglial morphology, obscuring their characteristic features.
- Distinguishing between endogenous microglia and infiltrating haematogenous monocytes becomes challenging based on morphology alone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes in microglia during pathological states.
- To determine if microglial origin can be reliably identified morphologically in disease.
- To underscore the role of microglia within the broader immune system.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of microglia in normal and pathological brain tissues.
- Comparative assessment of microglial and monocyte-derived phagocyte morphology.
- Histological examination of brain sections.
Main Results:
- Normal microglia exhibit unique morphological characteristics.
- In pathological conditions, these distinct features are lost.
- Phagocytes derived from haematogenous monocytes invading the brain share morphological similarities with microglia, preventing clear differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Morphological assessment alone is insufficient to determine the origin of phagocytes in pathological brain states.
- Microglia are integral components of the reticulo-endothelial system.
- The plasticity of microglia and their interaction with peripheral immune cells warrant further investigation.