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Origin of microglia.

C Kaur¹, A J Hao, C H Wu

¹Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Microscopy Research and Technique

|August 31, 2001

Summary

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Microglia, crucial brain immune cells, originate from yolk sac precursors. Research suggests these cells migrate to the brain, supporting a monocytic origin for microglia.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Immunology

Background:

The origin of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, has been a long-standing debate in neuroscience.
Historically, hypotheses have proposed origins from neuroectodermal cells, pial cells, or circulating blood monocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review existing hypotheses on microglial origins.
To present experimental evidence from embryonic mouse brains and experimental brain lesions to elucidate microglial cell lineage.

Main Methods:

Tracing lectin-labelled precursor cells in embryonic mouse brains originating from the yolk sac.
Utilizing colloidal carbon injection in traumatic brain lesions to label circulating monocytes.
Observing the transformation of monocytes into microglia during the healing process.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Lectin-labelled precursor cells were identified in the yolk sac, migrating to the brain's mesenchymal tissue and differentiating into microglia.
In experimentally induced brain lesions, carbon-labelled monocytes were the primary source of brain macrophages, some transforming into microglia.
Findings support the monocytic origin of microglia, with potential contributions from pial mesenchymal macrophages derived from yolk sac precursors.

Conclusions:

The study's findings favor the monocytic origin of microglia based on evidence from normal and altered brain development and experimental lesions.
A dual origin is suggested, with microglia potentially arising from both circulating monocytes and pial mesenchymal macrophages originating from yolk sac precursors.