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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
Complement System01:27

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Engulfment Assay: A Protocol to Assess Interactions Between CNS Phagocytes and Neurons
07:38

An Engulfment Assay: A Protocol to Assess Interactions Between CNS Phagocytes and Neurons

Published on: June 9, 2014

Synapse remodeling, compliments of the complement system.

Lawrence Fourgeaud1, Lisa M Boulanger

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Cell
|December 18, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Immune proteins play a surprising role in brain development. The complement cascade is essential for shaping synaptic connections in the developing visual system.

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Quantification of Microglial Engulfment of Synaptic Material Using Flow Cytometry

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Engulfment Assay: A Protocol to Assess Interactions Between CNS Phagocytes and Neurons
07:38

An Engulfment Assay: A Protocol to Assess Interactions Between CNS Phagocytes and Neurons

Published on: June 9, 2014

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes
06:43

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

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Quantification of Microglial Engulfment of Synaptic Material Using Flow Cytometry
07:41

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Proteins traditionally known for immune functions exhibit non-immune roles in the central nervous system.
  • Synaptic remodeling is a critical process during neural development.

Discussion:

  • Stevens et al. (2007) reveal a novel function for the complement cascade in synaptic plasticity.
  • This study highlights the intersection of immunology and neuroscience in developmental processes.

Key Insights:

  • The complement cascade is unexpectedly required for the remodeling of synaptic connections.
  • This finding challenges the traditional view of immune molecules being solely involved in defense.

Outlook:

  • Further research into non-immune roles of complement proteins could uncover new therapeutic targets.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for addressing developmental neurological disorders.